For Friday/Tuesday/Wednesday

Remember to read Marowitz's chapter, "Seven American Misconceptions" for Friday's class.  I gave you no questions for this chapter, but please read it all the same, since it is an intriguing look from one director about what Shakespeare should--could--and should not be.  As he writes in the Preface of the book the chapter comes from Recycling Shakespeare (1991), "The assumption behind the book is that 'Shakespeare' is matter and matter can be reduced, expanded, transformed or reconstituted.  To those who believe that a 'classic' is an entity fixed in time and bounded by text, this may be a rough ride."  You might not agree with his ideas or approach, but the chapter is a useful way to start thinking about the global applications of Shakespeare's drama.

For next Tuesday, I want to screen Branagh's 2006 version of As You Like It outside of class.  It would take up 2 entire class periods otherwise, and I want to get to reading the play as soon as possible.  The two times are Tuesday @ 12:30 in the Tiger Cinema (upstairs in the UC, on the opposite side of the workout facility) and @ 6:00 in our normal classroom.  Please try to attend one of these showings, since we will discuss the film on Wednesday and it may form part of your first paper assignment.  You can also rent the film from Netflix (not available in streaming, however) or check Hasting's.  If you do this, please be sure to get the Branagh version--not some other random version of the play.  I want us all to watch the same one, and more importantly, this one. 

See you on Friday!