THE BEST OF SHAKESPEARE (evening)
Event Details
“The quality of mercy is not strained;
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath.”Portia, The Merchant of Venice
Shakespeare’s poetry is among the most-quoted in the English language. Many of us have committed lines to memory which remain with us long after the plots and characters have faded beyond recall. Though we can read or recite them beautifully, we may never have fully stopped to consider how profoundly these lines are connected to the characters or plays – or even what they mean. They simply stay with us for the feelings they stir in our hearts.
In this single-evening session, participants will have the opportunity to read some of Shakespeare’s most beloved poetic speeches aloud together and discuss why we love them (or do not), how they resonate and what they might mean in and out of the plays in which they appear. Together, we will discuss context, character and language to enhance our experiences with these richly nuanced lines. In sharing our insights with one another, we may come to a new understanding of the plays, characters, speeches, words and even ourselves.
We will focus on poetic speeches in plays that have not recently been explored in the London Literary Salon, including (subject to change) The Tempest, King Lear, Romeo and Juliet, Richard III and The Merchant of Venice. Prior to the evening, participants will be sent copies of the speeches from which to select a favourite to read (first come, first served). Depending on numbers, two participants will each read one speech for the group to discuss together.
No acting talent necessary! The facilitator’s background is in English Renaissance drama in print, the objective is not to hone dramatic skills but rather to gain new insight into Shakespeare’s words and the worlds of the plays.
SALON DETAILS:
- Facilitated by Julie Sutherland
- Single meeting via Zoom
- Monday, 16 August 2021, 5-7.30 pm
- £25 to include opening notes and text
Book this Salon
Single meeting, 5-7.30pm, Monday 16 August
Places are no longer available for this event
