Shakespeare

ROMEO and JULIET by William Shakespeare

      As tomorrow we are going to see a free version by this play at the theatre,
             I would like you to know a little bit about it.




THIS IS THE BASIC STORY:

     A boy (Romeo) and a girl (Juliet) fall in love. But they come from families which hate each other, and know they will not be allowed to marry. They are so much in love they marry in secret instead. However, before their wedding night Romeo kills Juliet's cousin in a duel, and in the morning he is forced to leave her. If he ever returns to the city, he will be put to death.
    Juliet is then told she must marry Paris, who has been chosen by her parents, who do not know she is already married. She refuses - then agrees because she plans to fake her death and escape to be with Romeo. She takes a sleeping potion and appears to be dead, so her parents lay her in a tomb. However, Romeo does not know about the plan, visits her grave, finds her 'dead', and kills himself. Juliet finally wakes up, finds Romeo dead, and then kills herself.




Let's watch a funny version of the story:

   

And another version, serve yourself: 



Shakespeare_ The Animated Tales - 01x04 - Romeo... por eus347

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM by Shakespeare

Next Thursday, March 1st we are going to the theatre to see a contemporary adaptation of Shakespeare's best loved comedy, 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'.

To understand it better we will watch this video explaining the plot of the original play.

Strange things happen one night in a wood outside Athens. Lovers Hermia and LYsander are there, planning o marry secretly. Hemia's friend, Helena, is also there, following Demetrius, who she loves but who loves Hermia. While the lovers are sleeping, a mischievous fairy puts magic juice on their eyelids. When they wake, each human loves the wrong person. How will the confusion end?

These are the characters in the comedy:

THE ATHENIAN COURT AND THE LOVERS

THESEUS (Duke of Athens), is King of the Athenian court, who at the start of the play is preparing for his wedding to Hippolyta.

HYPPOLYTA- Queen of the Amazons, she is about to wed Theseus.

EGEUS- Hermia's father, who insists that Hermia should marry Demetrius.

HERMIA- a young woman in love with Lysander against her father's wishes.

LYSANDER- a young man in love with Hermia.
HELENA- Hermia's friend who is desperately in love with Demetrius.
DEMETRIUS- a young man in love with Hermia.

THE FAIRIES

OBERON- King of the Fairies.
TITANIA- Queen of the Fairies.
PUCK- messenger and Oberon's sprite.
Changling Boy- Titania's page-boy.
Titania's Fairy Band- (Peaseblossom, Cobweb, Mustarseed. Moth)

THE MECHANICALS (THE WORKMEN)

MICK BOTTOM- the weaver
PETER QUINCE- the carpenter
FRANCIS FLUTE- the bellows mender
ROBIN STAVELLING- the tailor
TOM SNOUT- the tinker
SNUG - the joiner

World Book Day (April, 23rd)

As you may know World Book Day is celebrated today. One of the reasons to celebrate it on April 23rd is because Cervantes and Shakespeare died on this same date and also because Catalonia and England celebrate St George's day. In Catalonia people give a rose and a book as a present this day.
You can find more information in another blog HERE
We can listen to some Shakespeare's animated tales HERE