June 17th, 2014 → 7:46 am
“Some report a sea-maid spawned him. Some, that he
was begot between two stock-fishes. But it is certain
that when he makes water his urine is congealed ice.” – Measure for Measure
If Shakespeare were to describe an X-Men super villain.
June 10th, 2014 → 6:21 am
“They are as sick that surfeit with too much,
as they that starve with nothing.” – The Merchant of Venice
Inequality is not good for the rich, or the poor.
May 18th, 2014 → 7:33 am
“The ground that gave them first has them again:
Their pleasures here are past, so is their pain.” – Cymbeline
I watched a little bit of the dedication ceremony to the new 9/11 museum as I got ready for work the other day. The little bit I saw made me tear up. God bless everyone, and god bless their memory.
May 13th, 2014 → 6:05 am
“Our revels now are ended.” – The Tempest
The semester is coming to a close this week, and while I look forward to summer, I always feel a bit wistful this time of year. I get attached to my students and I kind of miss them when I stop seeing them every week!
Filed under: Blog & Other & Self/My Life
May 11th, 2014 → 6:33 am
Stage Direction: “He holds her by the hand, silent.” – Coriolanus
I’ve read that Coriolanus’ mother, Volumnia (what a name!), can be considered the most notable mother in all of Shakespeare’s plays. In part that is because so many other mothers are, literally, absent. This stage direction describes an important moment between mother and son in Coriolanus. And I have to say, that I just treasure it when my son decides to silently hold my hand as we walk together to school, the park, or wherever. The grip of his thin, delicate fingers in my own is just precious. Happy Mother’s Day everyone.
Filed under: Blog & Other & Self/My Life
May 6th, 2014 → 7:57 am
“Let none presume
To wear an undeserved dignity:
O that estates, degrees, and offices,
Were not derived corruptly, and that clear honour
Were purchased by the merit of the wearer!” – Merchant of Venice
I heard about this commencement speech recently, where the speaker told the graduating students that they were not special. I understand what he was trying to do, and I do think a lot of kids feel entitled nowadays, but in the end I disagree with this approach. You should teach people with carrots, not sticks. Make them feel good, but make them feel good about others as well. Making people feel bad or unimportant is not the best pedagogical approach, in my opinion.
May 3rd, 2014 → 7:12 am
“So bad a death argues a monstrous life.” – Henry VI
For whom? For the inmate on death row? Or for the state that puts the inmate to death? The issue is back in the news again after the monstrous execution in Oklahoma.
Filed under: Blog & Other & Stupid/Evil People
April 30th, 2014 → 5:45 am
“Expose thyself to feel what wretches feel,
That thou mayst shake the superflux to them
And show the heavens more just.” – King Lear
Apparently Richard Gere was mistaken for a homeless man the other day, and given some leftover restaurant food so he wouldn’t have to dig around in the garbage anymore. What a great story!
April 20th, 2014 → 6:24 am
“Love is a smoke made with the fume of sighs;
Being purged, a fire sparkling in lovers’ eyes;
Being vexed, a sea nourished with lovers’ tears;
What is it else? A madness most discreet,
A choking gall, and a preserving sweet.” – Romeo and Juliet
Today is both Easter, and the anniversary of my first date with my husband. Love, of all kinds, is in the air.
Filed under: Blog & Other & Self/My Life
April 17th, 2014 → 8:09 am
“They say, best men are molded out of faults;
And, for the most, become much more the better
For being a little bad; so may my husband.” – Measure for Measure
Arrrggghhh…..husbands!
Filed under: Blog & Other & Self/My Life