The (Shakespearean) Chinese Zodiac

It’s the start of CHINESE NEW YEAR (a.k.a. Lunar New Year a.k.a. objectively the best new year).

I’ve covered the basics of Chinese New Year before, but this year I thought it would be fun to run through the Chinese Zodiac and give each animal sign a Shakespearean equivalent based on that sign’s supposed characteristics. (Don’t argue with me about any of them. Like astrology, this is entirely arbitrary and for entertainment purposes only.)

Don’t know your animal sign? Find the one that lists your birth year. Shakespeare was born in 1564, so he’s definitely a Rat.

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Xin nian kuai le, gong xi fa cai, and other new year greetings to my Asian, semi-Asian, and Asian-adjacent readers out there! May your hongbao be plentiful.

Previously Owned Equines

Today's comic is mostly an obscure conglomeration of in-joke, because sometimes you have to do that. 

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The passage in question is this one, from Macbeth:

ROSS

And Duncan's horses--a thing most strange and certain--
Beauteous and swift, the minions of their race,
Turn'd wild in nature, broke their stalls, flung out,
Contending 'gainst obedience, as they would make
War with mankind.

Old Man

'Tis said they eat each other.

ROSS

They did so, to the amazement of mine eyes
That look'd upon't.

Murderers Anonymous (part 2)

Let's check back in with everyone's least-favorite support group...

Poor Steve.

(Thanks to Chris Prentice for letting me borrow Steve.)

Upcoming Appearances

I'm giving the opening address at the Utah Shakespeare Festival Wooden O Symposium! Here are all the fun details:

WHO: Me!
WHAT: Opening address at USF's cross-disciplinary Shakespeare conference! I'll be talking about Good Tickle Brain, comics, and Shakespeare! 
WHEN: Monday, August 7, 5:00pm
WHERE: Movie Theatre, Sharwan Smith Student Center, Cedar City, Utah
WHY: Because they asked me!
HOW: My talk is free and open to the public! Just show up!