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Richard II
Richard II | William Shakespeare, Roma Gill
57 posts | 55 read | 1 reading | 7 to read
This exclusive collection of the Bard's works has been designed specifically for readers new to Shakespeare's rich literary legacy. Each of the plays is presented unabridged and in large print, copiously annotated and preceded by a character summary and commentary. Brief scene synopses clarify confusing plots, while incisive essays describe the historical context and Shakespeare's sources. The explanatory notes are written clearly and simply, illustrated, and positioned right next to the text--no more flipping pages back and forth to squint over microscopic footnotes! Topics for further discussion, critical comments, related essays, and a chronology of Shakespeare's life and work are included among the appendices to each volume. The books boast fine black-and-white photographs of stagings of the plays at Shakespeare Festivals around the globe. From the wide margins and big print to the extent of explanatory notes -- the full text of each play is presented in the clearest and most accessible format available.
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Lindy
Richard II | William Shakespeare
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One final play yet to see at the Stratford Festival before heading home tomorrow. Brad Fraser‘s adaptation has a gay Richard II and is set in New York in the disco clubs of the late 70s and early 80s. Can‘t wait!

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DebinHawaii
Richard II | William Shakespeare
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#QuotsyJul21 #tongue

“…discomfort guides my tongue and bids me speak of nothing but despair.”

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Dogearedcopy
Richard II | William Shakespeare
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Oddly, for not being my favorite of Shakespeare‘s plays ('Hamlet') or one of the #Bard5 ('Hamlet' · 'Romeo and Juliet' · 'Macbeth' · 'Julius Caesar' · 'Much Ado About Nothing'), this History play has gotten quite the workout in the past few years!

I‘ve actually just re-read the play for the third or fourth time now and am wrapping the month up with some literary criticism, podcasts and stuff ?

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swynn
King Richard II | William Shakespeare
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#20Series20Days Day 5: The History Tetralogies

The eight plays from Richard II through Richard III are a continuous story about the Wars of the Roses and a sustained meditation on power and legitimacy. Plus: action, comedy (f**n Falstaff, y'all), and some of the most brilliant sentences ever written. They also span a master's career from awkward early works to the peak of his craft. Watch the BBC series The Hollow Crown. Then read em.

@Andrew65

Megabooks I‘ve read the Henry‘s but I really should read all 5! 4y
Andrew65 Great choice. 4y
Ruthiella Well played! 😀 4y
swynn @Megabooks @Andrew65 @Ruthiella I've been a huge fan of these since the mid-1990s, when I happened to be watching the old BBC adaptations while the Clinton/Lewinski scandal unfolded. The plays' questions about power, its sources, and its proper transfer, were ridiculously relevant, and the plays became my favorites in the Shakespeare oeuvre. They haven't budged from that position since. 4y
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Cecil
King Richard II | William Shakespeare
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From Act III Scene 2. I‘ve read almost all of Shakespeare‘s plays, but only recently picked up Richard II. The language is stunning (no shock) and the interwoven imagery is a master class in thematic language. Also, I feel sympathy for Richard in spite of everything. My usual position is ‘eat the rich‘ but I can shed a tear for this disastrously flawed royal.

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Lcsmcat
King Richard II.: Macbeth | William Shakespeare
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Emilymdxn
Richard II | William Shakespeare, Roma Gill
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Next up in my project of reading all the traditionally canon Shakespeare plays while I work at the globe. This is one of the biggies I‘ve never seen or read, it‘s one of my friends faves tho so excited to read it.

Liz_M You work at the Globe!?!! Nice! 6y
Emilymdxn @Liz_M thank you!! 6y
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Lcsmcat
King Richard II | William Shakespeare
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“let us sit upon the ground
And tell sad stories of the death of kings; How some have been deposed; some slain in war,
Some #haunted by the ghosts they have deposed;
Some poison'd by their wives: some sleeping kill'd;
All murder'd: for within the hollow crown
That rounds the mortal temples of a king Keeps Death his court”
#quotsyoct18 @TK-421

GingerAntics Love this set of speeches/monologues. 6y
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Emilymdxn
King Richard II.: Macbeth | William Shakespeare
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Just seen this is on at the Sam Wanamaker next spring! Really want to go, I‘ve never seen this one

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GingerAntics
King Richard II | William Shakespeare
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I know everyone finished this already, but I figured we could all have one place for final thoughts. Today is the day for Act V on the schedule and all. If nothing else...WHOSE READY FOR MACBETH?! I do love that play (too)!!! lol
#shakespearereadalong #shakespeare #richardII

Riveted_Reader_Melissa This one was just ok for me, I think I‘d have preferred just reading a history book about the time though.. I can definitely see how it was a way to give the masses some history, but sticking to the history it lacked some of the flair and imagination I usually enjoy with the plays. I am looking forward to the next one though, which will be a re-read for me. 6y
TheBookHippie This was more in depth than I thought ...the real historical part is fun to reread as well. Macbeth is my favorite!!! Can not wait! Also cousin cousin cousin ...😂 6y
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GingerAntics @Riveted_Reader_Melissa in the UK there is a big market for popular history, and there always have been. Shakespeare wrote this to sell tickets, not to bring history to the people. In the 17th and 18th centuries the most popular books in English were histories. This was just one more element of that cultural love of their own history. I‘ve read some of those histories and they are DRY. I can‘t figure out what they were so popular. (edited) 6y
GingerAntics @TheBookHippie @Riveted_Reader_Melissa this is one of my favourites, too. I think it‘s tied with Hamlet for my favourite. Macbeth is actually the first Shakespeare play I ever read, so it a reread for me, as well. 6y
CoffeeNBooks I'm excited for Macbeth!! I've read it several times, taught it in my classes several times, and can quote quite a bit of it... but it never gets old and I enjoy it every time I read it! 6y
GingerAntics @CoffeeNBooks oh wow, that‘s impressive. I think it would be fun to teach this play. I hadn‘t read it since I was in 8th grade, until I read David Bruce‘s retelling in prose a few weeks ago. I was going to read Macbeth right after that, but @readinginthedark said she was going to make that the next play so I held off. I‘m very excited to read it again. 6y
Lcsmcat I really enjoyed Richard II. There were more familiar speeches and clever word play than I expected in a history. I‘ve only seen 1 of the history plays live - Henry IV Part 1 - so I wasn‘t sure what to expect. I‘m looking forward to MacBeth. It‘s a reread for me, and I‘ve seen it live, but every time I read it I get something new. 6y
GingerAntics @Lcsmcat oh I would love to see Macbeth live!!! I can‘t just imagine how good it would be. 6y
Lcsmcat @GingerAntics It was amazing! It was at the Stratford festival in Canada. 6y
GingerAntics @Lcsmcat oh I‘ve always wanted to go to a Shakespeare festival. That had to be awesome!!! 6y
batsy I enjoyed Richard II! I found it so readable. I mean, it *is* Shakespeare and he wrote it as popular entertainment in his day, but I somehow always have it in my head that his histories will be a slog and it was good to be wrong :) I've read Macbeth only once about 15 years ago so I am really looking forward to it. 6y
GingerAntics @batsy I agree that Shakes is really good at bringing the history to live and making it approachable. 6y
readinginthedark I really enjoyed Richard II! And I read an interesting article about him being the manipulator of the events of the play, including his own demise. 😆 Pretty fascinating! 6y
GingerAntics @readinginthedark that does sound interesting 6y
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readinginthedark
King Richard II | William Shakespeare
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Pickpick

I didn't expect to really enjoy this play. I hadn't ever read any of Shakespeare's Histories of England before and expected it to be pretty dry. But it was so fascinating! The pictures and semantic explanations in the Folgers copy drew me in, and I had a great time comparing the true history (as far as I already knew or learned while reading the play) to Shakespeare's representation for dramatic and characteristic effect.

Lcsmcat I know! I laughed over his Queen‘s protestations of love. She was 7 when they married and maybe 10 when he abdicated. 😀 It was purely a political marriage! 6y
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TheBookHippie Ohhh me too!!!! I was so pleasantly surprised! I love the language still ❤️📖it's fun to research and read new plays. 6y
readinginthedark @Lcsmcat How funny! I knew she was young when they married, but I didn't realize he abdicated so soon after their marriage! I didn't really see anything about their relationship in my extra readings and wondered if Shakespeare embellished to add "female drama" to the play. He probably cast her as someone a bit older (you know, 13, like a regular political marriage ?) so it wasn't strange. 6y
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Lcsmcat
Richard II | William Shakespeare, Roma Gill
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Bolingbroke somehow looks more ridiculous than threatening in this woodcut from my Folger edition. #shakespearereadalong

GingerAntics Wow, that does look a bit ridiculous. Yeah. Maybe that passed as threatening in the Elizabethan era? 🤷🏼‍♀️ 6y
Lcsmcat @GingerAntics “I will kick you with my tiny feet, and knock you down with my big belly!” 6y
GingerAntics 🤣 I just noticed the tiny feet!!! 🤣 The big belly fits with the production of this play I saw, but the actor didn‘t have tiny feet. You‘d think he‘d have to be a strong guy to wear all that heavy armour and to be a good fighter. 6y
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readinginthedark I think this was a common representation of kings. I'm always seeing pictures of Henry VIII with a giant belly and tiny feet. 😆 6y
Lcsmcat @readinginthedark Henry VIII really did have a big belly! When I was 14 I was “chided” (not reall, he was teasing) by a guard at the Tower of London for “pulling faces” at H VIII‘s armor because it had such a big belly! 6y
readinginthedark 😂That's awesome! 6y
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batsy
King Richard II | William Shakespeare
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Pickpick

I was afraid of Shakespeare's historical plays but ol' Will proved me wrong again. Of course in rendering a King as a character worthy of empathy, he would give us Richard ll as a kind of poet-king, a ruminative Hamlet wearing a crown. And Richard gets some gorgeous lines. I also loved the garden imagery, with the idea of England as "this other Eden, demi-paradise" falling to ruin because of an inept "gardener" (the King). #ShakespeareReadAlong

saresmoore That‘s some gorgeous greenery! 6y
TrishB Great review 👍🏻I‘m s big fan of all the King Richards for different reasons! 6y
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Cathythoughts Lovely review... some brilliant images there. 💫💫💫 6y
Itchyfeetreader I love the history‘s I have seen them all now but entirely out of order ! 6y
GingerAntics So glad someone else liked it. 6y
batsy @saresmoore It was so lovely out this morning, cooler than usual, so I had to pre-stage this photo before my review 😆 6y
batsy @TrishB Thank you! They're all so fascinating! I fall down the rabbit hole for hours when I look up one fact 😁 6y
batsy @Cathythoughts Thank you! :) 6y
batsy @Itchyfeetreader I am developing a new appreciation for them and hope to read them in order now :) 6y
GingerAntics @batsy @Itchyfeetreader the idea is that the read along is going to read them in order (chronologically by the events in each, not by when they were written) with other plays in between because a lot of people don‘t really like the histories. Two of the histories don‘t fit in with the rest so they can be read whenever (King John and Henry VIII). There are also all of the tragedies that also double as histories. 6y
RohitSawant Love everything about this post! 6y
batsy @rohit-sawant Thanks!! 6y
readinginthedark What a great review! And I agree with your sentiments! 6y
TheBookHippie I so agree!!!!! 📖📖📖❤️❤️❤️ 6y
batsy @readinginthedark Thank you! 6y
batsy @TheBookHippie 😊👍🏽 6y
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readinginthedark
King Richard II | William Shakespeare
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I don't know if any of you use this service, but my library just subscribed to Kanopy, and it's so fun! It's all movies/videos but not bestsellers. More indies, classics, and lectures. But anyway, I found a few videos related to Richard II--both Shakespeare's play and historical fact--so I took a break from reading the play to watch a few today!
#ShakespeareReadalong
@Jess_Read_This @GingerAntics

Sydsavvy Looks very cool. 6y
GingerAntics I‘m going to have to check this out. 6y
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readinginthedark @GingerAntics Do! Learning all this history about Richard II's reign is giving me a different perspective on the story, for sure, and makes me think better of him a little. 😆 6y
GingerAntics I‘m not sure I need to think any “better” of him. I think I‘m the only person who sees him as a person with few options, who was basically set up. lol 6y
readinginthedark @GingerAntics Yeah, that makes sense. It's not necessarily that I think he responded badly later in the play, but early on he was presented in a difficult light. He's not perfect by any means, but I understand his initial actions better by understanding his actual reign 6y
readinginthedark @GingerAntics *and it's difficulties. I got cut off. 6y
GingerAntics I agree with that. Even knowing a little about England in the years leading up to his reign helps. I never thought of him acting at his most Kingly only after he‘s no longer king until it was pointed out, but once I looked back at it, I sort of agree with that point. He didn‘t act like a brat at all after he was deposed. 6y
readinginthedark @GingerAntics I agree. I think he needed that humbling (the way it was presented in the play) to remember what was important about kingly duty, and then it was too late. 6y
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readinginthedark
King Richard II | William Shakespeare
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I'm catching up but still behind on this one, especially since most of you have finished early. I'm following the discussion, though, since there can't really be spoilers...
@GingerAntics Here's the picture of the pelican from my copy--believed to feed its babies its own blood, as suggested in Act 2, Scene 1.
And we will be reading Macbeth next everyone, hosted by me! Get your hands on a copy, and I will post a schedule soon!
#ShakespeareReadalong

GingerAntics That image is...wow...that‘s interesting. lol Well you have two weeks before we talk about the final act, so you‘ve got some time!!! 6y
Lcsmcat Are you reading the Folger edition? Because mine has that same illustration. 6y
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GingerAntics @Lcsmcat @readinginthedark I never thought of Shakespeare needing pictures. My editions only has photos from notable productions of each play in the back. I‘m thinking I may need another edition for the art work. lol 6y
readinginthedark @Lcsmcat @GingerAntics Yes, I am! My library only had three editions of this one (there are usually at least five to choose from), and that copy had the most extra commentary. I like having the illustrations from the 16th and 17th centuries; it puts me in the mindset of the characters! 😆 6y
GingerAntics Do I want to know what mindset this particular illustration put you in? 😂 6y
Lcsmcat @readinginthedark @GingerAntics It‘s old symbolism, from a mistaken idea that when pelicans tapped their breast spot they were drawing blood. Actually they‘re just signaling to the chicks that it‘s time to eat. But it shows up a lot in old art as a metaphor for self-sacrificing love. I like the wood cuts too. They pull me into the era. 6y
Bookwomble In heraldry, it's called A Pelican in Her Piety, or Vulning Herself, and was symbolic of the blood shed by Christ on the cross for the salvation of personkind. Used as an heraldic device, it was intended to show the particular devotion of the family to the principles of Christian sacrifice. 6y
readinginthedark @Lcsmcat @Bookwomble Interesting! I'll have to look up some of those wood cuts! 6y
readinginthedark @GingerAntics Ha! I just meant in the general mindset and ideas of the time period. Not sure I want a mindset exactly like any of these characters! 🤣 6y
GingerAntics @readinginthedark 🤣🤣🤣 Yeah, there are some crazy characters in Shakespeare‘s plays. @Bookwomble I do like good heraldic symbolism. 6y
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Lcsmcat
King Richard II.: Macbeth | William Shakespeare
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GingerAntics
King Richard II | William Shakespeare
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More photos from Act IV. This photoset is pretty much the entire act...but of course it is far more complex than that. I read an article in Newsweek about the second run of this production and loved how the interviewer described this scene... HEEEEEEEEEEEEERE COUSIN!!! 😂

#Shakespeare #shakespearereadalong #RichardII #DavidTennant #nigellindsay #rsc #theatre

Rachbb3 It was strange how willing Richard was to give up his crown. A complete turn around from the previous acts. 6y
GingerAntics @Rachbb3 We were just having that same conversation on my “official”-ish post. @lcsmcat noticed that as well. The more I think about it, it makes more sense with how David Tennant talked about this scene. Richard honestly through God would send down a legion of angels to defend him, so we walked into the room without a care. Then he realises the angels aren‘t coming, he‘s here now, and he basically has to give it up to get out of the room alive. 6y
TheBookHippie Cousin 😂😂😂 6y
readinginthedark Is anyone else getting Jesus vs the aristocracy vibes from these pictures? 😂 6y
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GingerAntics
King Richard II | William Shakespeare
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Act IV

Just once scene in this act. Nice and simple and quick. A few people (at least) actually finished it off. This week. It‘s all down hill from here. A lot went on in this one little act. What did you guys think?

#Shakespeare #shakespearereadalong #richardII

Lcsmcat I‘m one of those who finished it, but I‘ll try to confine myself to Act IV. I felt a bit like something was missing in the transition from Act III to Act IV to explain why Richard rolled over so easily. I wonder if it was “common knowledge “ at the time and didn‘t need exposition? 6y
GingerAntics @lcsmcat I felt that way, too. I‘m wondering if there is more to the story not in the play. It may have been popular knowledge. Maybe he was being threatened. In the production I saw they made it seem like maybe he rolled over so easily in exchange for his wife being allowed to flee unharmed, but that doesn‘t match the real history. It‘s hard to tell. It does seem to go from “Henry came back?” to “Sure, have my crown.” 6y
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GingerAntics @Lcsmcat I finished it, too. Luckily act IV is just the deposition scene, so it‘s a bit easier to remember where the dividing line is between IV and V. 6y
Rachbb3 @Lcsmcat @GingerAntics I agree! Something more had to be going on. 6y
CoffeeNBooks I finished the entire play also, since the last act was so short. I feel like I missed something, because the play seemed to deal superficially with something that warranted more depth. I hope that makes sense! 6y
GingerAntics Had to turn it into a blog post since my note on this scene is so long. @Lcsmcat @Rachbb3 @CoffeeNBooks The more I think about it, I don‘t think Richard walked into that room expecting to give up his crown, but ended up having to in order to walk out of that room alive. The rescue party he was expecting never showed up. https://hammaclet.tumblr.com/post/177383717769/act-iv-the-deposition-scene-aka-t... 6y
Lcsmcat @CoffeeNBooks The Richard and Henry plays weren‘t written in order, were they? Maybe this is a prequel that just wanted to give some backstory ? 6y
GingerAntics Richard II was written in about 1595, and Henry IV (both parts) was written about 1597. So no. If I remember correctly, RII, 1&2HIV & HV were written after 1-3HVI & RIII, though. 6y
TheBookHippie I finished !!! Okay I agree with @GingerAntics I don't think he was planning on giving up his crown! I too feel like something is missing. I'm going to look in my reference books today ! I'll report back!!! Shakespeare in the park in Chicago was dreamy!!!! 6y
GingerAntics @TheBookHippie oh I love Shakespeare in the Park. I‘ve only seen a few videos of the NYC version. Would love to see it live one day. It‘s on my bucket list. 6y
readinginthedark I'll be honest, Richard giving up the crown didn't feel like a surprising progression to me. I was surprised that Richard came down from his castle when Henry showed up, but he seemed to know the whole time that Henry wasn't really going to let him go back to the way things were. I don't think he realized he was going to be asked to do everything publicly but then thought, "Alright, I'll make this really dramatic then." 6y
GingerAntics @readinginthedark that sounds plausible and even likely. 6y
Jess_Read_This I have to apologize for not being able to keep up. The entire month of August and so far the first two weeks of Sept have just been hectically chaotic for me- helping family members move, ailing dogs, work, just life has gotten in the way of all my reading. I‘m so sorry, I don‘t want you to think this wasn‘t important to me. I honestly have read very little of everything and am trying to get back on track. (edited) 6y
GingerAntics @Jess_Read_This it‘s all good...life happens. I hope things calm down now. I think everyone has pretty much finished. I was literally just thinking if I really need to post an act V conversation on Saturday as scheduled. Hopefully things chill out so you can enjoy Macbeth with us. 6y
Jess_Read_This @GingerAntics I hope so too. It was just one of those months where you just hang on and try to stick it out! I kept thinking, I can‘t wait for Sept, I can‘t wait for Sept... on repeat. 6y
GingerAntics @Jess_Read_This been there. Congratulations, you‘ve made it to September!!! 6y
Jess_Read_This @GingerAntics Ha!! I‘ll cheers to that! 6y
GingerAntics @Jess_Read_This 🥃🍷🍺 (edited) 6y
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review
GingerAntics
King Richard II | William Shakespeare
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Pickpick

I actually really liked this play. Yes, Richard is a twat, but he‘s been told his entire life he‘s God‘s chosen one. He‘s been king since he was ten and he‘s always been told it was God‘s will that his butt be on that throne. Henry isn‘t any better than Richard, honestly. I don‘t like him (more so than Richard) because he totally rejects the social constructs of his time and throws everyone into chaos (and starts at least a few wars to boot).

GingerAntics So yeah, Richard is a power drunk twat, but at least he‘s not throwing everyone into chaos for his own gains. Maybe I see a little too much of someone from my own day in Bullingbrook, but I don‘t like him and never will. I also like that Shakespeare has managed to make me feel for Richard and see him as a real person. He seems a bit like a monster in history books because in reality he was a horrible person. 6y
GingerAntics In the end, for me, Richard‘s humanity is wrapped up in his love for his wife and her love for him. She really is the best part of him, his better half. I‘m not sure how much of this is true to life, but I really enjoyed Shakespeare‘s version of Richard. #shakespeare #shakespearereadalong #richardII (edited) 6y
readinginthedark The stuff with his wife is not very realistic, I'm afraid. She was still a child when all of this went down, and Shakespeare definitely wrote her as a more mature, romantic woman. 6y
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GingerAntics @readinginthedark well he had two wives in real life, and his behaviour became even more erratic after the one died. I‘m really talking about his wife in the play as opposed to historically. If nothing else, he really did love his wife even historically. We also have to remember that what we consider a teenager would have been an adult by their standards. 6y
GingerAntics @readinginthedark Teenagers being children/minors/too young didn‘t exist until the 20th century. Once someone could have children, they were adults, married and had children. So even if we look at her and think she was too young, she would have been completely different in that period. The more we shelter teenagers and treat them like children, the more they act it/we negate the legitimacy of their experiences. (edited) 6y
GingerAntics @readinginthedark it‘s totally plausible that she thought/acted that way because she would have been treated like an adult, would have acted like an adult, would have thought like an adult. She was an adult. We can‘t restrict her to childhood just because our society sees her as a child. (edited) 6y
readinginthedark True, that's a good point. I was trying to think comparatively. I think 13 or so was a normal age for girls to be married back then, but I'm pretty sure she was only 10 or so when all this went down. You're right about how they were treated making a big difference, though. Richard became king when he was only 10. 🤷‍♀️ 6y
readinginthedark Nm, I take it back! They became engaged when she was about 10 but weren't married until she was 16, so this is probably a somewhat accurate representation of her reaction--albeit softened and romanticized, I'm sure. 6y
GingerAntics @readinginthedark oh I‘m sure it was romanticised. Shakespeare definitely took liberties here. That‘s definitely a given. I would love to know if his representation of their relationship is even remotely close to true, though. I‘m not sure such a source would exist, though. 6y
readinginthedark Yeah, I doubt it. Richard seems like a pretty private king as far as personal relationships go. 6y
GingerAntics @readinginthedark that is definitely one reason. Another is that in that time period (until recently really) the only thing written about kings (or world leaders) was political or military related, and wives are neither. lol unless there is some long lost diary of the queen waiting to be discovered, I‘m going to guess we‘re all going to have to make it up, like Shakespeare did. 6y
GingerAntics @readinginthedark although that diary could be a real hoot. Just imagine what her pet name for him (or his for her) could possibly be. 🤣 Something tells me he was NOT a Ricky/Richie type (although both date from about that period). Maybe he called her cabbage, too. lol 6y
readinginthedark 😆 It would be amazing. Now I want to go look up really old diaries! Are there many from that time period? 6y
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GingerAntics
King Richard II | William Shakespeare
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Richard isn‘t the only one who thinks God gave him his throne and authority. Carlisle in Act IV and York in Act V refer to Richard in these terms as well. This was the culture of the day. It is not our own, but it is theirs. Henry is totally rejecting social constructs, throwing English society into chaos and starting (at least) a few wars in the process.
#shakespeare #shakespearereadalong #RichardII #actIV #actV

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GingerAntics
King Richard II | William Shakespeare
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Richard, about the Queen.

Richard isn‘t a very likeable character, but I still really like the relationship between him and his wife. I think it‘s that relationship that makes Richard human in this play.
#shakespeare #shakespearereadalong #richardII #KingRichard

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GingerAntics
King Richard II | William Shakespeare
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The Queen, about Richard.

Richard isn‘t a very likeable character, but I still really like the relationship between him and his wife. I think it‘s that relationship that makes Richard human in this play.
#shakespeare #shakespearereadalong #richardII #thequeen

review
Rachbb3
King Richard II | William Shakespeare
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Mehso-so

This one was ok. Just a glimpse of how Richard was dethroned and how Henry IV came to power.

Here's a great short history lesson of the English monarchy which helped. It's funny too.

https://youtu.be/jNgP6d9HraI

@GingerAntics #shakespearereadalong

Ingerella That video was so good!! I loved it..thanks for sharing! 6y
Rachbb3 @Ingerella You're welcome! 😁 6y
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review
Riveted_Reader_Melissa
King Richard II | William Shakespeare
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Mehso-so

Not my favorite, but good for a historical play... basically I read ahead and finished it just so it would be done. I must just be in the wrong mood this month 🤷‍♀️ #ShakespeareReadAlong

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Faibka
King Richard II | William Shakespeare
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“O let no noble eye profane a tear
For me, if I be gored with Mowbray‘s spear:
As confident as is the falcon‘s flight
Against a bird, do I with Mowbray fight.”

Trying desperately to catch up with the #ShakespeareReadalong
Can I just take a year off from work and just read? :)

Lcsmcat If you find a way to make that work let me know. I‘ll join you! 6y
GingerAntics A year off to just read? Where does one sign up for this? 6y
Faibka @Lcsmcat Lol, I will though I haven‘t found one yet :( can‘t we just be paid to read? 😅 6y
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Faibka @GingerAntics I know! I wish it could be included in the work contract as one of the benefits 6y
Suzze I still remember convincing my mom to buy me a hardcover copy of the complete works when I was in 9th grade. We were at a downtown Detroit store. At the beginning of the shopping trip. I had to lug it around all day. And drag it on the bus to go home. I still have it and it has been well read. #fiftyyearsago 6y
GingerAntics @Suzze after all that lugging, you‘ve got a bond with it now. 6y
Faibka @Suzze that is awesome! What a wonderful memory and I‘m sure you treasure that book :) and yes I also have the complete works but can‘t get myself to carry it around so I haven‘t made much progress. I have it on my bucket list to read all he plays! ✌🏼 6y
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GingerAntics
King Richard II | William Shakespeare
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Things aren‘t looking good for Richard in Act III. #shakespeare #shakespearereadalong #richardII #kingrichard #aumerle

Thoughts? Opinions? Questions? Comments? Snide remarks?

Lcsmcat Richard seems a bit bipolar in this act, doesn‘t he? 6y
GingerAntics @Lcsmcat that‘s a really good way to put it. He‘s sort of all over the place. Arrogant jerk one minute, introspective and very human the next. 6y
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CoffeeNBooks I feel like he didn't really think through his decision to banish his cousin. 6y
GingerAntics @CoffeeNBooks supposedly he talked with advisors to make the decision, but they clearly didn‘t think everything through; although, admittedly no one knew at that point Richard was going to take his inheritance to fund his war in Ireland. That was really the think that pushed Bolingbroke over the edge. 6y
batsy One of the supplementary essays in the Signet edition talks of Richard as more of a poet than a king, and it definitely feels like it. Very Hamlet-esque in his musings. I really loved the "Let's talk of graves, worms, and epitaphs" monologue. 6y
GingerAntics @batsy the introductory essay in my edition also draws a similar parallel between Richard and Hamlet. With that idea, the monologues take on a whole new life. I really enjoy the “discussion” (more Richard talking and Aumerle listening) between Richard and Aumerle in this scene. There is speech by Richard later in the play I particularly enjoyed when seeing a production of the play. 6y
GingerAntics @batsy that particular speech is also very much like Hamlet in that it is somewhat philosophising on death. It‘s almost Richard‘s version of “To be or not to be...” 6y
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readinginthedark
King Richard II | William Shakespeare
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I know, I know--where the heck have I been? Working, planning, and sleeping. That's the short version. I wish I could be reading and posting here more. 😕But I'm halfway through Act II of Richard II, so hopefully I can get through Act III and jump in on discussions this weekend! Meanwhile, I will leave you with this image of The Fates from my copy.
#ShakespeareReadalong
@Jess_Read_This @GingerAntics

GingerAntics I love when they add art work. 6y
readinginthedark @GingerAntics Me too! There was one of a bird bleeding itself for its young , which was creepy but fascinating. I'll try to post it later. 6y
GingerAntics That does sound odd. It‘ll be interesting to see. lol 6y
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readinginthedark
King Richard II | William Shakespeare
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I'm trying to catch up! Here's the family tree from my library's Folger copy, although @Lcsmcat just posted a more extensive one on her page. Consulting this and the character list quite a bit, but I'm enjoying this play more than I expected. I'm also really liking the little nonfiction historical tidbits in this version for comparison to Shakespeare's retelling of events.
#ShakespeareReadalong
@Jess_Read_This @GingerAntics

Lcsmcat I like how they bolded the characters. (edited) 6y
GingerAntics I agree with @Lcsmcat. I liked the way they‘ve made the kings-to-be stand out, so you can see how the crown changes hands throughout the history plays. 6y
GingerAntics They‘ve added in the actual history, though. I like that idea. The actually history is a bit different, so having it right there to compare would be awesome. I never knew Richard II had two wives until I saw @Lcsmcat‘s family tree yesterday. Mine never had the women on it. 6y
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readinginthedark @Lcsmcat Yeah, that definitely makes it easier to locate them when needed, and to clarify a few who are called by different names. 6y
readinginthedark @GingerAntics Agreed--the order of the histories makes a little more sense to me now because of the kings on the tree. The nonfiction part is just a sentence here and there, but I do like having the comparison. 😅 I guess the women aren't considered that important until Henry VIII's children started fighting over their mothers. 6y
GingerAntics Yeah, the women didn‘t have that much of a roll until then. The queen gets a few lines in the play, but mostly in relation to Richard. I guess that‘s just the time period this happened in and was written in. I‘m trying to find a book that covers the reign of Richard II, but I‘m not finding much. I have Hume‘s history of England, maybe I could find some interesting information in there. 6y
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Lcsmcat
King Richard II | William Shakespeare
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Here‘s my contribution to the Plantagenet family tree. Hard to read on my phone, but in the iPad it‘s quite legible and is keeping the characters straight for me as well as helping me Google points of history. #shakespearereadalong

GingerAntics Oh this is a really good family tree. 👏 👏👏 6y
batsy This is helpful, thank you! 6y
readinginthedark Genius! I was just about to post a shortened version of this from my book. 😂 6y
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GingerAntics
King Richard II | William Shakespeare
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Alright, Act 2, here we go. How is it going? What are your thoughts so far? Anyone having success keeping everyone straight?
#shakespearereadalong #shakespeare #richardII

Lcsmcat I‘ve got a Plantagenet family tree saved on my phone that I‘ve been using to keep them straight. 6y
GingerAntics @Lcsmcat oh that‘s a good idea. I found this great, funny, table of who dies by the end, but not (quite) everyone dies so it‘s not as helpful. lol 6y
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CoffeeNBooks I'm glad to know I'm not the only one that's having a hard time keeping everyone straight, lol! 6y
GingerAntics @CoffeeNBooks I‘m not sure even Richard can keep them straight. He just calls everyone “cousin” and figures that will cover just about everyone. lol 6y
Rachbb3 It is confusing! Lol. 6y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @GingerAntics honestly it does, the way royal extended families went many of them are cousins, cousins by marriage, cousins once removed.😂 6y
GingerAntics @Riveted_Reader_Melissa exactly!!! Especially in that time period, they would have only associated with people similar to themselves and quite frankly they only would have married within that network as well, so in the end they‘re all related in one way or another. 6y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @GingerAntics Plus the titles of Duke of this or that were only given to royal relatives somewhere within the royal line of succession. That‘s why the current Prince Charles is The Duke of Cornwall, his bothers Andrew and Edward are the current York and Wessexs, William & Kate the Duke of Cambridge, Harry and Meghan Duke of Sussex... 6y
GingerAntics @Riveted_Reader_Melissa exactly. Other nobility were lords. 6y
TheBookHippie Okay I've taken notes because oh so confused :cousin cousins cousin 🤣 I think I got it now!! I am enjoying it. A WONDERFUL work out for my brain. I enjoy the language thank goodness! 6y
TheBookHippie @Lcsmcat oh so smart !!! I have that now!!! 6y
GingerAntics @TheBookHippie SO many cousins...so much interbreeding. It‘s probably a miracle they don‘t all have webbed toes. Although it‘s thought that is part of Richard III‘s problem. Thank god they‘ve gotten away from that in recent years. 6y
TheBookHippie @GingerAntics right it's a lot of ewwwww okay then ...thankfully they're thinning the blood out now 😂 6y
GingerAntics @TheBookHippie I think Charles‘s ears are the reason they started thinking it might be time to go with something new. (edited) 6y
TheBookHippie @GingerAntics 😂😂🙈🙌🏻you know that's truth !!!! 6y
batsy Yes, I agree with the others, keeping track of who's who is a good workout for my brain. I'm unashamedly googling at every opportunity ? I love the little moment between Bushy and the Queen in this Act; where they talk about perception and grief— "Each substance of a grief hath twenty shadows". Lovely food for thought. 6y
readinginthedark I'm way behind! 🙈 Worse at this when I'm not hosting. 😆 But I'll let you know when I catch up! 6y
GingerAntics @batsy that bit made me stop and think, too. That didn‘t happen when I watched the play, either. It‘s definitely something interesting to mull over. 6y
BookishBelle I‘m sitting this one out. I just need a break to read other things. Please tag me when you decide what the next play is though! 6y
GingerAntics @BookishBelle at one point Macbeth was mentioned. 6y
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
King Richard II | William Shakespeare
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa It‘s tiny though, you‘ll probably have to screen shot it and then zoom in to see much. 6y
GingerAntics That‘s more detailed then what I have so far, I think. I have the whole “Edward‘s seven sons” table, but that seems to expand on that just a bit. Every little step helps. 6y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @GingerAntics Yea, I just googled family trees Richard II and cheat sheets and got lots of options, this one at least had our main ones in it, a bunch cut off Mowbray and concentrated more on the King‘s succession lines. (edited) 6y
GingerAntics Yeah, that always seems to be the important thing, historically. I found a list of all the characters and an explanation of who they are. May have to make something. This covers all (or almost all) of the characters in the play. 6y
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Lcsmcat
King Richard II | William Shakespeare
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Watching the Derek Jacobi version of Richard II tonight. 😀 #shakespearereadalong @readinginthedark @GingerAntics

GingerAntics Haven‘t seen that one, but anything with Derek Jacobi is sure to be brilliant. 6y
Lcsmcat @GingerAntics We‘re still in Act I, but Jacobi makes a bit of a swishy Richard. 6y
GingerAntics He‘s supposed to be a bit swishy. David Tennant‘s Richard is all limp wrists and prissy noses. He even painted his nails. lol 6y
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batsy Ooh, nice. I hope I can find this. I was planning on rewatching the Hollow Crown episode starting Ben Whishaw. 6y
Lcsmcat @batsy It‘s from 1979, and we found it on the Broadway Chanel, which we have through Roku. 6y
Lcsmcat @GingerAntics I‘d like to see the Tenant production! Now I‘m going down the rabbit hole of British monarchical history . . . Did Edward II get murdered with a hot poker? Did he escape to the continent? Which Kings were really gay, and which were portrayed as gay by those jealous of other‘s power? (This could become a hobby if I‘m not careful, 😀) 6y
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GingerAntics
King Richard II | William Shakespeare
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I don‘t know who made this, but I like it!!! I can‘t help thinking “this Dibley” at the end, though. At least Dibley is in England. lol #Shakespeare #RichardII #Shakespearereadalong #act2 #scene1

Lcsmcat ❤️❤️❤️ The Vicar of Dibley! 6y
GingerAntics @Lcsmcat me too!!! When it came off Netflix and then amazon prime video, I discovered BritBox. It doesn‘t matter how many times I watch it, it always makes me laugh. 6y
Lcsmcat @GingerAntics Our choir has sung the setting of the The Lord is my Shepherd that is the theme song. 6y
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GingerAntics @Lcsmcat oh my god seriously? I don‘t know if I could keep a straight face through that; although, admittedly it is a very lovely setting. 6y
Lcsmcat @GingerAntics It was an exercise in “conscious control of the facial muscles” for sure! 6y
GingerAntics @Lcsmcat ROTFL that‘s a really good way to put it 6y
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Lcsmcat
King Richard II | William Shakespeare
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readinginthedark What a great quote! 6y
Lcsmcat @readinginthedark Will sure knows how to string words together! 😀 6y
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Jess_Read_This
King Richard II | William Shakespeare
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“Thou art a traitor and a miscreant,
Too good to be so, and too bad to live,”

💥Those be fighting words...Act 1 starts with a bang in Richard II. So many names and players, it seems a bit chaotic initially. Thankfully, the #ShakespeareReadAlong group has helped keeping it all sorted out!

#Shakespeare #TheBard #PelicanBook #CurrentlyReading

GingerAntics He‘s got so many cousins Richard can‘t even keep them straight. He just calls them all “cousin.” lol 6y
Jess_Read_This @GingerAntics I think “cousin” will be my go to response if I‘m ever questioned in a trivia competition about a relationship to RII... 6y
GingerAntics That‘s a good call, actually. I think most of the characters ARE his cousins. lol 6y
TheBookHippie 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻❤️📖 6y
readinginthedark I love your copy! 😍 6y
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GingerAntics
King Richard II | William Shakespeare
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I hope everyone is enjoying Richard II so far. Act I has some very important events, because they shape the next four plays (and three kings in English history). I certainly can‘t imagine why. lol
#shakespearereadalong #shakespeare #RichardII

Lcsmcat Act 1 certainly felt full of exposition to me! 6y
CoffeeNBooks There was a lot going on in Act I! I can't wait to see what's next... 6y
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GingerAntics @Lcsmcat @CoffeeNBooks this play is definitely moving quickly 6y
Jess_Read_This I will be caught up tmw morning and can‘t wait to discuss a bit. 6y
TheBookHippie Catching up!!! 6y
Rachbb3 Catching up too. I'm in a bit of a slump so I'm trying to get it done. 😟 6y
batsy I was quite surprised by how "crowded" this Act felt, especially the first scene. I truly felt like I was a time traveller and had woken up in this utterly baffling time and place ? And the language is so rich in symbolism—I'm telling myself that on this first reading I have to be prepared to miss some of the meaning. 6y
GingerAntics @batsy you definitely get dropped right in the thick of it. The waxing poetic about England actually happens later. There is pretty much zero lead up to this thing. It seems to be how Shakespeare approaches his histories (at least the ones I‘ve read). 6y
Jess_Read_This Finished Act One- and I already am getting feelings of dislike for Richard. He just seems so inconsistent! Also shady in banishing Bolingbroke... methinks the public‘s liking for him played a role in this. From what I‘ve read, I guess it was known R played a role in Gloucester‘s death? Which made me wonder a bit on his relationship w Mowbray prior to all this. I need to watch the Dan Jones series @batsy mentioned. Maybe it will all make more sense 6y
GingerAntics @Jess_Read_This as far as I know, he did have a hand in at least that death, if not a few more. The thing to remember as that he became king at age 10. Since he was 10 years old he‘s been told he can do no wrong and he‘s God‘s anointed representative on earth. If absolute power corrupts absolutely, what does it do to a 10 year old?! It‘s probably a miracle he didn‘t just kill Bolingbroke and Mawbray to get what he wanted. 6y
Jess_Read_This @GingerAntics Even Gaunt was supportive of him as God‘s representative in the face of everything... I guess they got off light w a banishment! 6y
GingerAntics @Jess_Read_This exactly!!! Richard must have been in a good mood that day. lol If nothing else, Richard really did love his wife. lol 6y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa Playing catch-up today, finished off Act I and into Act II, but yes, lots going on in this one so far, and a lot of disgruntled people in the future with axes to grind is my guess. 6y
GingerAntics @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I‘m going to think that‘s a fairly good guess. lol This play is rather busy. It‘s moving swiftly. I can‘t remember if it‘s act 3 or 4, but one of the acts only has one scene, so that should help you catch up a bit. 6y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @GingerAntics Well I‘ll definitely have Act II completed by tonight, so I‘ll be good to at least discuss the current Act in the correct weekend, LOL 6y
GingerAntics @Riveted_Reader_Melissa it is a hectic time of year. There is labour day weekend off, so one of the acts has two weeks, too. lol There is probably an advantage to reading this slower, too. There are just so many people, and trying to keep them all straight can be hard. I‘m still looking for a cheat sheet. 6y
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Lcsmcat
King Richard II | William Shakespeare
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This time I‘m using a Folger‘s edition, instead of my eBook version. I think I might want footnotes for a history. #richardii #shakespearereadalong @GingerAntics

GingerAntics Your ebook doesn‘t have footnotes? That‘s weird. 6y
Lcsmcat @GingerAntics Nope. It‘s the Complete Works, but it was cheap (99 cents?) and has just the texts. Nothing else. 6y
GingerAntics Oh okay, that makes more sense. I tried the free versions of the plays on iBooks at one point, but same thing. I don‘t think I could read them without the footnotes now. I‘ve gotten so used to it. 6y
Lcsmcat @GingerAntics I usually prefer not to have them. They interrupt the flow and I miss out on the poetry. And I don‘t often need them for meaning. I grew up on the 1928 Book of Common Prayer which was the same language as the 1649 book. It‘s the historical context I need them for! My British history is lacking. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 6y
GingerAntics lol understandable. I still need them for language sometimes, mostly for idioms that no longer exist in the English language which most of the time in the context of Shakespeare is euphemisms for sex. I prefer them in digital format now because it‘s easy to skip over them to enjoy the poetry (when he‘s writing in verse) and it doesn‘t cut off part of the page. With the magic of 3D Touch you still don‘t have to leave the page to see them. 6y
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GingerAntics
King Richard II | William Shakespeare
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“Edward‘s seven sons...were as seven vials of his sacred blood, or seven fair branches springing from one root.”
Act I, Scene 2
#shakespeare #shakespearereadalong #richardII #familytree

This is probably really hard to see without the ability to zoom. Here is a link to the post on my tumblr account where you can zoom in and see all seven sons properly. lol

https://hammaclet.tumblr.com/post/176492290294/edwards-seven-sons-from-the-digit...

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GingerAntics
King Richard II | William Shakespeare
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LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!! We‘re discussing Act I of Richard II this coming Saturday, so hopefully everyone has a copy now. If you haven‘t started reading, here is an excited, gleeful reminder. #RichardII #Shakespeare #Shakespearereadalong

Rachbb3 Starting tonight! 👍🏼😁 6y
GingerAntics @Rachbb3 I‘m actually not starting until tomorrow. I have a job interview in the morning, so I‘m trying to just relax tonight. 6y
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Lcsmcat @GingerAntics Good luck! 6y
GingerAntics @Lcsmcat thanks! A friend of mine already works there, so we‘re both hoping that helps. If I get the job, I‘ll officially be an English teacher. 6y
Rachbb3 Best wishes for tomorrow. 😀 6y
readinginthedark Oh, good reminder! Thanks! And good luck! 6y
GingerAntics @readinginthedark I had to put an alert on my phone to remind me, so o figured other people might need a reminder, too. lol Thanks. I‘m hoping to actually get some sleep tonight so I look like a living human being tomorrow. 6y
batsy Thank you for the reminder; as always I seem to lost track of time 😆 All the best for your interview 🍀 6y
Jess_Read_This Thanks for the reminder!! And 🍀🍀🍀 good luck today at your interview! 6y
GingerAntics @Lcsmcat @Rachbb3 @readinginthedark @batsy @Jess_Read_This The interview seemed to go pretty well. The next step is a mock 30 minute English lesson for high school level. All lessons are one on one so I need to come up with something. I‘ll find out tomorrow if I‘m moving forward. I‘m trying to come up with lesson ideas now. 6y
Lcsmcat 🤞🏻 6y
KatieanneF For all in this group, The Great Courses has manyyy short lectures on Shakespearian works that you might find interesting. I listened to two today (they were free or maybe about .50 cents on audible). Super enjoyable :) 6y
readinginthedark Sounds like fun! 6y
readinginthedark @KatieanneF I've listened to some, too! I don't know if you've checked your library, but mine had a lot of them on Hoopla. 6y
GingerAntics If you do podcasts, there are some good ones that cover various Shakespeare plays, too. Even YouTube has some pretty good resources discussing his plays from several theatre companies in the UK. 6y
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Lcsmcat
King Richard II | William Shakespeare
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I saw on FB this morning that the used bookstore in the next town over was closing and having a “bag sale” to clear out inventory. Husband: So I know where you‘re going today. Me: But I‘ve got so many to read already. Husband: It‘s not like they go bad. 😀 He‘s the best! And found a Folgers edition oh Richard II for the #ShakespeareReadalong. #bookhaul #husbandsoflitsy

Jess_Read_This Nice haul! 6y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 💗💗💗 6y
TrishB Cool 👍🏻 6y
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saresmoore I love it when a husband supports the habit. Great choices! 6y
ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled “It‘s not like they go bad” - I LOVE THAT 6y
erzascarletbookgasm Love your husband‘s response! 🏅 6y
GingerAntics Love that he was totally cool with you getting more books!!! 6y
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GingerAntics
King Richard II | William Shakespeare
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Okay, so we‘re taking a bit of time to let people order this one since it‘s not as popular as some of the other plays. I also left a week open for Labor Day weekend.
Act I - 29 July - 4 Aug
Act II - 5 Aug - 11 Aug
Act III - 12 Aug - 18 Aug
Act IV - 19 Aug - 25 Aug
Labor Day Weekend
Act V - 26 Aug - 8 Sept
#shakespeare #RichardII #shakespearereadalong

Rachbb3 Nice! 6y
Lcsmcat Thanks for organizing this! 6y
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CoffeeNBooks Thanks! Looking forward to reading this one. 6y
Jess_Read_This Perfect! I am on the hunt for the perfect edition now. 6y
GingerAntics @lcsmcat you‘re welcome!!! @coffeenbooks I‘m excited for this one, too. The production of it I‘ve seen was great, with some well timed comic relief. @jess_read_this I‘ve heard multiple people say they couldn‘t find any copies in their local stores. Not sure what‘s up with that. I did read that it‘s not staged often. Maybe it‘s not read often, either. 6y
TheBookHippie Yay!!!!! I'll get it ordered ! 6y
Jess_Read_This @GingerAntics Lol... I‘m glad I double checked my shelves. I have a Pelican edition of it! I‘m all set ready to go. 6y
GingerAntics @jess_read_this oh check you out!!! lol Don‘t you just love when that happens? 6y
Jess_Read_This @GingerAntics Yes! I got a small stack of them for .20 a piece at the Salvation Army. I even like the annotations in the editions so bonus! I couldn‘t remember what historical ones I got. I even have a Richard III when we get to it 😂 Along w a Henry V 6y
GingerAntics @jess_read_this Richard III is actually in the next tetralogy. You‘d think 2 and 3 would be near each other, but apparently not. After R2 is Henry IV 1&2, and Henry V. It‘s weird. R2 is the beginning of tetralogy 1, and R3 is the end of tetralogy 2. It‘s weird. I want to get a bunch of Shakespeare plays for .20 a piece!!! I never thought to try the Salvation Army for books. Hm. 6y
GingerAntics @jess_read_this you‘ve got the bookends!!! The Richards are the bookends. 6y
Jess_Read_This @GingerAntics How interesting! (The order) I had no idea. Well, at least I‘ve got the bookends. I‘ve gotten a few gems at the SA. It‘s even better if you find a boxed set, most clerks charge you .20 for the set! 6y
GingerAntics @jess_read_this .20 for a whole box set?! Clearly I have been going about this book purchasing thing all wrong. Apparently there is also a time jump between them, so it‘s not even like R2 and R3 are closely related. It‘s weird. I guess that‘s Kings of England for ya. lol 6y
batsy Great, thank you! 6y
readinginthedark Perfect--saved! 👍 6y
batsy Hi @Faibka I'm just tagging you here for this readalong schedule hosted by @GingerAntics. As you can see we're only into the second act this week so please feel free to join in, if you'd like :) 6y
Faibka @batsy great! Thank you so much! 6y
GingerAntics @Faibka welcome to our little group!!! I‘ve added you to my post of accounts to tag, so you should get all the posts now. 6y
Faibka @GingerAntics thank you! 👍 6y
GingerAntics @Faibka you‘re more than welcome!!! 6y
Faibka @anna40 Tagging you as promised :) we‘re already on act III, well I‘m actually still on act I 😅 and trying to catch up. If you‘d like to join! 6y
Anna40 @Faibka thanks :) 6y
GingerAntics @Anna40 I can add you to the list if you want. Welcome to the party!!! (edited) 6y
Anna40 @GingerAntics oh, yes, please :) 6y
GingerAntics @Anna40 I‘ve added you to my list of readers. There is an extra week between act IV and act V for labour day, so hopefully that will give people some time to catch up. (edited) 6y
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GingerAntics
King Richard II | William Shakespeare
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Just as a quick poll before we schedule. Would anyone like a week “summer vacation” after TotS or would you prefer to jump right in to Richard II?
#shakespearereadalong #shakespeare #richardii

Pick your King Richard...pick your poison...
(from left to right) Ben Whishaw, Samuel West, Richard Pasco, and David Tennant, all as King Richard II.

batsy I don't mind a little vacation if all are agreeable 😁 My copy is on its way from Book Depository and hopefully it does not take more than 2 weeks🤞🏽 6y
merelybookish Well I also don't mind a little vacation. I'm on holiday for most of July. But I can also play catch-up, if need be. 6y
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GingerAntics @batsy @merelybookish I think it may take some time for people to get copies of it, too. It‘s not one of the more popular plays so I‘m thinking more people are going to have to order it and wait for delivery. Hm. Even if we wait two weeks, we‘ll start in August. If we wait three weeks no one would even have to start reading until August. Anyone think getting kids back to school could be an issue? 6y
readinginthedark 🤷‍♀️ Our summer has been so busy, school won't make a big difference for me. Not sure about everyone else, though. 6y
GingerAntics @batsy @merelybookish @readinginthedark well, you guys are the only ones who have responded, and I don‘t want everyone to think I‘m dropping the ball. I think especially since I think most people are going to have to order this one it might be best to give a little time to get it in. I‘ll post a schedule tomorrow. 6y
GingerAntics I guess that‘s actually later today, since it‘s after midnight. Oops. lol 6y
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readinginthedark
King Richard II | William Shakespeare
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And the next play we're reading is: Richard II. Who's finally ready to read a Shakespeare history? I am! This is the category of plays with which I am least familiar, so it will be very interesting. And your host for this one is @GingerAntics so make sure you keep an eye on her page for a schedule and tag her in your posts! #ShakespeareReadalong
@Jess_Read_This

GingerAntics @merelybookish did you schedule a catch up week for TotS? Should we put one in or does it seem like everyone is over this one? 6y
merelybookish I did not. Act 5 is scheduled for Saturday. It seems a few people have been reading, staying with it. I haven't heard from any stragglers. 6y
GingerAntics @merelybookish it does seem the consensus is in on the last act. It was short and people just sort of jumped into discussions about it. I may do a post to see if anyone wants a week off or if they would rather jump right in, then. 6y
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readinginthedark @GingerAntics You might consider leaving a week just for people who need to order a copy of the book, as well. Sometimes that takes a week. 6y
GingerAntics I know we talked about reading Macbeth next at one point. I just need to know what play we‘re reading next so I can put the book in the budget. 6y
readinginthedark @GingerAntics Yes, Macbeth! I don't have a schedule yet, but I'll try to post something about it today. 6y
GingerAntics That‘s cool. I have a copy of that, that will be at least 5 weeks, I‘ll get paid again before that. Perfect!!! Thank you!!! 6y
readinginthedark @GingerAntics 👍You're welcome! After that, I think we'll do a comedy. Not sure what yet. 6y
GingerAntics Yeah, we‘ll have done a history and a tragedy, so it‘ll be time for another comedy. Comedy of Errors might be fun. A friend read it recently and told me there are two sets of identical twins, both separated at birth that end up in the same city as adults and confusion and chaos ensues. lol What could possibly go wrong with a set up like that? lol 6y
GingerAntics Totally forgot it was Saturday, too. Bloody little league World Series. Thanks for that!!! 😂 6y
readinginthedark 😆 That sounds like a variation of Twelfth Night! I haven't read that one; could be fun! 6y
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Christinak
Richard II | William Shakespeare, Roma Gill
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review
Nebklvr
King Richard II | William Shakespeare
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Pickpick

A King trying to spread his power abroad, loses his kingdom at home. I have never enjoyed English history, but Shakespeare may change my mind.

Sydsavvy 😎👏🏻 7y
TrishB Shakespeare is not always accurate English history! It was entertainment written for a Tudor/Stuart monarchy and is full of bias and inaccuracies!! But great entertainment 😀 7y
Andrew65 @TrishB Agree you just to look at how Richard III was treated. As they say the Victor writes the history! (edited) 7y
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TrishB @andrew65 exactly! But people think that because it's Shakespeare it must be the truth! 7y
Nebklvr @TrishB agreed but I read nonfiction to see where it differs. That is the interesting part. 🤔 7y
Nebklvr @Andrew65 Very true 7y
Andrew65 @TrishB Which is interesting given we don't even know the truth of who wrote the Shakespeare plays. 7y
Andrew65 @Nebklvr I'm the same, I like to read historical fiction and explore non-fiction afterwards. 7y
Nebklvr @Andrew65 I have gone down many rabbit holes thanks to fiction. But I try to remember that there is a little fiction in nonfiction too. We could both see the exact same event and come away with two very different versions of it. Our biases play into things even when we try to be completely true. 7y
Andrew65 @Nebklvr So true, almost impossible to get an accurate version of history. 7y
TrishB @Nebklvr absolutely! There is no one story @Andrew65 7y
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merelybookish
King Richard II.: Macbeth | William Shakespeare
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Last day of #seductiveshakespeare. Thanks for hosting @jenniferw88. It's been fun finding something to post about each play or sonnet.
Thanks to @Lcsmcat @GinEyre22 @Blueberry @JacintaMCarter for great posts too! Doing this challenge has made me want to re-read some of his plays. So if anyone is interested in a Shakespeare buddy read, let me know!

batsy @readinginthedark and @Jess_Read_This are doing a buddy read of Much Ado About Nothing in October! I would love to join but I am wondering if I can manage all the readalongs I want to join next month 🤔😁 #maanreadalong 7y
GinEyre22 I'm a sucker for both Shakespeare and a photo challenge 😁 7y
merelybookish @batsy Perfect! Thanks for the heads up up. How is it I'm on here all the time and still miss so much? 🤔 7y
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Jess_Read_This @batsy @merelybookish I hope you can join @readinginthedark and myself in the discussion. It's my first time reading a Shakespeare work cover to cover, so to speak. 7y
Lcsmcat I'd love to do a buddy read in November or even late October, after my son's wedding. 7y
merelybookish @Lcsmcat Great! Let's plan on November since there's one for Much Ado About Nothing in October. Maybe MacBeth or a history? 7y
readinginthedark It's my fault you haven't heard about it! I meant to post more, but I'll do one tonight! And a drama or history would be great for next month! 👍🏻 7y
Blueberry @jenniferw88 @merelybookish @Lcsmcat @JacintaMCarter @GinEyre22 Thanks for a fun month of #seductiveshakespeare. I was camping for the weekend and missed the final posts. Maybe I will go back and catch-up. 7y
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bewareofwords
King Richard II | William Shakespeare
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This is our next play for my Shakespeare class. Every day is a good day to read Shakespeare #collegelife #englishmajor #shakespeare

Natasha.C.Barnes Yes it is!! I love Richard II. Hi from a former English major! 8y
bewareofwords @Natasha.c.barnes It's a good one! And hello! 🤗 8y
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Dogearedcopy
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I've never been able to do read-a-thons as real life keeps getting in the way! Last #24in48 tho, I was determined that planning would save the day. I had stacks of books, a ticket to see Richard II, and an all-clear from DH... and yet I ended up going to see a bunch of old guys play in a cover band instead ;-) Sorry to say, tho I won't be seeing The Hollywood Vampires this week-end, there's too much IRL stuff going on; but I wish you all the best!

Laura317 So is that Alice? Or just a really good lookalike? I saw him 4 years ago, and he was still amazing. 8y
Dogearedcopy @Laura317 Yes! It's Alice! This was backstage after the show... I also have one of Johnny Depp's guitar picks; but alas, nothing from Joe Perry :-/ (edited) 8y
Laura317 @Dogearedcopy That's awesome!! 8y
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booksandbaubles
Richard II | William Shakespeare, Roma Gill

This earth shall have a feeling, and these stones/Prove armed soldiers, ere her native king/Shall falter under foul rebellion's arms.

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Christinak
Richard II | William Shakespeare, Roma Gill
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Pickpick

Day 9 - book made into a movie - I am having difficulty typing because I am doing a happy dance! My wonderful husband got me the Hollow Crown DVD set for my birthday it arrived yesterday!!! I cannot wait to see this! #septphotochallenge #somethingforsept

writerlibrarian You are in for an amazing viewing time. Really. Amazing. 8y
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