humanities.lit.authors.shakespeare

I've heard about the play of the month tradition here at HLAS, but
never participated: and, since I think it's more honored in the
observance than the breach, I hope we can get something going.

I'd prefer a play I haven't looked at lately: so, I'll open the
bidding with _As You Like It_, _Anthony and Cleopatra_, and _Measure
for Measure_.

The pitch for each:

As You Like It (AYLI) - Duke Senior has just lost his Duchy to
treacherous Frederick, who allows the ex-duke's daughter Rosalind hang
around because she's the best friend of Frederick's daughter Celia. A
young gentleman Orlando, who has fallen in love with Rosalind, is
driven off by his brother Oliver. Rosalind gets on Frederick's bad
side and he exiles her, but his daughter Celia decides to go with her,
as does the court jester. In disguise, they enter the Forest of Arden
where the ex-Duke, Rosalind's father, lives.

Meanwhile, Orlando runs into the ex-Duke and writes poems to Rosalind
and hangs them on trees. Rosalind, disguised as a man, encounters
Orlando, hears about his love-troubles, and says, Hey, I'll help you
out: let's pretend I'm this "Rosalind" you're stuck on...


Anthony and Cleopatra (A&C) - Mark Antony has been hanging out in
Egypt with Cleopatra, and not paying much attention to matters back
home. He doesn't seem bothered that his wife, named Fulvia, has died
while rebelling against Octavius, one of the other 3 men who rule Rome
with Antony.

Antony returns to Rome despite Cleopatra's pleading so he can help
Octavius fight off three pirates. He tells her he adores her, but
he's got to go. In Rome, Antony enters a political marriage with the
daughter of Octavius.

When a messenger brings news of Antony's marriage, Cleopatra treats
him badly...


Measure For Measure (MFM) - The duke of Vienna, Vincentio, announces
he's leaving the city and puts the judge Angelo in charge. Angelo is
known to strictly enforce the city's laws on sexual propriety, while
Vincentio has been known to let things slide.

Juliet has been engaged to Claudio, who has knocked her up and put off
the wedding. Brought to court for this, he says, All right, all
right, I'll marry her -- but Angelo sentences him to death.

Claudio has a sister Isabella, a nun. Isabella goes to Judge Angelo
and pleads for mercy. Angelo decides she's kinda cute and says, Look,
kid: your brother broke the sexual laws of the city and needs to be
put to death. I couldn't possibly do anything about it, unless you'd
like to make me a happy old man, if ya know what I mean.

That doesn't fly with Isabella, and she goes to talk with her brother
in prison. She explains that the judge will only let him off if she
puts out, and Claudio had better prepare to die. Claudio replies, Aw,
c'mon, Sis--! ...


So: What are you most interested in reading, or rereading? AYLI,
A&C, or MFM.


Conrad.