Amanda's Shakespeare Blog February 2006 Archive

It was November, 1605, and high treason was on the mind of every English subject. A small group of angry Catholics, fed up with ongoing persecution at the hands of ... Read More

When we mean to build, We first survey the plot, then draw the model; And when we see the figure of the house, Then must we rate the cost of the erection. "2 King ... Read More

"Troilus and Cressida" was registered with the Stationer's Company in February, 1603, but it was not scheduled for publication at that time. Registration of the play was the only way ... Read More

John Dryden wrote that Shakespeare was "the man who, of all modern and perhaps ancient poets, had the largest and most comprehensive soul." However, many believe that Shakespeare is not ... Read More

Did you know that Shakespeare had two sisters named Joan, one born in 1558 and the other in 1569? No one knows first-born Joan's exact date of death, but it ... Read More

You sign your place and calling, in full seeming, With meekness and humility; but your heart Is cramm'd with arrogancy, spleen, and pride. "Henry VIII" (2.4.118-20) Many believe "Henry VIII" to be ... Read More

"If music be the food of love, play on..." As you probably guessed, the famous line above opens Shakespeare's comedy "Twelfth Night." But which Shakespearean drama opens with the line, "I ... Read More

Shakespeare mentions Saint Valentine's Day in two plays. Find out which plays and learn more about Saint Valentine's Day here.

A selection of the Bard's illustrious passages on love and romance to share with your beloved.

Did you know that during one performance of "Othello" at Covent Garden in 1833, Edmund Kean collapsed on stage into the arms of his son who was playing Iago, and ... Read More

Shakespeare uses "dog" or "dogs" over two hundred times in his works. He also was the first writer to use the compound noun "watchdog", in "The Tempest" (1.2.390).

All furnish'd, all in arms; All plumed like estridges that with the wind Baited like eagles having lately bathed; Glittering in golden coats, like images; As full of ... Read More

Shakespeare crafted some of the most unforgettable passages in Western literature, but how well do we really know the exact lines? Test your knowledge inside by filling in the missing ... Read More

In 1849, two competing productions of “Macbeth” were held on the same night in New York City. The result was the worst disaster in theatre history. Read on...

Shake·speare fa·nat·ic A person motivated by extreme enthusiasm for and devotion to the Bard. You know who you are and this is the quiz you've been waiting for. Test your mettle ... Read More

This introduction to "King Lear" will provide students with a general overview of the play and its primary characters, in addition to selected essay topics.