What do you do when reading (or living) a difficult story? Callie Feyen suggests you consider poetry and Shakespeare’s Fool from ‘Twelfth Night.’
“How to Think Like Shakespeare” by Scott Newstok
In “How to Think Like Shakespeare,” Scott Newstok considers the purpose of education and what we can learn from Shakespeare.
Fiction Prompt: Chapter 3, Snowflake Lights, Shakespeare’s Sonnets, and Pumpkin-Spiced Whoopee Pies
Our fall into fiction series continues with snowflake lights, Shakespeare sonnets, and whoopee pies. Join author Callie Feyen for chapter 3.
Forgotten Classics: “Shakespeare of London” by Marchette Chute
“Shakespeare of London” by Marchette Chute, long out of print, remains one of the best literary biographies of the playwright that we have.
By Heart: “Come, Night” + New Thomas Hardy Challenge
Join author Megan Willome as she learns William Shakespeare’s ‘Come, Night’ from ‘Romeo and Juliet’ By Heart while savoring this season of extra night.
Poetry Prompt: Your Queen Mab—What Helps Or Haunts You?
Join author Callie Feyen as she shares an excerpt from The Teacher Diaries, and explores the dreams we have that both help and haunt us.
Sun and Moon Poems: Night Poetry Prompt
Join author Callie Feyen as she confesses her fear of teaching Romeo and Juliet, and realizes there is much more to see than what she’s afraid of.
Cross-Generational Friendships: Where’s My Daughter? Call Her Forth
One glimmering night, three generations, and a whole lot of love—with a little Shakespeare to flavor the memory. From author Callie Feyen.
Reading in the Wild: August’s Pages
Come learn the secrets of being a wild reader. Or just share your August pages. Megan Willome leads the way, with her August good reads.
Great Friendship Tales: Shakespeare and ‘Exit, Pursued by a Bear’
Great friendship tales, like that of Hermione and Paulina from Shakespeare’s ‘The Winter’s Tale,’ live again in ‘Exit, Pursued by a Bear’ by E.K. Johnston.
Commit Poetry: Romeo & Juliet’s Two Households
Sandra Heska King winds up her memorization of selections from Romeo & Juliet among crayfish and shoulder-high ferns, considering the divisions of two houses.
Nothing Lost: Shakespeare Adapted
Nothing is lost when you take the time to see Shakespeare adapted—in film or on stage.
Birthdays & Birthstones Poetry Prompt—The Tempest as Fairy Tale
Explore Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” and write a fairy tale poem about a royal birth where magic is afoot and things aren’t what they seem.
Commit Poetry: Romeo and Juliet
Sandra Heska King takes a dare to commit more poetry for National Poetry Month. This time, it’s Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.
Shakespeare (via Ian Doescher) Does Star Wars
Writer Ian Doescher has taken the stories of “Star Wars” and applied Shakespeare to them, as in “The Empire Striketh Back.”
“A pair of star-cross’d lovers:” Romeo & Juliet and Eleanor & Park
Did you like “Eleanor & Park”? You’ll love “Romeo & Juliet.” (Or vice versa.)
What the World Needs Now is Love
There are two love stories we’re honored to share with a world that needs love. Come learn the secret (and join in a few congratulations!).
Romeo and Juliet: Kissing a Fair Dragon in His Cave
When Callie Feyen teaches Romeo and Juliet, she uses the Oxford Press edition, and it is this one-sentence paragraph she makes sure the students discuss: “And then she meets Romeo.”
“The Year of Lear: Shakespeare in 1606″
“The Year of Lear: Shakespeare in 1606” by James Shapiro is a masterful re-creation of a critical year in the life of William Shakespeare.
Shakespeare and Company: Playing the Fool Poetry Prompt
This week’s poetry prompt is for Fools. Put on your Jester hat and join us for some poetic and witty commentary in the style of the Shakespearean Fool.