King Richard The Second by William Shakespeare

King Richard The Second by William Shakespeare

Once again I didn't love or hate this play but it's another play ticked off my reading list for uni- not long now!!! It is the final Shakespeare play too! I always feared this play because it was a history and I thought it was going to be a really long play. Its not. It's no longer than the others. One thing I would say is that I wouldn't want to perform it because the lines are so long for each character before they change. 

The play is about a King who overreacts about his cousin Bolingbroke arguing so King Richard banishes his cousin. Many do not agree with this banishment and many rebel, supporting Bolingbroke. Many try to warn King Richard but he is too pompous to question it. 

"Grief makes one hour ten"

Many of the characters are depressed which even kills some of them. The play explores why and even the consequences of grief. 

"The worst is death, an death will have his day"

A war is created in rebellion against King Richard but the men do not fear death because it shows their loyalty. 

"Wise men ne'er sit and wail their woes,/But presently prevent the ways  to wail"

I think anyone could use this quote for anything because it's so true for every path of life. Stop worrying about things but that doesn't necessarily mean your worries aren't there. 

"Thus I play, In one person, many people"

King Richard has had to play too many parts as King that he's lost himself- another King Lear really. 

"I wasted time, and now doth time waste me"

Slightly true as well as slightly depressing but it shows how you need to make the most of now. It's intense but slightly true. 

I hope you've enjoyed this book review!! 

Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare

Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare

Another play on my reading list done. Nearly off to university and I'm so excited!! I have to admit I didn't enjoy it as much as the others. It was hard going because I wasn't that keen but I finished it!! 

It's a play about love and I suppose religion. Bassanio and many other men in the city are in love with the rich Portia who needs to find a husband but she's very picky. Rightfully so. In order to do this Bassanio asks his friend Antonio but he loves his ships a bit too much and all his money is invested in that. Antonio goes to the Jew, Shylock who he's had a lot of trouble with in the past. Shylock agrees to lend some money as long as Antonio pays him back within three months otherwise he will cut a pound off of his flesh. Yuck. Very King Lear. 

Portia's father wants the right husband for his daughter but she is very picky. There are three caskets for them to choose from. They must choose the lead casket to marry her and Bassanio does. Aarrhh.

Antonio who once depended on his ships finds out they have been lost at sea which means he can't repay his debts which means he's gonna get his flesh chopped off. 

There's a court case and Portia and Nerissa disguise as clerks. Female power. I swear Shakespeare was a pre-feminist. Shylock wants to chop of Antonio's flesh but Portia argues he can only do that if he doesn't spill blood. Finally, Shylock who criticises Christians throughout the play agrees to be become one under duress. 

I found it hard to remember most of the names because they're not exactly your everyday names. I like them but they're hard to remember. I really like the names Lancelot and Lorenzo though especially for two ginger cats but that's a bit random. 

I hope you enjoyed my book review and haven't been put off this play too much. 

The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare

The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare

Another play on my reading list ticked off and again I really enjoyed it. I actually found it funny as well! I've always seen it advertised but I haven't heard of anyone doing it at school so I was looking forward to it. The plot seemed very simple too. As you can tell Shakespeare called it a comedy and it was.

The play is about two sets of twins. Antipholus of Ephusus and Antipholus of Syracuse who are the sons of Aegon. At the same time of their birth another set of twins Dromio of Ephusus and Dromio of Syracuse are born who are adopted as servants for Aegon's sons. It sounds complicated and it was for the first couple of scenes but then it becomes the simplest thing ever. 

However the family are divided before the main plot of the play by a shipwreck. The twins are split up but still have their servants which means they grow up not knowing they're twins. 

"For servants must their masters' minds fulfil"

Both servants are very loyal and run errands for who they think are their masters but because they're twins get very confused. Some even think they're possessed. A necklace, the marriage between Adriana and Ephusus and a ring cause a lot of trauma which makes everyone think each other is insane. Who bought what? Do they really love each other? The confusion is the funniest part. Literally the definition of Schadenfreuden.

Although it was in Shakespearean language I feel that since I've read more Shakespeare I'm not alien to it anymore and I understand it and I could understand the jokes and euphemisms more which I probably wouldn't have picked up on last year. Got to love A2 English literature. 

Definitely recommend this play as it is hilarious and I would love to see a production of it. This short review really doesn't do it justice so you'll have to read it for yourself.