Culture

Shakespeare's Birthday

by Jordan Yerman | April 23, 2008 at 08:40 am

823 views | 25 Recommendations | 10 comments

The man who wrote the plays rever'd by all

(At least by all that dig a bit of verse)

Has reached a ripe old age indeed today.

And though his bones be laid in Stratford ground,

A monument exists in London Town-

More ageless still: the words he did commit

to parchment long before the copy/paste.

You hated him in school, you must admit,

but now you think his work is pretty cool.

We're not quite sure the day Shakespeare was born:

Saint George's Day will have to do, it seems.

Four hundred fourty-four's a goodly age,

And that goatee has not gone out of style.

Though some continue to dispute the work

As done by one from Oxford train'd and taught,

Or one in Deptford sent to early grave.

"With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come."

-William Shakespeare (Merchant of Venice)

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Jarrett Martineau

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 08:51 on April 23rd, 2008

I think you've set a new precedent for writing posts in iambic pentameter. Well done, goodly sir!

Amy Judd

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 08:52 on April 23rd, 2008

jordan, I like this story. It's good stuff. Excellent writing! Well done...

walrusoflove43

at 10:45 on April 23rd, 2008

I was sightseeing in Stratford with one of friends from Scotland, and really thought that it was time to record these sights for posterity.

walrusoflove43 has contributed a photo to this story.

Randy OHC

at 10:55 on April 23rd, 2008

This statue is in Central Park near the mall, New York City.

Randy OHC has contributed a photo to this story.

backfirecptn

at 11:39 on April 23rd, 2008

This was, by far, the scariest street statue I have ever seen in my life.

backfirecptn has contributed a photo to this story.

Amy Judd

at 11:56 on April 23rd, 2008

That is a horribly scary statue! What were they thinking!?

ginader

at 11:54 on April 23rd, 2008

This is a Shot of a Miniature Model of the original Globe Theatre. This Model is located in the Visitor Centre of the current Shakespeare's Globe Theatre.

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Barry ORegan

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 13:02 on April 23rd, 2008

jordan, I like this story. It's good stuff. I too had long ago been bitten by the Prose of this Terpsichorean muse, especially when Walpoling, hence Sallied forth, with a bountiful plate of cheesy comestibles, while inhaling a ripping good yarn on Richard the III. Though some call me Tastycakes, I worry not, when deeply engrossed by the Derring Do of it's Players.

On another Note, the Statue could have done without the Codpiece !!

lin_griz

at 23:09 on April 23rd, 2008

The highlight of my last trip to London was a day at the Globe. You get a special feeling walking onto the floor there, like you are in another place in another time, but it could be any place or any time. Would love to see a performance there this summer.

lin_griz has contributed a photo to this story.

photo2phantom

at 11:43 on April 24th, 2008

As one of many fans of Shakespeare's works, I absolutely could NOT pass up the opportunity to tour the famed Globe Theatre while visiting London. While the current Globe is not the original (the first one was destroyed and the second burned during a show) it certainly holds plenty of memories. Even today Shakespeare's work continues to be portrayed in this wonderfully unique set-up, and is enjoyed by people from around the Globe. :)

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