Different morning post that usual. Shakespeare is my secular god. I am an open Bard worshiper. Harold Bloom is my personal go to critic for a number of reasons. His clear headed understanding of the poison of resentment victim theories in academia is always refreshing and helpful. When Bloom writes about a play - he writes about the play. Not "social justice."
I paraphrase Bloom: Whenever a director tries to illuminate a Shakespeare play with a currently fashionable idea - the play illuminates the idea, not the other way a round. Whenever we go, Shakespeare has been there first.
Bloom rightfully understands that the only sane stance to take when approaching Shakespeare is awe. Once the largely imaginary and self imposed fear of reading the language is overcome, an endless bounty of humanity is waiting, actually demanding, attention.
Though by no means a literary critic or even all that well versed - I can find no fault whatsoever with Bloom's contention that Shakespeare invented us. That is, how we perceive our own consciousness in the West and our relationship to ourselves comes from the plays. The Bible and Koran not withstanding. Both books being about our relationship to God. Shakespeare's major characters do not change because the "gods" or any outside event changes them. They change because they overhear themselves. And listen. Much of what they hear is ugly, some beautiful, all true. "To be or not to be" predates "I think, therefore I am" and is its antecedent.
The 20th century belongs to Freud. (I suspect the 21st has long since been claimed by Einstein and his off spring.) Yet a Freudian interpretation of Hamlet is not possible in reality. Freud was obsessed with Shakespeare. The proper starting point is to attempt a Shakespearean analysis of Freud - as Bloom posits. Freud did not "discover" the unconscious. He read Hamlet and Macbeth. And at the very least, Cleopatra, Anthony being a lesser light in that play.
At any rate, my mind is well equipped for scavenging, not deep intellect. (I scavenge, therefore I blog.) The Bloom portion of the Charlie Rose show is the first 20 minutes. He reminds us that academia can and should be about curiosity and the pursuit of understanding. Not what it is now, factory farms for victims.
The photo was sent from Ireland where a friend was attending a wedding. Seems like a leprechaun - or perhaps a small Kennedy - should be peaking out from behind that tree...
Music - I was not posting John Lennon this week because of the anniversary of his death (I had no idea it was upcoming)but I am now. Lots of Ireland in this clip as well:
And a Beatles song for good measure. I have this song on every Itunes list I've ever made and never get sick of it...odd...I'm still not sick of it.
Shakespeare: Earlier this week I posted a clip from my favorite version of Taming of the Shrew. Here is a clip from my second favorite version - a modern adaptation called "10 Things I Hate About You." Here Heath Ledger in the Petruchio role ("Patrick Verona") continues his wooing of Katherine (Kat Stratford ). Much is written about the "battle of the sexes" in "Shrew" To me the play is about the delicious power of human sexuality. It's about flirting really. And how much fun it is to flirt. The "10 Things" modern version gets it.
A quote: I have never made but one prayer to God, a very short one: 'O Lord, make my enemies ridiculous.' And God granted it.
What bullshit Obama's "broad coalition" is turning out to be. It apparently means Clinton Administration folks - oh and Chuck Hagel the Republican who put the INO in RINO.
Thank God there is a decent Democratic administration in living memory for Obama to raid. Otherwise we'd be stuck with him placing Arianna Huffington and Tony Rezko in the cabinet.
I repeat: I would rather have Clintonites populating the Obama administration than Chicago Machine types and far lefty wash ups. Conflicting reports are out about whether Hillary will accept the Secretary of State job. Though, as a Clinton loyalist I am of two minds on this issue - mostly I hope she does take the job. The danger is real that Obama will blame her for anything that goes wrong in foreign policy under his watch. However, I don't put much stock in the idea that it would ruin her. She is too smart. The Clintons make mistakes but they are far out weighed by their successes in the political realm. The Obama Administration policies are going to be Obama's in the end. Hillary will not lie for Obama as Powell did for Bush 2, and she is more astute than Ms. Rice. If Obama tanks no one will be unscathed. However, a review of the history of Bill and Hillary proves one thing - they are survivors. Clinton will be a good or great SOS. No one with a brain (this excludes morons on the far Left and the asinine media) will question her work ethic or skill. Obama's presidency is going to be Obama's for better or worse. However, Clinton's successes at state will be chocked up to HER.
Added bonus: The freaks at Kos and Huffington have to deal with Hillary. They have to make room in their Clinton hating reptilian brains for the fact that THE ONE chose a Clinton for a high profile job. At some point the cognitive dissonance will cause at least a few cases of spontaneous human combustion. Please God, let it show up on youtube.
Hillary supporters have no reason to fear Obama scapegoating anymore. We never did actually. What we know about Hillary after 2008 is that she is the best candidate for nearly any job out there. She fights for what is right - and can get through any right wing or Obamamedia deluge intact and with grace.
I don't like this terror among the Hillary loyalists, like me, that the SOS job is a trap for her. She's better than that. If she wants it, she should take it. If Obama tries to wiggle out of responsibility in the future - plenty of people are primed and ready to point it out. If Clinton really does screw up at State - she'll take the heat. Let's not give Obama mystical power over all. Let's not feed the corrupt Obamamedia machine with MORE magical thinking about Obama. He is not the infallible wizard behind the curtain - Time and Newsweek's asskissing not withstanding. He's flawed - just like everyone else. More than most, in fact.
As for Team Obama making insulting inquiries into Bill Clinton's income - well - Obama is an asshole. President Clinton knows this. Hillary Clinton knows this. We all know this. Not news. We're stuck for now. If the Clinton's don't like the vetting they can stop it. If they aren't bothered I see no reason to be.
Fear no job, Hillary! And for us PUMAs I say: Fear No Obama Duplicity!
Hillary remember: Country First. I trust your judgement. If it means the Senate - remain and kick ass. If it means the State Department - then give it your all.
The end.
And now a visit from Bill S. My not so humble wish for everyone is not world peace or solving global warming (which does exist!) it is that we all start reading Shakespeare. Stick your toe in the water. 5 minutes a day. Comprehension is not the top priority. The WORDS are. Followed, eventually, by the PEOPLE. Comprehension will come in time. Shakespeare is not nearly as difficult as it seems at first.
I started on my Shakespeare trip with the Folger's paperback editions. One scene a day. Shower, shave, Shakepeare. A synopsis is presented before each scene. This way the action of the play is not lost and one is free to indulge the words. This seems pretentious of me I know, and maybe it is, I don't care much. I am not a humble scholar. I am not a scholar at all. I just know that where ever I am - we are - Shakespeare has been there before - and many other places as well.
In this culture if you want to know why we are the way we are in relation to God - believer or not - like it or not - then you should read the King James Bible.
If you want to know why we are the way we are in relation to each other and ourselves you must read Shakespeare. He invented us, as Harold Bloom put it.
From Henry the Fourth part 2 And him..oh wondrous him...miracle of men...second to none
When we say something is "second to none" we are plagerizing this speech.
The Obama/Bush failure is moving forward...and since I live in a big city, am not Amish or Buddhist, and dislike discomfort - I'm not overjoyed that I believe we are compulsively playing out the EndTimes narrative. Nor do I think Obama has any power to stop this compulsive play acting (all the while blaming the god of Moses and John of Patmos. ). Obama is, in fact, a RESULT of this mass delusion and denial. But since I really dislike the man (who is such a fraud we may need to retire the word fraud) if the world is going to end - it may as well happen on his watch so he can take the blame. The Mayans tell us that the world ends on December 21, 2012, placing the last days during the Biden/Gingrich Administration interregnum. Nostradumbass, and Edgar Casey and my favorite doom machine the Web Bot Project place it around that date as well. When do you think the world ends? And some Shakespeare - Titus Adronicus, Bill S's slasher/revenge bloodbath. Here is the moment Titus must decide what to do about the brutal rape and mutilation of his daughter.
Yikes! Ya gotta do what ya gotta do - and today I am referencing, in a good light, Obama whore John Avarosis. He is right on gay rights. In a discussion with a friend earlier today the Sundance Film Festival's stance toward Utah came up. I not only think Sundance should be boycotted this year - I think Sundance should MOVE the festival this year. The idea that an industry driven by and with populated with hugely talented gay people -should show up to the fortnight of partying and movie shopping in Utah is disgusting. Sundance needs to move this year. It needs 8 movie screens in reasonable proximity. And a place to hold press conferences, parties, and photo shoots, and hotels - that'll cover the 2 weeks. There is NO reason the festival cannot be in Los Angeles this year. None. Sundance must move.
Today's Shakespeare - The Rude Mechanicals play with the play in Midsummer, performed by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
A friend of mine serving in Iraq sent me this clip. Not exactly a solmen tribute this Vetern's day - but it makes me happy, happy, happy... Thanks Vets!
And to remember World War 1 - which is why we have this holiday- a scene from Joyeux Noel about the Christmas Truce of 1914. If you don't tear up - you are, in fact, dead.
And today's Shakespeare: The Band of Brothers speech. I posted this a few weeks ago but it works again on 11/11. Thanks Vets!
Hmm...personally, though I am currently ballandchainless, I need time alone...then again I have never dated French Royalty - I do occasionally pretend to be the Queen of France when no one is looking...please don't tell...
CREEPY OBAMA PAL OF THE DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Creepy and/or criminal Obama associate of the day: Odinga... As per usual - this Obama pal has no moral center, and is a power mad freak... Aryes, Odinga, Michelle...I detect a pattern.
SHAKESPEARE CLIP OF THE DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And a clip from Richard the Second in which a member of the old guard tells the young king he's a vain little narcissistic punk who is doing great damage to his country....
The famous speech John Of Gaunt makes (Gielgud) here while lamenting what is happening to his land under the self centered king: This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle, This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars, This other Eden, demi-paradise, This fortress built by Nature for herself Against infection and the hand of war, This happy breed of men, this little world, This precious stone set in the silver sea, Which serves it in the office of a wall Or as a moat defensive to a house, Against the envy of less happier lands,-- This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England.
