Commentary On His Times Before There Was Politics.
During the Elizabethan Era when William Shakespeare was writing and staging plays there were no  "news media" for the dissemination of  information and entertainment. Local theatres in London were social centers and also the main means of communication to other parts of England.
Travelling companies performed the latest plays and so the latest "political" gossip was spread; what was  happening within the Queens Court and in the Nobleman's castles were of interest to the populace in the countryside because their rate of taxation and whether they would be called to "bear arms" in defense of the crown, or to perhaps  invade another, rival nation.
So, as we watch the Democratic National Convention (it's pretty hard to avoid as the presidential election has been central to broadcast and cable TV  since January of 2007!) the "elected representatives," the 535 Congress-persons and Senators have become America's royalty, the Bushes, Clintons and Kennedys seem to have have a familial (in the Bushes case there is Jeb Bush's son) hold on our political system that will be interrupted if Barack Obama is elected President.
So, in Shakespeare's day, play and poetry recitations were the equivalent of Jay Leno and David Letterman commenting on the rulers of the realm. Of course during William Shakespeare's time one could literally "lose his head" for speaking disrespectfully of the Royal family.
Nowadays, The Orlando Shakespeare Festival is performed before the most highly educated members of our society rather than the common people as in Shakespeare's' day, Click:http://wn.goldenprose.com/?q=node/2232
There is a new Performing Arts Center under construction in Downtown Orlando, Click: http://wn.goldenprose.com/?q=node/2259
Many writers of "Letters to the Editor" in The Orlando Sentinel  worry about paying for the bonds that are financing the $408 million dollar Performing Arts Center, Click; http://wn.goldenprose.com/?q=node/2242 
The Orlando Shakespeare Riots Copyright 2008 Steve Lee All rights reserved
Think Orange Center Copyright 2008 Steve Lee All rights reserved 
20 Reads August 26/ 78 Reads September 4
 
 
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