James Earl Jones Performs Shakespeare at the White House Poetry Jam: (3 of 8)

[Copper389]

MUFASAAAA!!!!

[darthlopezrl]

10000000 level speechcraft

[teched246]

Illuminati...Occult....Reptili­ans

[iChrisCudi]

@teched246 theres a bigger meaning. Its time to start thinking outside the box.

[ShaShaZane88]

"This only...is the WITCHCRAFT...I have used.." CHILLS

[KenpoMoogy]

@Pariah77 - You so crazy!!!

One of our country's national treasures right up there with Maya Angelou



[capone50]

@TallBoyBlue underrated? James earl jones is one of the most renowned theatre actors of our time. Movie acting was more or less a side job for him. His real passion was the art of drama.

[DanRooster]

Genius: Shakespeare. JE Jones.

[TayGJuggalette]

I bet you guys didn't know that this guy was also the guy who played Darth Vaders Voice as well :DD

[CliffyGiffy]

You are part of the Rebel Alliance and a traitor!

[jesuisdavid1]

He's great...I love Lawrence Fishburn's portrayal as well

[LiptonPeachLover]

So we are all connectet... in the great circle... of life :) ( I'm german sry if it is wrong ) But i love it :D

[eronan03]

I know this is an obvious comment, but "how the hell can you NOT like this?"

[nujac321]

Masterful!

[misslivinlife88]

he hasn't aged at all!

[RichMaxwell]

When the camera cuts to the people in the audience...Everyone, of all ages... even the kids, Every from from Joe Biden to Malia Obama... It doesn't matter how old you are...Everyone is completely captivated and enthralled by his voice and the stories he tells. Truly an Amazing Man, and a remarkable Talent.

[RichMaxwell]

@RichMaxwell ...another very under-rated voice? Paul Harvey (radio host) :)

[julionica]

He has always made me emotional in everything he is a part of, such a great talent!

[nognilk]

now what if James Earl Jones and Maya Angelou when on a date.

How would their conversation sound like?

[DarkStageFilms]

@nognilk what if Morgan Freeman was the waiter.

[theatlantisrise]

"Talent" is an understatement as big as his stature and as profound as his voice. J.E.J is a NATIONAL TREASURE!

[ShaolinViolin]

lol i kept imagining darth vader

[BeatBreakJ]

his voice has a substance to it, meaning . its amazing to watch.

[alvinaluvsu]

SIMBA...REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE! ;)

[mrchristian87]

why deosn't this video have like a million views????

[Tang0Fox1]

This man could read the phone book at it would sound dramatic. Listening to him and others of the older generation I feel ashamed at my younger bretheren who waste their opportunities.

[227060]

12 people are rebel scum

[Snkerbar]

was Tyler Perry and his buffonery there,,,, i was at work, someone let me kno

[ethanm1011]

Joe Biden looks like he's about to fall asleep... again... at 2:09

[vibeuk2003]

"This only is the witchcraft i have used" (1.3. 168)

Every time he says that line I get goosebumps... fabulous. And who says Shakespeare's language is hard to understand? Only with a seasoned and genius thespian can Shakespeare be interpreted so effortlessly. I raise a glass to James Earl Jones. Bravo

[hamlet1976]

Joder,que bueno es este hombre.

[simplyhaydn]

HE IS MAGNIFICENT.

[kohakuinscribed]

MUFASA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!! <3

So much wisdom

So much beauty

So much eloquence

So much power

This is the voice of AWSOMENESS

[hakkujin]

He's a national treasure. How very fitting that he would be invited to the White House to read poetry. 

[7curlycue]

He speaks with such passion, giving listeners the true meaning & significance of every single word spoken. His powerful voice is phenomenal

[DowntownClown69]

his...voice...is...awesome

[JayMi91]

Absolutely amazing.

[wesmonite]

cant even memorize a phone number....simply amazing

[0Xorcista0]

i love this man, he can really deliver any character with such an emotion, pasion that make you believe every word . Is its so pleasant to listen to this man. I have seen him in some movies and really love all of his characters.

[2000agogo]

I couldn't get a thing here....Help me!

[BigCityJoeGreen2]

:D, ok. Lol...

[YakomoFujikawa]

Obama's like "cool story bro" at 4:03

[akinith]

I have trouble understanding Shakespeare's writting most times, but when he is reading it, it doesn't matter. He was so immersed in it and it flowed so well it was ridiculously amazing!

[teddybeazzy]

im sure that if william shakespeare were to have witnessed this stunning portrayal of Othello, even he would be moved that his own words could be spoken with such eloquence and power

[secteur20]

I Can Seat Hours And Listen To His Reading.. I Wish I Could Read Like Him and the voice..Waou..lol

[Ved0000]

Imagine him and Paul Robeson singing I Got You Babe

[TMusic5]

Perfect. Absolutely, perfect.

[zxiSPYxz]

My dreams just came true. I watched this three times, the first as it is now. The second and third with my eyes closed imagining Darth Vader and Mufasa reading me Shakespeare. Childhood be sated.

[elite0311]

Ok now Ted Williams

[jimosfear]

This is cool. I like the "true I've married her" part. One of my favourite parts of this is normally "she gave me for my pains a world of sighs" which Jones changes to "a world of tears" in this performance. Perhaps the sexuality of "sighs" was considered a bit too sexual for a white house performance. It still doesn't stack up to Olivier ! (not even close)

[BigBlackRod]

@jimosfear I don't agree. PEACE.

[xDinomanx]

I may not be familiar with this piece from Shakespeare but James Earl Jones doing it is enough to catch my attention. The way he did the voices, the way he portrayed the character, there is no doubt. When James Earl Jones portrays a character he becomes that character in a second. Fantastic poetry.

[George6360]

Shakespeare ..such food for the soul. A time when a mans words were meaningful , a time before people spoke without thinking.

[sondano]

@George6360 a time when people were burning people alive a time without freedom without antibiotics without electricity. I'm so glad I don't have to live in the 16th-17th century

[227060]

@sondano its true 21st ftw

[H0ndaC1v1c94]

Mufasa!?

[lifeissweetified]

@H0ndaC1v1c94 Yesssss!!! someone plz make a lion king dub to this !!!

[the13element]

The name's Bond... James Earl Jones.

[Redpath9]

This man's voice has more range than most singers.

[Shaddyboi101]

His voice......enough said.

[813impulse90]

James Earl Jones, in my opinion, has the greatest voice of all time. Morgan Freeman is close behind but James has the best voice. I wish he would narrate my life.

[Pariah77]

I strongly believe that God has the same voice as James Earl Jones

[HerpsnInverts]

luke hughh i am your father

[1FineTunedWalrus]

DARTH VADER!!!

[WAKEUPshift111]

He has to do very little acting... just his voice and the way he talks is good enough

[docterphreak]

@WAKEUPshift111 That IS acting! LOL

[RainStormEvening]

The Beautiful , Great Genius JAMES EARL JONES !!!

[OptimusGonzoo]

Maybe there's a certain Irony of James Earl Jones reading Othello, but it seems like he can relate to the character a lot in his own experiences, just from what he said from about 2:00 to the end. Almost like he's seeing Othello's experiences in his own life. He's done so much, from the Army to theater to acting and voice acting, probably has had a few Desdemonas of his own, too.

[PresidentChoob]

9 people are deaf.

[muffin8or]

I'd much prefer to hear green eggs and ham. More interesting.

[theofficefan731]

genius

[iCheesey]

does anyone else really want to listen to him perform green eggs and ham now?

[halofan1179000]

What the Heck does William Shakespeare has to do with Witchcraft?

[dwtrumble]

@halofan1179000

Are you kdding? The three witches in Macbeth? The ghosts in Hamlet? The fairies in Midsummer Night's Dream? Shakespeare's all about the supernatural! In context though, the scene in question was the Venisian senate suspecting the "Moor" Othello of using witch-craft to steal away the white daughter of a senator, one of the many times he has to contend with suspicion due to the colour of his skin.

[Davematt325]

Favorite celebrity voice, hands down.

[keemosabbi]

I took an interesting comprehension to this - lifes process in acting because of - acting because of such a life; Othello's explaination as an ordinary chap. It would be neat to see Mr. Jones perform live, although due to circumstances of LIFE one should be happy being able to see it just as well. (of course all of us comprehend differently and plug what we think is important) All this crap aside, Mr. Jones is getting old; but there is no school- like; the old school.

[ZEDOFLAMENGO]

When Bush was in office, he had invited Chuck Norris and Billy Ray, to perform Homer's Iliad and Odyssey in Ancient Greek, then he woke up and said...dang these boys linguistically challenged in English just as myself, better keep it simple and easy by sticking to some good ole country Texan Ranger gunslinging poetic masterpiece .....lololololol...

[stevevandien]

@ZEDOFLAMENGO Please provide evidence for your assertions:). Best, Steve

[ZEDOFLAMENGO]

@stevevandien  sorry steve, it was just a joke not to be taken seriously.

Best, ZE

[MrOldtimeCountry]

Does the hair stand up on anyone else's neck when they hear this awesomely talented man reciting Shakespeare? I agree with Klunket and Rexter2k9, this man is really a master with nearly unmatchable skills. WOW!

[stevevandien]

@MrOldtimeCountry Mine certainly does --- I LOVE James Earl Jones:) -- Best, Steve

[snaxlepaxle]

I'm going to need a new pair of pants. And the next time I remember this, or come across it, another pair as well. James Earl Jones is in cahoots with the pants industry, or at least the pants cleaning industry.  I swear it.

[KLUNKET]

James Earl Jones is a master of the arts. What has happened to talent like this? Today's society has become infatuated with reality shows, and overnight success. We are forgetting all of the life long studied entertainers! It's like trading a Cadillac for a PINTO!

[Rexter2k9]

@KLUNKET

More like a Mercedez for a Pinto

More to the point however, James Earl Jones is just awesome.

His ability to enunciate his speech and intensify every conceivable part is pretty much unmatched in oratory skills.

Long story short: He'd got the skills to pay the bills

[MrOldtimeCountry]

@Rexter2k9 - agreed!!!

[mrchristian87]

@KLUNKET pinto with a spoiler and neon lights!

[letuer5]

@KLUNKET james earl jones is no cadillac. james earl jones is an enzo.

[StatusUpdateTV]

I was there. yay!

[bscotty919]

God, James Earl Jones is a fantastic actor.

[Electric2000]

James Earl Jones is an inspiration. What a magnificent delivery.

[savehost]

Beautiful. From a man that claims he used to stutter all the time, he sure has done well for himself.

[BlasphemousPothead]

WOMEN: Do you prefer deeper voices in men?

WOMEN: Do you prefer deeper voices in men?

WOMEN: Do you prefer deeper voices in men?

[Yattutroll]

James Earl Jones, FUCK YEAH!

[Kulikan]

Find his lack of faith disturbing.

[SoNofThundeR89]

Tax dollars or not...it's money well spent...haha...fantastic post!

[GymnasticsISlife96]

his voice, Morgan Freeman's and Ladysmith Black Mambazo's have the most calming and beautiful voices ever. This was mesmerizing.

[freeqwerqwer]

I wonder if tax dollars are paying for these stasrs to appear in the White House......and how much.

[doIsoundlikeicare]

How much would you need to be paid to walk into the white house and brush shoulders with the Obama's? ... How conservatively biased would you have to be to need to be paid more than a token? ... How lacking conviction & resourcefulness do you need to be to be full of questions for us, when you could find answers?

[pvonberg]

When you don't observe the integrity of the Shakespearian line and take pauses all over the place you turn the speech into a shambles.

[mattman2900]

Shakespear himself is looking on thinking "I'd have could used a man like him." well, something along those lines.

Great interpretation, and glad to see he added his own flavor to it.

[chrissy2007]

exceptional he's the best

[bluedolphin227]

Simply amazing. He could read me the phone book and I'd be excited LOL

[lookwotisaid]

@bluedolphin227 LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!

thats funny as hell

[brownshugazucar]

where can i find this monologue?

[XxXpOrChMoNkEyXxX]

anyone else notice how he was crying a lil bit

[liu2006peng]

simply amazing his interpretation! what a voice!

[Mozafunkula]

Enchanting!

Shakespear and Earl Jones, how grand is that?!

[Rexter2k9]

I always liked JEJ, but wow, this just blows one's mind

[poshknacker]

i was moved, thank you.

[swivelskank]

haha i just closed my eyes and pictured darth vadar :) great reading thought it was awesome!

[zitubia]

3:35 to 3:48 do i think of a teacher in harry potter.

The one who can see into the future.

JEJ is awesome. =)

[bistrosidecar]

That was pleasure to hear.

[canace1123]

1 Word WOW!!!!

[DanRooster]

He. is.perfect.for.Othello

[rmf86]

this is most excellent.

[nitzwalsh86]

Why didn't Pres. Bartlett invite you? You're awesome! I will have you read merchant of Venice if you're still alive and I'm PM, in Canada, with some somewhat altered verbiage...

[poop4charity]

James Earl Jones as Othello! that is so epic

[stevevandien]

I wish we had all of Jones' Othello on film, or at least on record --

[Trainwreck1989]

we do, go to amazon and type in james earl jones othello

[stevevandien]

Thanks for the info:) --

[ladydragon7777]

shakespear was a playwrite not a poet

[nintendowns]

he wrote both plays and poems.

[whathappenedtojake]

PLAYWRIGHT not playwrite

and he was a poet also

he wrote many sonnets

[davethebrave]

"Luke...I'm 90% sure that the Emperor's prescience doesn't lie when it says that Jar-Jar wasn't your father. Because seriously. They had a thing, your mother and him. It was weird. So your dad is probably R2."

[Gaffapediahus]

OMG Darthvader is in the white house.

[Ponchochickendoc]

James Earl Jones was only nominated for an Academy Award, he never won- or at least not yet.

He has won a couple of Tony's though.

[chelcie3]

Thanks for that. I was about to post the same thing.

[jdoge13]

Why is Darth Vader reading Othello?

[Ponchochickendoc]

Probably because he has played Othello, and plenty of other great roles.

[nitzwalsh86]

Well... JEJ is fuckin' awesome.

[nitzwalsh86]

Because trans dykes feel their transness spilling forth, feel lies drip down between their legs... to ensure a male voice, though a butch voice rattle 'gainst stone walls, to scream a girl, though a tough, though masuculine girl, would still echo against stone wall, but her not being there, I shall not be, shall be a weak impression, she loved me for the girliness I have ached for, she loved me, have pitied me, this only, is the witchcraft, I have used.

[lafathis]

When Mr. James Earl Jones speaks, I don't have to comprehend the words, but I feel them-which maters more!

[starwarsfreak1111]

I have said it before and I will say it again:

JAmes Earl Jones would be the best man to tell a bedtime story.

[withoutasong]

Not only is James Earl Jones the man, but he was also The Man....as in the 1972 film "The Man," which featured him as the first fictional portrayal of an African American President.

[bob555555]

haha that's one of the most misquoted lines of all time. He never says 'Luke, I am your father'. It's "No, I am your father".

[Dahrol]

James Earl Jones = the man!

[headshotkillz]

WHO GIVES A FUCK, JAMES EARL JONES IS THE FUCKING MAN. Besides, his voice is as soothing as a Taiwanese Mesues

[musicshapedhole]

Man, that guy is amazing. What a story teller...

[Voltron1980s]

Luke, I am your father. Simba I am your father, lol.

[mowriter]

"The HEART of Communications!"

[MasterLeeMochow]

Unity for all Humanity

master Lee Mochow

[withoutasong]

Jones was always excellent, I wish he could read for audiobooks he is so demanding and dramatic in his voice!

[BlackStatic500]

James Earl Jones reading Dr. Seuss, now that would blow my mind

[labeba1nika]

I want him to be my grandpa! So he can read books to me and the family! He has such a blessed voice

[Isambay]

Great!

[iantoddmanning]

A true national hero! Probably the one true actor who deserves to come to the Whitehouse! James Earl Jones, we salute you!! :D

[Mayofour]

It's nice to have a President and First Lady whose idea of culture is NOT "Larry the Cable Guy."

[813impulse90]

@Mayofour

I would rather have a president who has a ""Larry the Cable Guy" view of culture and knows how to properly run his country than a "cultured" president who knows not how to run a country.

[gregoryusa1]

@813impulse90 I hardly call providing US citizens with false evidence in order to build a case for war killing helpless thousands of Iraqi's in addition to sending kids in uniform to needless death and permanent disability as "how to run a country." Give me a break! What george bush did was an act of treason, and anyone who believes otherwise is a fool and certainly no patriot.

[813impulse90]

@gregoryusa1

An act of treason? I hardly call defending our country an act of treason. What other evidence was needed other than the fact that we were attacked by terrorists? If Bush committed treason, then did FDR as well? He sent soldiers off to both Europe and the Pacific to defend our country from the Japanese who attacked us and to aid the Allied forces in Europe. He didn't have to come up with any other information. And if Bush handled that poorly, how has Obama done better? He hasn't.

[BriannaRae1102]

@Mayofour The central revelation in anthropology is that the world into which we were born, does not exist in an absolute sense. Each culture is just one model of reality. The consequence of one particular set of adaptive and intellectual choices that your lineage made, however successfully, generations ago. It is refreshing and inspiring to have this new President and First Lady

[BleuLightPress]

Great event

[secondsilo]

Amazing! I love James' work, he's so powerful.

Thanks James!!!!!

- Andy Garza

[sanfordhousing]

The words of Othello sound much like the ramblings of a malaria victims dreams as much of the bards words do .( White House) poetry lovers they looked deeply engaged,then disturbed by Othello's plight, his soul ravaged by war? ( The Vice President also) The relief was that compassion could and would heal him,the White House reacted as if it were a tribal gathering ,the delivery timing and compassion? Thank you for James African American experience it has created a contribution the world needs

[VinnyG113]

Wow, can he command a room's attention.

If more people performed Shakespeare as well as Mr. Jones, he would definitely be more popular amongst those who don't regularly attend Shakespearean plays.

[conweez]

I don't think most people really reflect upon the meaning of the word "impeccable." Most people use it in a context which denotes perfection, but, if you break it apart, the word impeccable literally means "without sin."

"im=without" "peccable=sin." I prefer to think of the word in its literal incarnation; and despite the fact that human beings are innately flawed creatures, I hope we at least try to be more impeccable in this sort of way!

[3kadamba3]

Nice James, real nice, rock the house! :)

[Kenya101]

amazing. I've never focused that hard in my life.

[truengineer]

James Earl Jones!!!

[pulpwood2g]

james is one of the best actors that has ever lived

[Beadbud5000]

James Earl Jones - Impeccable!

[mancer0]

this was cool btw :)

[mancer0]

Okay, Now add the Vader reverb and mask! BOOSH!

[Kengikat]

DO IT JAMES. YEAH!!!!! HE ROCKS

[iluvviolin356]

WOW!!!!! BRAVO!!!

Totally mesmerizing.

[maxpowers518]

This is CNN.

[gambori666]

WOW. The King of Zamunda !!!!!

[beaglenuts55]

LOVE James Earl Jones--an incredibly gifted actor and human being.