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Position:Home>Books & Authors> Do you agree with Al Pacino?Question: Do you agree with Al Pacino!? A little over ten years ago, Pacino did a documentary about Shakespeare's Richard III entitled "Looking for Richard!." In the film, he says:
"You don't need to understand every single word that's said, as long as you get the gist of what's going on!. Just trust it and you'll get it," In your experience with Shakespeare, however limited it might be, did you find it necessary to understand every word and phrase or was following the basic story line enough for you!?Www@QuestionHome@Com Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I have a Master's in Shakespearean literature, so may not be the right person to answer the question, but: Shakespeare wrote for all audiences, from the extraordinarily literate to the drudge-worker who spent the day literally hauling crap!. In most of his plays, there are parts that will appeal to all levels of society!. So you don't _have_ to be literate to get all of it--but for the modern reader, having a grasp of Early Modern English (and Latin and French), as well as whatever trivia you know, certainly doesn't hurt to understand the plays!. It's not necessary to understand every word--but Hamlet becomes a richer play, for example, if you get the 'country matters' pun, which makes Hamlet a more intriguing character!. Joe the Drudge in Shakespeare's day would get that pun--but today's reader wouldn't without education!.Www@QuestionHome@Com In general I agree with Pacino!. One can get most of the story without grasping every single line but the language has changed!. For example "wherefore" does not mean "where", it means "why"!. Many people misunderstand Juliet when she says "Wherefore art thou Romeo!?" She is not looking for Romeo, she is asking the rhetorical question "Why are you a member of a rival family!?" Some plays have more plot than others!. A Midsummer's Night Dream is not very deep, if you miss a couple of words you will not miss the idea!. If you are not familiar with the political or military events of the 1400's you will not follow histories such as Henry IV, Henry VI and Richard III!. You really have to pay attention because sometimes characters are called by their names, sometimes by their titles!. I get confused trying to keep all the Henrys, Richards and Edwards straight!.Www@QuestionHome@Com I really enjoy understanding every word – when I see a play without having read it first, I find myself missing a lot and wishing I could get the nuances of the language!. As the first person said, I think back when the plays were first written, the average person would have understood much more of the language than we do now!. Although I still can't see them getting every single concept, since most of it is so complex!.!.!. Basically, I think you can get a good storyline anywhere, but you can only get that kind of language from Shakespeare!. So I disagree with all the people who say "Shakespeare was meant to be performed, not read!."Www@QuestionHome@Com |