Shakespeare
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History of Literature #53 – Romeo and Juliet
In 1964, the Oxford professor John Barrington Wain wrote: “…Romeo and Juliet is as perfectly achieved as anything in Shakespeare’s work. It is a flawless little jewel of a play. It has the clear, bright colours, the blend of freshness and formality, of an illuminated manuscript.” First produced in 1594, The Tragedy of Romeo and… Continue reading
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The History of Literature #50: Othello
One of Shakespeare’s four great tragedies, The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice (ca. 1603) is perhaps the most difficult of them to watch. The malevolent Iago, viewed by some as evil incarnate, has been infuriating audiences for centuries – legend has it that at one performance in the Old West, a cowboy in the audience was so offended… Continue reading
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The History of Literature #48 – Hamlet
Hamlet (ca 1599-1602) has been called the greatest play ever written in English – and even that might not be giving it enough credit. Many would rank it among the greatest achievements in the history of humankind. Jacke Wilson takes a deeper look at the Prince of Negative Capability and his famous soliloquy. Podcast: Play in new window… Continue reading
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Virginia Woolf Speaks
Ah, this is EXACTLY what I would have guessed her voice sounds like. This extended metaphor is a little long, but it earns its length. Enjoy! Happy Thursday! Continue reading
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The History of Literature Episode 5 – Greek Tragedy (Part One)
How was tragedy invented? Why was it so popular in Ancient Greece, and what power does it have for us today? Using the discussion of tragedy in Aristotle’s Poetics, author Jacke Wilson takes a look at tragedies from ancient times to Shakespeare and Breaking Bad. Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 48:53 —… Continue reading
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Swordfighting Without Civility
Think swordfighting is two people faced off, lightly tapping each others’ blades, highly choreographed – En garde SHING, SHING, ching ching ching ching ching ching ching, oh, I say, you got me, but ’tis a flesh wound… Right? A hundred taps, side to side, side to side, then maybe one thrust if a character is… Continue reading
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The Restless Mind Show 4 – Signs and Symbols
Jacke and Gar take a break from the history of literature to look at the meaning of signs and symbols. Can we forgive the swastika? Should we? Plus: Gar reveals his three ideal dinner guests. Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 33:39 — 23.4MB) Subscribe: iTunes | Android | RSS | More Subscribe Options Continue reading
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Today’s Comment of the Week: On Hamlet Dad
Wonderful Reader cducey2013 comments on A History of Jacke in 100 Objects #9 – The Intersection (aka “Hamlet Dad Goes to the Movies”): “We’ll all get to the same place eventually.” This certainly reminds me of the graveyard scene in Hamlet, as well as the general sentiment throughout the play of “you are dust and to dust… Continue reading
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A History of Jacke in 100 Objects #9 – The Intersection
I missed The Lion King the first time around, but they re-released it for people like me. Parents with young kids looking to kill an afternoon at the movies. A new generation. “Jeremy Irons is in it,” my wife says, trying to generate enthusiasm. “Oh yeah. Him. And Randy Newman songs?” “Elton John. You know,… Continue reading
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Ten Bold Predictions for 2014: An Analysis
Digital Book World has a list of ten bold predictions for ebooks digital publishing in 2014. Some of them delve into brave new world territory, but for those of us who have been around for a while, who can remember the days before you could carry a device in your pocket that can make phone… Continue reading
Jacke Wilson 