Monthly Archives: January 2012

Health and illness in Shakespeare

Shakespeare’s interest in all things medical is well known, and Sujata Iyengar’s recent book Shakespeare’s medical language – a dictionary, published by Continuum, is a successful addition to the literature on the subject, both a fascinating read and a valuable reference … Continue reading

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How chances it they travel? Players in Stratford-upon-Avon

Historian Dr Robert Bearman has contributed today’s post, which revolves around a chance discovery which he made recently in the Shakespeare Centre Library and Archive. Those wishing to know more about Shakespeare’s life may fantasise about making a major archival … Continue reading

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Making the majestic clear? Updating Shakespeare for the 21st century

So what is more important: clarity of meaning, or poetry? Mike LoMonico recently wrote a post for the Folger Shakespeare Library’s Education blog challenging the often-voiced opinion that Shakespeare’s plays are now so difficult to understand that they should be … Continue reading

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The Chinese New Year: looking forward to the year of the dragon

Celebrations for the Chinese New Year, beginning on 23 January, are in full swing, and over one sixth of the world’s population will be marking the event. There’s even more excitement than usual as this is to be the most … Continue reading

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Ralph Fiennes as Coriolanus: noble warrior or boy of tears?

The new film version of Coriolanus, directed by and starring Ralph Fiennes has been  awaited impatiently for months. We’ve been tantalised by stills, by trailers and interviews with the stars, and now it’s finally on release.  It’s Fiennes’ first attempt at … Continue reading

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Barren winter and the seasons’ difference

Until a few days ago it looked as if we were getting the “hot January” which Beatrice claims to be so unlikely, the weather has been so mild.  On a country walk near Stratford last week we cast off scarves … Continue reading

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Ralph Fiennes’ Coriolanus and Shakespeare on screen

Shakespeare-lovers are eagerly awaiting the release of the film of Coriolanus directed by and starring Ralph Fiennes. Fiennes may be better known to film audiences as Voldemort in the Harry Potter films, but theatre audiences know that his Shakespeare credentials are … Continue reading

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Innovating in Birmingham: Barry Jackson and modern dress Shakespeare

This week it’s been confirmed that a new and vastly expensive high speed rail link between Birmingham and London is to go ahead. Known as High Speed 2, or HS2, it’s expected to open in 2026, and a second phase, … Continue reading

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How to tame your falcon – and your wife

A few days ago I was in a car travelling along a main road near Stratford-upon-Avon when a bird shot across the road then continued to fly alongside it at the bottom of the hedgerow, at the same speed as the … Continue reading

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This learning, what a thing it is! Education and the written word

Tucked away on BBC4 on Thursday evening, under the title A Renaissance Education: the Schooling of Thomas More’s daughter, was what purported to be the story of one of the best-educated women in Tudor England, Margaret More. Even more tucked away … Continue reading

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