TLC Forum

I had to read Romeo and Juliet for school... it was interesting, though I do think I'll never make a hasty decision again. Didn't work out too well for them.

Right, Jaygee! See? Treebeard was right all along Don't be hasty!... and never read it. Hope I don't have to, to be honest.

None for As You Like It and the comedies?

I actually enjoyed Romeo and Juliet - except for the very tragic end.

Noted that Juliet was fourteen but could have married at twelve?

That did not change in the Catholic Church or in Spain (and I think some States of US) up to last century. For boys it was fourteen.

Note that Romeo and Juliet could marry secretly, just before Father what's-his-name, the Franciscan friar?

That DID change at council of Trent. Matrimonial witnesses and usually priest are a must.

Verona also has the same flag as Sweden and as Toulon : gold cross on blue.

@hansgeorg: Does "A Winter's Tale" count? It's half-tragedy, half-comedy. I read that one in college and quite enjoyed it.

In school, I had to read Romeo and Juliet, Othello and The Tempest. I was kinda chuffed that we got to read The Tempest in Grade 12, because they usually set depressing tragedies. I was too young at the time to appreciate Shakespeare properly though, I think I'd enjoy it better now. Most people don't like Prospero because he's manipulative of the whole storyline, but I was quite impressed by his ability at the end to give up his magic abilities. I think because of the fantasy works I'm used to reading, where the corruptive nature of magic is often emphasised (e.g. the power of the ring), I always saw his laying aside his power as a show of great character (like Faramir in Rings)

Incidentally, I did The Tempest again at second year at university (which was interesting, since it was taught quite differently on the two occasions).

Ariel, I think it counts, but what you say explains why I felt it was a bit too sad for a Shakespear comedy proper. I might make a second try at it.

Ajnos, I read the Tempest more than once. As for Othello, well, I tried to read both Othello and The Merry Wives of Windsor after seeing the corresponding Verdi Operas. Which I liked better than the original. I think Verdi did better with these than Peter Jackson with LotR.

Well, even with the happy ending of "A Winter's Tale", I felt it was still a bit bittersweet. So yeah, there's a higher concentration of sadness for sure.

I read the beginning of A Midsummer Night's Dream forever ago, but I have so much reading for school I haven't had time to continue. My favorite part so far has been when Hermia's dad was all, "Demetrius, you are the only one I'll allow my daughter to marry cuz you're cool and stuff," and then he leaves and Lysander's just like, "Yo, Demetrius, Hermia's dad likes you so much...how 'bout I marry Hermia and you can marry her dad? *probably moonwalks out or some other coolness*" I seriously love the amount of sass in Shakespeare.

Other than that, I've only read the Lamb's and a couple other children's version of the plays. Although I don't suppose I'll have to feel that guilty about it until I start high school.

Berry, can I just say that I love your summary and can you please do some more

I saw The Tempest performed over the summer and really liked it - probably because it was more fantastical than most Shakespeare plays (bearing in mind that I haven't read/seen A Midsummer Night's Dream at all).
*can't remember character names*
The version I saw genderswapped Prospero and Ariel. I had no idea they were initially guys?? I thought it was kinda more fitting that the two characters who terrorize everyone and control elements were female, given the generalization that women are more devious and crafty than men.

@Shield: More summaries are in Original Works.