Journal 2 - Shakespeare

 

10/24/2000

Henry V, War Criminal? And Other Shakespeare Puzzles by John Sutherland and Cedric Watts

“Cleopatra – deadbeat mom?”

               He hints at the idea of famous women not being seen as mothers.  But would it have been a sexy queen with four young children in tow?  Not likely.  Cleopatra must be a sexual entity to counter Octavia, that’s why no kids.

 

“The Watch on the Centurion’s Wrist”

               Makes more sense when put this way  Does answer the question of how Romans did tell time.

 

“Too Much in the sun: Is it Summer in Elsinore?”

               I do wish it had given a clearer idea of the passage of time in the play.

 

“Where is the Ghost From?”

               Interesting about the four avenging sons as well as the ghost and how believable he is.  The idea of the ghost as stupid is an interesting one.  He sets such a destructive path.   Destroys his own house and lineage.  Perhaps he really is the ghost of Fortinbras’s father.  That would explain a lot, wouldn’t it?

 

“Desdemona’s posthumous speeches”

               I like the idea about Othello trying to cover his own butt.  Does seem to make a point.  But does everyone pay attention?

 

“Albany’s Amnesia and Poor Tom”

               Edgar is not messing up and Shakespeare knew everything.  But good point about the common people.

 

“How ancient . . . “

               On Lear’s age, “As strange, that is, as if Queen Elizabeth II were to hold her throne until 2015 (long, incidentally, may she reign!) then were to abdicate in order to spend more time on the hunting field and at London cocktail parties, keeping King Charles III and Lady Camilla awake all hours by roistering late nights with her equerries and ladies-in-waiting” (52)

               [Note – Welp, it would have been something to see]

 

Interesting and little acknowledge fact about Juliet.  Especially when he calls Romeo a child molester.  Perhaps Shakespeare made Juliet so young to accent Romeo’s flaws.  If you agree that Romeo is in love with the idea of being in love with the unattainable, this his evidenced by his desire for Rosalind. Who desires to be a nun, and Juliet who is the daughter of his family’s sworn enemy.  By having Juliet at such a young age, Shakespeare makes her more unattainable because of the wait, or what should be, the wait before sex.  Romeo desires her because he can’t normally have her because of her (1) family and (2) her age.  Also Juliet’s youth makes Romeo look far more immature and less manlike because of this chit of a girl seems stronger in mind and more mature than he.

 

“Wherefore art thou”

               Okay that makes sense.

 

“Lady Macbeth’s Faint”

               Only a woman!!!  What is that suppose to mean?  Not all women have the qualms about blood that Lady Macbeth does (and is it the blood from the crime or the resemblance to her father?).  Not even in Shakespeare is this the case, look at Titus.  Juliet and the dagger.  Geez.  Sexist statement.  While Macbeth’s indifference to his wife’s faint does (or could) herald the later, brushing off of her death and why would he grow that cold that quickly?  Especially when the banquet scene furthers that idea.  Disagree with Sutherland, I think she did fake it.  Ambitious and crafty she is.

 

“Hamlet’s Knees”

               Of course the douche is faking.

“Cleopatra’s Things”

               I think he misconstrues this.  Cleopatra is faking and does a convincing job of it.  The play shows us that she loves to act, to put on a show.  This is just another one of her shows, a convincing show.  She’s smart.

 

“Othello’s Hankie”

               Interesting.  Never noticed that about the handkerchief before.

 

“Richard and Time – Woodstock’s Murder”

               Okay.

 

“Hal and Francis – War Criminal Claim”

               Of course, Henry’s claim isn’t valid.  I couldn’t help but think that Dr. Fitter [Note – my graduate Shakespeare prof] would have loved the comment about the common solider isn’t fit to be ransomed.

 

“Viola’s Eunuch Plan and Mal”

               He doesn’t really touch upon the idea of Olivia and the switch.  And why can’t she buy clothes.

               Good explanation of how Viola got in the Duke’s service.

               But still, I can’t help to think bout the whole ending, including the whole Malvolio part is a bit unsatisfactory.

 

“Cuckhold Oberon and dogs”    

Again, Fitter would love this.  And yes!  Oberon got his!  But still poor Titania, rape.  That part of the play  always makes me feel funny.

 

“Shylock” “Portia”

               She gets what she deserves, I think.  Wonder if/why Jessica is unmusical until she leaves her father.

 

“Muddle” “Corpse” [Troilus}

               Have to reread Poe’s “The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar.  But it is really about sexual corruption.  There are no healthy relationships beside, perhaps, Hector and Andi.

 

“Feminist Play”

               No, it’s not.

               Of course, now I want to see Oliver’s version of 12^th Night and Lear.  The way authors incorporate modern movies and events.

 

“Why Does Duke”

               Interesting.

 

“Cannibals”

               What’s wrong with Titus, why don’t people like it?  Watts compares self destruction behavior to the other plays.  But ignores the fact that Titus kills  his son in the same way that Lear and the duke exile their children.  Also Duke Leto.

               Self destructive behavior is the rejecting of children.

 

Good book!