Shakespeare and comedic enhancement

Shakespeare’s Sonnet revolves around him belittling a woman, due to the differences in her actions and what he believes a woman should be doing. While ultimately still showing love for her despite those differences. This idea is further enhanced within the BBC comic relief video. Catherine Tate and David Tate both provide amazing performances that aid in improving many aspects of Shakespeare’s sonnet. Catherine’s character is more lively while still encompassing the “Dull” characteristic that’s described in the original sonnet. Often interrupting the class and making snide comments about the teacher as he desperately tries to move the conversational topic back to Shakespeare himself. Eventually, this leads to the teacher confronting the student, much like how Shakespeare confronts the women for acting improperly. The student then proceeds to perfectly and passionately recite Shakespeare, during which he sees some shock and slight hints of respect come from the teacher’s facial expressions. We can interpret this to be the other idea within Shakespeare’s sonnet that despite the many imperfections there is still love for the person. Finally, the confrontation between the two ends with the teacher transforming the student into an action figure and continuing the lesson. Overall the comedic skit serves well to present the idea despite what could be deemed as “flaws” love and admiration can still be seen within a person. Despite Catherine Tate’s character being portrayed as rude or annoying, we notice that the character has an extremely in-depth understanding of Shakespeare, being able to recite it flawlessly and connect its themes to a real-life situation. The Skit enhances the theme by connecting it outside of the simple idea of politeness and beauty, but rather connects the theme to the characteristics of intelligence and wit, and how they can be present within characters who might not act in those ways at face value.

– Eduardo Ojeda Jr

Incarnation of the Poet?

Catherine Tate embodies a pretentious, annoying teenager who is seemingly not fond of authoritarian figures or English. Yet, could she be read as the subject of poetry itself? While there are English fanatics, in this case David Tennant, who aim to simplify and transmit the beauty of poetry, to many poetry is nothing more than a babbling tale of unnecessary (and at times dishonorable) complexeties. Sonneet 130 itself brings up some complex and controversial themes around sex and love. He is obsessed with his lover, but he is seemingly degrading her? (Lines 9-10) The poem is about how he loves her, but it is also making a statement against societial norms? (Lines 5-6, 14). Line 14 specifically seems to be a jab at society and even poetry saying “As any she, belied with false compare”, referencing the oh-so-popular comparisons and symbols that dominate culture.

It is ironic that in this sketch Tate personifies the babbling tale of poetry by talking back, being disrespectful, and simply unbearable yet she recites Sonnet 130 perfectly like any other Shakespeare nerd. I believe this is a fun jab at literature and poetry too, like holding up a mirror to all the english fanatics. Is this what we look like as we go on and on about simple things in the tiresome form of and sonnets and ironic comparisons? This sketch enhances Sonnet 130 because it simplifies it in a fun way. The audience isn’t cracking their brains open trying to understand what in the world Shakespeare is on about, instead we can sit back and enjoy the ruckus while the english teacher gets a taste of his own medicine.

Darah Carrillo Vargas

The New Shakespeare

In William Shakespeare’s Poem “My Mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun”, He portrays the theme of love, beauty, and personality as he speaks of his lover and the different characteristics she maintains. Talking about the different aspects of her beauty, he ironically compares her to many other things that he believes is beautiful, such as the sun and roses and claims that she is less beautiful than these things. This can be seen through the quote, “My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun.” This brings up the theme of superficiality with how love should not only be seen from the outside but one should value another person for being real and with all of their flaws. Tying back to the comedy skit with Catherine Tate as an impulsive short-tempered student and her irritated English teacher David Tennant, enhances Shakespeare’s sonnet by Tate refusing to learn Shakespeare and absorb the information refers to a traditional student as they refuse to learn the poems.

A Bit Like Shakespeare

William Shakespeare while quite a controversial character in history, without a doubt, has obtained such an influential effect on today’s society. His published works are seen everywhere, referenced in many movies and TV shows, and read in school classrooms. But yet, even so, the interpretations of the meanings of his works remain varied tremendously. People can’t seem to come to an agreement on what certain pieces, and plays of his represent.

This is primarily demonstrated in the BBC Comic Relief skit with Catherine Tate and David Tennant. Where Tate plays an ill-mannered English student and Tennant her new English teacher attempts to introduce the class to Shakespeare. Tate’s continuous lack of being able to voluntarily cooperate during the lesson and puns promptly made toward Tennant represents to us her refusal to absorb the material. She repeats, “I be not bothered” to play on the Shakespearean rhyme scheme and phrasing in order to bother Tennant’s character even further. On the other hand, though, the meaning of Shakespeare’s sonnet is transformed by this comedy skit right when she begins reciting, “My Mistress’ Eyes are Nothing Like the Sun” perfectly from beginning to end. It shows that despite her seemingly uncooperative behavior, the irony is that the sonnet can still be followed and represented. Similar to how, despite all of the strict rules placed upon Shakespeare’s sonnet, it is often through breaking these rules that a true piece of art and poetry can be made. Just like how it was appointed within the classroom.

Patricia Brewer