Another gem of information garnered from NPR’s 8 o’clock news – it is the 445th anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth (approx. – his actual birth date is unknown). The mayor of Chicago declared today “Talk Like Shakespeare Day”. The site created for the event is full of fun information. I may have to print out the Shakespeare mask and wear it to work at Reel Pizza Cinerama later today! Meanwhile, I will pepper my speech with “Methinks” and “in sooth” and add plenty of “eth”s to the end of verbs, and if I get upset with anyone I will certainly call them “Thou frothy ill-bred foot-licker!” (Generate your own Shakespearean insults here!)
My favorite play, hands down, is Twelfth Night. The first lines spring to my mind every now and then, and I am possessed with a desire to reread it.
If music be the food of love, play on
My sisters and friends and I used to act out scenes from this play, tripping over the unfamiliar phrasing and dissolving into laughter more often than not. I always wanted to play the Clown – I spent some time today looking for my favorite thing he says in the play, and ended up reading a large amount of it and not being able to decide. It’s all so good! 
I’ve never read the complete works, so maybe I’ll add that to my list of things to do this year. I love to hold the physical book in my hands, but just in case, they’re all available online here.
Here’s a little song sung by Feste the Clown, which always seems sad to me, but very lovely:
What is love? ’tis not hereafter;
Present mirth hath present laughter;
What’s to come is still unsure:
In delay there lies no plenty;
Then come kiss me, sweet and twenty,
Youth’s a stuff will not endure.
(And in the back of my head, Sir Toby Belch and Sir Andrew immediately pipe up with, “A mellifluous voice, as I am true knight.” – “A contagious breath.” – “Very sweet and contagious, i’ faith.”)
Happy Birthday Shakespeare!
