humanities.lit.authors.shakespeare

On Mar 7, 4:39=A0am, "conradc...@gmail.com"
wrote:
> I've heard about the play of the month tradition here at HLAS, but
> never participated: =A0and, 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: =A0so, 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. =A0A
> young gentleman Orlando, who has fallen in love with Rosalind, is
> driven off by his brother Oliver. =A0Rosalind gets on Frederick's bad
> side and he exiles her, but his daughter Celia decides to go with her,
> as does the court jester. =A0In 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. =A0Rosalind, disguised as a man, encounters
> Orlando, hears about his love-troubles, and says, Hey, I'll help you
> out: =A0let'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. =A0He 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. =A0He tells her he adores her, but
> he's got to go. =A0In 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. =A0Angelo 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. =A0Brought 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. =A0Isabella goes to Judge Angelo
> and pleads for mercy. =A0Angelo decides she's kinda cute and says, Look,
> kid: =A0your brother broke the sexual laws of the city and needs to be
> put to death. =A0I 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. =A0She explains that the judge will only let him off if she
> puts out, and Claudio had better prepare to die. =A0Claudio replies, Aw,
> c'mon, Sis--! ...
>
> So: =A0What are you most interested in reading, or rereading? =A0AYLI,
> A&C, or MFM.
>
> Conrad.


A & C would be my first choice.