Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Rico Marciano on May 8, 2012 at 5:51pm

Haseena, I love most of Shakespeare's plays--"Much ado about Nothing", Beatrice and Benedict are great characters. "The Merchant of Venice" was so intriguing, I couldn't put it down until the end. His storytelling is unique and great, I believe that is why people still love him after all these years. Actually, I own the Movie version of Much Ado About Nothing and I'm going to watch it tonight!

Permalink Reply by Haseena Patel on May 9, 2012 at 5:09pm

So I'm not the only one who watches Shakespeare movies!  I don't do it often, but I did watch The Taming of the Shrew and really enjoyed it.  I also love The Merchant of Venice - busy tutoring one of my students on this very play right now.  He is actually enjoying it (and English isn't something he is usually enthusiastic about despite my efforts!!).  I agree that is storytelling is amazing, and the issues he addresses are timeless!  From a South African point of view, I find Othello particularly interesting and I can draw parallels between Othello and the South African situation.  I don't know if I have a favourite Shakespeare play...they're all amazing!

Permalink Reply by Rico Marciano on May 9, 2012 at 7:03pm

Haseena;

When I speak in general of how much I like Shakespeare--it's of the written word. Shakespeare movies usually do not translate well, as Shakespeare can be hard to understand--especially in modern day. I loved reading "The Merchant of Venice", but, I did not like the Al Pacino movie version, as his adaption of Shylock was sympathetic, dry and not true to the Shakespeare's character. The movie version of "Much Ado About Nothing" was very good as the two lead actors were great. I also loved "Taming of the Shrew".

Yes, Haseena...his issues are timeless, but in this era, many people do not understand him. I'm surprised that you like Othello, as you are from South Africa. I also like Othello, Shakespeare's storyline, and issues were way ahead of it's time. The issue of class structures in "Romeo and Juliet" were also very real.

Haseena, have you seen the academy award winning movie, "Shakespeare in Love"? It was very well done, the characters were good, acting was great, and they captured the time period.

Haseena, the people I knew with the name Patel, I believe they were from India, but don't quote me.

I thought I was the only person who liked Shakespeare, I'm glad to meet you. 

Permalink Reply by Haseena Patel on May 10, 2012 at 4:44pm

Hi Rico

I've watched "Shakespeare in Love" and did enjoy it!  I remember when I was at school and we read "The Merchant of Venice" as our set book for our Grade 9 year.  Our teacher got hold of the movie for us to watch - she played the movie and then walked out of the room as she had errands to run.  Our whole class found the movie extremely boring, and we unanimously decided to put on "Dirty Dancing" instead!

Yes, my ancestors (grandparents on both sides) were from India - Patel is an Indian surname.

Permalink Reply by Rico Marciano on May 10, 2012 at 8:52pm

Haseena, I never saw the version of Merchant of Venice that you're speaking of, however, as I said before--Shakespeare is hard to translate by someone in modern day. I'm glad you liked Shakespeare in Love, I thought it was very well done--Gwyneth Paltrow, right? I also liked Dirty Dancing.