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3.36 AVERAGE
3.36 AVERAGE
massaglia's review against another edition
4.0
For the Henry VI plays, I’m taking a bit of a different approach. I’m going to view the PBS’s The Hollow Crown versions http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/henry-vi-part-1/5955/ of these plays with the understanding that the three parts have been collapsed into two programs. I think the series is done extremely well; the sets and costumes are very detailed and realistic, and the acting is outstanding.
(Note the first part of the two episodes that I viewed ended with most of the first two parts of the original.)
To prepare for these plays, I consulted my Shakespeare App https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/shakespeare/id285035416?mt=8 which gives a really good, in-depth summary of the plays. Also, the plot summaries from IMDB https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3974590/plotsummary?ref_=tt_stry_pl were very helpful. Also, as with most of Shakespeare's works on this project, Wiki.
Henry VI, Part 1
The original play ends with Joan of Arc condemned to death and where Suffolk it to go to France to marry serve a proxy for the king to marry Margaret.
Part 1 provides context and sets up the conflict of the War of the Roses. The plot presents twists and turns and shows the behind-the-scenes struggles of England’s political power. The play reflects the shift of power from the gallant Henry V to the naive and vulnerable Henry VI. Henry just wants peeps to get along.
Conflicts include the English and French military; the feud between York and Somerset and the feud between Gloucester and Winchester. Plays for power is summed up nicely from Shmoop: “Political strength is just one kind of power in Henry VI, Part 1. There's also military power, rhetorical power, supernatural power—and if you're a king, you're sort of expected to have them all.”
Joan of Arc’s strength, bravery, and assertiveness, at first, is impressive. She is presented as a woman who possesses super-national powers and is extremely impressive on the battlefield.
(Note the first part of the two episodes that I viewed ended with most of the first two parts of the original.)
To prepare for these plays, I consulted my Shakespeare App https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/shakespeare/id285035416?mt=8 which gives a really good, in-depth summary of the plays. Also, the plot summaries from IMDB https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3974590/plotsummary?ref_=tt_stry_pl were very helpful. Also, as with most of Shakespeare's works on this project, Wiki.
Henry VI, Part 1
The original play ends with Joan of Arc condemned to death and where Suffolk it to go to France to marry serve a proxy for the king to marry Margaret.
Part 1 provides context and sets up the conflict of the War of the Roses. The plot presents twists and turns and shows the behind-the-scenes struggles of England’s political power. The play reflects the shift of power from the gallant Henry V to the naive and vulnerable Henry VI. Henry just wants peeps to get along.
Conflicts include the English and French military; the feud between York and Somerset and the feud between Gloucester and Winchester. Plays for power is summed up nicely from Shmoop: “Political strength is just one kind of power in Henry VI, Part 1. There's also military power, rhetorical power, supernatural power—and if you're a king, you're sort of expected to have them all.”
Joan of Arc’s strength, bravery, and assertiveness, at first, is impressive. She is presented as a woman who possesses super-national powers and is extremely impressive on the battlefield.
seanhatesnamerestrictions's review against another edition
4.0
Glad I'm getting to actually learn about the Wars of the Roses since the British History Podcast won't reach that point until approximately 2050.
_circe_'s review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
oliverho's review against another edition
3.0
Part of my goal to read Shakespeare all year--the flaws in this play felt oddly modern: tons of characters, very short scenes, lots of action, several story lines happening at the same time. It almost read like episode summaries of a TV series. One book suggested the plot was about nothing more than the passage of time. I'm not sure I agree with that, but it did jump around a lot. The battle scenes with Talbot and his son seemed the most moving.
eggcellent_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
katep27's review against another edition
4.0
3.75/5stars
edit 10/22; bumping this up from a 2.5 to a 3.75 just cause our discussion in class made me understand and enjoy it MUCH more
I'm just really not a big fan of Shakespeare's history plays. Especially this one was just WAY too much war to read about and too many battles. I'm sure its pretty entertaining to watch on the stage, but reading it just wasn't that great. Joan is pretty cool. But like i didn't care about anything else.
my response for class:
“Burgundy: Is it even so? Nay, then I see our wars
Will turn unto a peaceful comic sport,
When ladies crave to be encountered with.
You may not, my lord, despise her gentle suit.” (2.2.44-47)
And
“Talbot: That I will show you presently
He winds his horn. Within, drums spike up; a peal of
Ordinance. Enter English Soldiers.
How say you, madam? Are you now persuaded
That Talbot is but shadow of himself?
…
Countess: Victorious Talbot, pardon my abuse.” (2.3.60-67)
I chose both of these quotes to analyze from King Henry VI because I find they both do something similar. Unlike many of Shakespeare's tragedies, which get a rare few lines of comic relief, his historical plays seem to tread the line between comedy and tragedy and even poke fun at the two genres a lot more. In these two scenes the characters act much less like they’re in a tragedy-esque historical play about wars and death, and more like they’re in the scene of a comedy. Burgundy, in his lines, basically says “oh, are we in a comedy now? Talbot, are you going to go and play with the countess like boys do in comedy plays?” And during the scene when the countess threatens to capture him and Talbot brings in his army (first off, that in itself is so extra) the countess basically goes “oh, my b, my b, you’re great, I take back everything I said” and the readers and audiences get a chuckle.
I suppose I found it really refreshing as I read this play to experience the dramatic (slightly annoying) scenes of political drama, war and death of a tragedy mixed with the banter and quirky one-liners of a comedy considering I’ve only read Shakespeare plays that were very strictly in one genre or the other since middle school. I’ve definitely been enjoying the weirdness and the quirkiness of Henry VI more than Henry IV which I found a bit dull and dry.
edit 10/22; bumping this up from a 2.5 to a 3.75 just cause our discussion in class made me understand and enjoy it MUCH more
I'm just really not a big fan of Shakespeare's history plays. Especially this one was just WAY too much war to read about and too many battles. I'm sure its pretty entertaining to watch on the stage, but reading it just wasn't that great. Joan is pretty cool. But like i didn't care about anything else.
my response for class:
“Burgundy: Is it even so? Nay, then I see our wars
Will turn unto a peaceful comic sport,
When ladies crave to be encountered with.
You may not, my lord, despise her gentle suit.” (2.2.44-47)
And
“Talbot: That I will show you presently
He winds his horn. Within, drums spike up; a peal of
Ordinance. Enter English Soldiers.
How say you, madam? Are you now persuaded
That Talbot is but shadow of himself?
…
Countess: Victorious Talbot, pardon my abuse.” (2.3.60-67)
I chose both of these quotes to analyze from King Henry VI because I find they both do something similar. Unlike many of Shakespeare's tragedies, which get a rare few lines of comic relief, his historical plays seem to tread the line between comedy and tragedy and even poke fun at the two genres a lot more. In these two scenes the characters act much less like they’re in a tragedy-esque historical play about wars and death, and more like they’re in the scene of a comedy. Burgundy, in his lines, basically says “oh, are we in a comedy now? Talbot, are you going to go and play with the countess like boys do in comedy plays?” And during the scene when the countess threatens to capture him and Talbot brings in his army (first off, that in itself is so extra) the countess basically goes “oh, my b, my b, you’re great, I take back everything I said” and the readers and audiences get a chuckle.
I suppose I found it really refreshing as I read this play to experience the dramatic (slightly annoying) scenes of political drama, war and death of a tragedy mixed with the banter and quirky one-liners of a comedy considering I’ve only read Shakespeare plays that were very strictly in one genre or the other since middle school. I’ve definitely been enjoying the weirdness and the quirkiness of Henry VI more than Henry IV which I found a bit dull and dry.
drjonty's review against another edition
4.0
With Henry but a child the weight other play falls on the quarreling nobles and the French. The angry criticism of an England full of rowing and selfishness is contrasted by another charismatic Joan. Talbot is The other beacon of true valour.
smilem15's review against another edition
5.0
This was historically enlightening and filled with fantastic insults and grand, memorable characters such as the Talbot and La Pucelle (Joan of Arc).
jasmee's review against another edition
3.0
This is one of the earliest plays of Shakespeare. Despite the fact that sometimes too many things, sub-plots if you will, are taking the action forward, I enjoyed the exchanges between characters; like that of Talbot and his son and even as Joan is first introduced to the stage.
The character of Joan, however, seems problematic and calls for a re-look at Shakespeare's sources.
Early writing. Historical play. This is the first of a trilogy; so perhaps it is better to view this play in light of the rest in the trilogy. To do that I say, "On to the next!"
The character of Joan, however, seems problematic and calls for a re-look at Shakespeare's sources.
Early writing. Historical play. This is the first of a trilogy; so perhaps it is better to view this play in light of the rest in the trilogy. To do that I say, "On to the next!"