I saw "Shakespeare In Love" the movie some years back. I couldn't understand why it was nominated for many Oscars. Found the plot a bit senseless and lacked direction. Personally, having been a Literature student, I felt it was an insult to Shakepeare. If I may bombard the movie, quoting the Grand Bard's own words....
"If this were played upon a stage now,
I could condemn it as an improbable fiction."
Although I wasn't that erudite a Literature student, the subject proved to be one of my best in school, without me studying too hard for it. Perhaps I breathed the same literary air as Shakespeare, or I had a definite affinity to his theatrical fashion.
Reading "Twelfth Night" reminded me of secondary school days. I also briefly read Julius Caesar, Antony & Cleopatra, Romeo & Juliet etc. Indeed "That book in many's eye doth share the glory, That in gold clasps locks in the golden story."
One memorable verse I remember memorising in school was.....
"If music be the food of love, play on;
Give me excess of it, that, surfeiting,
The appetite may sicken, and so die.
That strain again! it had a dying fall;
O, it came o'er my ear like the sweet sound
That breathes upon a bank of violets,
Stealing and giving odour!"
And it was during Literature classes that were transpired to us students that our teacher was plain too lazy to teach. She had always asked us to write down our thoughts of Shakespeare's verses without really going through the book. For each short verse, I would normally write one long page! Well, it's just a matter of interpretation and perception, isn't it?
Such was my devotion with Shakespeare. I wouldn't exactly deem it an obsession really. I remember another verse clearly......
"Some are born great,
Some achieve greatness,and
Some have greatness thrust upon 'em."
Though I was never in the first category, I'm working towards the second, but dreaming of the third! Had to remind myself to be humble. I always remind myself to be sensitive to people's feelings, their reactions, and not to antagonise them with harsh words.... (hmm, I was never one with harsh words anyway).....which reminds me of another verse.....
"Mend your speech a little,
Lest it may mar your fortunes."
See, Shakespeare also teaches worldly lessons, rather than just purporting a "silly, dreamy poet's thoughts" (or so some people say). My retirement wish is to spend carefree days attending college reading Shakespeare again, along with other great writers of different eras, and to examine the emotions of these great men's thoughts through the spirit of their works.
"Good night, good night!
Parting is such sweet sorrow,
That I shall say good night till it be morrow."
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