Was Shakespeare a Feminist?

Female empowerment is much in the news today, from actor Maisie Williams calling out a sexist tweet to heads exploding over the idea that a major party has nominated a woman to run for president. (Yes, I'm going to keep mentioning this because it's important!) Over at the Bill/Shakespeare Project, they're asking the same question and they've enlisted actor Eleanor Matsura to discuss it, along with her role as Hippolyta in A Midsummer Night's Dream. (I love this play but for the life of me, I'm always having to check whether it's Suumer Night's or Summer's Night.) You can watch it here.

And if you're in a mood to binge-watch some Shakespeare, you'll want to check out their YouTube Channel. It's crammed with goodies from a production of King Lear with John Gielgud, Judi Dench (Goneril) and Kenneth Branagh to radio broadcasts of the plays and documentaries on subjects both Shakespearean and tangential (Who killed Cleopatra?)

The Bill/Shakespeare project is an absolute treasture trove.

Ian McKellen and Judi Dench in Macbeth

Yes, #ShakespeareWeek continues with another fabulous YouTube find, the 1978 Royal Shakespeare Company's version of Macbeth starring Sir Ian McKellen and Dame Judi Dench. Yes, Shakespeare royalty. You can see it here. The production is stripped down, minimalist and intimate, with semi-modern dress. McKellen was 39, when he played Macbeth, Judi Dench, 44. McKellen, at 5'11" is nearly a foot taller than Dench, and that physical disparity makes her seem almost fragile at times. But watching her face as she gives voice to her ambition--bemoaning that Macbeth is so full of the milk of human kindness--and the way she seduces her husband into regicide, you have no doubt that this is one DANGEROUS lady.  It's a terrific production.

Ms. Tomlinson is going to Washington

Photo by Mihal Tamasila

I have been in an eye study for the past three and a half years. My doctors are testing the use of a drug called Lucentis (already approved for age-related macular degeneration) on diabetes-rekated retinal bleeding. (Judi Dench has the age-related kind and she's going blind, so it's a serious condition.) I was an undiagnosed diabetic (none of the symptoms) for several years (no medical insurance) and damaged my eyes significantly before a routine eye exam discovered  my retinas were in bad shape.
Lucentis is a miracle drug.  When I started the study I was losing my color vision, which meant I really wasn't comfortable driving. I had a lot of trouble seeing gray cars if the morning was cloudy. Reading was a challenge. And I read for a living. Enter Lucentis...and three years later, I'm driving again. I'm reading books again.
So I've been asked to come to DC and talk to the Feds about the drug as part of the approval process. I am happy to do this for all the right reasons but also happy because my brother lives and works in the area and I'll be able to see him for the first time in a couple of years.
I've served on a jury. I vote. And now I'm testifying to a committee.  That about ticks off the list of participatory Democracy actions.  (I guess I could run for office.)  I have to say, I think it's kind of cool.
I'll be back on Friday. Stay cool.