Peter takes his time. Each word must be studied and considered individually before moving to the next: Danish, okay, this story takes place in Denmark or is about breakfast pastries. What next? Prince. Royalty is involved. That’s a twist. Does Denmark still have princes? What could come next?
I had a high school English teacher who was vocal about the fact that he made sure to use at least some details not pointed out in the CliffsNotes version of the book for the quiz. “…so if you want a good grade, you’ll read the real book.”
Tom Stoppard, who wrote “Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead,” also condensed Shakespeare’s text into “The Fifteen Minute Hamlet.”* Every line is from the original, but it hits all the plot points at breakneck speed. The Soliloquy/Nunnery Scene reads as follows:
Hamlet: To be, or not to be. That is the question.
Ophelia:(enters) My Lord!
Hamlet: Get thee to a nunnery! (Hamlet and Ophelia exit)
Polonius: Love? His affections do not that way tend. There’s something in his soul o’er which his melancholy sits on brood. He shall with speed to England.
*Actually, all five acts only take twelve minutes; the “Encore” is a further distillation down to three minutes.
OK, I’ll admit this: I’m over 60 years old, and I still find the Cliffs Notes and/or Spark Notes very helpful to me when I read a book with the accompanying notes. It helps me remember characters and plot lines as I read through the book. I usually read the chapter in the Notes first, then I read the actual book chapter. Good recent example: A Tree Grows In Brooklyn.
I had a couple of professors in college who would assign reading and essays, on the texts. They were well familiar with Cliff Notes and Spark Notes. They made sure to ask questions about material NOT contained in either. Not an easy A for many students.
Templo S.U.D. over 2 years ago
Danish prince also avenges his father’s death who was a victim of fratricide.
salakfarm Premium Member over 2 years ago
TL;DR.
Jesy Bertz Premium Member over 2 years ago
“2B or not 2B.”
The Reader Premium Member over 2 years ago
Alas, poor Yorick got cut!
NeedaChuckle Premium Member over 2 years ago
A LOT of people die!
rmercer Premium Member over 2 years ago
He was still working on the “ish”. “Is he a REAL Dane, half Dane, or just a wannabe Dane? You know, Dane-ISH!”
Katzen1415 over 2 years ago
Peter takes his time. Each word must be studied and considered individually before moving to the next: Danish, okay, this story takes place in Denmark or is about breakfast pastries. What next? Prince. Royalty is involved. That’s a twist. Does Denmark still have princes? What could come next?
tripwire45 over 2 years ago
Shakespeare is spinning in his grave.
hk Premium Member over 2 years ago
This kid is perfect for the NFL, no talent and no brains.
Tweet&Bleat over 2 years ago
I thought Hamlet was about baby pigs.
Jason Allen over 2 years ago
I had a high school English teacher who was vocal about the fact that he made sure to use at least some details not pointed out in the CliffsNotes version of the book for the quiz. “…so if you want a good grade, you’ll read the real book.”
fritzoid Premium Member over 2 years ago
Tom Stoppard, who wrote “Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead,” also condensed Shakespeare’s text into “The Fifteen Minute Hamlet.”* Every line is from the original, but it hits all the plot points at breakneck speed. The Soliloquy/Nunnery Scene reads as follows:
Hamlet: To be, or not to be. That is the question.
Ophelia: (enters) My Lord!
Hamlet: Get thee to a nunnery! (Hamlet and Ophelia exit)
Polonius: Love? His affections do not that way tend. There’s something in his soul o’er which his melancholy sits on brood. He shall with speed to England.
*Actually, all five acts only take twelve minutes; the “Encore” is a further distillation down to three minutes.
paranormal over 2 years ago
Students think their teacher won’t know they’re using Cliffs Notes…
dv1093 over 2 years ago
OK, I’ll admit this: I’m over 60 years old, and I still find the Cliffs Notes and/or Spark Notes very helpful to me when I read a book with the accompanying notes. It helps me remember characters and plot lines as I read through the book. I usually read the chapter in the Notes first, then I read the actual book chapter. Good recent example: A Tree Grows In Brooklyn.
phoenixnyc over 2 years ago
“Lion King”, but with people and without shitty music.
Stephen Gilberg over 2 years ago
You’re cramming and worried about spoilers?
sperry532 over 2 years ago
I had a couple of professors in college who would assign reading and essays, on the texts. They were well familiar with Cliff Notes and Spark Notes. They made sure to ask questions about material NOT contained in either. Not an easy A for many students.
asrialfeeple over 2 years ago
Do they have books about the Scottish Play?
John W Kennedy Premium Member over 2 years ago
As the late E. B. White put it, “Irtnog.”