Our Exciting News!

Caroline and I have been AWOL for a while. But it's for a good, Shakespeare-related reason! Our book of Shakespeare-themed cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be published by Perigee/Penguin in September 2015!

Ready for the title? Shakespeare, Not Stirred. Whether you're in the sexy, self-empowered mood for a "Lady Macbeth's G-Spot" or interested in drowning your sorrows with an "Othello's Green-Eyed Monster," there's going to be a drink and a nibble for every occasion.

We plan to eventually house this blog on our book and/or author websites. Because we are Everyday Shakespeare every single freakin' day. We can't help it.

We're thrilled to be represented by amazing agents Adriann Ranta and Allison Devereux at Wolf Literary. There's contact information--and pics of us holding yummy cocktails--on the Wolf Literary website.

Looking forward to clinking glasses with you all (either in person or through cyber-space).

Shakespeare at Large

How sweet is this?

Need a gift for a little kid? Want to look smart but not in that obnoxious, trying-too-hard kind of way? You'll be the coolest parent on the block if you give this Shakespeare Alphabet. Buy it right here.

Shakespeare at Large

Currently Cracking Us Up . . . . 

"Shakespeare Characters Who Make the Best Drinking Partners" 
by Ken Griggs (Bro Jackson)

This long-overdue breakdown of who's who in Shakespeare's world of potential bar-hopping buddies is a nice piece of scholarship. The whole piece is a must-read, but here's a little sip to get you going:

"Hamlet He’s the darling of all Shakespeare’s plays. People love him and how can’t you love someone so dark and mysterious? Imagine taking him to the bars? He’s like Kurt Cobain with the charisma of Brad Pitt. We’d be begging hipster ladies not to talk to us. Plus with the whole Oedipal stuff going on you know he’s into some freaky shit. This is the kind of guy who would gladly jump on a grenade and have the courtesy not to bring it up later. Pass the Frangelico because things are about to get nutty."

Shakespeare at Large

This deleted scene from X-Men 3 is cracking me up. The Beast is a Shakespeare expert, you know. And also, every Shakespearean may at some point spontaneously combust into The Beast. Especially at the end of the academic year.

Shakespeare at Large

Found this Hamlet Mash-Up  on Shakespeare in L.A.'s website.  I wanted it to go on for about another couple of hours or so.

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This is so weird. Shakespeare as an East London hipster? Check out some other artistic makeovers (Elizabeth I, hello!) right here.

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Strange. Charming. Adorable. Claymation. Shakespeare. Writer's Block.

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RSC doesn't just stand for Royal Shakespeare Company . . .

We're in love with the Robot Shakespeare Company!

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We have an Early Modern Website Crush on . . . . .

The Six Degrees of Francis Bacon

It's a "digital reconstruction of the early modern social network."

We "Like."

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Pope @Pontifex

Goodnight, sweet perks

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The Dish on King Richard III . . . from his Good Buddies 

SNL this weekend. Hilarious.

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Got Love? 

Check Out The Folger Library's Collection of Cards To Send!!!!!

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That King Richard just can't cut a break....Karma's a bitch.

From today's New York Times:

"Richard III has only just extricated himself from ignominious burial under an English parking lot. But if a Manhattan theater troupe has its way, to the parking lot he will return, at least temporarily..."  Read the full story here...

Magic Shake-Ball

Dear Magic Shake-Ball:

When I was an undergrad, I used to write snarky notes in class about what my professors were wearing. Do you think that my students are doing the same thing to me when I see them smirking in pairs during lecture? Is this the true meaning of Karma?

Answer:

"Now judge what cause had Titus to revenge
These wrongs unspeakable, past patience."

(Titus Andronicus 5.3.126-27)

Interpretation:

Crap. I was afraid of that. Now I'm going to have to find my good pants for tomorrow.

Shakespeare at Large

 

Check out these Lines from Shakespeare Mistaken for 1990's Hip-Hop Lyrics. Just do it. Word.

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I am SO bummed to miss this: Tim Crouch's "I, Malvolio" at The New Victory in NYC through 1/20. 

Check out the official description:

"The puritanical party-pooper of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night finally has his say in British scribe Tim Crouch’s poignant one-man show. A hilarious, charged and often unsettling rant from a complex man full of pride, passion, rage and humiliation, I, MALVOLIO is a compassionate deconstruction of one of classic literature’s most misunderstood characters. Through beautiful and sharp-witted language, brilliant acting and fearless improvisation, Tim moves his audience to laughter and tears, while giving voice and vindication to a character who was 'notoriously wronged.'" 

Shakespeare at Large

I don't know how I ran across this "Perdita" dress on the Anthopologie sales site. I mean, that makes no sense at all. I was just fantasizing about buying everything on the Anthropologie site and changing my life working on my syllabus for my Shakespeare course that starts Monday, when this just popped up.

Well, I guess I could see Perdita wearing this cute little dress around Sicilia. She'd probably rather wear this than get pranked up in that whorish Flora's get-up. Maybe I can work this up into a new course--"Project Shakespeare." Oooh, I just love research.

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Woot! Woot! The MLA is Officially Going On in Beantown

My Favorite Shakespeare Panel at the MLA

121. Shakespeare and Selfhood: New Keywords

A special session

Presiding: Laurie Shannon, Northwestern Univ.

1. "Exteriority," Kevin Curran, Univ. of North Texas

2. "Cloud," Julian D. Yates, Univ. of Delaware, Newark

3. "Sensation," Jennifer Elizabeth Waldron, Univ. of Pittsburgh

My Favorite Word From Titles of Shakespeare Papers To Be Presented at the MLA:

Horripilation.

Horripilation: "the raising of the hairs on the skin as a response to cold or fear; goose bumps or goose pimples."

Shakespeare at Large

What our Experts forgot to mention yesterday is that you have to dress for success at your interviews. May we suggest a hand-made period outfit from the Very Merry Seamstress? We guarantee that your interview committee will remember you if you show up in this little number. Especially if your dissertation is on the Marquis de Sade.

Shakespeare at Large

Check out this piece in the Tech section of Forbes.com, "The Bard is Back." It begins with the statement "Shakespeare is hot again."

Um, again?