Shakespeare and Star Wars

Now that it's a proper trilogy all done, I couldn't resist getting the hardcopies in hard cover of Ian Doescher's 'William Shakespeare's: Star Wars', 'William Shakespeare's: The Empire Striketh Back', and 'William Shakespeare's: The Jedi Doth Return'. (Reviews here, here and here.)

I didn't buy the first book. Borrowed it. Now that the final and third book is out, I decided to grab the box set. Heheheh. It's odd isn't it? I avoid Shakespeare, and am a lukewarm fan of Star Wars. Put them together, and somehow Shakespeare's iambic pentameters work hilariously in Star-Wars-speak. In Shakespearean style, ensuring many captive audiences. There're plenty of Easter eggs in there, to Pride and Prejudice, Star Trek, Moby Dick, etc. It's so clever. Ian Doescher is brilliant.

Yoda's haikus threw me into fits of laughter in the first two books. Love them illustrations and the scenes. It takes more than good writing to make this trilogy a must-keep on the bookshelves. In this third and final 'William Shakespeare's: The Jedi Doth Return', I'm tickled silly by gangsta rap.

A gangster, aye, a gangster, O!
‘Tis well to be a gangster.
A blaster ever by thy side,
A stately barge in which to ride,
A fair, young damsel to thee tied,
‘Tis well to be a gangster.
A gangster, aye, a gangster, O!
Full many servants lend thee aid,
More guards than a Naboo brigade,
And bounty hunters on the parade—
‘Tis well to be a gangster.
A gangster, aye, a gangster, O!
‘Tis well to be a gangster.
The drinks all flowing fast and free,
A sarlacc pit not far from thee,
A rancor for thine enemy,
‘Tis well to be a gangster.
A gangster, aye, a gangster, O!
‘Tis well to be a gangster. 

~ Act I Scene 2, The Max Rebo Band sings a tribute to Jabba of the Hutt. An illustration pictured below.