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Guest Post: Review: William Shakespeare’s Star Wars

Posted in Reviews, Spotlight with tags , , , , , on 1 December 2013 by Megan

This review is from my new favorite blog,  The Ramblings of a (Future) Jedi Librarian. I was given this book in August, and it is well worth the read for English majors, Shakespeare buffs, and Star Wars fans alike! But I’ll let the Jedi Librarian sum up.

In honor of Star Wars Reads Day, I’m reviewing one of the newest Star Wars books to hit the shelves.  This is quite possibly the oddest, yet coolest combination to come out from Quirk Books, who added Zombies to Pride and Prejudice to make a runaway bestseller.  This version by Ian Doescher combines my first love with The Bard, and as a former English major who took two Shakespeare classes I can’t resist it.  Translating the famous lines of Star Wars to iambic pentameter has some hilarious results, and translating some of Shakespeare’s famous lines to a Star Wars setting are equally hilarious.

“In time so long ago begins our play,

in star-crossed galaxy far, far away.”

These last two lines of the prologue, a re-imaging of the famous yellow crawl, invokes part of the prologue from Romeo and Juliet.  At least in my opinion.  The opening lines of Act 1 Scene one though is a clear parody of the opening lines of Richard the III.

“Now is the winter of our discontent,

Made glorious summer by this sun of York.” – Richard the II

Becomes…

“Now is the summer of our happiness

Made winter by this sudden, fierce attack!” – C-3PO

I laughed hysterically.  And it’s not the last time a line mirrors or spoofs a line from a Shakespeare play.  Clearly, Doescher knows his Shakespeare.  And his Star Wars.  The nods to Shakespeare are part of what makes this spoof so funny, it’s not just in iambic pentameter, it actually uses his plays as a template and inspiration.  And as Doescher believes, Star wars is full of characters and events commonly found in Shakespeare plays.  Lovers, sword fights, evil villains, rogues, princesses, good vs. evil, the old wizard or kindly friar like character.  Even if you aren’t familiar with Shakespeare, I think you’ll be laughing at the hilarity of it, or at the very least at the drawings of favorite characters dressed in Medievil dress.

Unfortunately, I found the almost constant asides by Obi-Wan and C-3PO anoying after a while.  I know Shakespeare utilized the aside to have the characters talk directly to the audience, but I don’t recall him using it as often as Doescher seems to.  A few times is OK, but in almost every seen starts to get annoying.

That being said, it’s my only criticism.  Overall it’s a hilarious retelling of a Scifi classic with classic literary flair.  I recommend it for English Majors and Shakespeare fans that also happen to be Star Wars fans, and for Star Wars fans that love a good laugh, and just happen to be Shakespeare fans as well.  In the mean time, I’ll be waiting for a Sheakespearean treatment to The Empire Strikes Back.

(review via; check the book out here)

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Maybe?

Posted in Fun with tags , , , , on 20 July 2012 by Megan

So the Star Wars Librarian is moving tomorrow. I’d say that might slow down posts around here, but *looks around* *crickets* Yeah, I’m sorry about that. Anyway, a couple weeks ago as the roommate and I were making one of our last drives between Hither and Yon, this dumb song came on the radio that I had never heard before and she insisted I listen to it. Well, I mean, she played it, and I was in the passenger seat. I don’t exactly get the appeal of bad music, so, you know? But then another friend linked me to this on YouTube and suddenly it all made sense: Obi-Wan wants my body. Wait, what?!

(If you can’t get through the first chorus without beginning to grin, you may not have a soul. Enjoy!)

I threw a wish in the well, [Vader E5, Leia E4, Vader E6, Tarkin E4, Luke E4
Don’t ask me, I’ll never tell, [Anakin E3, Luke E4, Leia E6
I looked to you as it fell, [Emperor E6, Vader E6, Luke E5, Yoda E5, Anakin E2
And now you’re in my way [Vader E4, Obi-Wan E4, Leia E4
I’d trade my soul for a wish, [Obi-Wan E6, Panaka E1, Obi-Wan E4, Anakin E2, Luke E5, Vader E4
Pennies and dimes for a kiss. [Qui-Gon E1, Stormtrooper E4, Luke E5, Han E5
I wasn’t looking for this, [Officer E4, Luke E5, Han E4
But now you’re in my way. [Yoda E5, Obi-Wan E4, Han E6
Your stare was holdin’, [Vader E5, Panaka E1, Obi-Wan E6, Padmé E2 deleted scene
Ripped jeans, skin was showin’ [Chewie E5, Leia E4, Threepio E1
Hot night, wind was blowin’ [Anakin E3, Anakin E2, Anakin E2
Where you think you’re going, baby? [Threepio E4, Han E4

Hey, I just met you, [Luke E5, Gold Leader E4,
And this is crazy, [Padmé E1, Luke E5,
But here’s my number, [Han E4, Han E6, Yoda E2, Obi-Wan E4
So call me, maybe? [Vader E6, Emperor E6, Obi-Wan E1
It’s hard to look right [Han E4, Yoda E1, Padmé E2, Luke E5
At you, baby, [Han E6, Padmé E3
But here’s my number [Threepio E4, Han E6, Threepio E6, Queen E1
So call me, maybe? [Obi-Wan E6, Threepio E4, Boss Nass E1
Hey, I just met you, [Han E4, Gold Leader E4, Padmé E1,
And this is crazy, [Threepio E4, Han E6,
But here’s my number, [Han E4, Han E6, Padmé E3, Queen E1
So call me, maybe? [Obi-Wan E6, Emperor E6, Yoda E5

And all the other boys [Anakin E3, Threepio E5, Han E4, Obi-Wan E4
Try to chase me, [Motti E4, Obi-Wan E3, Han E4
But here’s my number, [Threepio E4, Han E6, Anakin E3, Obi-Wan E4
So call me, maybe? [Vader E6, Han E4, Dooku E2

You took your time with the call, [Han E4, Obi-Wan E6, Obi-Wan E3, Luke E6, Ackbar E6, Han E4
I took no time with the fall [Obi-Wan E5, Obi-Wan E6, Obi-Wan E2, Yoda E5, Dooku E3
You gave me nothing at all, [Vader E6, Anakin E2, Vader E6, Threepio E4
But still, you’re in my way [Dooku E2, Vader E5, Obi-Wan E4, Wedge E6,

I beg, and borrow and steal [Bib Fortuna E6, Jawa E4
Have foresight and it’s real [Sebulba E1, Jabba E6
I didn’t know I would feel it, [Greedo E4
But it’s in my way [Jabba E6

Your stare was holdin’, [Anakin E3, Panaka E1, Obi-Wan E2, Padmé E2 deleted scene
Ripped jeans, skin was showin’ [Chewie E5, Leia E4, Obi-Wan E6, Threepio E1
Hot night, wind was blowin’ [Anakin E3, Anakin E2, Dooku E2
Where you think you’re going, baby? [Luke E4, Anakin E3

Hey, I just met you, [Luke E4, Threepio E4, Padmé E1
And this is crazy,  [Obi-Wan E4, Gold Leader E4, Leia E5
But here’s my number, [Emperor E3, Han E6, Emperor E6, Officer E4
So call me, maybe? [Vader E6, Luke E4, Obi-Wan E1
It’s hard to look right [Han E4, Padmé E1, Han E5, Luke E5
At you, baby, [Han E6, Padmé E3
But here’s my number, [Threepio E4, Han E6, Anakin E3, Obi-Wan E4
So call me, maybe? [Watto E1, Emperor E6, Dooku E2

Hey, I just met you, [Han E5, Gold Leader E4, Padmé E1
And this is crazy, [Obi-Wan E4, Threepio E4, Jar Jar E1
But here’s my number, [Obi-Wan E2 deleted scene, Emperor E6, Obi-Wan E4
So call me, maybe? [Emperor E6, Luke E4, Obi-Wan E1

And all the other boys, [Anakin E3, Leia E5, Obi-Wan E6, Gold Leader E4
Try to chase me, [Motti E4, Obi-Wan E3, Anakin E3
But here’s my number, [Han E4, Han E6, Windu E2, Officer E4
So call me, maybe? [Obi-Wan E6, Emperor E6, Yoda E1

Before you came into my life, [Luke E4, Leia E4, Emperor E3, Threepio E4
I missed you so bad– [Anakin E3, Palpatine E2, Panaka E1
I missed you so bad– [Anakin E3, Han E6
I missed you so, so bad. [Anakin E3, Palpatine E2, Obi-Wan E6, Han E4
Before you came into my life, [Han E4, Leia E4, Emperor E3,
I missed you so bad [Anakin E3, Vader E6, Luke E5
And you should know that [Obi-Wan E6, Qui-Gon E1, Han E6,
I missed you so, so bad [Anakin E3, Watto E1, Boss Nass E1, Leia E5

It’s hard to look right [Han E4, Yoda E1, Han E4, Obi-Wan E4
At you baby, [Han E6, Anakin E3,
But here’s my number, [Obi-Wan E3, Han E6, Emperor E6, Obi-Wan E4
So call me, maybe? [Threepio E5, Han E4, Yoda E5, Padmé E3

Hey, I just met you, [Han E5, Threepio E4, Padmé E1
And this is crazy, [Obi-Wan E4, Nute Gunray E2, Han E6
But here’s my number, [Threepio E4, Han E6, Anakin E1, officer E4
So call me, maybe? [Vader E6, Emperor E6, Obi-Wan E1

And all the other boys, [Anakin E3, Yoda E5, Anakin E3, Gold Leader E4
Try to chase me, [Motti E4, Obi-Wan E3, Obi-Wan E4
But here’s my number, [Luke E4, Han E6, Luke E6, Obi-Wan E4
So call me, maybe? [Vader E6, Anakin E2, Threepio E5, Yoda E3

Before you came into my life, [Threepio E4, Leia E4, Emperor E3, Sleaze Baggano E2
I missed you so bad– [Anakin E2, Shmi E1, Anakin E2,
I missed you so bad– [Anakin E2, Shmi E1, Jar Jar E1
I missed you so, so bad. [Anakin E2, Vader E6, Vader E6, Luke E4
Before you came into my life, [Obi-Wan E4, Leia E4, Emperor E3, Threepio E4
I missed you so bad [Anakin E2, Threepio E4, Boss Nass E1
And you should know that [Obi-Wan E4, Yoda E5, Obi-Wan E5
So call me, maybe? [Obi-Wan E5, Emperor E6, Yoda E1

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Galaxy of Passion

Posted in Fun with tags , , , , on 8 June 2012 by Megan

Just a quick one today, sorry. This is incredibly funny, probably less than family friendly, and definitely a telenovella I would watch religiously!

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Permanently Stuck

Posted in Fun with tags , , , , , on 23 March 2012 by Megan

I just got the Return of the Jedi soundtrack from the library today. I’ve never listened to it before, believe it or not, and I’ve really been enjoying it. However, there’s just one thing . . . I can no longer listen to the Star Wars Main Theme and take it seriously because I find myself humming the lyrics. “What lyrics?” you might ask — and well you might, because if you have to ask, I am so glad you are reading this post! I am about to introduce you to one of the best things ever. How is it the best thing, you may wonder, if I just described it as ruining the main theme? Well, I don’t mean ruin as in ruin, I mean ruin as in make better. Don’t believe me? Well, watch the following video.

I know, you didn’t know the main theme even had lyrics. But I guarantee you’re grinning right now. And really, isn’t that what fun Friday is all about? Grinning? Yeah, go watch the video again. Super enjoy. *humming* I am a Jedi, we are all good guys, last of our breed . . .

(PS, he promises to post lyrics to his site soon. Here’s hoping he does, because there are bits of that I am dying to know what he’s saying!)

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Happy Nevermind!

Posted in Fun with tags , , on 2 December 2011 by Megan

Image

The Slackers’ Holiday!

As I am pretty sure you are all able to tell, the Christmas season is upon us, and let me just stop right there and say I am so busy right now, I can’t even begin to imagine when I’m going to have time to keep you all entertained and answer your questions.

For the questions I have on hold, I deeply apologize. For everybody else out there, use this time to come up with stuff to ask me.

In light of the holiday season, why not troll for questions one of the biggest question-inducing mistakes George Lucas ever embarked upon, second only to The New Jedi Order? That’s right! The Star Wars Holiday Special, which I have never seen, but which our friends at Rifftrax will gladly offer you a sample of!

Merry Christmas, guys. See ya round.

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Let’s Watch TV!

Posted in Fun with tags , , on 4 November 2011 by Megan

Some of the brilliant comedic minds on YouTube have come up with a few opening credits sequences to your favorite television show and mine–The Star Wars Trilogy! Unlike the project George has talked about and/or threatened over the decades, these look like some great shows I’d definitely watch. Up first . . . Star Wars MacGyver!

Here’s a fun show about a young Jedi who tries to maintain peace and order in the galaxy in a small task force. It’s called Star Wars Five-0!

This is a good one, so set your DVR not to miss an episode of Star Wars: The A-Team, which . . . well, it’ll explain what it’s about!

Exciting, right? That Chewbacca is soo cool. On the other hand, if you love Tatooine and can’t get enough of well-meaning fellows getting into exciting scrapes, complete with lots of fast driving and short shorts, well, The Dukes of Star Wars might be your speed.

Everybody loves this show! Loves, loves, loves–I don’t know why it’s not still on the air! Anyway, Star Wars is about a bunch of friends who all live in the same building and have hilarious escapades! Remember “The One on Hoth,” where the dude was like, you can’t go out there, the temperature’s dropping too rapidly, and Han was all, “That’s right! And my friend’s out in it!” And then the guy was like, your tauntaun will freeze before the first marker! And Han said, “Then I’ll see you in hell!” And the dude said, “I’ll see you in hell!” and Han said, “I guess you will!” and rode off to rescue Luke? Ah, those guys. I love those guys.

For my final offering, another great 90s classic! And just because we like to switch it up, it’s not about the rebels this time . . . you know Palpatine’s the real star of the show, and he’ll prove it to you in electricboa’s “The Fresh Emperor of Bel Air.”

Anyway, that was a lot of fun. Now, if you guys don’t mind, I’m going to try to catch a few of these on TV. Enjoy!

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Special Deleted Scenes

Posted in Fun with tags , , , , , on 30 September 2011 by Megan

Okay, I know the Star Wars Librarian has been very quiet about the whole Blu-Ray controversy. Were you expecting me to weigh in? Well, then you should write and ask me a question like a decent person, so that I can come back and answer it and tell you all about my opinion. At this juncture, the only opinion of mine you’re entitled to is that I’m not interested in Blu-Ray and honestly don’t care what George Lucas does to his films because George is an egotistic old bat and will continue to do that which makes him money–that is, produce bastardized versions of his own work that will sell like hotcakes and then produce restored versions of his original work that will sell again, thus enabling him to sell double.

Anyway, the one thing I did find very interesting about the Blu Rays is the promised deleted scenes. None of the ones I’ve been desperately interested in, of course (like the Luke moisture farm, Tosche Station stuff), but nonetheless there are some really good, really interesting things we’ve been speculating on. Unfortunately, some of it didn’t make the release. But Hey Killer Films has done us a big favor and gotten some really special Jek Porkins footage that was removed from A New Hope and Return of the Jedi. Enjoy!

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