Thankyou Shakespeare

Men I’m amazed. What a brilliant idea. Agnes is a hero. I think about Shakespeare in his grave, he would have never imagined that his plays would do what they do today, and will keep on doing for many years to come. Shakespeare might have known that his plays were a big deal and that many people would be identified with the characters’ feelings and actions, but I don’t think he would know that his plays would change the life of a criminal. And I think about art, art it its many forms and interpretations and I have come to the conclusion that art might be a savior or a killer. A killer because it might make people crazy, many bohemians kill themselves because they are overwhelmed and can’t deal with so much emotion. In this case it is a savior. For this guy that played Leartes, this role changed his life. He realized he could be so much better and he wants to be a better man because found out that if he committed to something he could do it. He said that criminals were cowards, that he had been a coward and he doesn’t want to be one again, thanks to Shakespeare.
And the guy that plays Claudius and regretted the murder of his brother, and he himself regretted his crimes could let go his most underground feelings thanks to his role. And the one that played the ghost of Hamlet’s father that felt that his victim, the man whose life he had taken was talking through him while playing the role, he was able to communicate with him and let go of his hard feelings, thanks to the ghost.

I have acted, I don’t consider myself an actor but I do like acting and I have done many productions and enjoyed every minute of them. The feeling is the key. It is very easy to fall into reciting line without even knowing what you are saying. It even happens to me while reading Hamlet and I have to stop and say “wait, what? Let’s go back”. If you don’t feel or understand what your character is saying you might better give up the acting. I guess there is no better way to act an emotion than have had the emotion yourself. I would love to see the prisoners acting Hamlet. I think that everybody has felt a little Hamlet in their lives, and if they haven’t, they will. I know it is possible to really cry while acting, or burst out laughing, genuinely, and feel anger or sadness or joy. I believe in these criminals. I found myself smiling listening to this episode, I was touched. We are supposed to hate criminals, but I really felt like hugging them. What if reading Hamlet I find the answer to my doubts and easy troubles (compared to the criminal’s), and I feel as much or close to what this play should make you feel. Then I would have to thank Shakespeare, as these criminals thank ever since they discovered him. Also thank Agnes for taking into action the project that has shaped their life in a better way that they have been shaping it. The feeling is the thing, wherein you’ll catch the essence of your being.