Mark Rylance as Duke Vincentio, Shakespeare’s Globe, 2005

¡Bardaphilia! 

Measure for Measure

But man, proud man,

Dressed in a little brief authority,

Most ignorant of what he’s most assured,

His glassy essence, like an angry ape

Plays such fantastic tricks before high heaven

As makes the angels weep, who with our spleens*

Would all themselves laugh mortal.**

–Isabella, Measure for Measure, Act 2, scene 2

* organ thought to control laughter

**(Proverbial: “to die laughing”)

For our Shakespeare class on Friday, October 25th, we will be exploring the darkly comic world of Measure for Measure! We will focus on Act 2.

Reading the play beforehand is recommended, but you don’t need to know the play to enjoy the class. (Folger edition has helpful notes on facing pages.)

It’s a great idea to watch a film version, if you can find one–but NOT the 2020 version with Hugo Weaving, which is not really Shakespeare’s play, but “inspired by it” in some way.

I hope to see you there!

Taught by Johnny Stallings

Friday evening, October 25th, 7-9 pm

Artspace Room at Taborspace, 5441 SE Belmont, in Portland

This Open Road event is FREE!