S3:E3 | The Taming of the Shrewd: Answering Popular Questions about Shakespeare, Including, ‘How Do I Even Read This?’

Le Salon Literary Discussions

The Oxford University whose website says: “The biggest obstacle to enjoying Shakespeare is that niggling sense that understanding the works is a kind of literary IQ test.”

In this episode we’ll help you feel more prepared to face this “test” by looking at how to make it easier to read Shakespeare’s plays and giving you the answers to questions you’ve probably had about the man, the myth, and his works, including: What did he look like? Did he make up words? Why do we call him The Bard? Why is it bad luck to say “Macbeth” in a theatre?

And maybe most importantly: Why is Shakespeare still relevant?

We’ll even refresh your memory on his use of iambic pentameter (and why he uses measured AND unmeasured verse in some plays). Here’s an example of the emphasis when speaking a line from a Shakespeare play:

• So foul / and fair / a day / I have / not seen

[1:30] “First, I want to say it *is* challenging to read Shakespeare plays. Let’s all take a collective sigh of relief that we don’t have to pretend it isn’t.”

[10:04] “Rounding out his biography, you might be curious to know if there are any descendants that still bear the infamous playwright’s name."

[20:36] “And believe it or not, applying these modern lenses echo exactly what Shakespeare hoped to accomplish! He intended it to be problematic that Juliet is only 13 years old. He wants us to doubt that Romeo has fallen in love.”

More resources for you:

• See what books are on the virtual literary salon schedule.
• Follow me on Instagram @lesalonreads.
• Visit my website.