Tag: Shakespeare

What are the best novels of all time? What about the best Shakespeare plays?

What are the best novels of all time? What about the best Shakespeare plays? And what do these two lists have in common?

What they have in common is that The Guardian has taken a crack at both of them:

This is smart in a few ways. One, there is nothing that gets people going than someone saying: these are the best. No doubt there will be many people checking them out (and driving traffic to the Guardian web site) just to see if they agree or disagree. Two, it’s really good thoughtful that the contributors have made to come up with such lists.

I grew up with The Book of Lists, so I am always interested in a good list. If you’re similar, or simply a fan of the Bard of a great novel, then check them out.

From Henry V to King Lear: Branagh comes of an age (as do we all)

It seems only yesterday that Kenneth Branagh was wowing us with his version of Henry V. Now instead of playing one of the younger Shakespearean lead roles, he is playing one of the oldest, as he gets ready to direct and star in a new production of King Lear on London’s west end. I am sure it will be a huge success. Shakespeare has been good to him, and vice versa.

Reading that, I started to think about some of the pieces I’ve collected on aging. For example, if you or someone you love is wondering how to manage living in your home as you get older, then read this.

As we age, we hope we can retire. And by retire, we hope to work less if at all. Sadly, in some Asian societies “Retirement” just means more work. That may not be a fate limited to Asian countries, I fear.

What do you need when you get older? An old person project! Let John Demont explain. Or if the thought of getting older and wrinkled bothers you, read about preventative botox . To each their own.

Finally, here’s a fine piece on how  old women in the swimming pool gave this young woman something to aspire to.

P.S. I could not close out without including one of my favorite movie scenes, with a very bright and brash Branagh rallying the troops with his truncated version of the Saint Crispin’s Day speech:

I love that speech, that scene, and his portrayal of it.