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00:00:00 – 01:31:00
The video celebrates Shakespeare's 400th folio anniversary and the British Library's 50th anniversary. Ben and David Crystal present lesser-known Shakespearean lines in their book to make Shakespeare more accessible. They discuss selecting relevant quotes for daily life and interpret their meanings. The importance of female characters' lines and diverse themes in Shakespeare's works are highlighted. The video delves into OP in Shakespearean works and the importance of quoting Shakespeare for empathy and self-reflection. Original pronunciation, ownership in speaking Shakespeare, and challenges of translation are discussed. The speakers emphasize teaching Shakespeare effectively and engaging students through performance for a deeper understanding. The video concludes with gratitude to the speakers and audience, promoting future British Library events.
00:00:00
In this segment of the video, the speaker introduces a special event celebrating the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s folio and the British Library’s 50th anniversary. They highlight the only surviving literary manuscript featuring Shakespeare’s handwriting, the Book of Sir Thomas More. Ben and David Crystal are then welcomed as they present lines from lesser-known works of Shakespeare in their new book “Everyday Shakespeare Lines for Life.” The audience is encouraged to participate by submitting questions, purchasing the book, and attending the book signing. Ben and David discuss how they integrated Shakespearean lines seamlessly into everyday conversations and share some examples. They explain their process of creating this book as a way to make Shakespeare more accessible and commemorate his legacy. The segment concludes with gratitude towards contributors and a description of the book’s content gathering process.
00:10:00
In this segment of the video, the speakers discuss how they went through a selection process to narrow down Shakespeare’s works to include in their book. They mention that they chose lines that are relevant to everyday life, not just famous quotes. An example is given about catching a train which sparks a debate among the speakers and the audience. They also share an audio recording from their book featuring Shakespeare’s lead quote for the day. The speakers emphasize that the book includes a commentary for each quote, providing interpretations and reflections on the lines chosen. The segment concludes with a mention of an upcoming audiobook release with a discount for book buyers. The speakers highlight the variety of interpretations that can be drawn from Shakespeare’s quotes, emphasizing the personal and subjective nature of understanding his works.
00:20:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses various quotes from Shakespeare’s works and how they inspire different ideas and themes. They mention the importance of the play stamps located at the bottom of each page in the book. The speaker also provides examples of how Shakespeare’s quotes can be used, such as for speeches or everyday conversations. They highlight the top five most quoted plays from the book: Hamlet, Twelfth Night, As You Like It, Romeo and Juliet, and Macbeth. Excerpts from each of these plays are shared along with their potential context and relevance in daily life. The speaker also suggests different ways to engage with the book on a daily basis or in educational settings.
00:30:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses various powerful lines spoken by female characters in Shakespeare’s works, such as Queen Catherine in Henry VII and Lucrece in the poem “The Rape of Lucrece.” The significance and impact of these lines on the speaker are highlighted, emphasizing the universal themes and timeless wisdom found in Shakespeare’s writing. The video also touches on how these lines resonate with different emotions and situations throughout the year, showcasing a diverse range of quotes suited for various occasions and moods.
00:40:00
In this segment of the video, the discussion covers various quotes from Shakespeare related to politics, tyranny, wisdom, and personal growth. The dialogue highlights the importance of forging one’s path, appreciating good deeds, and the value of friendship. The transcript also delves into the use of original pronunciation (OP) in Shakespearean works, with examples provided to demonstrate the shift in pronunciation over time.
00:50:00
In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses the importance of being able to quote Shakespeare and the lack of emphasis on oracy in mainstream education. They highlight how literature and theater, particularly Shakespeare, foster empathy and compassion. The speaker emphasizes how Shakespeare’s works provide insights into human nature and offer words to speak truth to power. Additionally, they touch on the prevalence of sleep references in Shakespeare’s plays and share some poetic lines relating to sleep. The segment concludes with the speaker reflecting on how Shakespeare’s lines serve as mirrors for self-reflection and offer insights into human emotions and experiences.
01:00:00
In this segment of the video, the speaker thanks the audience and invites questions. They explain the process of selecting quotes for their book, including choosing lead quotes and supporting quotes. They discuss the possibility of more volumes based on the remaining 4,000 quotes, depending on sales. The importance of original pronunciation (OP) in enhancing the aesthetic and rhymes in Shakespeare’s quotes is highlighted. The speaker shares insights on the challenges of recreating original pronunciation and reassures an audience member that an American accent can still represent well in a community like late 16th-century Wales.
01:10:00
In this segment, the speaker emphasizes the importance of original pronunciation (OP) as a tool to bring novelty and ownership to Shakespeare plays. They discuss the significance of using one’s own accent when speaking Shakespeare and how OP allows for this variety. The speaker also mentions how Shakespeare’s works hold a mirror to humanity, reflecting both the good and bad aspects. They touch upon the translation of Shakespeare’s plays into other languages, highlighting the challenges of maintaining sense and poetry during translation. Additionally, the segment delves into the nature of misquotations in Shakespearean plays, noting the actors’ limited preparation time and individual focus during Shakespeare’s time.
01:20:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses their favorite Shakespeare play being the one they are studying at the moment. They talk about the challenges of including certain plays in their book, mentioning how opinions on co-authored plays have shifted over the years. The transcript also touches on the use of Shakespeare in educational settings, including workshops in prisons and the impact of Shakespeare’s themes on individuals. The speakers address the importance of teaching Shakespeare effectively, acknowledging challenges faced by teachers and the need for more support and resources in education. The significance of engaging students with Shakespeare through performance is emphasized, noting how it can transform attitudes towards his works.
01:30:00
In this segment, the speaker expresses gratitude to Ben and David, the online audience, and the attendees at the British Library pickup theater. Ben and David will be outside signing copies of their books. The audience is encouraged to stay updated on the British Library’s upcoming events through their website. The speaker ends by thanking everyone and there is applause.