Wednesday, November 19, 2008
For this posting, I'm seeking a genuine & personal response to Robert MacNeil's genuine & personal account of his early experience with Shakespeare. It's better you write something in advance and post it rather than use someone else's response as a springboard--though you're always welcome to comment on what you read here.
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oo before I write my comment on the reading, I was wondering, Michael, if you are willing to let Diversity Club borrow your Hungarian clothing, I was wondering if you could bring them in by this week or next week. Thank you :]
What I thought about this reading was that what he's saying is really true! Except I kind of think that he's a tad overobsessed with Shakespeare. The first line that he quotes from Shakespeare : "How weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable Seem to me all the uses of this world." If we interpret it, it could mean a variety of things. That life is a boring and mundane, that there isn't much reason to be here. I think how MacNeil brings himself back to being a seventeen year old really allows us as sixteen to eighteen year olders to relate. His love of Shakespeare's writing brought out the Hamlet that we should be seeing. That Hamlet is only a teenager like us that has to go through deeper doo doo than any of us will ever go through. The quote above shows that life has its down side more often than its high side.
Something that really slapped me hard in the face was how MacNeil was talking about the different sounds of Shakespeare's writing. The contrast of elegance and smoothness to the hard and "clipped" sounds. Comparing Shakespeare's work with other people, how both his words and his insights make his work so amazing. His words have their own characters, and his thoughts are deep that once it's understood people will get hooked on, snagged on, pulled in, sucked into Shakespeare's world. And that is poetry to you.
Genuine…Being perfectly honest I thought that the first paragraph, with the exception of the comparison to a “well-treated slave”, magnified the stereotypes of the moans and gripes of teens today. Yet, the account of the author’s experiences pulled me into realizing the “intuitive kinship” that is present between Hamlet and other teens. I like Hamlet, similarly to the author, because he thinks and has those moments (monologues) when he recognizes and questions the imperfections and incongruence which he sees throughout his world that adults around are “more relaxed [and] resigned” to and tend to overlook.
This account led me to look back into my own past for my first encounters with Shakespeare’s work. I found that I actually still have my old picture book "William Shakespeare & the Globe" by Aliki. Flipping back through it, I found another connection with the passage. Inside my book is a list of Shakespearean words and expressions in use today, such as "bated breath, a sorry sight, shooting star, football, puke", and "forward." We wouldn’t have "successful" without Shakespeare as well.
... This post doesn't show up in my Live Bookmark for the blog, because it's "Untitled" D:
In any case:
Upon reading the first two paragraphs, a single name surfaced in my mind: "John Savage."
"I didn't find God but I found William Shakespeare, a piece of God's work so extraordinary that he comes close to divinity itself."
Interesting.
This seems to be the same Robert MacNeil who did the The MacNeil/Lehrer Report, too. Also interesting.
In any case:
I really like this "account."
For one thing, I really like it because I like English.
I really like it because MacNeil discusses why I like English--reflects upon the artistic potential inherent in our language, of flow and sound and careful diction and the striking union of entire language groups and the harmony of such a union.
Dunno--I just like it. It makes for quite the drug, as he says.
I also really like how he speaks of the late-adolescent mind, which--whether I like it or not--I seem to be swept up in (or at least the bits that MacNeil talks about and relates to Prince Hamlet).
Indeed, MacNeil relates this awesomely to Hamlet (and Hamlet, for that matter), which is an interesting take on things that I'll have to keep in mind as we go over Hamlet.
Furthermore, the relation of Hamlet's traits to Shakespeare's emotional pith is really interesting, though just briefly brought up. Another thing to keep in mind.
An interesting anecdote of how Shakespeare replaced Lord Nelson in one late-adolescent's mind.
The way that MacNeil describes the whole experience sounds... amazing.
"They lifted me into a not quite earthly place, transported me for long moments into another realm of time and being; a poetic world, in which the flow of words controlled the weather and the climate, the cast and light of the day, and the mood of the people."
kind of disappointing how quickly our excerpt cuts off like that, really
his life sounds really interesting
this is how you write your memoirs, huh...
The account of Robert MacNeil's early encounter with Hamlet was to me an account of an art experience. The words in Shakespeare's Hamlet are in themselves art; a created expression of human emotion, but beyond that they are an art experience, a mode to personal expression and a "voice to so many ideas and feelings...". In Shakespeare McNeil found meaning to feelings within himself he was unable to understand. It was in a way a mirror of self reflection. It is also a deciphering tool, a Rosetta stone to the hieroglyphics of human emotion. Beyond finding himself in the words of Hamlet MacNeil found a sanctuary, a "poetic world". I believe all people need this sort of personal release, a place where they can just let go of reality. Or rather the strings of reality obligations binding individuals to a frantic and focused existence. Letting go of reality is delving into another world; either a sport, a painting, a movie, or as in MacNeil's case a literary world. Here we are free from stresses of life and can recuperate a bit before facing the onslaught of day to day life. In addition to providing a relaxed and safe place for retreat Hamlet also created a place for reflection. MacNeil says that "Shakespeare's words released me a little from the prison of my self-absorption and hooked me into a wider, grander scheme of thins". This I found comparative to stepping back from a painting to look at the entire work after focusing narrowly on one area of detail. It is this sort of stepping back that provides new prospective and insight to the painting and shows if the composition is unified and working as a whole. A beautifully rendered section of a painting is nothing if it does not flow with its surroundings. Reflecting on the grander scheme of things is essential to gain perspective on what is entirely being achieved. But often times it takes something to pull us away from an eye straining focus on small things; a provocative question, a traumatic event, an illuminating idea. It was Shakespeare that provided a Gestalt for MacNeil. Beyond my impressions of MacNeil's experience and my sympathy for his love of Shakespeare I was also given a new perspective on Shakespeare. Not just another book to read for school but a piece of art to experience. It sounds horridly cliche but I am genuinely excited for the depth and substance waiting to be uncovered in Hamlet.
I was surprised at how well I connected with Robert MacNeil’s personal account of his experience with Shakespeare. I found it interesting that Shakespeare never really came alive to him until he heard it spoken. I think that this happens a lot when people first connect to literature; it’s easier to understand and feel the passion when the feeling is demonstrated for you. This has happened to me personally for Shakespeare. Two years ago I had the opportunity to go the Shakespeare Festival in Ashland. I never had been fond of Shakespeare before hand, but seeing his words come to life on the stage was the beginning of my true appreciation of his genius.
I really liked how MacNeil related his feelings to his experience when he was a teenager. I think that many times youth believe that Shakespeare has little to do with them and simply choose not to pay attention to it. Shakespeare, however, can be appreciated by any age.
I enjoyed reading the excerpt from Wordstruck by Robert MacNeil. The enthusiasm that he felt when he read Hamlet for the first time was completely palpable in his writing. I could relate to it, since he was only a year younger than me when he first read it. He had never really appreciated Shakespeare until he read Hamlet. I didn’t appreciate Shakespeare until I encountered Romeo and Juliette during my 8th grade year. We worked on the play in our music class and I was cast as Juliette. It was a great experience. Actually staging the play helped me understand it more and made me want to read more of Shakespeare’s works.
Another aspect of the essay that I enjoyed was how MacNeil viewed Hamlet as the typical teenager and, as a result, was able to relate to him more than he probably did to any other Shakespearean characters he had encountered beforehand. I can see why; as MacNeil pointed out, Hamlet broods and complains about all the things that annoy or bother him, just like a normal teenager. It’s an interesting take on the character that I hadn’t really considered before.
My first instinctive response to this MacNeil piece was to dismiss it as the ramblings of some obsessed literary critic and to claim that I have never responded to and will never respond so extremely to Shakespeare. But upon further contemplation and a second rereading, I felt “flashes of recognition” at MacNeil’s description of the sensations and emotions that Shakespeare evoked in him. Having had no substantial association with Shakespeare before, I can’t say that his work has left me with “…such instant [connections]”. None the less, when MacNeil talked of how Shakespeare lifted him to “…a not quite earthly plane” and transported him to “…long moments in another realm of time and being,” an instant bond and association formed between us. For, I have also experienced this in my art. MacNeil perfectly articulated the dedication, love, and wonder that I hold for drawing and painting. I know perfectly what he is getting at when he talks of being surrounded by a mist and being utterly unaware of time, of environment. When I am immersed in my art, time and place just seems to fall away. All that matters is the piece of work in front of me. I become excited by each brush stroke and awed by the creation of something coherent and impassioned out of globs of pigment. When I have finished a piece of work, like MacNeil, I feel as if I have “…advanced a space or two”. I think Krista knows perfectly the emotions that I’m referring to, as we’re both artists.
As Krista mentioned already, MacNeil has really made me excited to explore Shakespeare and his art. I also want to immerse myself within the words and to just revel in the beauty of the work. I want to experience the emotion that MacNeil feels when reading Shakespeare. I feel our next unit will be very different from Heart of Darkness, in that we won’t focus so much on analysis, but on the pure beauty of words and sounds.
For the author, we can clearly see the affect Shakespeare had on him. He first spoke and gave us insight that a regular teen might have about Shakespeare, something that is fairly appealing to me since I am also a teen. He really showed to us why is was so important to him and how is affected him. Shakespear is a great writer, and the author is able to sucessfully provide why Shakerspeare is such a prolific writer. I find it quite plausible that Shakerspeare did impact the author this much. I also liked how he speculated about the people who disliked him, or thought he was a fraud.
One thing I was a little dissapointed in was that over did the influence of Shakespear. Like I felt the author put Shakespeare in too much lime light.
Thanh, it's Romanian, not Hungarian :( I do believe I feel slightly offended.
I was drawn in by Mr. MacNeil's account, particularly with regards to the film that he commented on watching. I would fully agree with his vision on how a video/play can create an even greater sense of realism and bring upon a new level of depth--and the feeling after watching such a great performance creates an urge to immerse deeper in Shakespeare's great works. I can sincerely relate to his personal account (in regards to this matter), and would not mind my feelings toward Shakespeare's writings to be reignited.
My first thought was "this guy really loves words". What I saw as most interesting was his observation of the juxtaposition of roots from different languages which change the way that the lines are read (on pg 134). Other than that, I think the only comment I have is that he seems a bit too intent on showing how well he knows Shakespearean language and how much of an impact they have on him. It reminds me of a child who just learned a new word, and tries to use it in as many sentences as possible.
I can, however, relate to the long list of phrases he gave. There is a certain charm in having those phrases in your grasp of knowledge. I remember that I went to a summer camp once where we did a small unit on Shakespeare, and for about half an hour we were insulting each other with long strings of Shakespearean words (my favorite was lily-livered).
omg I am soooo so so so so so sorry Michael. I don't know what I was thinking there, I feel like a jerk. I'm really sorry about that.. I'll do something to make up for that slip.
As I was reading the essay I couldn’t help but think MacNeil was just another devout member of some underground Shakespeare cult and loved everything having to do with the great playwright. And I honestly felt he overdid it. It was like he was over- nostalgic as he reminisced about this turning point in his life. I mean he is a writer and Shakespeare seems to be a role model for him, and I so I guess I can see why he places him on such a high pedestal, but for me it was too much. I appreciate Shakespeare and his great plays, but it’s not at the same level as MacNeil.
To show why I feel MacNeil overdid it Ill compare it to me first exposure to Shakespeare—it too was Hamlet. I was in 7th grade (right there I may have been too young to really appreciate it but it’s what happened) and we were told to reenact the play after we read it in these little groups. I thought it was good, but a lot of it went over my head. It was pretty language though and I liked the rhythm of the verse in the plays. Needless to say that first impression has always stuck with me. Granted I understand the plays a whole lot better as a 12th grader, but it never has struck me in the same way it struck MacNeil.
I will give MacNeil the point that the language Shakespeare uses is genius, once I understand what he is saying (usually after quite a bit of translation). The iambic pentameter he uses gives the verse such a natural flow, yet is has a poetic rhythm and sound. Shakespeare’s writing not only says what it needs to say, but feels like it needs to feel because it uses this rhythm and has this sound. I can appreciate this. I just think MacNeil took it too far. Sorry if that offends anyone.
Thanh, really, you shouldn't've. It isn't that big of a deal. I felt bad for taking such a delicious and heartfelt sandwich away from you. :(
Immediatly MacNeil reminded me of John Savage from Brave New World. Where he says "Never before had there been such instant connection between something I felt and a set of words to describe it" instantly brought John, and even Helmholtz, to mind. However, I believe MacNeil gets a little too into it...I almost started to think that the article might be satire as I was reading. The way he almost obsesses over the way Hamlet wields words, and awakened the "word hunger" within him. I think he's been reading too much Shakespeare and has taken to hyperbolizing for dramatic effect.
Although I understand what Robert MacNeil is saying about the ‘school years’, I don’t totally get his fascination with Shakespeare. To me Shakespeare certainly does say quiet a few things rather impressively, but seems to use alot more words than necessary to get there.
Something that MacNeil said though really caught my attention. MacNeil talks about how Shakespeare used words, the order they were in, and therefore the sounds they make when spoken. I hadn’t fully realized this before, but upon reading that I realized that it is exactly true. The way in which Shakespeare words some things, so that sometimes there is a change in the rhythm or the like, seems to make what’s being said more powerful.
I think Lisa Simpson says it best, "I'm so proud of you, [Robert MacNeil]. You're like Christopher Columbus. You discovered something millions of people did before you. "
I wish I lived in a time period where the first time a student discovered Shakespeare is in senior year. Psh to his introduction. Teenagers in the past have it so much easier in terms of academia. There was less stuff to learn.
I was first introduced to Shakespeare in 2nd grade when I bought a Wishbone version of Romeo and Juliet after watching his episode about Romeo and Juliet. I love that dog. I love PBS.
I was then reintroduced in 8th grade when my friend and I decided to talk in Elizabethan English (and did so for two months).
When I first started reading Robert MacNeil's account of his early experience with Shakespeare, I felt it slightly over exaggerated. However, I began to realize that the words MacNeil describes as powerfully moving, had an effect on me, too. He describes the essence of each word and syllable of Shakespeare's Hamlet and how they all came together to make a more perfect whole. MacNeil's experience portrayed to us the impact it had on how he viewed the English language and how he viewed the art of writing.
Despite MacNeil's description on Shakespeare's greatness, I believe that he did over exaggerate his emphasis on Shakespeare's language use. Though Shakespeare included much diction and language tools in the creation of Hamlet, it does not seem like it would effect a person to a point that one would entirely change his or her outlook on the English language.
McNeil's response to Shakespeare seemed comical in some aspects. Who expects a seventeen year old boy to fall in love with the speech instilled in Shakespeare? He has a very unique experience. It felt like a detailed account of how he fell in love, rather than his experiences of reading from a play-write that he enjoyed. His response felt too over the top, he described himself reading this new language of Shakespeare and realizing what he missed out on. He said that Shakespeare made him see the bigger picture and took him away from his self-absorption. This made me question if he realized the ways of the world or the beauty that can come from language. Shakespeare does inspire the beauty in words, but "making him see the world" would be a great exaggeration, unless McNeil was hiding under a rock for seventeen years. I didn't like the response, but it was interesting to see Shakespeare's writings interpreted by a fanatical fan.
I think MacNeil's response to Shakespeare is a lot like my response to a song. There are certain lyrics that catch my attention and say exactly how I feel. I think this was MacNeil's response to Shakespeare but instead of just liking one song, he liked the whole album. I don't think it is too outrageous for a 17 year old to be a huge fan of Shakespeare. We all have our interests.
I have to admit that my first reactions to MacNeils's thoughts were negative. I associated him with some woman who would cry, then faint if they saw Oprah walking down the street. You know, I saw it as hero worship. Too harsh, right? But then I realized that it takes someone, like MacNeil, to share their passion and enthusiasm about Shakespeare and the beauty of his writing, in order for us right-brain deficient people to learn how to appreciate his literary masterpieces.
I was appreciative of how MacNeil wrote from the perspective of a teenager. Being a 17 year old myself, MacNeil created a pathway for me to relate to the art of Hamlet. Every word that Shakespeare uses in his poetry has a purpose. The words "inky cloak" did have an impact on me, but I never stopped to appreciate that Shakespeare had taken the time to coordinate such words.
Hamlet's behavior is very comparable to how guys act today, or at least I think. They hide their feelings in public, using wit and rebelliousness as substitutes for true emotions that they might let out when not in company. But as a girl, who am I to judge the secret lives of guys.
I agree with what Chelsea said about being able to pick out certain lines in Shakespeare that catch my attention and make me think just like picking out certain lyrics in a song. It's still hard for me to see how MacNeil could be so enveloped by it though. Maybe it's because he read Shakespeare to read, while we are being made to read it. Even the most enjoyable of tasks becomes a chore when forced. Perhaps if I were to read Shakespeare for pleasure rather than for school I would be able to better appreciate it. Because right now, yeah, I can definitely see the subtleties and the way that emotion comes through the words...I just don't really care. I would rather be reading it for fun in my free time and be able to leisurely soak in the way the story is crafted, but when I'm told, "Read Hamlet and soak in the way the story is crafted," my first response is, "Do I have to?" After which I proceed to put off reading until the eleventh hour.
I want to elaborate my comment because I half-assed it and it was apparent in class that my messages were not thought over.
Although because I'm doing it now, it'll probably sound more redundant and unoriginal.
I was quite surprised that it took Mr. MacNeil so long to discover Shakespeare or to get passionate about something. Hell I discovered Shakespeare in 2nd grade and fell in love with the man. Or well, I fell in love with Romeo and Juliet. It wasn't really until 8th grade did I learn to love the playwrite. (A silly friend of mine in, I believe, Mr. Hardin's class, actually celebrated Shakespeare's birthday by baking a cake! We were a bit nutty back in middle school.)
Because of him, I've gone as far as reading his works outside of school, watching movies related to his plays, and reading plays in general. I quite like plays that deals with the human mind in a suave manner (eg Tenneesee Williams's stuff or Equus).
Lisa Simpson said that quotation to her mother because Marge had just "found out" about the internet in that particular episode - which my little brother was watching when I was reading the MacNeil article, so no, I don't memorize Simpsons quotes. I included that quotation because that's how I felt. I thought 17 was about time to find out about Shakespeare (slightly sarcastic emphasis on "about time"). But its not like I will criticize Mr. MacNeil about being so late - its just so lame. Like someone said earlier, 1948 was a much more different time than it is now. AP classes were probably incredibly rare! I'm quite jealous about that.
I'm also jealous that he got to reflect upon things so much more than I get to now. I love books from the 50s or books about the 50s. They contain so much feeling and depth (like Nine Stories or Revolutionary Road). MacNeil, like Shakespeare sums up situations with perfect diction. He describes teenage feelings incredibly well. Here I am, at 1:30AM, doing homework! I feel like a machine.
And passion. I understand that. And once again, I can't believe it took him that long to find passion in something. I first became passionate about something when the fifth book of Harry Potter came out. I adore that series. I know everything about it. Everything.
I have watched the Princess Diaries like 70+ times. I know all of the lines. I know what parts ABC edits out when they play it on Saturday nights.
I have listened to the Strokes over and over and over since I was 13. I know song orders in CDs, when the members have gotten married, and who does the lead guitar.
I get MacNeil's use of repetition to build up passion. I get how he tries to find Hamlet through multiple ways, which are all similar, yet so different. And because I "get it," this article provides me with nothing new or insightful.
It was like repetition of the same feelings, but different syntax.
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