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How to Think Like Shakespeare | Big Think: Why does the original pronunciation (OP) of Shakespeare's words matter? For one thing, two-thirds of Shakespeare's sonnets have rhymes that don't work in modern English.
Shakespeare never published his work. We only have access to his scripts because the actors who had been a part of his productions dictated and recorded their lines by memory. Even they hadn't received full copies; just their characters' lines. When Ben Crystal stated that there are multiple versions of OP, it concerned me that we will never know entirely how the words sounded in Shakespeare's productions. However, it seems that they've gotten incredibly close. What's more, the intention behind it is fantastic. As stated, the mission of the Globe Theatre is to produce work that is as accurate as possible in regards to Shakespeare's productions. OP is certainly more accurate to the time period and it allows the actors to achieve an earthier tone. Not to mention the puns become so much clearer. I think that if the actors and directors were inexperienced, a production using OP would run the risk of confusing the audience. However, the Globe Theatre is far from inexperienced. When listening to the Crystals go through the dialogue, that much was clear.
It's really cool that they are starting to do productions in OP in the Globe Theatre so that the performances are actually much like they would have been when Shakespeare was alive. It is a little sad that we never have actually heard his writings in their full meaning, and we probably never will because of lost pieces and mispronunciation. I feel like the fact that Shakespeare sounds better sounds better in OP is a little bit obvious. Of course his sonnets need to be pronounced correctly in order for it to rhyme. Shakespeare is not so much of a two-bit writer to write poetry that doesn't rhyme. Maybe I am a little spoiled in this aspect because I had a British teacher in high school that taught my English class so he read everything in OP when we studied Shakespeare. It was the most liberating experience, to hear it with different words than we are use to seeing. I am excited to see how our beloved plays take form under OP.
I love the Globe Theater's mission. I think it's really interesting and important for people to experience old theater, especially Shakespeare, in an authentic way. However, it's impossible to know for sure that they are accurately presenting his work. Davis Crystal and his son seemed very knowledgeable and they had good evidence to support their claim, however I'm curious to know if using this OP accents ruins any puns or rhymes. It's a bit intimidating to think there is really no way to fully validate this, or any claim, regarding Shakespeare's original productions. This being said, I really appreciate and admire the Globe Theater's dedication to recreate something we know so little about, yet is so important. I would love to go there some day!
3 comments:
Shakespeare never published his work. We only have access to his scripts because the actors who had been a part of his productions dictated and recorded their lines by memory. Even they hadn't received full copies; just their characters' lines. When Ben Crystal stated that there are multiple versions of OP, it concerned me that we will never know entirely how the words sounded in Shakespeare's productions. However, it seems that they've gotten incredibly close. What's more, the intention behind it is fantastic. As stated, the mission of the Globe Theatre is to produce work that is as accurate as possible in regards to Shakespeare's productions. OP is certainly more accurate to the time period and it allows the actors to achieve an earthier tone. Not to mention the puns become so much clearer. I think that if the actors and directors were inexperienced, a production using OP would run the risk of confusing the audience. However, the Globe Theatre is far from inexperienced. When listening to the Crystals go through the dialogue, that much was clear.
It's really cool that they are starting to do productions in OP in the Globe Theatre so that the performances are actually much like they would have been when Shakespeare was alive. It is a little sad that we never have actually heard his writings in their full meaning, and we probably never will because of lost pieces and mispronunciation.
I feel like the fact that Shakespeare sounds better sounds better in OP is a little bit obvious. Of course his sonnets need to be pronounced correctly in order for it to rhyme. Shakespeare is not so much of a two-bit writer to write poetry that doesn't rhyme. Maybe I am a little spoiled in this aspect because I had a British teacher in high school that taught my English class so he read everything in OP when we studied Shakespeare. It was the most liberating experience, to hear it with different words than we are use to seeing. I am excited to see how our beloved plays take form under OP.
I love the Globe Theater's mission. I think it's really interesting and important for people to experience old theater, especially Shakespeare, in an authentic way. However, it's impossible to know for sure that they are accurately presenting his work. Davis Crystal and his son seemed very knowledgeable and they had good evidence to support their claim, however I'm curious to know if using this OP accents ruins any puns or rhymes. It's a bit intimidating to think there is really no way to fully validate this, or any claim, regarding Shakespeare's original productions. This being said, I really appreciate and admire the Globe Theater's dedication to recreate something we know so little about, yet is so important. I would love to go there some day!
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