Juliet is the Sun

Juliet is the sun. the whole quote is. But soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the east and Juliet is the sun! Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon, It goes on as everyone knows, a very famous speech. I watched the DVD of Romeo and Juliet. It is the version with Leonardo DiCaprio, an up dated version. I did enjoy it immensely, so now I am reading the play in my little Penguin copy. The reason it is significant to me is, I was half way through the book when I realised, I'm starting to get the hang of this language, it was very exciting when I realised I'm actually starting to get it. Think it may be the most beautiful writing I have ever read. I would love to see the play in the theatre, or perhaps a more traditional movie version. Loved the up to date version but, to be honest it took a bit of adjustment. It wasn't that they called their guns swords or that they drove around in cars. It was things like the prince, Escalus being the chief of police, didn't feel right to me. Just a little thing. DiCaprio was very good as Romeo. Miriam Margolyes as the nurse and Pete Postlethwaite as the friar were fantastic. After I have read the whole text I will watch the movie again.

I have a fantastic book, The Arden Shakespeare Miscellany by Jane Armstrong. It was recommended to me by the Dainty Ballerina, here forth known as DB. if you have read any of my other posts you will know that it was DB's help, encouragement and inspiration that made me write this blog. Jane Armstrong's book has a wealth of information, its great to dip in and out of. I have always been a bit confused by the plays King Henry VI parts 1 2 and 3. Jane's book has given me a way in and I am really looking forward to getting my teeth into them. This is endless, I think I may go under. And how is my writing going to do it justice, to the whole Shakespearean journey. Its quite easy when I am describing my enthusiasm, its all very naive and like a kids writing. Its a different story when I try to get into a play. I feel a bit lost and out of my depth. DB has emailed me some helpful literature on how to write an essay, so maybe I can make it a bit more academic and less school boy

To finish this post. The DVD of Hamlet arrived, and I bought a little Penguin copy of the play. I love the Penguin books they are fantastic, with a commentary at the back. I'm building a wee library of them. So my next blog might be about Hamlet. Still to write about Henry V though. Absolutely loved that. Anyway that's for the future.

George