The first act proper of The Taming of the Shrew is nearly as complicated as the last comedy I read, only this time it’s not quite so exasperating. I like that some of the characters are a little likeable this time around, giving us a point of focus in this rather complex plot. The titularContinue reading “Is Katharina the worst?”
Author Archives: Alex H.
So, what’s an Induction?
When sitting down to read The Taming of the Shrew, I assumed it would follow the same five act structure as all the other plays thus far. Imagine my surprise when I opened up the play and instead there was an Induction before the first act. In fact, in the Dramatis Personae, there is aContinue reading “So, what’s an Induction?”
Bill the romantic (Interlude #6)
The current selection of sonnets takes a much more romantic turn than any of the previous poems. These seem much more like the sonnets I was imagining before starting this journey: romantic, adoring, inspiring, and totally cheesy. Sonnet 26 – The speaker is telling his love that he is writing this poem to show hisContinue reading “Bill the romantic (Interlude #6)”
An unexpected spot of the ol’ ultraviolence
The Tragedy of Titus Andronicus was not at all what I was expecting. The “tragedy” part of the title suggests it is not going to be a happy and lighthearted story, but the darkness and cynicism at the root of this play really affected me in a way that only the most vile and disgustingContinue reading “An unexpected spot of the ol’ ultraviolence”
As bad as it gets
I can’t say I’m surprised at the dark ending Titus Andronicus treated me to, but that didn’t make it any less disturbing. Here at the end, we have a very poor attempt at subterfuge, the most unrepentant villain I have ever seen, and murders heaped upon murders. The act starts with Lucius hanging out withContinue reading “As bad as it gets”
The Goths are coming!
The Andronici begin to get back on their feet here in Act IV. I’m all for death and misery in a tragedy, but I was starting to wonder what else could go wrong for Titus without actually killing him. Turns out the destruction of his family and the betrayal of the country he has servedContinue reading “The Goths are coming!”
Surely this is rock bottom
Titus Andronicus continues to decline through the third act. More hands come off and now we add some heads to boot. The Andronici find themselves in deepest mourning and yet, I have the feeling that things can still get worse. Act III is only two scenes and the first one is a doozy. The youngContinue reading “Surely this is rock bottom”
A dark turn
To be fair, I never expected a Shakespearean tragedy to be a barrel of laughs, but Act II of Titus Andronicus went places I was not expecting. I was not overly surprised that there was rape and murder, but I was thrown by the cruelty displayed by some of the characters and even though justContinue reading “A dark turn”
Two weddings and two funerals
Titus Andronicus starts off with a bang and gives us life, death, politics, and betrayal all in one big scene before the Capitol in Rome. The play opens with Saturninus and Bassianus, sons to the recently deceased emperor, arguing over who gets the throne now. Marcus Andronicus, brother to the titular Andronicus, says to waitContinue reading “Two weddings and two funerals”
William Shakespeare’s biggest fan was… William Shakespeare (Interlude #5)
The selection of sonnets for this interlude have a very self-satisfied feel to them. They all seem to be a Shakespearean humblebrag in some form or another. Not that I blame the guy for flexing a bit since he is still kind of a big deal. However, it is hard for me to wholeheartedly agreeContinue reading “William Shakespeare’s biggest fan was… William Shakespeare (Interlude #5)”
Hey, Shakespeare! 