17 February 2012

Shakespearean March Madness: Who Makes the Playoffs?

Those of you who have been following our blog for at least a year now will remember last year's Shakespearean March Madness game. For the entire month of March, we debated which Shakespeare character could best all others in a no-holds-barred match. Might versus magic, cunning and guile versus brute strength and military prowess -- We debated and you decided. Last year's finals came down between Queen Margaret and Henry V, and the lady won the day in a stunning come-from-behind victory.

Some of you got really into this. Our actors and audiences alike embraced the rivalry between Richard and Margaret. Our friend Colin encouraged his high school class to participate, and they kept a running bracket on their whiteboard, which he was good enough to share with me:

This year, I'd like to open up nominations for who should be included in our 32 competitors. Did someone get left off of last year's list who you think deserves a shot at the title? Did any Cinderella story make it last year who you think didn't warrant the slot? And how about last year's greats -- which of them absolutely must stay on the ballot for this year?

But here's the catch: If you want to convince me to add someone to the Final 32, or to kick someone off, I need evidence from the plays. You must support your candidate with quotes, clips, artwork, photos, or other supplementary materials. Make your case, and make it strong.

Let me know who you think should be named 2012's Shakespearean March Madness Champion! Answer here or ping me on Twitter.

2 comments:

  1. A couple entires on my top 10 Shakespeare badass lists got left off last time: York, Philip the Bastard, Paulina, Marina, Cordelia, Portia (Merchant).

    But I want most to push for Cassius to get on the list. From his very first scene he exudes slow-boiling wrath coupled with silky-smooth deceptive rhetoric. Caesar is right to note his "lean and hungry look," and doubly right to say "he thinks too much. Such men are dangerous." Cassius' heroic defiance of the supernatural storm sets him apart from the fearful Casca and Cicero, and his utter self-assuredness and ruthless manipulation make him strong contender in any matchup.

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  2. Faulconbridge from KING JOHN. No explanation necessary to those familiar with the play -- he's funny like Falstaff, but he kicks serious behind on the battlefield as well.

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