Tag Archives: Love’s Labour’s Lost

Shakespeare and the Olympic arts of war

Although all sport is competitive, many of those which feature in the modern Olympics began as a way of training for warfare. Shakespeare brings several of them into his plays, including wrestling, archery and fencing. Self-defence sports wrestling and boxing date back to … 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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Looking forward to the World Shakespeare Festival #WSF2012

 2012 has been welcomed in with the biggest celebrations ever, especially the brilliant fireworks in London. The Olympic Games don’t open until July, but the World Shakespeare Festival begins in April and continues until September. The original Greek Olympic Games … Continue reading

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Very like a whale: Adventures in the far North, Part 2

In Part 1 I looked at some of Shakespeare’s references to whales, and the history of whaling in Spitsbergen. This time I’m looking at the stories of adventurers who headed north.  The very first English trading company was established by … Continue reading

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Cuckoos, cuckolds, and the coming of spring

According to one website, Shakespeare “writes more about birds than any other poet”, with 606 mentions of 64 different species. He certainly names many species, and associates them with feelings, people or events.  The day before yesterday I heard my … Continue reading

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