I really enjoyed “Shakespeare Behind Bars”, and I was actually surprised at how I felt towards the inmates. What I found so interesting, is that there were moments when I nearly forgot about the fact that they were inmates and they have made poor, often horrible, gruesome choices. Many of them speak the lines very well and clear, and in the commentary they make intelligent statements. They show emotion, and understanding of The Tempest. I think it really gave me a new insight into inmates, and the life they live behind bars. The fact that they are so willing to act in this play, some even playing female roles, is truly amazing. We see this almost unexpected humanity that goes against our typical stereotypes of prisoners. Especially when we learn this is the 9th year for the Shakespeare performance.
What I think is great is how they were able to convey their characters so appropriately because of the connection they were able to make to them. This seems like a perfect testament to Shakespeare’s universality and the applications it can still have in modern narratives. If you really get down to the root of things, Shakespeare’s stories aren’t necessarily complicated. If you take out the magic and the fantasy found in certain plays you come down to basic ideas: a boy and girl in love, a jealous and treacherous friend, deceit to reach a goal. Basic human instincts and feelings are timeless.
I think a reason Shakespeare was so popular in his time, and also throughout the centuries, is because of how his plots are developed from the most basic human instincts. We may say we love Othello because of the dark plot, conspiracies, and killings, but maybe truly what attracts us so much to the story is how it emotionally relates to our lives and the society we live in. Or look at Romeo and Juliet, which was practically the prototype for teenage love. It has become so iconic because it embodies love and gives audiences a longing and connection for it.
I think one of my favorite scenes from a movie is from “Shakespeare in Love”, when the troupe is performing Romeo and Juliet. I absolutely love how attached the audience at the Globe is. For example, when Juliet (Paltrow) awakens from her sleep and the audience lets out an entire gasp, or when she asks where her love is and a woman in the crowd tearfully shouts “Dead!”. It’s that kind of connection that has allowed Shakespeare’s plays to thrive and become so famous. I’m a fan of Shakespeare, even if there are occasionally words and phrases I can’t fully understand, and perhaps it is because of this human element.
About Me
- Matt McClure
- Spending last semester interning in NYC. Not sure what comes next...
I think after watching the film that the inmates displayed the idea that the legacy of Shakespeare is enduring, and that the subject matter the playwright chose to spoke on still applies today. For these inmates, the chance to put on the play was a chance for them to reconnect with their humanity, as Shakespeare exemplifies the portrayals of human emotion in his writing.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree that Shakespeare's works are timeless representations of the human condition. Probably why the inmates enjoyed Shakespeare so much is because they truly related to a broad range of his themes. Most people today are totally able to understand the themes in Shakespeare without having the actual experiences. But, these inmates were able to really relate to the characters and themes in Shakespeare having actually experienced them firsthand.
ReplyDeleteContinuing with what Albert said, I think that by having experienced some of the things Shakespeare's deals with first hand, the inmates are able to be more true to the character and bring the story more to life. The way that Shakespeare behind bars showed not only the work that the inmates put into the play but also the emotions of the inmates as they reveal their past makes it more interesting, than just watching them practice and perform. They certainly do a good job of building some empathy towards the inmates.
ReplyDeleteAs the others said, it is indeed interesting that Shakespeare is so timeless and that the inmates could connect with the storyline. With acting, as with any other art, you need to convey the emotion to your audience and that is much easier if you can relate to the emotion within the play; the fact that the human emotion within Shakespeare is so common nowadays just as it has always been was probably very helpful to show the emotions of the play and having an understanding of what was going on in the play.
ReplyDeleteI like that you focus on how the audience receives Shakespeare's work. The connection the audience makes with the Shakespeare play is, in a way, the same we form with the Shakespeare Behind Bars documentary. We grow close to the inmates - to cry with them, to both hate them and yet, some how, maybe even love them at the end.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree with you Matt -- I too think that Shakespeare is so well received is due to the fact that his writing revolves around the most inherent emotions, trials, challenges and victories of mankind.
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