Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Section S - Question #1
Even if you've learned quite a lot about Shakespeare, his milieu, his work and some controversies about him, you may still have some questions. If you could go back in time and talk to Shakespeare, what would you ask him? What would you talk to him about? Explain your answer.
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I would ask him "Why did you not publish any of your work, so that much more people can learn about your works and you can be known really as a poet and playwright and appreciated by people at that time?, because I was curious why his works were never published and he wasn't really appreciated with his works by the people at that time and began to be known widely afterlife. (Ha-eun Baik, Lit14-S)
ReplyDeleteI would ask him about his views on politics and life. His works highly influenced the people and his works show a lot of issues in the society and many different points in life and love. I want to know what's his stand and what he believes in to further understand the concepts in his works. (Princess Trinidad, Lit14-S)
ReplyDeleteI would ask him about the play Julius Ceasar. Would you take the events that occured in the play as historical accounts? And do these events reflect your views upon love and politics? So to have a better perspective on how he relates his works to the society of Elizabethan England. (Michael Rei Reyes Lit 14-S)
ReplyDeleteA lot of people, readers like me, and even playwrights like you have always admired your work. I just wonder how have you been able to write such wonderful plays like Hamlet and A Midsummer Night's Dream if you had not acquired university education? Why didn't you continue studying? Receiving formal education would have enhanced your writing even more. Or perhaps you have your inspiration in writing those poems and plays which are so full of love and passion! (Unjee Kim, Lit14-S)
ReplyDeleteBased on what I have learned, literature can serve as a way of getting a glimpse of the author's life and personality (his emotions, experiences, ideas, realizations, opinions and all the other things that encapsulate life in general). In relation to Shakespeare and his works as a writer, I've come to know that he wrote mostly about the culture (politics, religion, society in particular) during the Elizabethan era. Up until now, I believe that there still aren't much things that talked about Shakespeare's more personal life which I think also influenced and had a great impact in his works. And if I was given a chance, I would ask him questions that would make me know him more--who he was as a person, his likes and dislikes, what he was like as a father and husband, and as a colleague in his theatre company. In addition to this, I'd like to ask who among the characters in any of his works would best be attributed or paralleled to him. With these questions, I believe that I'd be able to understand, appreciate and relate to his works even more. (Samantha Valencia, LIT14-S)
ReplyDeleteEven though we don't know much about Shakespeare's life, I was really intrigued by the fact that many people questioned his sexuality based only on some of his sonnets. It is true that during the Elizabethan era, when plays were held, men would dress up even as the women characters, but they seriously had a reason for doing it so that fact does not make Shakespeare a promoter of gay advocacy.
ReplyDeleteI would seriously talk to Shakespeare first about the questions that would be raised about his gender in the future if he would write his sonnets about the Fair Youth. Then, I would ask him, "Even if you know that fact now, would you still write your sonnets?" For me, this question is very important for his answer might tell us what he values the most, himself or the people that would be inspired by his works.
(Cheth Neciemie Mundin, Lit14-S)
Today, Shakespeare is known to be one of the greatest playwright and poet of all times. However, that was not the case before, during his time, he was not given enough credit for his magnificent works. What I would like to ask Shakespeare is, Why not just concentrate on expanding his business, if he was not acknowledged properly for his works during that time ? What motivated him to continue producing plays and poems? (Aubrey Mae Ang, Lit14-S)
ReplyDeleteI would like to ask him why he wanted to be a playwright at that time. I would also ask him how he wrote such magnificent plays and poems when in fact, he didn't have any formal education. It amazes me how he formed new words and phrases when he didn't even had a university education. (Katrina Rose Castillo, Lit14-S)
ReplyDeleteI would like to ask him where did he get all those inspiration to write from. He wrote more than a hundred sonnets and a little over a hundred plays; he must have some plenty inspiration at that. Personally, i find it hard to even make a four line poem because i don't have that kind of inspiration like he does. Im used to the "ningas-kugon" mentally, you start good and you end up not finishing it. (Albert Gavin Mendoza, Lit14-S)
ReplyDeleteI would ask him how he comes up with ideas for his works. He wrote about many things and they are truly amazing. I would also ask him why he became a writer; what encouraged him to become one of the greatest writers that we know today. I'm sure that writing is not the only occupation a man can have back then. There are other jobs to choose from and those other jobs probably would be easier than writing (because just to come up with a topic is already very hard, what more to finish a whole play). Then, i would just probably tell him how he amazes me with all his works. (Stephanie Bucad, Lit14-S)
ReplyDeleteWhen we are asked about Shakespeare, usually, the first thing that pops in our mind is this famous line from Hamlet, “to be or not to be, that is the question.”With this line I am intrigued whether or not Shakespeare really wanted to be a writer. So if I were to go back to his time and ask him a question I would ask him this, “did you ever regret being a writer?” His passion for writing was really strong and I would want to know if there were points in his life wherein he wanted to do something else. I want us to talk about his career choices and if he thinks that he made the right decisions in his life. I would also want to learn about his struggles as a writer. It is very interesting to know if there came a time when he wanted to stop being a writer and pursue a different career. By having this conversation with Shakespeare, his answers might show a different side of him. It may reveal things that we never heard before which could help us understand even more the meaning of his works.
ReplyDelete(Maria Louise Avenido, Lit14-S)
Shakespeare wrote literary works that are considered classics. He wrote and tackled about different topics like romance, politics, religion and many more that have inspired a lot of people and even changed a lot of things today. Aside from that, he was able to invent words that made our language today more colorful. If I had a chance to ask him anything, I would ask: with all the plays, poems and sonnets that he wrote, plus the words and phrases that he invented, what motivated him to do these extraordinary works? What made him write all the things he wrote and where did he got his inspirations? To be able to write hundreds of works goes to show how dedicated he was with his profession and I would like to get some advice from him since he was so good at it and maybe get some points as to how to write a great story. (Frances Anne T. Daleon, Lit14-S)
ReplyDeleteIf I were to go back in time with a chance to talk to Shakespeare, I would ask him: "Sir William was there ever a point in your life or career where you felt writing is not your ‘calling’?” Sometimes I feel that the things we are passionate about are not really 100% from the heart or not really true to the bear essence of just “doing them”. I want to know if Shakespeare also felt that. Were there other reasons behind Shakespeare’s drive in writing all those sonnets and plays? Did he do it for the love of the craft or for something else (bandwagon, peer pressure, etc.)? Also, I would take the liberty of asking him a few tips and techniques in writing. Getting a chance to have a conversation with one of the “masters of literature” is a once in a lifetime opportunity so might as well put it to good use and learn from him.
ReplyDelete(Juan Alberto Ong, Lit14 S)
All controversies about William Shakespeare circulate around facts that put his identity into question. However, all of these questions are only asked since there are reasons to speculate against what scholars claim him to have done, which is to have written all those famous stories. That is why I, if given the chance, would ask him if he indeed wrote all of those stories. It is not that knowing who really wrote them will make a difference to the quality of his works, but his works brought so much inspiration to a lot of people all these years that proper recognition and gratitude is in order. (Cholo Vicencio, Lit14-S)
ReplyDeleteIf I could go back in time and talk to Shakespeare, I will first tell him how we regard him today as the greatest writer in the English language, as the writer for all time and how we praise his works as exceptional and brilliant that most are being required to be read in schools. Then, I will ask him if this is how he really wanted to be remembered, if this is what he really wanted the people to learn and get from his works. It must be amazing to know if a person like him, merely doing what he loves doing, has not really thought of being famous someday. And if that is the case, it might not only give us the inspiration to pursue on whatever it is that we love doing and the hope that someday, we will be recognized just like Shakespeare but it might as well change our views on how we read his works. (Marjorie Gene Gadiano, Lit14-S)
ReplyDeleteIf I had the chance to ask Shakespeare a question, I would ask him about his controversies about sexuality, education, and identity. Regarding sexuality, I would like to ask him whether if he was gay or not and who was the guy that he was said to be writing letters to. On the other hand, concerning his education, I would like to ask him about how a so called illiterate during his time was able to write meaningful plays and invent new words that we use today with his level of education. Lastly, on the topic of his identity, I would like to ask him whether he really is William Shakespeare or is it just only his pen name. I would like to find all the answers to all of these questions so that I could be able to understand his life more so that I could appreciate him more. (Ray V. Bolintiam, Lit14-S)
ReplyDeleteIf I were to ask Shakespeare, I would ask him how come he had made magnificent works that are now considered a big help for today's language. Did he know that his works would affect today's language? I would also ask him from where did he get these ideas from and what are his inspirations for writing these things. His works are remarkable and for me, he's really a genius. I know that the content of the work is far more important than the one who wrote it, but just because of curiosity, I would grasp the opportunity to ask him if he really wrote them. (Edgar Joseph Carrasco, Lit14-S)
ReplyDeleteShakespeare is known not only of his works but also his language. If I were given a chance to go back in time and meet him, I would ask two things. The first would be on what were the things that inspired him to write his works and invent new words that greatly influenced our time since we know that Shakespeare didn't have formal education. The second question would be about the issue of the portraits of him, If given a chance, I would ask for his permission to take a photo of him and bring it to the present so that the people of today would have an idea what he looks like in person (may or may not be like those in the accepted portraits). (Paul Brian Lao, Lit14-S)
ReplyDeleteAfter much lessons on Shakespeare, there are many questions which are still kept hanging due to lack of sources and background. During the Shakespearean period,there were so many controversies against Shakespeare's works and bibliography. If I were to go back in time to that period, i myself would want to know the true answer to the authorship of Shakespeare because it interests me on how people became so determined to crash Shakespeare. I would ask Shakespeare himself what he thought about all these criticisms and debates that were surrounding him. I would also want to know if he had any struggles before he got into his career, or was he a natural in his field because i have no gone upon any research that stated such facts about him. I am also very interested in the language he used. I would want to know how such phrases or words entered his head. Did he just invent them himself? And, what was his basis for the 3000 Shakespearean vocabulary that he came up with. I would want to ask all these questions just so that i'll be able to gain the truth of who Shakespeare really is. (Denise L. Tiu, Lit14-S)
ReplyDeleteIf i got a chance to go back in time and ask shakespeare any question i like, i would have asked him two questions. First, i would ask him why he wrote all those sonnets about the boy and the dark lady. (why not some other topics like family-mother, sister, etc; and/or friends. why not nature instead?) Second, i would like to ask him if he would ever have imagined that he would be as popular and as important in the world? i am just curious if after all the work and hardships he had gone through, if he was expecting something in return.. for me, getting what you deserve really feels good, and shakespeare knowing that he is popular now and his works are read worldwide would be the greatest thing that happend to him. (Sharah So, LIT14-S)
ReplyDeleteIf I where to ask Shakespeare any question, I would ask him about his goals as a writer and what he wanted to accomplish. Was it his intention to become so important to the English language? or was he simply trying to make a living? He was not famous during his time. This made me wonder if he actually wanted to become popular and important to the world, considering he did not even publish some of his works. I would love to find out if everything Shakespeare contributed to the world today was part of his master plan to expand our knowledge or was his works simply for him and the generation that he lived in.
ReplyDelete(Marc An, Lit.14-S)
William Shakespeare belongs from a prominent family. His father, John Shakespeare, is a town official and a known businessman. William, at only the age of 15, purchased New Place which is the second largest house in their town. Aside from that, William owned several properties in London and in towns near Stratford. If I were to go back in time and meet him, I would ask what motivated him to write so many plays and poems when he could have just focused on his real estate business instead.(Justin Ravago, Lit.14-S)
ReplyDeleteIf I had the chance to ask Shakespeare about anything, I would ask him about his inspirations and how he relates his life experiences to his work. More so, I would like to know the real reason for his shifting to "darkness" in his plays. I'm aware that many authors of different books about him have formulated a bunch of speculations about his shifting, but no one really knows the real reason for it and that's what greatly captures my interest. Also, I would like to know how he got out of his "dark" and "unhappy comedy" writing phase. If ever he got depressed over a huge matter that caused him to shift his writing to the "dark side", I would like to know how he got over that depression. If it wasn't depression, I would like him to tell me what really happened during that particular time of his life. I ask this not only for more knowledge about him but really to inspire me with his story.
ReplyDelete(Mio Casano Lit14 S)
The authorship debate made a lot of issues about Shakespeare's life and works. If I was in his position, knowing that I really did do all the plays, I would feel bad if people qustioned my authorship. If I had the chance to ask him anything, I'll ask his views on the issues that were and are being thrown at him and how it feels that his intelligence is being questioned. (Khryzette Onishi, Lit 14-S)
ReplyDeleteShakespeare wrote quite many interesting love stories even he use 'love story' on tragedy. And I think when a writer write a love story, It can be from experience of the author. However, He, before he dies, left only 2nd best bed to his wife while he left some valuable thins to his old friends in home town. I want to ask him whether he loves his wife or now and what is 'Anne Hathaway' to him for real.
ReplyDeletepreviews one, ( Han, jihyun, Lit14-S)
ReplyDeletesorry, i forgot!
The ‘Bard of Avon’, William Shakepeare, is generally considered the greatest dramatist the world has ever known and one of the finest poets who have written in the English language. Today, no other writer’s plays have been produced so many times or read so widely in so many countries other than Shakespeare. This eminence of his basically rests on his understanding of human nature. He was able to write over 36 plays and a collection of sonnets. That is certainly not a joke considering that he didn’t have any university education.
ReplyDeleteIf I would be given the chance to have a little talk with the world-renowned dramatist and poet, I would ask him about his motivations. He certainly had the craft and talent. I am just curious of the reasons/forces that caused him to write overwhelming masterpieces both in theater and poetry. I would like to know whether he wrote because of pure passion or because an authority influenced him to do so. There could have been many factors that contributed to the blossoming of his career as a writer and poet. I would like to know how his personal and societal environment shaped every statement of his characters and every line of his poems. And although our interpretation of his works as readers still matter the most, I still would like to know what contoured the original take – his side of the story, Shakespeare’s side of the story. \~_^/
(Jan Christopher B. Gonzales, Lit 14 S)