#Shakespeare

#Shakespeare

If you close your eyes and picture an artistic genius, chances are that the portrait will be framed by a Romantic ideal that took shape 200 years ago: an artist dedicated solely to his (almost always his) muse and transgressive appetites, breaking his era's rules both moral and artistic, remaking society with his art. But this vision of genius is a poor fit for many great artists, and it tends to obscure what makes them and their work special.

Maggie O'Farrell's lauded 2020 novel Hamnet is a dense and lyrical imagining of the lives of William Shakespeare's family, full of interior thought and lush descriptions of the physical world. It would seem, upon reading, near impossible to adapt into a film. Or, at least, a film worthy of O'Farrell's so finely woven sensory spell. Film-maker Chloe Zhao has attempted to do so anyway, and the result is a stately, occasionally lugubrious drama whose closing minutes are among the most poignant in recent memory.

a bad bitch,

The ability to write a lot all the time is one I never take for granted, but speed often comes at the expense of beauty, care, and intention.

Nicholas Hytner's new production brings A Midsummer Night's Dream into the 20th century with modern references, including characters using phones to engage with the audience.

Consider what has happened to Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. After Romeo Montague kills Juliet Capulet's cousin Tybalt in their families' feud, one character argues that Romeo should be forgiven, since Tybalt had just killed a friend of Romeo's.

In a vibrant reimagining, The Public Theater's Mobile Unit takes Much Ado About Nothing on a free tour across NYC, celebrating its 15th anniversary.

Middleton's experiences with legal struggles during youth inspired his later work, particularly notable for its satirical critiques of lawyers and the legal system.

Ben Jonson's extensive writings during the Jacobean Era not only showcased his talent but also positioned him as a literary figure second only to Shakespeare in influence.

As You Like It continues to be frequently performed today and features the character of Rosalind, often regarded as one of Shakespeare's greatest heroines.

Seeing me in these Hollywood glossy comedies, you wouldn't expect me to do a turn as Lady Capulet. But I was a new mother when I got offered this role.

"Christie’s casting might have been conducive to the Oedipal side of the Danish prince's feelings towards his mother if only the director's performance had allowed room for it."

This weekend, families can celebrate Shakespeare's birthday with engaging activities at the Folger Shakespeare Library, including demos, games, and a cupcake treat.