Thursday, March 28, 2013
Review of the Shrew
As Kate's submission is the oldest among our four plays assigned for these two months, I shall begin with the Taming of the Shrew. Let's see whether I discover anything new about this play, which has been done to exhaustion!
Thanks, Guys!
It is almost the end of the month and I am letting go of Julius Caesar. I am in love with this play. It seems so timeless and so current. Genius.
I am haunted by Caesar, and I sense that my uneasiness with him is akin to Brutus's: power concentrated in one person is frightful. What happens when the rule of law becomes the rule of one? Decisions become arbitrary and capricious, justice disappears, liberties are curtailed. For Brutus, the idealist, this prospect is unacceptable and that moves him into action. I sense the same indignation laced with fear that prompts thousands of people to recklessly take to the streets to protest against their government.
I was also convinced that Wills decided not to exploit the historical rumor that Brutus may have been Caesar's son, and these artistic choices fascinate me. Perhaps it is because we are reading all of Shakespeare, I am overall interested in Shakespeare's development as an artist, his influences, his context and especially the choices he makes as a writer, more than I am trying to catch every detail of every play. I believe that going back to his first plays will be very productive, as well as continuing reading the different biographical studies we have at hand.
I was captivated by Marjorie Garber's articulation of the central conundrum in the play: the conspirators go out to kill Caesar the public figure, the symbol, but they end up killing Caesar the man only.
Although Cassius is drawn even with less detail than Caesar in this play, I feel very drawn to him: he is the obsessive compulsive, the skinny bundle of anxious energy, the smarty pants who drives the story. I'll agree with Bloom that he is a precursor for Iago, although Iago is the meanest son of a gun, while Cassius is just a disgruntled roman nobleman (noblesse obligue?)
I am still at odds with this young Mark Antony, although I admire how Shakespeare shows us his highs and lows in a very transparent way. He still has to grow into his toga to become the flawed tragic hero in Antony and Cleopatra.
One last tidbit before I say goodbye to this crew of romans: How awesome is it that Shakespeare killed Cinna de poet "for his bad poems" in an homage to his buddy Chris Marlowe?
So bye for now, guys! I will get back to you as soon as I can!
I am haunted by Caesar, and I sense that my uneasiness with him is akin to Brutus's: power concentrated in one person is frightful. What happens when the rule of law becomes the rule of one? Decisions become arbitrary and capricious, justice disappears, liberties are curtailed. For Brutus, the idealist, this prospect is unacceptable and that moves him into action. I sense the same indignation laced with fear that prompts thousands of people to recklessly take to the streets to protest against their government.
I was also convinced that Wills decided not to exploit the historical rumor that Brutus may have been Caesar's son, and these artistic choices fascinate me. Perhaps it is because we are reading all of Shakespeare, I am overall interested in Shakespeare's development as an artist, his influences, his context and especially the choices he makes as a writer, more than I am trying to catch every detail of every play. I believe that going back to his first plays will be very productive, as well as continuing reading the different biographical studies we have at hand.
I was captivated by Marjorie Garber's articulation of the central conundrum in the play: the conspirators go out to kill Caesar the public figure, the symbol, but they end up killing Caesar the man only.
Although Cassius is drawn even with less detail than Caesar in this play, I feel very drawn to him: he is the obsessive compulsive, the skinny bundle of anxious energy, the smarty pants who drives the story. I'll agree with Bloom that he is a precursor for Iago, although Iago is the meanest son of a gun, while Cassius is just a disgruntled roman nobleman (noblesse obligue?)
I am still at odds with this young Mark Antony, although I admire how Shakespeare shows us his highs and lows in a very transparent way. He still has to grow into his toga to become the flawed tragic hero in Antony and Cleopatra.
One last tidbit before I say goodbye to this crew of romans: How awesome is it that Shakespeare killed Cinna de poet "for his bad poems" in an homage to his buddy Chris Marlowe?
So bye for now, guys! I will get back to you as soon as I can!
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Sweet time
I love it when I have finished reading the play, and even the complementary readings, and it is time to pick up gold nuggets from a mountain of books (ok, a small hill) that I now treasure. Let's take a look at some of today's finds:
Julius Caesar was the first play presented at the new Globe Theater, where our Wills had a 10% ownership share! Since the actor who played the fool back then was another co-owner, who had a falling out and left the company, WS wrote JC without a part for a fool. It is unexpected that they chose a historic play rather than a comedy for their inaugural run, but the play was relevant for the recent assassination conspiracy against Elizabeth, which listeners would have automatically identified. (Greenblatt 293).
JC includes a "leather" reference, as the cobbler in the play "resoles shoes made of neat's leather." (Greenblatt 56)
Prepare to be blown away by what I found in "Soul of the Age," better know as "el libro que me regaló Jesus." Between pages 104 and 106, the author explains how Parallel Lives by Plutarch shaped, not only Julius Caesar by providing the biographical clues to the main characters, but also informed the way William would write historical plays, by concentrating on telling lives, rather than histories, and posing questions, instead of providing solutions! Not to be missed!
Another Bate jewel starts on page 78,where from the exercises little William had to master latin grammar at the second form (or level, not sure what grade), he learns the rhetorical tools that will reach their highest flight in Mark Antony's oration. This is not to be missed!
I'll continue tomorrow with lessons learned from Bloom and then from Garber, who again impressed me with her profound analysis.
Julius Caesar was the first play presented at the new Globe Theater, where our Wills had a 10% ownership share! Since the actor who played the fool back then was another co-owner, who had a falling out and left the company, WS wrote JC without a part for a fool. It is unexpected that they chose a historic play rather than a comedy for their inaugural run, but the play was relevant for the recent assassination conspiracy against Elizabeth, which listeners would have automatically identified. (Greenblatt 293).
JC includes a "leather" reference, as the cobbler in the play "resoles shoes made of neat's leather." (Greenblatt 56)
Prepare to be blown away by what I found in "Soul of the Age," better know as "el libro que me regaló Jesus." Between pages 104 and 106, the author explains how Parallel Lives by Plutarch shaped, not only Julius Caesar by providing the biographical clues to the main characters, but also informed the way William would write historical plays, by concentrating on telling lives, rather than histories, and posing questions, instead of providing solutions! Not to be missed!
Another Bate jewel starts on page 78,where from the exercises little William had to master latin grammar at the second form (or level, not sure what grade), he learns the rhetorical tools that will reach their highest flight in Mark Antony's oration. This is not to be missed!
I'll continue tomorrow with lessons learned from Bloom and then from Garber, who again impressed me with her profound analysis.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
La Palabra del Dia!
Today, Ricardo Soca, who gifts me every day with an email in which he choses a word and explains its origins, chose "pontífice," I imagine in honor of the new Pope. However, I wanted to memorialize in this blog that he brings in our fallen hero, Julius Caesar, who --can you now blame Cassius, Brutus and Company?-, took that title to signal him being the head of the state, the military and now RELIGION. Talk about abrogation of power in an empire that ha flourished as a Republic. Forget about Mark Antony's speech for a second: JC was a despot.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Speechifying
A.D. Nuttall (in Shakespeare the Thinker page 186) explains that Quintilian distinguished two styles of oratory: Attic and Asiatic. "The Attic style is refined, polished and free from superfluity; the Asiatic is swelling and exultant. Quintilian prefers Attic to Asiatic, and that is what Shakespeare gives Brutus." Needless to say, Mark Antony takes the day with his Asiatic oratory. Nuttall finds Shakespeare's choices here quite brave and inspired: He believes no one but Wills "knowing that Antony's speech must blow away any earlier words from Brutus" would give Brutus such a powerful, rational speech. Although Wills had painted himself a bit into a corner, when he had already mentioned that Brutus was known for his eloquence in public speaking. Nuttall also reminds us that Antony adopting the Asiatic style foreshadows Antony and Cleopatra, "a play that explores the tension between classical restraint and opulent Asian emotion."
Nuttall (Tony to his fans) highlights the participation of the "third plebeian," who after Brutus's thoughtful, rational explanation yells: "Let him [Brutus] be Caesar!" Which is a genius way of signaling that he (and the populace) did not understand a word Brutus said! In true Bloom fashion, Nuttall unequivocally states: "Those four words placed by Shakespeare in the mouth of the third Plebeian constitute the most telling political moment in the history of drama."
"Shakespeare had written just one oration on this scale earlier --the speech given by Henry V before the critical battle." (I just saw Henry V on stage last Friday, and perhaps as your Marlon Brando doing Antony's, I have Kenneth Branagh's Henry's speech etched in my heart and memory). Does each generation have their own Shakespearean actor? Olivier comes to mind, even though I have trouble watching his movies; Gielgud is also mentioned, and I hear Derek Jacobi mentioned before Branagh. Which leads me to believe there is a young man in London who already has created and recreated --and presented on stage- new versions of the beloved characters and a teenager who is, as we speak, committing those difficult texts to memory!
Nuttall (Tony to his fans) highlights the participation of the "third plebeian," who after Brutus's thoughtful, rational explanation yells: "Let him [Brutus] be Caesar!" Which is a genius way of signaling that he (and the populace) did not understand a word Brutus said! In true Bloom fashion, Nuttall unequivocally states: "Those four words placed by Shakespeare in the mouth of the third Plebeian constitute the most telling political moment in the history of drama."
"Shakespeare had written just one oration on this scale earlier --the speech given by Henry V before the critical battle." (I just saw Henry V on stage last Friday, and perhaps as your Marlon Brando doing Antony's, I have Kenneth Branagh's Henry's speech etched in my heart and memory). Does each generation have their own Shakespearean actor? Olivier comes to mind, even though I have trouble watching his movies; Gielgud is also mentioned, and I hear Derek Jacobi mentioned before Branagh. Which leads me to believe there is a young man in London who already has created and recreated --and presented on stage- new versions of the beloved characters and a teenager who is, as we speak, committing those difficult texts to memory!
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Julius Caesar: Read!
I loved this play! And to think that Wills basically pulled it from the headlines (if he had lived in ancient Rome...) The story is so rich, the characters so flawed. I especially disliked Mark Antony, who makes a stellar comeback in Antony and Cleopatra. He's such a liar and hypocrite here! Brutus also infuriated me, from now on, every time I make a horrible decision and am feeling down, I'll remember Brutus. Thanks Wills!
Bloom brought up the possibility that Brutus could have been JC's illegitimate son. It is highly unlikely for two reasons: they are only about 15 years apart, and parricide was a horrible crime in ancient Rome, so the plot would have ended up in a different direction. However, the circumstances are quite juicy: JC and Brutus's mom had been lovers for many many years and were still lovers at the time of his muder (Hamlet, anyone?)
To thicken the plot, Cassius was married to Brutus' sister Tercia. I wonder whether all if this was common knowledge at the time of the play, and Wills just expected audiences to add that layer to the plot.
Bloom says he is always expecting to see a staging of the play where the Oedipal question is integrated. I am willing to call Bloom's bluff: I am certain that if a director added a line of text to a Shakespeare's play, Bloom would scream bloody murder.
Tonight I'll start with Garber, Nuttall and Bloom and I look forward to mining gold in those three mines!
Bloom brought up the possibility that Brutus could have been JC's illegitimate son. It is highly unlikely for two reasons: they are only about 15 years apart, and parricide was a horrible crime in ancient Rome, so the plot would have ended up in a different direction. However, the circumstances are quite juicy: JC and Brutus's mom had been lovers for many many years and were still lovers at the time of his muder (Hamlet, anyone?)
To thicken the plot, Cassius was married to Brutus' sister Tercia. I wonder whether all if this was common knowledge at the time of the play, and Wills just expected audiences to add that layer to the plot.
Bloom says he is always expecting to see a staging of the play where the Oedipal question is integrated. I am willing to call Bloom's bluff: I am certain that if a director added a line of text to a Shakespeare's play, Bloom would scream bloody murder.
Tonight I'll start with Garber, Nuttall and Bloom and I look forward to mining gold in those three mines!
Monday, March 11, 2013
Shakespeare is Everywhere
On Friday, I felt Wills winking at me.
First I read an article shared by a facebook "friend" from El Universal, comparing Maduro to Mark Antony and Chavez to Cesar. Besides the LOL factor, I find it extraordinary that JC is still relevant to illustrate political maneuvering, transfers of power, treason and revenge. Like Bloom would say, arching his eyebrows: that is the richness of Shalespeare!
Later that evening I had the extraordinary luck of going to "hear" (as folk in the late 15 hundreds would say) a staging of Hery V at the Folger's hystorical Theater. Adriana bought the tickets for my birthday and the two of us were going to go, but she had to stay in Pittsburgh, so I went with Jesus. I ended up seeing more than I heard, but I enjoyed it sooo much!
What surprised me the most was the laughs! Some people must have known the play very well or were great listeners. Nobody laughs at my house when I'm reading the plays. It adds a delightful layer of togetherness with the audience,
First I read an article shared by a facebook "friend" from El Universal, comparing Maduro to Mark Antony and Chavez to Cesar. Besides the LOL factor, I find it extraordinary that JC is still relevant to illustrate political maneuvering, transfers of power, treason and revenge. Like Bloom would say, arching his eyebrows: that is the richness of Shalespeare!
Later that evening I had the extraordinary luck of going to "hear" (as folk in the late 15 hundreds would say) a staging of Hery V at the Folger's hystorical Theater. Adriana bought the tickets for my birthday and the two of us were going to go, but she had to stay in Pittsburgh, so I went with Jesus. I ended up seeing more than I heard, but I enjoyed it sooo much!
What surprised me the most was the laughs! Some people must have known the play very well or were great listeners. Nobody laughs at my house when I'm reading the plays. It adds a delightful layer of togetherness with the audience,
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Act 2 Scene 1
I am enjoying Julius Caesar more than I expected! While advancing in the reading of the play, I have also peeked at Marjorie Garber's chapter and listened to the whole Bloom lecture in my car. Garber makes a fantastic observation about how relevant this play was to Shakespeare's (and Elizabeth I's) time. The queen of England did not have descendants. Caesar did not have descendants. How does a monarchy (or an empire) deal with the transfer of power without the nation unraveling into civil war?
On the other hand, Bloom, who is forever interested in the psychology of the character goes deeply into Marcus Brutu's psyche (versus Garber, who always maintains a three-prong approach: the historic time where the play takes place, the time when the play was written and performed and, last but not least, our time, when we read and analyse the plays enriched by our own referents and biases). Well, Bloom is fascinated by the fact that Shakespeare did not make any reference in the play of what Plutarch says was common knowledge in Caesar's day, that Brutus may have been the natural child of Caesar. Bloom spins a complete analysis of how this unspoken nexus would inform Brutus' decision to join the conspiracy to murder Julius Caesar.
On the other hand, Bloom, who is forever interested in the psychology of the character goes deeply into Marcus Brutu's psyche (versus Garber, who always maintains a three-prong approach: the historic time where the play takes place, the time when the play was written and performed and, last but not least, our time, when we read and analyse the plays enriched by our own referents and biases). Well, Bloom is fascinated by the fact that Shakespeare did not make any reference in the play of what Plutarch says was common knowledge in Caesar's day, that Brutus may have been the natural child of Caesar. Bloom spins a complete analysis of how this unspoken nexus would inform Brutus' decision to join the conspiracy to murder Julius Caesar.
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Act 1 Scene 3
I must be a gentle sheep, unlike Cassius, whol will not allow anyone to be superior to him. This possibility so offends him that he will murder, and draw others into his crazy murder plot.
Reminds me of Francis Underwood, the character played by Kevin Spacey in House of Cards. (I'm more than half way through this first season). Francis and Cassius will not be governed or outmaneuvered. Am I being sexist if I say that is a quality I find very masculine?
Reminds me of Francis Underwood, the character played by Kevin Spacey in House of Cards. (I'm more than half way through this first season). Francis and Cassius will not be governed or outmaneuvered. Am I being sexist if I say that is a quality I find very masculine?
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Act 1, Scene 2
Cassius offers Brutus to be his mirror, so he can show him his reflection. The mirror is a universal symbol of truth, but oh, how distorted we --and Brutus- see ourselves reflected on others. As a matter or fact, it is the human impulse to see ourselves reflected --in mirrors, in others- that confounds our self image. Are we even capable to see our true image in the mirror? Even worse, how can we --or Brutus- see our true selves reflected in the opacity of another human being's motives, which remain hidden to us?
Wills shows Caesar in a very favorable light. He is humble, sure of his place in the world, and does not believe in superstition. He is also a good judge of character, feels that Cassius is not on his side. Of course everyone knows what will happen to Caesar, but Wills is setting this up nicely.
Till then, think of the world.
Wills shows Caesar in a very favorable light. He is humble, sure of his place in the world, and does not believe in superstition. He is also a good judge of character, feels that Cassius is not on his side. Of course everyone knows what will happen to Caesar, but Wills is setting this up nicely.
Till then, think of the world.
Friday, March 1, 2013
Julius Caesar Day 1 (Scene 1)
I had a rough Macbeth last month and that play is suspended in my Shakespeare report card. I'll make it up later...
My plan is to finish reading JC by the ides of March! (Great timing, right?).
Scene 1 was very funny because I had just heard and then read about the old pope's new shoes, and the windfall of fame and fortune awaiting the mexican cobbler from Leon. So the cobbler in scene 1 was a pleasant surprise.
JC, which I read in the eighth grade, promises to be an interesting analysis of democracy and power. I'm excited!
My plan is to finish reading JC by the ides of March! (Great timing, right?).
Scene 1 was very funny because I had just heard and then read about the old pope's new shoes, and the windfall of fame and fortune awaiting the mexican cobbler from Leon. So the cobbler in scene 1 was a pleasant surprise.
JC, which I read in the eighth grade, promises to be an interesting analysis of democracy and power. I'm excited!
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