> It seems like I remember some attempts to do Shakespeare in modern English. They usually bombed. Maybe the old way is best.

Whoa, I hope you weren't putting words in my mouth. I am absolutely opposed, on artistic grounds, to doing Shakespeare in modern English. Such productions are curiosities, perhaps, but can't equal a faithful production almost by definition. My modern language illustration was intended to show how the line should be delivered, not how it should be rewritten. The old way is clearly the best. Unfortunately what many mistake to be the "old way" (the melodramatic delivery) has to have come about since the way of speaking in Shakespeare's day was past. The *real* "old way" is to speak the archaic words like an actual, normal, feeling person.

On the other hand, I acknowledge that manner and tenor must have evolved as much as language has. But these things are not integral parts of Shakespeare's plays -- they are not recorded in any way, shape, or form, nor should they be. The words should remain intact; the acting should be convincing for the time period in which it is performed yet faithful in spirit to the words.