For the next installment of this series, I wanted to focus on a few characters out of Shakespeare with whom I would like to spend a couple of hours eating, drinking, and talking. I have loved Shakespeare’s plays and poetry for much of my life. I have acted in and directed some of his work, and I have studied and taught his writing both at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA and in the Wescoe School of Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA, so I would be thrilled to be able to speak to some of his characters.
I would have Hamlet, Henry V, and Macbeth as my guests. I imagine we would meet in an English tavern and have a basic meal and beer. I hope that my royal attendees would not mind not having a grand meal; I am reasonably sure that Henry V and Hamlet spent a fair amount of time in such modest places before their respective plays begin, and as a Scot and a warrior, Macbeth probably was used to basic accommodations while in the field.
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I would ask them about their views of leadership and the responsibilities of a leader and about their portrayals in the plays. Henry V and Macbeth are both based on historical persons, while Hamlet is perhaps based on a real person–that is a debate for another day, so I wonder what they might have to say.
I think this would be a lively and deeply fascinating discussion.
Those are great choices, though a bit heavy for me. I’d choose Titania, Miranda and Othello, and only because i can imagine the variety of food I’d cook for them. Titania would eat dew and rose petals, Miranda would likely want some kind of shellfish, and Othello would probably enjoy a nice lamb and tomato dish or Venetian risotto.
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Between the food and the conversation, it would be a fascinating gathering!
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For certain!
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I’d invite Rosalind, Viola and Portia. Those three have a lot in common and they’d get on famously.
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Yes, they would create an exciting and engaging conversation!
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Wolf Larsen, Philip Marlowe, and Bilbo Baggins. I’ll bring the Jack Daniels.
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A great group!
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Shakespeare’s Cleopatra and Titania; George Bernard Shaw’s Major Barbara and Godot – the guest who doesn’t show up…
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Yes! What a wonderful group!
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It would be a marvellous evening, wouldn’t it?
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Yes, it would be!
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Given how taken I was with The Glass Menagerie in high school, I would want to invite Laura to my home for a quiet meal, just the two of us, so that I could ask her how she’s been, if she’s all right. But she would decline such an invitation from a stranger.
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She probably would, but it would be an interesting conversation if she did accept your invitation.
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I would love to meet Juliet and her nurse together!
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Yes!
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I’d probably sit down with the ladies from Arsenic and Old Lace. But I’m not sure I’d drink with them… 😉
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Yes, I would avoid their wine.
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Lol!! Indeed!!!!
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Please invite me, too! I would like to meet them and listen to them twitter and chirp.
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You would be very welcome!
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Consider yourself invited Liz!!! 🙂
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A hard question for the morning. There are so many times choose from …. will need t think.
I have enjoyed many of Shakespeare’s plays , yet, there are so much else too.
Thanks for this interesting post
miriam
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Miriam, you are very welcome.
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Cool concept. May try!
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I hope you do.
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Great article, Charles! Appreciate it very much, but myself i actually have no idea who to invite. My favorites all named by the other commenters. Michael
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Michael, thank you.
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Dante. I’d bring the deviled eggs….
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That is wonderful!
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🙂
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Outstanding, Charles!
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Jennie, thank you!
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You’re welcome!
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I remember when you first posted Dining With Characters years ago. I knew it was terrific, and I’m so glad you are doing the series again. Just think of the many avenues of dining characters there could be.
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Once I finish revisiting the original posts, I will add to them.
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I hoped/knew you would.
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