Understanding American Identity in Shakespeare

The transcript discusses the struggle of American actors and readers in finding their own identity within Shakespeare's works, often feeling an inferiority complex compared to the English. It highlights the challenge of personalizing Shakespeare's language and making it resonate with an American voice. Chris Walkin is praised for his unique and improvisational approach to Shakespeare, which is rare among American actors. The transcript concludes by emphasizing the need for American performers and readers to claim Shakespeare's works as their own.

What is one reason Americans struggle with Shakespeare according to the speaker?

• They find the language too simple.

• They have an inferiority complex relative to the English.

• They are not familiar with the historical context.

• They dislike the themes of the plays.

What does the speaker suggest is still present in American views towards the English?

• A desire to surpass them in theater.

• Disinterest in their culture.

• Adoration for monarchy and civility.

• A sense of rivalry.

What challenge do American actors face when performing Shakespeare?

• Finding an American voice within the plays.

• Understanding the historical context.

• Adapting the plays into modern settings.

• Memorizing the lines.

What does the speaker believe American actors should do with Shakespeare's works?

• Follow traditional interpretations.

• Translate them into modern English.

• Break it down and recreate it in their own image.

• Avoid performing them.

How did Chris Walkin approach Shakespeare's language?

• He used a comedic approach.

• He ignored the original text.

• He crafted it in a unique and improvisatory way.

• He followed traditional interpretations.

What was notable about Chris Walkin's performance as Yago?

• He performed it as a comedy.

• He made the language vicious and improvisatory.

• He ignored the original text.

• He used a traditional British accent.

What is rare among American actors regarding Shakespeare's works?

• Performing in British accents.

• Successfully claiming the language as their own.

• Understanding the themes.

• Memorizing the lines.

What does the speaker identify as a challenge for readers of Shakespeare?

• Understanding the old English language.

• Claiming the works for their own.

• Translating the plays into other languages.

• Finding the original manuscripts.