Monday Musings: The Bard is Born

This week, by most accounts, marks both the birth and death of William Shakespeare. Shakespeare's legacy in culture and literature is significant, and we owe a great deal to the impact left by the 16th century British playwright and poet.

There are so many wonderful ways to enjoy the Bard; classic or modern twists in both movies and live theatre allow for an infinite number of interpretations of these stories. In honor of Shakespeare's special week, we're sharing a few of our favorite ways to enjoy these classics.

Shakespeare, The World as Stage, by Bill Bryson, is a relatively short and very entertaining biography of William Shakespeare.

Hamlet is one of the best. Read it, or watch the Zeffirelli or Branaugh films.

Outdoor Shakespeare - It's nearly summer time, bringing with it some great opportunities for outdoor Shakespeare on the stage. There are festivals all over the country, and they often feature a carnival-like atmosphere or an opportunity to enjoy a glass of wine while watching under the stars!

Shakespeare for Every Day of the Year looks interesting. It features a short reading each day, digestible for even readers new to the Bard.

Movie Adaptations: Some of our favorites are Romeo + Juliet (1996 version for all you GenXers and Xennials), Hamlet (1990) and Much Ado About Nothing (1993).

Movie Inspirations: These enjoyable and timeless movies were based loosely on Shakespeare's work: The Lion King (Hamlet), West Side Story (Romeo + Juliet), 10 Things I Hate About You (Taming of the Shrew) and O (Othello).

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