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Feb. 20th, 2007 01:11 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
readingredheadIf you could have lunch with any famous person, either living or dead, whom would you choose and why? Describe your conversation at lunch.
William Shakespeare has long been considered one of the greatest playwrights and storytellers in western civilization, if not the world; his plays and sonnets have been performed, analyzed, and enjoyed by each new generation. But few of those who understood his greatness ever knew him. During his own time, while he did gain popular fame, it was not readily apparent that this one man from a small town in the British countryside would create such an astounding body of work that would continue to enthrall the world even after its creator had passed on. But beneath the fame, beneath the verse, beneath the genius, there must have been a man, and this is who I would like to meet.
In whatever limbo or netherworld where the dead and living can coexist for the short space of lunchtime, I would talk to Shakespeare about what works of his I know. I would tell him, if he didn’t already know, of his tremendous fame. And I would ask him questions. I would ask him how he managed to write so much so well in such a short period of time, but especially I would ask him how he managed to write characters who were so human. I have a feeling that he would shy from the praises, and humbly avow that he writes just like every other writer, from what he knows of the world around him. But I would continue to pressure him, because Shakespeare’s characters are the most compelling part of his plays, the things that make them come alive, and few people are able to replicate so well the interactions of mankind at his best and at his worst. If I could get him to answer that question, I think his answer would be one of the most valuable pieces of writing advice the world has ever received.
Though I would hate to have to bring this up, I would feel compelled to ask Shakespeare if he truly wrote his own work, for while I disbelieve the theories to the contrary, I would like proof, even if I was the only person who would believe in it. Despite what may be said of Shakespeare, and the “evidence” against his having written his own plays, I prefer the story that he was simply a genius among men, capable of rising from his humble background to become a man famous throughout the centuries.
But finally, and most importantly, I would like to meet him because I would like to be inspired. Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets have inspired the world since he wrote them, and they’re just his secondhand thoughts, dulled by the communicative medium. To hear such thoughts from him in person, it follows, would be even more inspirational. Lunch with Shakespeare wouldn’t just be lunch—it would be the experience of a lifetime. To be in the presence of such greatness, even for such a short time, would be immensely uplifting to the creative spirit within me. Hearing him speak, about nothing and everything, would have an immeasurable effect on my life, my dedication to art, and the awe I feel when presented with a model of the creative process done right. I don’t think I could go out on a lunch date with anyone better.
******************************
At times it sounds incoherent and insincere, but it's only a first draft. Granted, I have to polish it up by the end of today so that I can get the whole scholarship thing in the mail, but I think I'll manage.
I'm working on a lot of things this weekend, but I'm also taking a lot of time off -- probably more than I can afford, but hey, it's my weekend, and when school rears its ugly head again I'll pay attention, I swear I will.
Basically did nothing so far today. Read through all the books for my history internal assessment paper, but I severely don't want to write it. I'm postponing my chem lab write-up until tomorrow, but I have to get it done then since Thursday after school is when I'm doing the actual lab. Which reminds me, I need to get some 3% hydrogen peroxide.
I would really like to read a book that draws me in and keeps me, but I've still got a chapter of Road to War left and some more stuff to fill out for scholarships. Maybe I'll get around to some Vonnegut, or to the historical sci-fi anthology I got at the library bookstore for a buck. But the truth is, I don't really want to do anything...and since I don't have to, I probably won't.
William Shakespeare has long been considered one of the greatest playwrights and storytellers in western civilization, if not the world; his plays and sonnets have been performed, analyzed, and enjoyed by each new generation. But few of those who understood his greatness ever knew him. During his own time, while he did gain popular fame, it was not readily apparent that this one man from a small town in the British countryside would create such an astounding body of work that would continue to enthrall the world even after its creator had passed on. But beneath the fame, beneath the verse, beneath the genius, there must have been a man, and this is who I would like to meet.
In whatever limbo or netherworld where the dead and living can coexist for the short space of lunchtime, I would talk to Shakespeare about what works of his I know. I would tell him, if he didn’t already know, of his tremendous fame. And I would ask him questions. I would ask him how he managed to write so much so well in such a short period of time, but especially I would ask him how he managed to write characters who were so human. I have a feeling that he would shy from the praises, and humbly avow that he writes just like every other writer, from what he knows of the world around him. But I would continue to pressure him, because Shakespeare’s characters are the most compelling part of his plays, the things that make them come alive, and few people are able to replicate so well the interactions of mankind at his best and at his worst. If I could get him to answer that question, I think his answer would be one of the most valuable pieces of writing advice the world has ever received.
Though I would hate to have to bring this up, I would feel compelled to ask Shakespeare if he truly wrote his own work, for while I disbelieve the theories to the contrary, I would like proof, even if I was the only person who would believe in it. Despite what may be said of Shakespeare, and the “evidence” against his having written his own plays, I prefer the story that he was simply a genius among men, capable of rising from his humble background to become a man famous throughout the centuries.
But finally, and most importantly, I would like to meet him because I would like to be inspired. Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets have inspired the world since he wrote them, and they’re just his secondhand thoughts, dulled by the communicative medium. To hear such thoughts from him in person, it follows, would be even more inspirational. Lunch with Shakespeare wouldn’t just be lunch—it would be the experience of a lifetime. To be in the presence of such greatness, even for such a short time, would be immensely uplifting to the creative spirit within me. Hearing him speak, about nothing and everything, would have an immeasurable effect on my life, my dedication to art, and the awe I feel when presented with a model of the creative process done right. I don’t think I could go out on a lunch date with anyone better.
At times it sounds incoherent and insincere, but it's only a first draft. Granted, I have to polish it up by the end of today so that I can get the whole scholarship thing in the mail, but I think I'll manage.
I'm working on a lot of things this weekend, but I'm also taking a lot of time off -- probably more than I can afford, but hey, it's my weekend, and when school rears its ugly head again I'll pay attention, I swear I will.
Basically did nothing so far today. Read through all the books for my history internal assessment paper, but I severely don't want to write it. I'm postponing my chem lab write-up until tomorrow, but I have to get it done then since Thursday after school is when I'm doing the actual lab. Which reminds me, I need to get some 3% hydrogen peroxide.
I would really like to read a book that draws me in and keeps me, but I've still got a chapter of Road to War left and some more stuff to fill out for scholarships. Maybe I'll get around to some Vonnegut, or to the historical sci-fi anthology I got at the library bookstore for a buck. But the truth is, I don't really want to do anything...and since I don't have to, I probably won't.
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(no subject)
Date: 2007-02-20 10:10 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-02-20 10:10 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-02-20 10:56 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-02-20 11:31 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-02-20 10:59 pm (UTC)I totally relate to the whole not wanting to do anything this weekend. We all need a break from work and this 5-day weekend is basically the deep breath before the plunge for all of us. Relax while you can.
Aww you bum! You're not gonna be there for the chem party! Which reminds me...we really need to crack down and figure out this Group IV project. It's due on the 5th, along with a million other things along the way for other classes, so plannning it early would be a good idea.
(no subject)
Date: 2007-02-20 11:35 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-02-20 11:56 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-02-21 01:31 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-02-21 02:05 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-02-21 03:03 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-02-21 01:50 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-02-21 01:53 am (UTC)