Question: How do you start a blog? More importantly: how do you start a book review blog. Even more importantly: How do I start my book review blog? What is qualified as a book? A magazine? A short story? A play? Okay. I've decided if it has more than 100 words, and I read it, I will review it. Oh, and only if it's fiction. Back to my original question: How about with a little Shakespeare?
Okie dokie. I recently read a play entitled The Merchant of Venice by, you guessed it, William Shakespeare. I think I can say without question that he is the most popular playwright around. But then again, I may be wrong.
Let's start with an overview: So there's this dude named Bassanio, charming fella, and he's hoping to win the heart of this girl named Portia. Here's the problem: Her daddy died, and in his will he said that the person who is going to marry his beloved daughter has to first pick one box out of three that has her picture in it. Pick incorrectly and that guy can't marry anyone. Ever. But back to Bassanio. So he's a little short on cash, and his friend Antonio signs a contract for him with a Jewish loan shark named Shylock. Plot twist: Shylock hates Antonio and decided that if he can't pay him back in three months, a pound of the flesh nearest his heart is to be cut out by Shylock. Don don dooooooon. I'm not going to give away anything else. I may have already given away too much as it is, but I am against spoilers, so I'm going to go right into the review now.
Review: Man, I love Shakespeare. The way he writes is mystifying! It's like every time he writes a play, it's made up of a bunch of little stories that all intertwine with one another. Reading it you think that he must have been plotting it out for months. So detailed. Well, not in the "he said, she said" kind of way, there's not even that many stage directions, but the story itself is very well thought out. It held my attention well; I finished it in less than a day! Oh, and don't be afraid!! Shakespeare isn't nearly as hard to read as some people think! The "Thees" and "Thous" are simple to understand. It's just when his, shall we say, "less bright" characters mess up their words that it gets confusing.
Words for the characters:
Okay, Shylock, let's face it. You need a little help. I know you hate Christians and all, but seriously, what are you going to do with a pound of flesh?
Portia, darling, I admire how perspicacious you are! You are so smart! Be my best friend forever? Maybe you'll rub off on me.
Antonio, I have to say it, neither a borrower nor a lender be. Your daddy said that. Or at least the person who made you exist. Same goes to Bassanio, for loan oft loses both itself and friend. Believe it or not, that wasn't in the play!!!
So...yeah. That's all I have to say about that. Bye-bye until next time! I hope you love my blog!!!!!!!! I'll be writing every time I feel like it. Or remember. Whichever comes first!
Yours most sincerely,
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Anonymous Book Reviewer.
