“It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.” -William Shakespeare

“We know what we are, but not what we may be.” -William Shakespeare

“There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” -Hamlet

“Sit by my side and let the world slip: we shall ne’er be younger.” -The Taming of the Shrew

In yesterday’s post, I wrote that How to Read Literature Like a Professor, specifically the section on how Shakespeare is the root of all storytelling, inspired me to make a new reading/writing goal for 2014. I’d like to invite you to join me in this goal!

How will we do it? Read one play every two months, and do some sort of discussion afterward. I’d like to read 3 comedies and 3 tragedies, but I’m open to suggestions. My only request is that we read King Lear at some point, because it’s cited often in How to Read Literature Like a Professor as one of the most “stolen” plot lines, and I didn’t read it in high school.

We could also include watching the movie versions of the plays in our project, or even make a group excursion to see a production if enough of us are from the same area.

Why should we do it? To immerse ourselves in juicy stories of love, murder, war and friendship; to learn about the craft of reading and the structure of writing; to come together to discuss the great works of the past; to think, speak, agree and disagree, in the spirit of friendship; to let the beauty of Shakespeare’s words wash over us. (Look again at the quotes above. Didn’t they make your soul sigh, your spirit soar?)

Think about it, and contact me (leannesowul@gmail.com) before January 1, 2014 if you’re interested! Based on the number and location of our group members, I’ll figure out how to structure the group and get back to you within the first week of the year. We’ll start in mid-January.

“Though this be madness, yet there is method in’t.” -Hamlet