Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
Ok. this is only my second contact with Shakespeare - apart from Romeo & Juliet that is - and it sounds a fairly lot like nonsense, probably mostly because of the old Englush, most plays have that characteristic when they are classics. I was curious because it was mentioned in Ready Player One.
The recording and narration is very good, though it is also not new, very well acted, that I cannot fault.
As for the plot....it is quite confusing, but I got the gist, and it was fun to listen to. The conclusion sort of reveals what happens, that was the easiest to get.
The monologues and songs can be quite beautiful. And I guess there is a lesson here somewhere but I'd have to listen to this a few times and even then who knows if I could fully grasp it.
The recording and narration is very good, though it is also not new, very well acted, that I cannot fault.
As for the plot....it is quite confusing, but I got the gist, and it was fun to listen to. The conclusion sort of reveals what happens, that was the easiest to get.
The monologues and songs can be quite beautiful. And I guess there is a lesson here somewhere but I'd have to listen to this a few times and even then who knows if I could fully grasp it.
The Tempest was a lot more difficult to read than anything else I've read by Shakespeare (which, admittedly, is not a whole lot). I've finished, but I'm not entirely sure what happened? I couldn't remember who was who, and any action was so ensconced in multi-page soliloquies that it was all kind of lost on me.
Well, I’ve hit a milestone. This is the last of the Italian plays and only have the English ones leave - 15 of them starting with King Lear.
I’ve read this play a couple of times and have enjoyed it. To prepare for this time’s reading, I consulted the wiki page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tempest. https://www.cliffsnotes.com/literature/t/the-tempest/play-summary as well as http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/tempest/
This video summary via YouTube is pretty good, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lq2YEqSZo54 (includes some funny commentary).
I watched this version of the play. http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b7ac5f36e and found it a very good. The acting is great and was filmed on a stage. Also, it was interesting to see Efrem ZImpalist Jr. playing the role of Prospero and Ron Palilio (Horshack of Welcome Back, Kotter) as Trinculo.
This “problem” play is considered to be Shakespeare’s last work before retiring and some say that it’s a metaphor of his bowing out (e.g. Prospero giving up his magical powers). I also found it interesting that unlike his other works, there is no known original source for the story. Cliffnotes suggests, “The Tempest serves as a culmination of Shakespeare's earlier work, since in this play, he brings many of these earlier ideas together in one work.”
I learned while doing some background reading that magic and tricks were scary in Shakespeare’s time and many may have been frightened by the use of it in the play. That’s probably the motivation of the Prospero relinquishing his power.
The presentation of master and servants/slaves is noteworthy. The way Prospero treats both Ariel and Caliban is tough. The magician has them both under his power and forces them both into submission.
Quotes:
“We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little life is rounded with a sleep.”
“What's past is prologue.”
“Now I will believe that there are unicorns...”
“Thought is free.”
“O, brave new world
that has such people in't!”
“This thing of darkness I
Acknowledge mine.”
“Awake, dear heart, awake. Thou hast slept well. Awake.”
“Misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows.”
“Your tale, sir, would cure deafness.”
“I would not wish any companion in the world but you.”
“Good wombs have borne bad sons."
“You taught me language, and my profit on't / Is, I know how to curse”
“I am your wife if you will marry me.
If not, I'll die your maid. To be your fellow
You may deny me, but I'll be your servant Whether you will or no.”
“I long to hear the story of your life, which must captivate the ear strangely.”
“Watch out he's winding the watch of his wit, by and by it will strike.”
“Their manners are more gentle, kind, than of our generation you shall find.”
I’ve read this play a couple of times and have enjoyed it. To prepare for this time’s reading, I consulted the wiki page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tempest. https://www.cliffsnotes.com/literature/t/the-tempest/play-summary as well as http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/tempest/
This video summary via YouTube is pretty good, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lq2YEqSZo54 (includes some funny commentary).
I watched this version of the play. http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b7ac5f36e and found it a very good. The acting is great and was filmed on a stage. Also, it was interesting to see Efrem ZImpalist Jr. playing the role of Prospero and Ron Palilio (Horshack of Welcome Back, Kotter) as Trinculo.
This “problem” play is considered to be Shakespeare’s last work before retiring and some say that it’s a metaphor of his bowing out (e.g. Prospero giving up his magical powers). I also found it interesting that unlike his other works, there is no known original source for the story. Cliffnotes suggests, “The Tempest serves as a culmination of Shakespeare's earlier work, since in this play, he brings many of these earlier ideas together in one work.”
I learned while doing some background reading that magic and tricks were scary in Shakespeare’s time and many may have been frightened by the use of it in the play. That’s probably the motivation of the Prospero relinquishing his power.
The presentation of master and servants/slaves is noteworthy. The way Prospero treats both Ariel and Caliban is tough. The magician has them both under his power and forces them both into submission.
Quotes:
“We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little life is rounded with a sleep.”
“What's past is prologue.”
“Now I will believe that there are unicorns...”
“Thought is free.”
“O, brave new world
that has such people in't!”
“This thing of darkness I
Acknowledge mine.”
“Awake, dear heart, awake. Thou hast slept well. Awake.”
“Misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows.”
“Your tale, sir, would cure deafness.”
“I would not wish any companion in the world but you.”
“Good wombs have borne bad sons."
“You taught me language, and my profit on't / Is, I know how to curse”
“I am your wife if you will marry me.
If not, I'll die your maid. To be your fellow
You may deny me, but I'll be your servant Whether you will or no.”
“I long to hear the story of your life, which must captivate the ear strangely.”
“Watch out he's winding the watch of his wit, by and by it will strike.”
“Their manners are more gentle, kind, than of our generation you shall find.”
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
We are such stuff as dreams are made in; and our little life is rounded with a sleep.
Prospero the magician is usurped by his brother as the Duke of Milan. He, along with his daughter Miranda, is exiled to an island. There with his slave, the deformed son-of-a-witch (literally, Caliban he raises his daughter. When Fate brings his brother by the island, he creates a storm, or Tempest (see it's not just a clever title!), to shipwreck the new Duke and his fellow travelers. Once on the island, Prospero's magical helper, Ariel, torments the shipwrecked party while Prospero plays match-maker with the Duke's son and his daughter.
It's got a couple of good quotes ("The foul witch Sycorax, who with age and envy was grown into a hoop." [1.2.259-60]) and the normal pun-filled back-and-forth is fun to read. Though one scene shows a group talking to one another, but the speaker isn't addressing the person whom had just spoke but rather another person entirely. That got a tad tough to follow. It's not an outstanding play, but an average Shakespeare play is an above average work itself. I wouldn't suggest this as a first foray into The Bard's cannon, but if you've got a couple plays under your belt it's not a bad one.
It's got a couple of good quotes ("The foul witch Sycorax, who with age and envy was grown into a hoop." [1.2.259-60]) and the normal pun-filled back-and-forth is fun to read. Though one scene shows a group talking to one another, but the speaker isn't addressing the person whom had just spoke but rather another person entirely. That got a tad tough to follow. It's not an outstanding play, but an average Shakespeare play is an above average work itself. I wouldn't suggest this as a first foray into The Bard's cannon, but if you've got a couple plays under your belt it's not a bad one.