Shakespeare Behind Bars: A Worthwhile Way to Spend Time in Prison

Shakespeare Behind Bars is definitely an interesting take on Shakespeare's The Tempest, to say the least. I thought that this look into a modern day prison was really interesting. Personally, I think this view on the purpose of prisons is right on. I think the purpose of prisons should be to keep us safe from people who have committed crimes but I also believe that they can also serve as a place of reform for these people. Now I understand everything is not all rainbows and butterflies and some people do not want to change and they do not feel bad for what they did. However, some people who end up in prison are there based on their own personal circumstances, tough conditions they had to grow up in, and poor choices. I think prison should provide the option to change for their inmates. I am a firm believer in everyone deserves a second chance, so why not try and help these men while they are in there? I feel as though if we do not try and help them, then when or if they do get released, they will be more likely to repeat the acts that lead them to prison in the first place.

I also thought that Shakespeare Behind Bars had some very interesting quotations, especially toward the beginning. The first quotation I wrote down that goes along with my discussion above is that "prison should make a difference." I think this an interesting way at looking at prison. However, it makes sense. We might as well try and help these people while they are in prison. I believe that warden also said something along the lines that we are "paying 42 dollars a day for something." If we are required to give that money anyway, why not put that money into making a change?! I also thought that it was interesting that the warden in Shakespeare Behind Bars described himself as a warden "who hates prison." I think that speaks volumes on the function of prisons in the America.

Anyway, back to the Shakespeare in Shakespeare Behind Bars. I think that Shakespeare was a perfect selection for these inmates, especially The Tempest. In fact, someone in the movie said that people back in Shakespeare’s time that performed the plays were thought of has thieves and rapists. This an interesting corellation between the two ideas. I also thought the emotion of the characters fir while with the setting in the prison. I think that these inmates were able to channel the emotion needed for this play by thinking about their own personal experiences. This type of acting can make one feel as though acting is a form a therapy. The inmates ended up becoming very dedicated to this project and were really good at what they do. By helping someone find a way to release their emotions and finding something they feel they are good at, can do wonders for the personality and make them feel as though they are worth something, they have something to live for. Aren't these the driving forces that cause people to change for the better? I think that good old Shakespeare had a huge impact on these inmates and rightly so.

Creative Engagement Week 12: MacHomer - An Additional Adaption of Shakespeare Not Mentioned in the Prologue

As I was listening to this week's prologue, I thought of an additional example of an adaptation of Shakespeare that was not mentioned. When I was in high school, my English class took a field trip to see MacHomer.. an adaptation of MacBeth with all Simpsons characters. It was an extremely entertaining yet accurate way to tell the story of MacBeth in a different way. The play is put on animatedly and live but all the voices are done by one man, Rick Miller, who is also the creator. If you look him up, you will find his impressive resume. I'm going to leave a link to the MacHomer website below for those of you who are interested in further investigating this adaptation of MacBeth. I'll also embed a clip of Rick Miller discussing his play. If you have the chance, I strongly suggest seeing this, you will not regret it (especially if you are a Simpsons fan!)

http://www.machomer.com

A Modern Day Volpone

Volpone was definitely filled with comedy but it was also very ironic and kinda tragic at the end. However, the characters definitely got what they were asking for by the end of the play. At the beginning of the play, I was not really sure where the play was going to end up. There were many turns and twists in the plot. There were also many sub-plots under the main plot. Jonson was definitely trying to make a statement on human nature, especially when it comes to greed. A majority of the characters are extremely self-serving, always wondering what they can do to help themselves. Even Mosca, who in the beginning of the play, was more concerned with obeying Volpone began to think more about himself than others by the end. The characters in this play would never put someone else over their own wants and needs and it ultimately leads to their downfall. I wonder if Jonson was commenting on what he believes should happen to people like this in real life. Does he think that people who are this greedy and care about themselves having it coming to them? Or in a perfect world, would justice be served?

When reading Volpone, I couldn't help but think of who I would cast to play these characters. As I begin reading, I took this play to be one in which we were supposed to be amused. This concept changed for me by the end of the play. However, I still believe that my original actors and characters could still pull off this interesting play. My first impression of Volpone was someone who had no reguard for anyone else. He did not care who he hurt, in fact, he got amusement out of the misery of others. A character that reminded me of Volpone in our modern media was Aldous Snow, played by Russel Brand, whose character was two big for just one movie. Aldous Snow appeared in Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him to the Greek. This character is one who only cares about himself in the beginning of the movies. Although this character shows some soft sides throughout these movies, I still think his mischievous and self-serving character could fill the shoes of Volpone. While think about the other characters, I could not help but picture Jim and Dwight from The Office while reading the exchanges between Peregrine and Sir Politic especially in Act II, scene ii. Peregrine knows that Sir Politic is so gullible that he will believe anything that he says and it assumes him. Similarly, Jim plays tricks on Dwight or tells him outrageous stories that only Dwight would go along with in order to assume himself while at the office. This relationship takes a turn later in the play when Peregrine seeks revenge on Sir Politic. Jim and Dwight have definitely been at odds more than once during the show. The relationship between Peregrine and Sir Politic is a humorous but complicated one just like Jim and Dwight's.

These characters were the ones that really stuck out to me to cast easily, I'm still trying to figure out who could play the characters. What were some your ideas about who could be in this play while you were reading?