@Runa – I love you too, simply because you share my non-passion )

I began reading my dad’s copy of the Complete Works when I was 13. Shakespeare is one of the factors that led to my love for and work in theatre.

@cjh – So you think I’m a bit brave to admit my Shakespearean ‘hatred’? )

@Lynda – Hehehe Sorry! I knew I’d probably shock a few people

@Jo – So a bit of a forced attachment to him then? )

@bloeuedd – Or maybe if we were? )

@Mary – I absolutely agree. A good teacher probably would make learning Shakespeare more of a pleasure than a pain, and aside from a brief time with ‘The Merchant of Venice’, I was never really taught Shakespeare at school. That said, even if I were taught him well. I think I’d still feel somewhat the same

@Yvonne – One man’s meat is another man’s murder they say. Interesting how school seemed to turn you off Shakespeare though.

@Simon – Wise words and I couldn’t agree more. I had a fantastic history teacher at school and now I’m a qualified historian. Shame my English teacher wasn’t quite as engaging.

@Barbara – I agree that being brought to life in a visual sense will always be better for things like Shakespeare. I have tried to watch a couple of Shakespearean plays (on tv and live) but for me still – dull, dull, dull! )

@thatsthebook – Oh dear it looks like I’ve offended THE Shakespeare fan (are you sure you’re not related? )). I have to admit that the stage show, and TV play I watched were marginally better than trying to engage with his text, but I still found it to be miles away from what I would consider entertaining. Sorry but keep up the great work! I may not be a fan for if he were to fade into obscurity then it would be a travesty.

@Jess – It’s as Simon says isn’t it? A good teacher is going to make a difference.

@Laza – Thanks for dropping by Laza. I’m glad you concur )

@Jeane – Thank you for your comment. I think a living ‘guide’ must be essential in the early days of learning Shakespeare.

@Gautami – Great to have you stop by. I guess the sonnets would be more manageable, but alas eve nthe thought of those make me cringe.

@Melanie – Hehehe..poetry – there’s another can of worms for me to open right there. I’m not a big fan of that either, aside from the war poetry of Siegfried Sassoon

@Kaila-Ann – Hehehe..Cliff Notes. Is that commonly known as cheating? Only joking! If it got you through him, and you learnt a little something in the process…

@Kaya – I get so frustrated by the amount of books we do have at our disposal, but I guess having so much choice does have its benefits too i.e. an excuse to sidestep Shakespeare )

@Lizzy – Great to see you drop by Lizzy. Why do I get the feeling I’m going to be decidedly underwhelmed by your revelation next week?

@Brittney – Eekk…that book’s on my reading list too

@Megan – Wow thank you such a lengthy insight into your Shakespearean experiences. You give me some hope, although if I’m honest – not much ). I’m glad you now find him more bearable though.

@Kristen – OH MY GOD Kristen. You REALLY ARE touching a raw nerve with me now ). But I guess I can’t see how you couldn’t adore Steinbeck , in the same way I can’t understand you love for The Bard. You’re still hurtin’ me deep though )

@Matt – Hehehe..so I’ve surprised you then? Cool! ) I’m so glad you get a lot of pleasure out of him though, and I’m not surprised by that. Funny you should mention Dan Brown. I teetered on the edge of adding the Da Vinci Code as well – complete and utter dross, and as a huge fan of Leonardo, I found it offensive too

@Krista – Great to hear from you!! Not spoken for a while! Well remembered on the degree although it’s actually a combined one i.e. Medieval History AND Archaeology, but I won’t hold it against you ). I DO love most things ‘ancient’ (although ancient would be more BC though), but sadly Mr. S. isn’t one of them.

I hope your choice isn’t a bad omen for me. I have Faulkner’s ‘As I lay Dying’ waiting in the wings
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Phewww..that’s a lot of replies to type out but it was so much fun. Thanks everyone. See you next Thursday!

i am also very surprised at your choice, rob. with a degree in medieval history, i just pegged you for the type that loves all things ancient me…i gotta say, i love the guy.

i pick “the sound and the fury”.

My pick for this week is Da Vinci Code. It doesn’t have any competitor. The literary blunders and infelicities just confound me.

I would never sit down and read Shakespeare for “fun,” I would say, but I don’t dislike him as much as I used to. Do I “get” him? Still, probably not. But I’m a little closer to understand now than ever before!