Shakespeare Is Killing Me…And Most of His Characters

Some of the ladies in my book club and I have decided to read through all of Shakespeare’s works in 2016.  I guess full disclosure would include that this brilliant idea was mine.  And it is fitting we chose this year to do so; it’s the 400 year anniversary of WS’s death.

Two months into reading, and I can definitively say it’s been brutal – even though I’m currently three plays behind.

There is good reason (several) only a few of William’s plays are deemed acceptable for student consumption.  The Bard was bawdy…and violent.  Boy, was he violent.

This week I’m on familiar ground reading Romeo & Juliet, that freshman year of high school English class staple.

However, I started with Two Gentlemen of Verona.  Trust me on this – they were NO gentlemen.  And the women – yeesh! – insipid, flat characters.

Comedy of Errors was next.  I actually quite enjoyed that one.  The confusion and mayhem of it was entertaining.

Then came Titus Andronicus.  Ugh.  Death, rape, murder, deceit, plotting, wickedness.  And flesh pie.  Spoiler:  I’m fairly certain everyone died by the end.  Although I could have missed a lone survivor.  I was more than ready to be down with it by the time I turned the last page.

Next came two poems:  “Venus and Adonis” and “The Rape of Lucrece.”  I’m the first to admit a lot of poetry goes over my head.  So I didn’t enjoy these much at all (although better than Titus).  I found Venus long and drawn out.  A lot of imagery and nonsense.  Rape was easier to understand but the subject matter left much to be desired.

At this point (while I’m sure it would be sacrilege), I really wish Goodreads would allow *zero* stars for their ratings.  Yet I’ll soldier on and hopefully even get caught up soon.  Because…at the end of the year I’ll be able to say I’ve read everything of Shakespeare, even if I didn’t enjoy it.