The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 14.2411  Friday, 19 December 2003

[1]     From:   D Bloom <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
        Date:   Thursday, 18 Dec 2003 07:38:57 -0600
        Subj:   RE: SHK 14.2397 Slings and Arrows

[2]     From:   Bill Arnold <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
        Date:   Thursday, 18 Dec 2003 06:48:00 -0800 (PST)
        Subj:   Re: SHK 14.2397 Slings and Arrows [and Outrageous Misfortune]


[1]-----------------------------------------------------------------
From:           D Bloom <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date:           Thursday, 18 Dec 2003 07:38:57 -0600
Subject: 14.2397 Slings and Arrows
Comment:        RE: SHK 14.2397 Slings and Arrows

Tanya Gough notes

". . . such blurbs are often written by television station and
production underlings who may or may not have a complete grasp of the
production and it's intent.  They may also *gasp* not have a strong
understanding of the specifics of Hamlet and its plot devices."

Soittinly. And, in addition, such blurb-writers often do not have a
complete grasp of the English language, its grammar, and its vocabulary
-- even those who are allegedly native speakers.

Speaking as one who has waded through much miasmic blurbery,

don

[2]-------------------------------------------------------------
From:           Bill Arnold <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date:           Thursday, 18 Dec 2003 06:48:00 -0800 (PST)
Subject: 14.2397 Slings and Arrows [and Outrageous Misfortune]
Comment:        Re: SHK 14.2397 Slings and Arrows [and Outrageous Misfortune]

Tanya Gough writes, "I do not think that Slings and Arrows is meant to
be an historically accurate retelling of Hamlet, but is rather a clearly
satirical (note New Burbage and the director "Oliver" Welles) take on
theatre life, in which Shakespeare and his work are referenced
*ironically* and iconographically, not literally. I realize that you,
and others of your ilk, remain horrified and appalled by modern attempts
to transform Shakespeare's work...Incidentally, the show hasn't even
aired yet, but we've already fielded several phone calls from people
looking for the show on DVD.  So, no, my comments were not
tongue-in-cheek, but rather helpful advice meant to assist those who
have a genuine interest in these types of productions."

OK: Tanya, as one who noted *McBird* was a parody/satire of Macbeth I
wish you to know that you dropped the (s) off of *ilk* and I do not take
offense, nor offence, nor defense.  Remember: as a journalist, I once
labored in the tabloid trenches and understand all you write and imply
and state clearly.  Quite frankly, I too was born with a pen between my
teeth--to the chagrin of my mother!

But please do not miss my point: after four hundred years, the scholars
of Shakespeare's works *still* interpret the play Hamlet and its lead
character Prince Hamlet *all wrong*!  If *they* got it right, for once
and for all, that Prince Hamlet was charming and witty, and like Don
Quixote, human and born to a horrible set of circumstances, and unable
to discern he was "tilting at windmills"-- then the parodies/satires of
Hamlet might reflect *truth and substance* rather than shrill nonsense!
Certainly, that is my silk opinion, and I stand and sit by it: not to be
confused with Terence, of stupid stuff, by A.E., I am no milk-toast
type, but eat bacon and eggs and *wry* <g> toast for breakfast while
reading Eliot's *The Waste Land* every morning with my cup of java.

Bill Arnold
http://www.cwru.edu/affil/edis/scholars/arnold.htm

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