Written yesterday afternoon (July 15):

I know I have been somewhat negligent in updating this week, but my first essay is due today at 3, so I've been busy! It was only a 6-8page paper about Shakespeare's use of the supernatural in his tragedies, but for some reason, I actually found it pretty hard to write. I think it's partially the whole first paper syndrome, but I do also have to blame the very distracting nature of Oxford. As cool as Shakespeare's tragedies are, there are a lot of awesome and distracting things to do around here. But the paper is now complete. I basically wrote about how the whole culture surrounding clothing in Tudor England (look up Tudor Sumptuary Laws sometime, interesting stuff!) helped Shakespeare to write characters for which the audience would easily suspend belief. This is, I argued, one of the reasons that his witches and ghosts were successful characters even. It's not the best paper I've ever written, but it's not the worst either, so we'll see how it goes.
In order to write my paper, I re-read Macbeth and read King Lear for the first time. I really enjoyed both plays, but I especially loved King Lear. For some reason, it tends to be one of the least-liked Shakespeare plays, but I wholeheartedly disagree. It's full of betrayal, treason, the removal of eyeballs and other such fun. Then (spoiler alert) all the good guys die and the bad guys live happily ever after. It's awesome.
We also went to see the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of "A Winter's Tale" last night at Stratford upon Avon. Shakespeare's birthplace is disappointingly commercialized, which is rather unfortunate. I will admit, however, to purchasing a few awesome things in the gift shop, including an eraser that says "Out, damn spot!" and a button with the quote "And though she be but little, she is fierce," from A Midsummer Night's Dream. The production itself was pretty good. The set was incredible, and for the most part, the acting was great. I was, however somewhat disappointed at the actress they chose for Paulina. Still, it was pretty cool. Next Wednesday we're going to see "As You Like It," which should also be good.

Time for class!