The World Needs More Shakespeare!

I have never understood why the world in general does not love Shakespeare as dearly as I do!
.
William Shakespeare was a man of the people…he spoke for us all, and did so simply and eloquently. In his plays can be found the whole world, with all it beauty and all its horror. In truth, Shakespeare was the precursor to today’s soap operas and action flicks...so much storytelling began with him.

There is not an emotion
experienced that Shakespeare did not explore...from

bawdy humour to heartrending pathos, he illuminated them all with his mighty pen. In our everday speech, we often quote him unwittingly ; so many of his thoughts have worked into our lexicon that we spit them out as cliches.
.

I am personally fond of his insults. The f-word so generously peppered in today's conversations is not only boorish, it is so overused as to completely ineffectual!

.

If you want to mutter under your breath at someone, try, "Thy puny unchin-snouted hugger mugger!", or

.
"Hence, horrible villain, or I'll spurn thine eyes like balls before me; I'll unhair thy head, Thou shalt be whipp'd with wire, and stew'd'in brine, smarting in lingering pickle!"

.

Doesn't that feel good to say aloud! And the puzzled looks such mutterings engender, are always a joy to behold...
.
Last night, I had the pleasure of seeing "Henry V" performed in Vancouver, in a tent on the seashore. It was a brilliant production, beautifully acted and bursting with a lush combination of brotherhood, loyalty, treachery and romance. For a magical space in time, I was rendered breathless with excitement and anticipation.
.

This morning, I remain transported by it. To have glimpsed such raw emotion, to have experienced, even briefly, the depth and range of what makes us uniquely human is both humbling and inspiring. The world seems a much bigger and more beautiful place to me today.

.

If you have not already seen Kenneth Branagh's version of 'Henry V', do consider renting it. Branagh is a remarkable actor, (and a fellow Belfast native!), who

could make you fall in love with Shakespeare, too.
.

I am shamelessly preparing to indoctrinate
a new generation. I have many children's versions of his plays ready to read aloud to my future grandchildren, should I be lucky enough to have them. I picture us making our own costumes, gathering up props and performing wonderful, witty versions of Shakespeare. I can hardly wait...

.

I remain convinced that the world really does need more Shakespeare. I can think of no better way to remind us just how special and unique each one of us really is.

.