When I was seventeen & lived in Holland I wrote the final thesis for my history course on the dissuasion of fictional characterizations regarding Queen Elizabeth I. It was a choice mostly propelled by the different accounts of Elizabeth's character in history books, novels and films. I am still drawn to the myth surrounding this woman, the turbulent and hazy political atmosphere during the time of her reign and how history was recorded and none the least, by whom.
Recently I watched the film 'Anonymous'. It was splendid and I thoroughly enjoyed it, mostly for breathing life into one of the facets that make me enjoy historical interpretations even more - Where do facts end and fiction begin?
During Elizabeth's rule a certain playwright flourished and became a legendary figurehead of literature:
Shakespeare.
His plays (and play on) words, poetic lamentations and iambic pentameter used to make me cringe when I was a teenager in high school. Now I can spend an evening with Othello, a few candles and a heap of mature cheese and red wine (we all have our vices)
After watching 'Anonymous' I had to write this post. There is this young woman who I have been keeping track of for a while. The energetic prose that she infuses some of her performances with is a style of contemporary Shakespearean bardolatry.
Her name is Kate Tempest and she knows how to bring it, slicing into your soul while you hang on her every word. Find out more about Kate here. Or watch the video that got me hooked and riddled with goosebumps.
Perhaps this is what audiences experienced whilst watching Shakespeare's plays in his time. A certain enthrallment, when words move you to the point where you become speechless.
Recently I watched the film 'Anonymous'. It was splendid and I thoroughly enjoyed it, mostly for breathing life into one of the facets that make me enjoy historical interpretations even more - Where do facts end and fiction begin?
During Elizabeth's rule a certain playwright flourished and became a legendary figurehead of literature:
Shakespeare.
His plays (and play on) words, poetic lamentations and iambic pentameter used to make me cringe when I was a teenager in high school. Now I can spend an evening with Othello, a few candles and a heap of mature cheese and red wine (we all have our vices)
After watching 'Anonymous' I had to write this post. There is this young woman who I have been keeping track of for a while. The energetic prose that she infuses some of her performances with is a style of contemporary Shakespearean bardolatry.
Her name is Kate Tempest and she knows how to bring it, slicing into your soul while you hang on her every word. Find out more about Kate here. Or watch the video that got me hooked and riddled with goosebumps.
Perhaps this is what audiences experienced whilst watching Shakespeare's plays in his time. A certain enthrallment, when words move you to the point where you become speechless.
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