In the beginning of september, we are live from the Nations Capital for the National Book festival celebrating its 15th year. This is on book tv. Announcer tonight on cspan, q a with Michael Witmore regarding the Folger Shakespeare library. Then, progressives and campaign 2016 and a look at republican president ial primary tactics. Announcer this week on q a, our guest is Michael Witmore director of the witmore of the Folger Shakespeare library. Brian lamb Michael Witmore director of the Folger Shakespeare library. When did you first notice in your life all editions using shakespeares quotes life politicians using shakespeares quotes . Director witmore it was hard to escape shakespeare, because politicians, whether they know it or not, are using shakespeares words. It is something that allows politicians to connect with audiences, and when they quote shakespeare, it gives the politician a certain kind of weight and half and heft. Brian lamb you said that robert byrd was probably the gr
Director witmore it was hard to escape shakespeare, because politicians, whether they know it or not, are using and often saying shakespeares words. It is something that allows politicians to connect with audiences, and when they quote shakespeare, it gives the politician a certain kind of weight and heft. Brian lamb you said that robert byrd was probably the greatest senator to use the words of William Shakespeare in the senate. Director witmore yes, robert byrd was the cicero senator, and he used ornate clauses and that is one of the distinctive things about him that worked on the floor. Brian lamb we have a clip of him on the senate floor talking about him using shakespeare. [video clip] senator byrd oh that my tongue were in the thunders mouth, then with a passion would i shake the world, one drop of blood, drawn from by countrys thy countrys bosom. Aye, it is written having such a jewel, and these covering heavens fall like dew to inlay heaven with stars. As these, covering heaven
Emphasis on at all. Is that fair . Director witmore well, i think that politicians are using shakespeares words, whether they know it or not. He invented a lot of words. For example, he invented the word bedroom. So they are going to use a lot of words on the senate floor. I think that shakespeare is kind of in the bloodstream of our culture, and we often get him wrong, but we are close enough that people can hear that connection. Brian lamb we found this fun video on youtube. We dont who the man is, maybe you know the voice . But he does exactly what you talk about, putting quotes together that people dont know are shakespeare. [video clip] if you cannot understand my argument, and declare, it is greek to me, you are quoting shakespeare. If you are saying, it it is more sinned against than sinning, you are quoting shakespeare. If you quote salad days, you are quoting shakespeare. If you act more in sullen than in anger, if you Say Something vanished into thin air, you are quoting shak
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