August 9, 01 The Highlands

Weekender

Why Shakespeare still matters

Amanda's

adventures in reading

Amanda Wilk

Why does Shakespeare still matter? Who cares about a man ho lived 400 years ago? Why would anyone bother trying to nderstand Elizabethan English? You may have asked these ery questions while grappling with one of Shakespeare's lays in your high school English class. Maybe you even feel imilarly today. What I hope to do in these next few pararaphs, is not only express the impact that Shakespeare's orks continue to have on society today, but also highlight the ower that theatre exerts on the world, and in doing so demontrate that more than ever, Shakespeare matters. At its best, theatre will transport you on a journey, in which ou're able to witness worlds separate from your own, and in he end, gain a great understanding of not only the society that Published by Publishers of 146 Highland St., P.O. Box 360, Haliburton, Ontario K0M 1S0 PHONE: 705 457-1037 FAX: 705 457-3275 WEBSITE: www.haliburtonecho.ca EMAIL: jenn.watt@sunmedia.ca Box 97, Minden Ontario K0M 2K0 Box 360, Haliburton, Ontario K0M 1S0 PHONE: 705 286-1288 Fax 705 286-4768 WEBSITE: www.mindentimes.ca EMAIL: jenn.watt@sunmedia.ca Copyright 2011 you are a part of, but yourself. In Romeo and Juliet and As You Like It, we see life through the eyes of young people, who are trapped within the society their parents have crafted, and are left wondering how things could have gotten so bad. Macbeth, Julius Caesar, Henry V, and Coriolanus, are just a few examples of plays in which Shakespeare shows his audience representations of both noble and unjust leaders. For example, in Macbeth, we see a man who becomes so consumed by his quest for power that he is willing to sacrifice all principle in its pursuit. By viewing his descent, we are able to gain a better understanding of the idea that power corrupts when it is pursued as an end in itself. In recent history, many of Shakespeare's plays have acted as mirrors held up to society, offering new perspectives on the present day. For example, in 1937, Orson Welles directed a now famed production of Julius Caesar, which was reset in fascist Italy; highlighting the parallels between Caesar and Mussolini. More recently, productions of Romeo and Juliet have been reset and staged in war torn regions including Iraq, where the star crossed lovers are no longer only divided by family, but also religion. The continued relevance of Shakespeare can also be noted from other angles. For example we still use over 1,700 words that Shakespeare has been credited with inventing. Moreover, today many of Shakespeare's most popular quotes, have become so ingrained in our culture that they are no longer immediately recognized as the Bards words. Shakespeare's relevance is one of many topics that will be further discussed at The Shakespeare Club, a program being run by Haliburton County Public Library at the Dysart Branch. The club meets every third Thursday from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in the Dysart Meeting Room, and will next meet on Aug. 16. For more information call 705-457-2241 or email awilk@ haliburtonlibrary.ca. Amanda Wilk is a recent graduate from Dalhousie University's Master of Library and Information Studies Program. She will be working for Haliburton County Public Library for the next few months.

Resources to help you get a taste for healthy living

Elsie Azevedo

Registered Dietitian

There is a simple prescription for staying healthy that does not require a trip to the doctor. As you get older, eating well and staying active are very important for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Both help to reduce your risk of heart disease, certain cancers, diabetes and osteoporosis, while helping you to attain and maintain a healthy weight. Regular physical activity can also help you strengthen muscles and bones, maintain balance and flexibility, and stay independent. Canada's Physical Activity Guide (www.csep.ca/

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guidelines) provides tips on how to get the minimum of 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every week recommended for people 65 years of age and older. Begin with 10-minute blocks of physical activity, and work up from there. Move up to 20 to 30 minutes every second day, and then try 30 minutes of activity four or five times per week. If you're not sure how to start being active, consider walking since it is easy, inexpensive and allows you to spend leisure time with family and friends. Healthy eating is also important for your well-being as you age. Following the recommendations in Eating Well With Canada's Food Guide (www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/food-guide-aliment/index-eng.php) can get you started on the right path. You should also take into account that your nutrient needs change over time. For example, everyone over 50 years of age should take a daily Vitamin D supplement of 10 ug (400 IU). To main- Continued on page

Visit our websites at www.haliburtonecho.ca or www.mindentimes.ca

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