“So much of Shakespeare has been rewritten; makes you wonder where he stole it from?”
1) A popular book of Italian stories;2) Ralph Holinshead’s and Geoffrey of Monmouth’s Histories of England;3) A few Classical authors (Plautus, Plutarch, et al.);4) Other English playwrights (although Hamlet originated as a Danish history (Saxo Grammaticus) and was available in a French retelling (Belleforest), it’s known by reference that there was an earlier English play (author unknown, but possibly Kyd) which introduced now-familiar elements (such as a ghost)). This was hardly uncommon, though. There was little or no copyright protection at the time.
The only two plays for which there is no clear source material are Midsummer Night’s Dream and Tempest.
However, the real joy in Shakespeare is not in the plots (although I think Hamlet is a real rip-snorter) but in the language.
Archie and Veronica” isn’t so much “Romeo and Juliet” (unless I missed the issue where Reggie kills Jughead and then Archie kills Reggie and is banished from Riverdale), but there’s an element of “Midsummer Night’s Dream”: Lysander (Archie) and Hermia (Veronica, a brunette) are in love, but Hermia’s father (Mr. Lodge) hates Lysander and has promised her hand to Demetrius (Reggie). Over the course of the play, Lysander switches his affections to Helena (Betty, a blonde), and Hermia and Helena (once dear friends) have a catfight. Of course, even if Archie ends up marrying Veronica I doubt that Betty would end up marrying Reggie (as Helena marries Demetrius), but the comic potential of the shifting romantic geometries are the driving forces of both works.
Plus, the issue where Dilton invents a love potion which makes Miss Grundy fall in love with Moose is a classic…
The only time I’d facepalm/headwall like the teacher is if I was speaking with grown men and women and getting this kind of response. Children are learning, and the teacher should be grabbing the opportunity while they’re still young!
Hillbillyman almost 12 years ago
I despise Shakspere
celeconecca almost 12 years ago
grab the teaching moment; don’t hang your head!
PoodleGroomer almost 12 years ago
And he didn’t even try to include a robot.
fritzoid Premium Member almost 12 years ago
“So much of Shakespeare has been rewritten; makes you wonder where he stole it from?”
1) A popular book of Italian stories;2) Ralph Holinshead’s and Geoffrey of Monmouth’s Histories of England;3) A few Classical authors (Plautus, Plutarch, et al.);4) Other English playwrights (although Hamlet originated as a Danish history (Saxo Grammaticus) and was available in a French retelling (Belleforest), it’s known by reference that there was an earlier English play (author unknown, but possibly Kyd) which introduced now-familiar elements (such as a ghost)). This was hardly uncommon, though. There was little or no copyright protection at the time.
The only two plays for which there is no clear source material are Midsummer Night’s Dream and Tempest.
However, the real joy in Shakespeare is not in the plots (although I think Hamlet is a real rip-snorter) but in the language.
fritzoid Premium Member almost 12 years ago
Archie and Veronica” isn’t so much “Romeo and Juliet” (unless I missed the issue where Reggie kills Jughead and then Archie kills Reggie and is banished from Riverdale), but there’s an element of “Midsummer Night’s Dream”: Lysander (Archie) and Hermia (Veronica, a brunette) are in love, but Hermia’s father (Mr. Lodge) hates Lysander and has promised her hand to Demetrius (Reggie). Over the course of the play, Lysander switches his affections to Helena (Betty, a blonde), and Hermia and Helena (once dear friends) have a catfight. Of course, even if Archie ends up marrying Veronica I doubt that Betty would end up marrying Reggie (as Helena marries Demetrius), but the comic potential of the shifting romantic geometries are the driving forces of both works.
Plus, the issue where Dilton invents a love potion which makes Miss Grundy fall in love with Moose is a classic…
Tyrnn almost 12 years ago
The only time I’d facepalm/headwall like the teacher is if I was speaking with grown men and women and getting this kind of response. Children are learning, and the teacher should be grabbing the opportunity while they’re still young!