On Shakespeare

The other day, I read a seemingly innocent post on the NaNoWriMo forums about what Shakespearean play people's work most resembled. I mentioned that mine would be a little like Othello, if Othello and Iago were the same character and Desdemona was imaginary. And, the more I thought about things, the more I realized that I could make a pretty interesting story if I played up these elements.

I've always found Shakespeare somewhat interesting (which you'll know if you've read King Lear and Blurred Line). That said, it wasn't really until last year, when I took two university courses devoted entirely to Shakespeare, that I became a real fan of his work. Actually, I can pinpoint the moment. In one class, we'd been reading Titus Andronicus and during a discussion I had to explain to another student why I thought the play was, by far, his worst. This, of course, involved highlighting everything he managed to get right about human nature (among other things) in his other plays.

Of course, everything there is to say about Shakespeare has already been said, so I don't plan to write an essay in this post. Instead, let me make one recommendation to all of the would-be writers out there - read your Shakespeare. The man certainly knew a thing or two.

Personally, I recommend Othello, Hamlet, The Taming of the Shrew and Richard III.