{"id":1803,"date":"2015-04-29T17:11:07","date_gmt":"2015-04-29T15:11:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/fascinating-america.com\/blog\/?p=1803"},"modified":"2015-04-29T17:11:07","modified_gmt":"2015-04-29T15:11:07","slug":"star-wars-going-back-to-go-forward","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/fascinating-america.com\/blog\/star-wars-going-back-to-go-forward\/","title":{"rendered":"Star Wars: going back to go forward"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The next <em>Star Wars<\/em> movie is months away, but its second &#8220;teaser trailer&#8221;, out since mid-April, has already got fans excited.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/ngElkyQ6Rhs\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Those of you not very familiar with <em>Star Wars<\/em> may at least recall how the overwhelming popularity of the &#8220;original trilogy&#8221; \u2014 Episodes IV through VI, which came out in 1977\u201383 \u2014 contrasted with <a title=\"Star Wars: the never-ending story (Mike Pilewski)\" href=\"http:\/\/fascinating-america.com\/blog\/star-wars-the-never-ending-story\/\">general disappointment<\/a> at the &#8220;prequels&#8221; \u2014 Episodes I through III, which came out in 1999\u20132005. The prequels put enormous effort into special effects while failing to deliver the smooth plot or memorable dialogue for which the original trilogy is known.<\/p>\n<p>The makers of <em>Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens<\/em>, scheduled to arrive on December 18, have taken all the criticism seriously. They&#8217;re promising a return to the aesthetics of the original trilogy, with live-action shots using models and only a minimum of computer-generated imagery.<\/p>\n<div class=\"simplePullQuote right\"><p>&#8220;This is a period piece that we&#8217;re bringing forth&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>At a major fan event in California this month, production designer <a title=\"'Star Wars' design team teases 'Force Awakens' themes (AP)\" href=\"http:\/\/news.yahoo.com\/star-wars-design-team-teases-force-awakens-themes-222251238.html\" target=\"_blank\">Rick Carter said<\/a>, &#8220;Seven comes after six. It doesn&#8217;t come after three. This is a period piece that we&#8217;re bringing forth. We&#8217;re always going back to go forward.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The strength of the <em>Star Wars<\/em> films, and the reason for their popularity, is their ability to combine every universal theme in storytelling. William Shakespeare did that, too, which is why his works are still popular 400 years after he wrote them. American writer <a title=\"Ian Doescher official site\" href=\"http:\/\/www.iandoescher.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Ian Doescher<\/a> made this connection in 2013 and decided to merge the two. The result is a series of stage plays called <em>William Shakespeare&#8217;s Star Wars<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>Episode IV (<em>Verily, A New Hope<\/em>) is full of references to Shakespeare&#8217;s original works.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; border: 0px; margin: 0px;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border: 0px;\"><strong>C-3PO<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 0px;\">Now is the summer of our happiness<br \/>\nMade winter by this sudden, fierce attack!<br \/>\nOur ship is under siege, I know not how.<br \/>\nO hast thou heard? The main reactor fails!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border: 0px;\" colspan=\"2\">\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Act I, Scene 1, <a title=\"Richard III (play): Act I (Wikiquote)\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikiquote.org\/wiki\/Richard_III_%28play%29#Act_I\" target=\"_blank\">referencing <em>Richard III<\/em><\/a>)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; border: 0px; margin: 0px;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border: 0px;\"><strong>Luke<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 0px;\">What light through yonder flashing sensor breaks?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border: 0px;\"><strong>Han<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 0px;\">It marks the loss of yon deflector shield.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border: 0px;\" colspan=\"2\">\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Act III, Scene 4, <a title=\"Romeo and Juliet: Act II (Wikiquote)\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikiquote.org\/wiki\/Romeo_and_Juliet#Act_II\" target=\"_blank\">referencing <em>Romeo and Juliet<\/em><\/a>)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Doescher&#8217;s genius really shines, however, when the characters&#8217; lines are expanded beyond the original. Compare:<\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; border: 0px; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border: 0px; width: 40%;\">\n<h4>Original<\/h4>\n<blockquote style=\"margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 5px;\">\n<p style=\"margin-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;\"><strong>C-3PO<\/strong> This way is much easier. What makes you think there are settlements over there?<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;\"><strong>R2-D2<\/strong> [various beeps]<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;\"><strong>C-3PO<\/strong> Don&#8217;t get technical with me. &#8230; <em>[Kicks R2-D2.]<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 0px; width: 60%;\">\n<h4>Shakespeare<\/h4>\n<blockquote style=\"margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 5px;\">\n<p style=\"margin-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;\"><strong>C-3PO<\/strong> The road herein is better far. Why dost<br \/>\nThou think that settlements will be found yon?<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;\"><strong>R2-D2<\/strong> Beep, beep.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;\"><strong>C-3PO<\/strong> \u2014 Be thou not technical with me,<br \/>\nOr else thine input valve may swift receive<br \/>\nA hearty helping of my golden foot.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Act I, Scene 4)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border: 0px; width: 40%;\">\n<h4>Original<\/h4>\n<blockquote style=\"margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 5px;\">\n<p style=\"margin-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;\"><strong>Stormtrooper<\/strong> Look, sir! Droids!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 0px; width: 60%;\">\n<h4>Shakespeare<\/h4>\n<blockquote style=\"margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 5px;\">\n<p style=\"margin-left: 10px; text-indent: -10px;\"><strong>Stormtrooper<\/strong> Behold, Sir, either someone large hath dropp&#8217;d<br \/>\nHis ring, or else this fragile circle here<br \/>\nDoth mean we have found droids on Tatooine!<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Act I, Scene 5)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>Cult character Boba Fett, almost silent in the films, gets a brief soliloquy in <em>The Empire Striketh Back<\/em>, as do various monsters. These include the space slug, from whose belly the spaceship <em>Millennium Falcon<\/em> escapes.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; border: 0px; margin: 0px;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border: 0px;\"><strong>Exogorth<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 0px;\">To be a space slug is a lonely lot,<br \/>\nWith no one on this rock to share my life,<br \/>\nNo true companion here to mark my days.<br \/>\nAnd now my meals do from my body fly \u2014<br \/>\nWas e&#8217;er a beast by supper so abus&#8217;d? &#8230;<br \/>\nI shall with weeping crawl back to my cave,<br \/>\nWhich shall, sans food, belike become my grave.<br \/>\n<i>[Exit.<\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border: 0px;\" colspan=\"2\">\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\">(<em>The Empire Striketh Back<\/em>, Act III, Scene 4)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The strongest dialogue in the films \u2014 between mercenary Han Solo and Princess Leia Organa \u2014 is also the best here.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; border: 0px; margin: 0px;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border: 0px;\"><strong>Han<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 0px;\">Your Worship, prithee let me be direct:<br \/>\nI have one Lord and Master: &#8217;tis myself,<br \/>\nAnd only from that one take I commands.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border: 0px;\"><strong>Leia<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 0px;\">A wonder great that thou art still alive!<br \/>\nNow prithee, shall this walking carpet be<br \/>\nRemov\u00e8d from my path?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border: 0px;\" colspan=\"2\">\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\">(<em>Verily, A New Hope<\/em>, Act IV, Scene 6)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>In an afterword to each volume, Doescher explains what exactly about <em>Star Wars<\/em> is so Shakespearean, and what was done to make it more so. For example, as in the real Shakespeare, the characters often speak in asides in order to explain complex plans, actions and thoughts.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/fascinating-america.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/william-shakespeares-star-wars_768px.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-1820 size-medium\" title=\"William Shakespeare's Star Wars: Verily, A New Hope\" src=\"http:\/\/fascinating-america.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/william-shakespeares-star-wars_768px-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"William Shakespeare's Star Wars\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"http:\/\/fascinating-america.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/william-shakespeares-star-wars_768px-200x300.jpg 200w, http:\/\/fascinating-america.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/william-shakespeares-star-wars_768px-100x150.jpg 100w, http:\/\/fascinating-america.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/william-shakespeares-star-wars_768px.jpg 511w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a>Both R2-D2 and Jar Jar Binks are cast as &#8220;wise fools&#8221;. They explain to the audience that they communicate in beeps, whistles or Jamaican baby talk so that the other characters will heed their ideas without debating them.<\/p>\n<p>Act V of <em>The Jedi Doth Return<\/em> reveals a hilarious &#8220;Easter egg&#8221; in every line spoken by Admiral Ackbar. Mace Windu&#8217;s dialogue in <em>The Phantom of Menace<\/em> offers similar surprises.<\/p>\n<p>Two books remain before the series is complete. <em>The Clone Army Attacketh<\/em> comes out in July, and <em>Tragedy of the Sith&#8217;s Revenge<\/em> in September.<\/p>\n<p>Sometimes you do have to go back to go forward \u2014 and whether or not Episode VII manages to be successful at this, <em>William Shakespeare&#8217;s Star Wars<\/em> already is.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The next Star Wars movie is months away, but its second &#8220;teaser trailer&#8221;, out since mid-April, has already got fans excited. Those of you not very familiar with Star Wars may at least recall how the overwhelming popularity of the &#8220;original trilogy&#8221; \u2014 Episodes IV through VI, which came out in 1977\u201383 \u2014 contrasted with general disappointment at the &#8220;prequels&#8221; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"http:\/\/fascinating-america.com\/blog\/star-wars-going-back-to-go-forward\/\">&#8230; >><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[30,110],"tags":[13,14,32,16,26,180],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/fascinating-america.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1803"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/fascinating-america.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/fascinating-america.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/fascinating-america.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/fascinating-america.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1803"}],"version-history":[{"count":43,"href":"http:\/\/fascinating-america.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1803\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1847,"href":"http:\/\/fascinating-america.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1803\/revisions\/1847"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/fascinating-america.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1803"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/fascinating-america.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1803"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/fascinating-america.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1803"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}