Status Updates From The Complete Works of Shak...

Midsummer Night's Dream

The substratum here is an alien dispute between Oberon and Titania regarding the possession of a changeling, which is a horrid little bit of myth. Within that context, Theseus consummates his forced marriage to Hippolyta, whom he 'wooed with the sword,' and Egeus mirrors Capulet's dire parental demands; the connection to R&J is solidified by the low mechanicals' parody thereof.

As You Like It illustrates a common phenomenon in Shakespeare's plays, namely the surprising ease with which a person can disguise themselves effectively enough to fool even their own parents. Not enough characters avail themselves of this strategy throughout the various plays, if you ask me.

Romeo and Juliet

It's not just that she's 13 and he's 16-20; sure they have irrational adolescent emotionalism--but he changes from loyalty to Rosaline, whereas Juliet once dedicated remains loyal--perhaps an artifact of the marriage market. Their decease brings extinction to their oikos lines, which is the only thing that can resolve the residual 'airy word' of the dantean feud, a la Williams and MacIntyre.

4/5 The Merchant of Venice

All's Well That Ends Well - finished 24/01/2026 - ☆☆☆½

Richard II 3/5

4 historical plays, one long story - I am looking forward to a bit of change