The British Library & The Globe Theater
While in London there were an immense amount of Museums, Tourist Attractions and Sites to see in the one week that we were staying there. My Journal Entry from Tuesday, May 28th explains my initial feelings about our time in London.
" We left for London today, and we will be here in London till next Tuesday when we will leave for home bright and early on the 4th of June. This last week is going to be difficult, because I think we are all feeling the strain of the trip at this point. Having spent over two weeks together, doing various group activities, along with surprising costs and busy schedules the group as a whole, as a class, and as individuals is ready to be back in the states, or at least I am. There are many things that I want to see in London, but I think I will be doing a lot of exploring on my. Much of what I want to see is art and art museums and not everyone will want to do these things. I have made a list of places I want to go, and also how much they will cost and how to get there on the Underground (The Tube), so that I can find my way around by myself.
Two of the most exciting enriching experiences in London was going to see "A Midsummer Night's Dream" By William Shakespeare at the Globe Theater, and going to the archives in the British Museum.
 This photo is of the Globe from
the outside, with the Millennium pedestrian bridge in front of it. |
 The inside of the Globe, was recreated just as
it had been when Shakespeare first performed. We got tickets in the pit, right
in front of the stage. We stood for the 3 hour comedy, but it was definitely
worth it. |
Seeing Shakespeare performed in London, in a replica of the original Globe Theater where his works were first presented, was an amazing experience. Shakespeare is a Literary name known by the whole world, and for 6 pounds I had to opportunity to stand and watch the language and comedy of his play come to life. A Midsummer Night's Dream is one of Shakespeare's most endearing and comical plays, and it is one that I have seen performed before and read many times. But there is no comparison between a high school Shakespeare production and one put on by Professionals at the Globe Theater, London, England.
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Another site that thoroughly impressed me while in London, was the British Library. Shown here, the immense building was within walking distance from our Hotel. The Library includes volumes of sacred texts, original literary volumes, the sound archives and much more. |
I was thrilled by the classical and jazz music sound archives and the volumes and range of literature and historical documents. The Library held the Magna Carta from 1215 , as well as Shakespeare's first folio from 1623, The only surviving copy of the medieval manuscript of Beowulf, as well as more recent masterpieces such as the handwritten lyrics to the Beatles' fifth single, "I want to hold your hand, written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney and shown in McCartney's handwriting from 1963. Leonardo Da Vinci's notebook beginning in 1508, which contains an array of material from notes and drawings on everything from "mechanics to the flight of birds." Crossley, Heather and Anne Young. The British Library Souvenir Guide, London: The British Library Board, 1998.
 Lewis Carroll's original version of Alice in Wonderland. |
 The only surviving manuscript of Beowulf. |
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