William Shakespeare

For Joshua's World History studies this year, we are reading through William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. We've enlisted some of the Cunningham family to join us, and we're having a grand time giving different voices to the characters and exploring the various themes of betrayal and loyalty, tyranny and pride, and conspiracy and assassination gone awry.

Calphurnia When beggars die there are no comets seen;

The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes.

Cæsar Cowards die many times before their deaths;

The valiant never taste of death but once.

Of all the wonders that I yet have heard,

It seems to me most strange that men should fear;

Seeing that death, a necessary end,

Will come when it will come.

The children are so enjoying reading through Shakespeare that we recently rented Kenneth Branagh's "Henry V," which we finished watching tonight. An amazing movie!

King Henry I tell thee truly, herald,

I know not if the day be ours or no;

For yet a many of your horsemen peer

And gallop o'er the field.

Montjoy The day is yours.

King Henry Praised be God, and not our strength, for it!

What is this castle call'd that stands hard by?

Montjoy They call it Agincourt.

King Henry Then call we this the field of Agincourt,

Fought on the day of Crispin Crispianus.

We still have three acts to finish in Julius Caesar, but perhaps we'll move on to one of the comedies next.