Day 84: What I Learned: Antony and Cleopatra

So, uh, I don't know what's going on here...I don't remember this from the play. It's apparently from a 2010 Cape Town production of Antony and Cleopatra. You can see a review here.

I'm not sure how much I actually learned from Antony and Cleopatra. The language is rich and fun to read, but there are SO MANY scenes that I lost track of all the things that are supposed to be happening and which ones I was supposed to keep track of. Mostly I just pictured Elizabeth Taylor. Except half the time it wasn't even Elizabeth Taylor from the movie Cleopatra; it was Liz from Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. It kind of still works, actually. I'm going to try picturing Liz Taylor for more Shakespeare characters and see where it takes me.

I'm sorry I don't have more to say about this one. I kind of feel like the Roman plays are ones that I should be reading in a classroom, with someone explaining the actual history along side the dramatic interpretation. I can only imagine how I'll feel when I get to the English histories. In addition to not watching the HBO show Rome, I have also not watched The Tudors. So I guess I'll just have to remember history class or do some additional research or something.

Sigh.

What's next? Coriolanus? Oh man, NO ONE HAS EVEN HEARD OF THAT ONE!

Day 83: Maybe I should have watched Rome...

Mike was always trying to get me to watch that show Rome. I tried but I could never get into it. Now Mike is breezing through Shakespeare's Roman plays and is bragging how easy it is to keep track of the characters because he just pictures the actors who played them on the HBO show. Grrr.

I am struggling through Antony and Cleopatra and I'm a little worried that I will soon be TWO plays behind instead of one. I think I've hit a wall.

Day 82: I think Love's Labour's Lost broke my spirit

Sigh. I don't know what happened. I was doing so well. A play a week? No problem! Then along came Love's Labour's Lost and it hasn't been the same since. The week after I finished that play (barely) I was supposed to read Julius Caesar. I ended up not reading that at all. Of course, it was a weird week. I had a death in the family and had to travel for a funeral. It sucked. So I guess I could be forgiven for not reading that play. I'll catch up later. But this week I'm supposed to be reading Antony and Cleopatra and I'm WAY behind in that one too. I just can't seem to summon the energy and focus. Is it the subject matter? Am I burned out? Is it because I'm dozens of reviews behind schedule on my other book blogs? Maybe. Or maybe it's because Love's Labour's Lost left a sour taste in my mouth...or whatever the equivalent to "sour taste" is ON MY SOUL. Damn you, Berowne!!

Berowne costume design from UVic Theatre Dept 

Day 81: Lego Cleopatra (doesn't look anything like Elizabeth Taylor)

Cleopatra looks like she's in a showdown with that snake. It's going to end badly.

Day 80: Is there an Antony & Cleopatra word cloud? Why, yes there is!

via

Is anyone else seeing "Thou Lord Antony Enter Well Cleopatra" and "Let Mark Come Caesar"?  How about "Cleopatra May Guard Death"? Man, I just can't get enough of these word clouds. I like some of them more than I like the plays.

Day 79: YAY! A Sock Monkey Antony and Cleopatra!

Sock Monkey Antony and Cleopatra, by David Jones (fineartamerica)

She's fancy because she's a queen!

Day 78: New Play Tuesday! Antony and Cleopatra

Ooh! I'm excited about this play. I hear Elizabeth Taylor is in it!

Day 41: More Lego Shakespeare!

Othello

Here are some more Lego Shakespeare, this time from brickshelf. Enjoy!