Instead of writing Shakespeare a letter, meet him for a beer at the pub and tell him -over a pint of gold or silver (Tooheys or Sprite)- how much you have enjoyed drinking from the fount of his amazing pen. Tell him what you really think! Don’t fabricate! He would not like that!

Will!!! Fancy bumping into you here! How’s about a drink or two? Yes!? Great, take a seat!
I just wanted to let you know, now that I have your attention, what a fantastic artist you are! You see, when I am not here in the Pub I am studying at University in Sydney, Yes that’s right – Australia! You’ve never been? You should, it’s beautiful. Anyway Will… My class and I have been studying a few of your plays recently in class. We even went to see one being performed at the Sydney Opera House. If you get a chance, maybe head down and have a look yourself. I think you’ll be quite impressed! But really Will, I have to be honest with you. When I first read your plays, back in High School I thought to myself, ‘What is this guy on about?’ Nothing seemed to make much sense! All a bunch of mumbo jumbo really! But then after this semester so much more makes sense. I think you have a real knack with the plays! We actually have to perform an excerpt from one of your plays for our assessment, my group and I are doing the Tempest! If you want you should come along and have a watch. Our performance is… well … quite unorthodox to say the least… I don’t think you would have seen any interpretation of the Tempest like this before Will! How do you feel about Fashion? Or as Prospero as a flamboyant Fashion Designer? I’m telling you, at the very least you’ll have a bit of a laugh!
Oh sorry Will, I have to get going. I am only here for a short while, just seeing the sights. Going to have a look at Big Ben now. My tour bus is out the front! It was great seeing you Will!

Hey Jesse
I really liked your analogy of your mind that you have used here. It’s fantastic. You have a real knack for using visual imagery as a means of describing thought patterns. The metaphoric language of “the shadows upon the wall of a grand, yet lifeless house” is quite haunting and provides a truly compelling and mysterious element to your entry. The photo you have used compliments this very well!
I also loved how you described your mind as needing to be freed from the house by the person who “grasps the horns of a beast that torments the household and wins the battle gloriously…” It is almost as if the freeing of the mind is a war of bloodshed and those who are victorious rise as triumphant. Excellent work!

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My experience at the Macbeth play…

As a Drama student myself, I found the performance of Macbeth to be absolutely fantastic. I had never actually been inside the Opera House before so it was a brand new experience for me from the word go. The Play itself was wonderful. I found that after having watch it I had a new found appreciation for the play. Before it, I had read the play and seen a film, but it was unlike anything we saw onstage. The way in which the actors carried out the characters and delivered their lines was inspiring. The music and lighting also had a prime effect on the way the play was staged. The musical undertones offered a really eerie feeling to the play and filled the room with a feeling of suspense.
Performance aside, something I found interesting was the way the stage was elevated on one side. I think that was a genius idea in allowing the audience to see all the actors clearly. Perhaps it was also a technique used to upstage certain characters and depict their status? Regardless, I thought it was a wonderful excursion and a great idea to take Shakespeare students to see a professional play. I think it will benefit us greatly in our own Group Assessment performances.

Hi Mel. Wow, what an intense poem. I love the way you have used such heavy language to describe what is taking place. I like the way you describe the man as “roaring”- almost comparing him to a lion or some raging animal. The way in which you have made this poem cyclical with both starting and ending with  “I am nearly eighteen” leads the reader to 2 different conclusions. At first the reader is at the understanding that the speaker is almost eighteen and wants to be left alone- given the chance to grow up and be independent. However as the poem progresses my outlook changed. The final line made me think that the speaker knows she is young. Perhaps this time she is saying, ‘I am nearly eighteen, my childhood is coming to a close and these are the memories I am left with’. A wonderful poem, good job.
Ps: Is the title of the poem taken from a song title? I know a song by the same name by a band called A Day to Remember. If it’s a coincidence then I think you should take a listen to the song… one lyric reads ‘I will never falter, I’ll stand my ground…’ Seems very relevant to your poem!

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Critical – Describe your visit to the Shakespeare Room and the NSW Art Gallery giving a glimpse of what you found valuable and why you might do the same thing with your students one day when you are teaching Shakespeare. Provide links to both institutions.

I found our trip to the Shakespeare Room to be very engaging. Being my first time visiting the State Library at all I was very interested to see what exactly took place there and what they had in store for us in the way of Shakespearean information. The room was beautifully decorated and embellished with several meaningful symbols, shapes and artifacts from William Shakespeare’s time and personal life. I was suddenly transformed when realising that the chair in the room had come from a Mulberry Tree in Shakespeare’s own back garden. I was suddenly filled with a richness and a desire to learn more and be surrounded by his works. It was most certainly my most favourite part of the excursion.

After visiting the Shakespeare room we then had a look at a number of Shakespearean documents and catalogs. It was extremely interesting to be able to see and touch these amazing manuscripts, as well as some incredibly illustrated engravings; which were most likely used for promoting the plays many years ago. The detail was so intricate and precise.

Visiting the NSW Art Gallery is always an exciting excursion. Although much of the paintings on the walls remain unchanged, there are also several exhibits which are constantly being renewed. Although I don’t believe the Art Gallery to be quite relevant to Shakespearean study, I would most certainly take my students there (just as I was taken when I was in High School). I remember, even then, with my very limited knowledge of literature, feeling completely entranced by the works. I think it is a wonderful place to take Students as it fills them with an appreciation for artworks and also encourages a cultured interpretation of the world. After having been there with my own School, I remember coming home feeling accomplished and as though I had been filled with a new appreciation for culture and expression.

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The NSW Art Gallery

The State Library

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I won’t tell you you’re wrong but cynical yes – extremely. I am too don’t worry. But wow. You give cynicism a new meaning!!. I think love can be seen as a tool imposed by the so called “fat cats” who work down at hallmark flicking their suspenders at the idea of Valentines day and other meaningless holidays. That being said, love is well I am not quite sure. I am not sure if it is real, or ever lasting or simply made up to make ourselves feel better about being loved of loving someone else. Regardless, a very interesting post to read. Different from most. I liked it.
Ps: Bianca is so materialistic. Have to love a 10TIHAY quote.

(Critical) – from your preliminary reading give a brief description of the kind of woman Cressida is.

From what I have come to learn so far, I do not particularly feel sorry for Cressida’s character. I feel as though she is a very self absorbed women who is subject to change her mind without much regard for others. I think Cressida is very aware of the physical nature of love, however although she is passionately involved with Troilus, she seems extremely flighty and fickle. She ever so dramatically breaks down after being separated from Troilus and yet only days later is in bed with another man. I think Cressida is aware of her persona of being an object. Her instability and inconsistent nature makes her a perfect tool for demonstrating Shakespeare’s ideas of love and marriage.

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This is a fantastic poem. I think the essence of nostalgia really seeps through well here. I can almost smell the mustiness of the cottage and the old perfume in the air. This poem truly engages all the senses. I think you have made a good attempt at creating a rhyme scheme also. Although all stanzas are great, it is a little lengthy and perhaps could be shortened slightly. This will also add emphasis to what is being said and create a higher intensity to the poem, where attention may be lost.

Take a single line from one of Shakespeare’s sonnets discussed in the first two weeks and try to write your own sonnet developing the theme of the line you have chosen.

‘Coral is far more red than her lip’s red.’

Her voice is heavy like a drum

my heart beat hurts my chest.

Her eyes are dark and dull

stars are empty here.

Her hands are not soft

but dry and cracked.

Her lips are blood

broken and chapped.

But I am not afraid

I do not scare or tremble or weep

for she is not evil but

an angel when asleep.

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Hello! I really enjoyed reading your entry about what literature is to you. I think the use of the simile of literature being like a window is very insightful. I can relate greatly to this as I too feel like literature opens the doors to another world. One withing reasoning or explanation. Although I haven’t seen Dead Poet’s Society, from what I have learned Mr Keating’s knowledge and understanding exceeds that of what most people will achieve in a life time. I think in order to truly appreciate literature we have to, as you say look through the window and be prepared for whatever is on the other side. Well done.