See, those are from the list that people have heard about, which stretches to around 15. There are 20 odd people don’t discuss much or read. Some of which are mature works.
Cymbeline for example, but the early works are on the forgettable side. On the other hand the number one where Shakespeare really compromises what he is all about in the better plays; that’s Henry V, the infamous ‘national anthem in 5 acts’
I like Titus, at least for the je ne regrette rien speech.
Two Noble Kinsmen, although Fletcher wrote most of it. Or Titus Andronicus.
Come on! Claudio and Hero are nothing – but the Shakespeare canon just wouldn’t be complete without Benedick and Beatrice! Not to mention Dogberry!
I’ve never read or seen “King John” (I have read a summary by Isaac Asimov) but I understand it’s almost universally derided. Especially for its propagandistic mistreatment of Joan of Arc.
No, that was Henry IV Part 1. (Joan was a mite after John.) That is indeed my choice - I started reading Shakespeare in order of writing, and never quite got through that one. When I restarted in another order I made it.
John is fun in an absurd way. There is a scene where the people in a town call down to him that reminds me of Holy Grail. Titus is great fun. Henry VIII is worse than either of these, I think.
Timon of Athens is a pretty big mess.
P.S. Why the Pit?
Because of posts like this -
Fuck you, Sevastopol.
Regards,
Shodan
…I suspect that it was because of this:
…and samclem dropped the thread back into the wrong forum, which makes Shodan’s post look really funny!!!
I like Titus Andronicus and 1 Henry VI a lot (and wrote significant chunks of my master’s thesis about the latter), but I’ve always thought The Two Gentlemen of Verona is very forgettable. It’s always a sign of trouble when the most interesting character in the play is a dog*.
I feel like I’ve walked into the middle of a conversation. Is there supposed to be more thread here than I’m seeing?
Never mind. Followed Banquet Bear’s link after posting that.
Who knew that Shodan felt so strongly about Shakespeare?
I’m glad I didn’t start my planned thread on the worst Gilbert and Sullivan operetta (it might have turned out that he really liked The Gondoliers).
You bastard!
Regards,
Shodan
Verily.
Even though there’s been some Pittish comments, the thread really does belong in Cafe Society.
I’m moving it over, comments from the Pit detour intact. From here on out, Cafe Society rules apply.
Veb
Intact? Intact? What the hell’s wro–
Dangit. Cymbeline is the worst one I’ve seen.
Daniel
Queen Alexandra and Murray. It was so bad, it closed in Egypt.
We thanketh thou.
Vortigern. It was so bad the Shakespeare Mafia made some schmuck confess to forging it.
I think his worst play is one of his lesser known works - Henry V and the Chamber of Secrets. I found it very derivative.
To be fair, there is a belief that he may not have finished that one.
Titus Andronicus is actually fun if you see it performed live, so my vote goes to Two Gentlemen of Verona.