Shakespeare: One Of The World's Greatest People.

[WinePusher]

So, what's everybodies favorite Shakespeare play???

For me, I'd say Macbeth and/or Julius Caesar. All my teachers and professors say that Hamlet's their favorite, but I really despise Hamlet. It was way to long to make any sense.

[Lux]

So, what's everybodies favorite Shakespeare play???

For me, I'd say Macbeth and/or Julius Caesar. All my teachers and professors say that Hamlet's their favorite, but I really despise Hamlet. It was way to long to make any sense.

I was bored with Hamlet... I feel like I should read it again now that I'm not 15, I might be able to understand it in a new level or whatnot. I'm not that big a fan of Romeo and Juliet either.

My favorite would be either A midsummer night's dream, or The merchant of Venice. Or Otello... I love Shakespeare.

[cnorman18]

I'm a fan of King Lear. There's a wonderful Japanese version, directed in 1985 by the great Akira Kurosawa, entitled Ran. Every frame is like a painting.

I'll confess to liking the old Franco Zeffirelli version of Romeo and Juliet, too. Fell in love with Olivia Hussey in '68 and never got over her. She went on to play Mary, the mother of Jesus, in the best movie version of the life of Christ ever, the same director's 1977 Jesus of Nazareth. It came out when I was a minister.

Hamlet? Enh. Great fun for whoever plays the lead, otherwise pretty dull. Funny how nobody ever mentions the Bard's real stinkers, like Timon of Athens. Zzzzz...

[LiamOS]

The Merchant of Venice was definitely my favourite, but I did rather enjoy The Tempest and King Lear, too.

[Zzyzx]

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I take issue with the thread title: "Shakespeare: One Of The World's Greatest People".

I agree that Shakespeare was a well known actor, poet and playwright whose works have remained popular for centuries. Do those factors qualify him be listed among the world's greatest people? By what criteria?

Few records of Shakespeare's private life survive, and there has been considerable speculation about such matters as his physical appearance, sexuality, religious beliefs, and whether the works attributed to him were written by others.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Shakespeare

What about the man qualifies him to be considered a "great person" in the general sense of that term?

Can great writing be done by a terrible person?

[cnorman18]

.
I take issue with the thread title: "Shakespeare: One Of The World's Greatest People".

I agree that Shakespeare was a well known actor, poet and playwright whose works have remained popular for centuries. Do those factors qualify him be listed among the world's greatest people? By what criteria?

Few records of Shakespeare's private life survive, and there has been considerable speculation about such matters as his physical appearance, sexuality, religious beliefs, and whether the works attributed to him were written by others.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Shakespeare

What about the man qualifies him to be considered a "great person" in the general sense of that term?

Can great writing be done by a terrible person?

I think if we altered "greatest" to read "most prominent" or "most influential," we'd have it about right. Shakespeare has affected our understanding of human nature, history, and drama and comedy of course, a very great deal indeed, more than any other playwright; and his plays have influenced the English language more than any source other than the King James Bible, and maybe even more than that.

Great writing can be done by terrible people. Ezra Pound comes to mind, an antisemitic SOB if there ever was one.

[Zzyzx]

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I think if we altered "greatest" to read "most prominent" or "most influential," we'd have it about right.

I agree 100%.

Shakespeare had great influence and is prominent -- which does not equate to "one of the world's greatest people" in my opinion. We seem to know little of the man himself, but quite a bit about his works (and/or works attributed to him).

It seems as though our society is overly generous with the term "great person". For instance, some "great" entertainers and sports figures are known to be terrible people by those who know them personally -- but present an admirable public persona. Quite often notoriety or popularity or "success" (and adoration) related to a given endeavor seems to produce negative effect on the real person beneath the facade.

[cnorman18]

.

I think if we altered "greatest" to read "most prominent" or "most influential," we'd have it about right.

I agree 100%.

Shakespeare had great influence and is prominent -- which does not equate to "one of the world's greatest people" in my opinion. We seem to know little of the man himself, but quite a bit about his works (and/or works attributed to him).

It seems as though our society is overly generous with the term "great person". For instance, some "great" entertainers and sports figures are known to be terrible people by those who know them personally -- but present an admirable public persona. Quite often notoriety or popularity or "success" (and adoration) related to a given endeavor seems to produce negative effect on the real person beneath the facade.

It's been noted by others that we are experiencing a kind of inflation of superlatives in the entertainment field. When, say, Lindsay Lohan is described as a "superstar," there's a bit of hyperbole going on. Such a person was once more accurately described as a "starlet." Cher, maybe is a "superstar." Tina Turner. Sophia Loren.

Britney Spears? Naaah.

[Lux]

It's been noted by others that we are experiencing a kind of inflation of superlatives in the entertainment field. When, say, Lindsay Lohan is described as a "superstar," there's a bit of hyperbole going on. Such a person was once more accurately described as a "starlet." Cher, maybe is a "superstar." Tina Turner. Sophia Loren.

Britney Spears? Naaah.

The real problem with labeling someone like Lindsay Lohan with such a positive adjective (like superstar) is that it implies that her behavior is somehow desirable. Not to mention the suggestion that her lack of acting talent is easily compensated by her looks.

[WinePusher]

I was bored with Hamlet... I feel like I should read it again now that I'm not 15, I might be able to understand it in a new level or whatnot. I'm not that big a fan of Romeo and Juliet either.

My favorite would be either A midsummer night's dream, or The merchant of Venice. Or Otello... I love Shakespeare.

Ooo, good taste. Hamlet and Romeo & Juliet simply are just to overated and cheesy. Loved Othello, and the Merchant of Venice, but I've never read Midsummer Night's Dream.