So for my 15th Shakespeare play...

[B. P.]

I am trying to decide what my 15th Shakespeare play should be. The choice is between Henry VI, Part 3, The Merry Wives of Windsor, Troilus and Cressida, or As You Like It. I'm working with William Shakespeare: Complete Plays. I usually like to read the script, while seeing the play being acted it out, but I know that sometimes that simply is an impossibility (you'll be at great pains to find Troilus and Cressida in english. So I want the opinions of fellow Shakespeare lovers on this, which of the plays would you choose?

[Candy]

Hi Ken, we are doing a group read of "merry wives" in November. Why not join in?

The more the merrier! See what I did there? "Merry"? That's the kind of quality companionship around here lol

No really... Please consider reading with us and discussing!

[B. P.]

That is convenient for me. I have read partly through Henry VI, part 3, but school has limited my time to finish it. I may be open to a group read, as long as I can keep up lol. I tried twice this year to do group reads and have utterly failed, this might be different.

[Candy]

Ken, it's great to meet you! And I see you jumped into King Lear....way to go !!!

Les try this....I know school is so much work....but we have a lot of fun...and I even think it might help with academic stuff...you know crazy and awesome reading we all do. I am always inspired by what the other readers bring to the reading and discussion. A LOT of background.

[Tracy]

Of those choices, I like AS YOU LIKE IT..but then, I'll probably do the Merry Wives read---Falstaff rides again!

[Everyman]

Ken wrote: " I usually like to read the script, while seeing the play being acted it out, but I know that sometimes that simply is an impossibility"

I like to read the plays while listening to them in a dramatic reading. Arkangel did a wonderful series of all the plays on CD, so I can sit with my headphones on and listen to the language and follow the text to make it clearer who is speaking, since my ear isn't good enough to identify the different characters by voice alone, and I only know about a dozen of the plays well enough to know who is speaking each line throughout the play.

I was able to get the complete set on sale several years ago, but I know that many libraries also got them, so you can borrow them to listen to.

[Candy]

Why mot "merry Wives" Tracy, then "AYLI"?

We can do it!

[B. P.]

I can try keeping up with you guys on "MWW". It's short so we could probably finish it by (US) Thanksgiving.

@Everyman The book I have, William Shakespeare: Complete Plays is a weird one. I got it relatively cheap, but that is because Barnes & Noble took Arthur Henry Bullen's 1904 edition of the complete plays and republished it. Bullen used the First Folio mostly with the Second Quarto parts inserted. It is a decent anthology although it does not include the original notes or supplement commentary that Bullen originally included (though you can check all of that out on-line). For Shakespeare plays I like I usual get individual editions (so far 2 of Hamlet and one of The Merchant of Venice although I plan to get one for Much Ado About Nothing as well. I like the special features and annotations that come with these editions.

[Candy]

Ken, would you consider being a discussion leader for MWW?

And Tracy, will you consider being discussion leader for AYLI?

[B. P.]

Unfortunately, I must decline that offer because of school.

[Candy]

okay dokey

[Tracy]

Oh. Let me think about my schedule... when is this? I will have to start directing my Taming of the Shrew play soon...inspired by....

[Candy]

Tracy, what about the second or third week of December? through holiday season? to end of January?

[Tracy]

The later in the year, the better for me.

[Tracy]

Tracy wrote: "The later in the year, the better for me." Oh, wait!! During the holidays! Maybe! I might go visit my daughter in Cali then, but that doesn't mean I can't read!

[Carrie]

Haven't read MWW or participated in a group reading before - I'm looking forward to both!

[Candy]

Okay Tracy excellent!

Carrie, look forward to you joining in the discussions.

[Blueberry]

I enjoyed MMW. Read it outloud with a group of homeschooler kids and teens about 2 years ago.

[Martin]

Candy, would you like me to be "discussion leader" for MWW?

[Candy]

Yes, I would...that would be great. I added your name to book

[Chris]

I'm in the minority, I know, but I love Troilus and Cressida. It's like a cynical commentary on Romeo and Juliet, and there is some wonderful poetry in it as well.