@0kami: I love a good story as much as the next mammal-- okay, probably more so. It's when folks over extend the metaphor and say, "I can't do [this extremely advantageous thing], the planets are out of alignment", or even worse, "This guy disagrees with the story I hold dear, let's kill him", that things go wrong.
Stories hold us together and help us to make sense of a Universe that really could care less what we think. Enjoy them and take what comfort you can from them but never ignore Facts (as dicey as those can be).
@Evil Tortie's Mom: R.O.A.C.H.: There's also a substantial number of individuals not able to enjoy cheeseburgers. When will the madness end, and we can all suffer from heart disease together?
@LittleDragon: That got me curious, did some googling...
"To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe." -- Anatole France
He wrote L'Île des Pingouins which looks like avery cool book and was involved in the infamous Dreyfus affair and worked to clear Dreyfus' name. Must read up on this guy. Thanks!
How come nobody has mentioned Falstaff? Han Solo, at least as originally written (big, bearded, and inspired by Francis Ford Coppola) would fit the mold.
As an actor who's done my share of the Bard, your take on how a Shakespearean Anakin Skywalker would have been played is spot on. I also particularly like your Harry/New Kirk analysis. Well done indeed! It's a shame that there was such a missed opportunity with the Star Wars prequels to tell a really good story.
@Marcus: You don't think that Anakin wasn't played that way? "...show insecurity (from jealousy or hatred) eating away at him slowly, over time..." Anakin was a big ball of jealous insecurity from the time he and Padme went off to Naboo in Ep.2 to when he assumed that Obi-Wan was coming to kill him in Ep.3. He talked about the council not trusting him, he talked about not being able to save Padme or his mother, and he talked about not being as strong in the Force as he could be. I do agree with whoever compared him to Brutus. But in the end, it's not like Anakin was a happy Padawan who just snapped one day.
I agree, Shakespeare still rules after all those yearsd - but I believe being a little closer to the Island here in Europe, I just heard a long wail from Stratford-upon-Avon when he startet rotating in his grave after being compared to JJ....I don't remember any lense flares or ball of red undefined goo in Macbeth...
Many if the actors in SF have done Shakespeare as well, and it shows when you've studies them both. I don't personally think it's the writers that have done the connecting.
When I saw Episode III, I didn't think of Shakespeare at all. Anakin's journey has more in common with Greek Tragedy since we already know the outcome, we're just watching to go along with the ride.
@StrayChestnutBed: You are correct, about Hotspur. His full name is Henry Percy. Hal's full name is a matter of debate. He is a member of the House of Lancaster which is a branch of Plantagent. However, he was usually called Harry Momouth after the village where he was born.
Great post, especially the stuff about Topher. You've made me even more excited for season 2.
I'd love to see a few more ladies like Portia (from The Merchant of Venice) in our modern scifi, but I can't think of any existing characters who'd be eligible.
@RosaliaBabas: Man... where are the Portias of science fiction?? T'Pol might be one, I guess, or Seven Of Nine. Myka from Warehouse 13?? That's a tough one.
08/31/09
"The universe is made of stories, not of atoms."
We are the story-telling apes.
08/31/09
Seeing someone else mention them always makes me happy :)
08/31/09
08/31/09
Stories hold us together and help us to make sense of a Universe that really could care less what we think. Enjoy them and take what comfort you can from them but never ignore Facts (as dicey as those can be).
Sapience is a bitch, yo?
08/31/09
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09/01/09
09/01/09
08/31/09
08/31/09
"To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe." -- Anatole France
He wrote L'Île des Pingouins which looks like avery cool book and was involved in the infamous Dreyfus affair and worked to clear Dreyfus' name. Must read up on this guy. Thanks!
08/21/09
08/21/09
08/21/09
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08/20/09
How about the inscrutable Iago and Mieville's Uther Doul??
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08/20/09
This was a fun, fun read. Thanks for doing pieces like this. On a side note: I saw Capt'n Picard play Prospero in London and he tore that shit up!
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08/19/09
I'd love to see a few more ladies like Portia (from The Merchant of Venice) in our modern scifi, but I can't think of any existing characters who'd be eligible.
08/19/09
08/19/09