So every year, the branch of Sigma Tau Delta, an English honors society, at my college has a Halloween party where people show up in costumes that follow a literary theme.  Everyone always gets really creative, because you can be anything to do with literature and English, not just characters from books and plays.  I've seen some interesting ones over there years, and even though this will be my last Halloween party with them, I'm brimming with costume ideas!  I'm eager to share a few of them with you, and don't forget that most of them will be available in the Notes From Carcosa Online Store! <3

My costume this year

1.) Antony and Cleopatra - While they are technically historical figures, Shakespeare did write a play about them!  Also, I'm doing this one this year with Mike, so no stealing.  It's pretty simple to find both of these costumes preassembled, although the headdresses that come with the preassembled Cleopatras are sometimes lacking (I ordered this one to replace it).  The hardest part for us has been finding sandals for Mike in the winter.  Cleopatra's shoes are a little easier; you just need a pair of gold heels or some simple sandals.  If you'd like to make the costumes a little more interesting, you could add snake bracelets to the Cleopatra costume or a gladiator helmet or shield and sword to the Antony costume.  Also, wigs don't generally come with the costume, but it's simple enough to pick one up for a reasonable price.  Just try not to confuse Antony and Julius Caesar when dressing up: Antony is usually depicted as a warrior type, while Caesar is depicted in a toga, the calm leader.

2.)  Abigail Williams - Anyone who has seen or read the Crucible remembers the ultra bitch, Abigail Williams.  Accused of witchcraft in the first place, she goes on to blame everyone else, first as self defense, then as a device to get rid of the wife of the man she has been having an affair with so that she can have him all to herself.  At one point, she goes so far as to stab herself in the stomach with the wife's sewing needle, and that is the basis for this costume.  All you really need is a good pilgrim costume, a knitting needle, some scissors, fabric glue, and some fake blood.  It sounds like it might get a little crafty from that list, but it's pretty simple. Just cut a small hole at the seam near the stomach, insert the needle (perhaps add some padding to protect yourself), glue it into place with the fabric glue, and top it off with the blood!

3.) A Plot Twist - Here's something clever and simple that can translate over to something less nerdy when you're all done being and English geek.  Start with a '60s girl costume and some go-go boots, then all you need is a sign around your neck that says "plot" and some wicked dance moves!

4.) Gregor Samsa - Kafka's pitiful protagonist from The Metamorphosis is pretty simple and straightforward; all you need to be is a giant beetle (I personally picture a giant cockroach). For added detail, you could tape/glue a fake apple onto his back.

5.) Hubris - Hubris is one of those things that's always represented in literature, so I thought it would be fun to tackle it as a costume.  It's open to anyone's ideas and interpretation, but I was able to think of a few fun elements that could be added to the costume.  Start with this shiny disco shirt (don't forget to let the chest hair hang out) and some tight black pants.  Add some fake D&G sunglasses with a huge logo, and slick back or spike up the hair with copious amount of hair gel.  For the final touches, ad a pocket brag book with pictures of your Porche, your mansion, your corner office, and your Olympic medals, put on your WWE Championship Belt, and set your ringtone to SexyBack.