Topic: Why Do We Read Shakespeare?

10-second review: We read Shakespeare, not because of the stories, but because of the language, the words.

Title: “A Walk in the Garden.” JR Scotese. English Journal (September 2009), 33-34. The secondary school journal of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE).

Quotes:

“We don’t read Shakespeare for the story—he took a his stories from somewhere else….”

Stephen Booth: “…on the genius and singularity of Shakespeare’s words.”

“Shakespeare’s plots are nothing that can’t be found by perusing tonight’s lineup on prime time. But those words—oh, those words—there is nothing that approaches them….”

Comment: This issue of English Journal was guest edited by Michael LoMonico, of the Folger Shakespeare Library, and, it seems, the Folger Shakespeare Library’s philosophy is that what counts in reading and performing Shakespeare is the language, the words. RayS.