Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Magic Shake-Ball



Dear Magic Shake-Ball:

Today I had some of my students read —out loud— the "bubble, bubble, toil and trouble" scene from the Scottish Play. About halfway through, I remembered that history is littered with the bodies of actors who met untimely deaths performing in that play because the witch spells are authentic and you aren't supposed to speak them out loud. So who should be worried here--me, or the students?

Answer:

"I was always plain with you, and so now I speak my agitation of the matter; therefore, be a'good cheer, for truly I think you are damned."
(Merchant of Venice 3.5.3-6)

Interpretation:

Now you're just being mean. If I'm a goner, can you at least take me out before I have to grade all those final papers?

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