Shakespeare was boring.
I suffered through Hamlet, Macbeth, and Julius Caesar in high school, and totally agreed with you. In college he was something to read in order to write a paper on, not something to read for enjoyment. After college I would occasionally pick up a play to see what all the fuss was about, but would quickly put it down again in favor of Austen, Trollope, Hardy, etc.
Then a few years ago I decided to try Shakespeare again. And I found out what all the fuss was about. Read as an adult with life experiences behind one, he is incredible. Extraordinary humor, insight into human experiences, richness of language and imagery, etc.
Now, no matter where I go, and no matter what other books I am taking with me (like Maugham, I can't travel without books--even when I drive into town to shop I have to take a book in case I get a flat tire and have to wait for AAA) I always have one or two plays with me. And they are often the ones I pull out first.
If you haven't read him for a while, go back to him. You may find him a totally new experience. |
