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TO READ NOR NOT TO READ – SHAKESPEARE

July 10, 2021

That is the question.

When, as a teen in high school, President Obama was assigned a Shakespeare play to read, he thought “My God, this is boring.”

He changed his mind after taking “this wonderful Shakespeare class in college.” He began by reading Shakespeare’s tragedies and “digging into them.” He began to love not only the depth and brilliance of Shakespeare’s words but the profound understanding he gained of people, and of “how certain patterns repeat themselves and play themselves out between human beings.”

To this day, Shakespeare continues to be a touchstone in President Obama’s life.

For those not fortunate enough to have a college professor who opens up the wonderful world of Shakespeare for them, the No Fear Shakespeare series can be an important first step in that direction. This series provides guidance in understanding and loving Shakespeare.

Each volume gives the complete text in its original splendor on the left-hand page, and “side-by-side with an easy-to-understand translation on the right.”

Perhaps, as was the case for President Obama, Shakespeare can become a resource, a joy, a lifelong companion, and a touchstone for others as well.