Did you ever think of Shakespeare as a lyricist? His poetry and prose are rhythmic enough to suit virtually any type of music.

Rapper Rated R has teamed up with William Shatner (of Star Trek fame) to create a rap version of Mark Antony's "Friends, Romans, Countrymen" speech called "No Tears for Caesar." 3 William Shatner and Eric McCormack star in a film called Free Enterprise, which is based on a group of filmmakers who attempt to make a movie about Julius Caesar. Some video rentals of this movie include the music video of Rated R and William Shatner doing their duet of the song. The BBC Film Review gives the film four of a possible five stars and calls the flick "a witty comedy that glows with self-deprecating humour."4

Rock and Roll also takes on Shakespeare in the 2002 album by various artists called "When Love Speaks."5 The album features talented artists performing music set to the words of Shakespeare. Some of the artists who contributed to the album include Annie Lennox, Keb Mo, Des'ree Rufus Wainwright, and Barbara Ferry.

Katie Pierson piersok@wilkes.edu