Love's Labor's Lost Act 1, Scene 1

278.

oh boy oh boy. i am struggling already. i knew it was too good of a day. i woke up to some lovely rain, my test got postponed til Tuesday, i got to hang out with my Seany, and i had an AMAZING rehearsal with the Writes of Spring cast. and then i crack open my Shakespeare book and i'm like derrrrr... i'm getting some of it, but i'm getting lost a little too much. all the word play and whatnot? the footnotes are a mile long! maybe i'm just too tired? anyway, i was getting frustrated, so i thought the best thing was to go ahead and stop for now. i will pick it up again tomorrow, earlier in the day, with a fresh brain.


here's what i have so far:

act 1, scene 1
King Ferdinand of Navarre is talking to his 3 lords who have sworn to live with him in his court for 3 years. they can't even come close to women, have sworn to stay away from excess food, and can only sleep a few hours a night. Berowne starts complaining about it, and trying to squirm his way out of his oath. he claims he only swore to study with the King, and didn't agree to all this other stuff. they call him out on that, and launch into all this word play. he concludes by saying they are too old to study anyway. (see quote below.) the King's like: fine, go then. Berowne about-faces again and reads the oath he is to sign. according to the paper, if any woman comes within a mile of them, her tongue will be cut out. if any of them talk to a woman, they will be severely shamed. then they realize that they haven't thought of the Princess. doh. finally Berowne gives in and signs the document.

can anyone help me with lines 57 to 101? that is where i got the most confused.

i can already see Benedick in Berowne. is this the part Kenneth Branagh played in the movie? i might just have to really watch it if that's so... mmm... Kenneth Branagh...

quote of the day:
'at Christmas i no more desire a rose
than wish a snow in May's newfangled shows,
but like of each thing that in season grows.
so you to study, now it is too late,
climb o'er the house to unlock the gate.'
   Berowne; act 1, scene 1

for tomorrow: the rest of the scene and act 1, scene 2.

-rebecca may

Love's Labor's Lost Intro Info

279.

new play! new play! i have vague recollections of a movie with Alicia Silverstone? yeah, i don't really remember. so i basically have a blank slate here, which is pretty cool.

here's what i'm excited about:
-the roles of Berowne and Rosaline foreshadow Beatrice and Benedick from Much Ado About Nothing. that's my favorite comedy, and i love those characters, so that bodes well for me!
-David Bevington says, 'hypocritical defiance of love is doomed to comic failure and satirical punishment.' sounds good!
-apparently, the ending is unresolved. that's kind of cool! does that mean no weddings? no overthrowing of royal power? no deaths? i'm not sure what it means, but i'm pretty stoked to find out.
-the plot isn't derived from any known literary source. some historians believe it was based on some topical gossip and goings on of Shakespeare's time. that might be cool to investigate! was Shakespeare being super controversial?

here's what i'm not as excited about:
-according to David Bevington, 'this play is word conscious and stylistically mannered to an extent that is unusual even for the pun-loving Shakespeare.' also, 'the stylistic self-consciousness makes for labored reading at times...' yikes. i'm scared!!! is this one of those plays that should be seen not read?
also, 'little seems to happen... fast-moving plot is replaced by a structure that includes a series of debates on courtly topics...' yikes yikes. even harder to understand?
-4 girls and 13 boys.

we'll see how it goes, right? i really hope you will follow along!

-rebecca may

Sonnets 7-12

280.

sonnets sonnets sonnets. somebody help me please! i am so frustrated. i feel like i'm reading the same thing over and over again: you are beautiful so you should have kids to make your beauty more permanent. from what i understand, this is what the first 17 sonnets are about!!! i cant take it anymore! i know maybe i should pay more attention to form and language, but i am struggling to get past content! am i an idiot?!? how can i enjoy this more? HELP!!! i don't know how i will get through these sonnets without some enlightenment and/or a paradigm shift or somethinnng!

h-e-l-p.

-rebecca may

Titus Andronicus Act 5, Scene 3

281.

not feeling goooood. insomnia and too much homework = no good. not feeling good + having to pull an all-nighter? extra no good. so pardon me if i'm a little delirious.

act 5, scene 3 is INSANE. here goes:
Lucius, Marcus, Aaron, and the Goths enter, as do Saturninus, Tamora, and the Romans. Marcus announces that the feast is ready and tables are set up. Titus and Lavinia enter, Titus serves them the pies, and they dig in. Titus kills Lavinia to save her from her shame and everyone freaks out. Titus explains what happened to her and that it was Chiron and Demetrius that did it. when Saturninus asks to see them, Titus reveals that they are there in the pies. he kills Tamora. Saturninus kills Titus. Lucius kills Saturninus. everyone FREAKS OUT. Lucius basically rehashes everything that has happened in the play. they make Lucius emperor! he and Marcus kiss Titus and tell young Lucius to remember their loving grandfather. (see quote below.) Aaron comes in and Lucius sentences him to being buried chest-deep to starve to death. Aaron, of course, shows no remorse. he also tells them to leave Tamora's body out where the birds and animals can eat her. they all leave to bury Titus, Lavinia, and Saturninus. the end!

so... what happens to Aaron's kid? unclear.and i'm confused about the Goths. do they like... run off or something? or is there some sort of peace between Rome and the Goths or something? i love that Titus had been fighting them forever, then he captures Tamora from them, then his son ends up raising an army of them to fight for Titus. how the heck?

ummmm... Titus kills Lavinia? WHAT?!?!? who else didn't see that one coming? i was shocked! crazy!

i am disappointed that Tamora and Saturninus die before we get to see them react to the news that they just ate Chiron and Demetrius. i was so stoked for that moment, but it didn't happen. sad.

i also just realized how tragic a character Saturninus is. i feel like he's trying to do the right thing all they time, he just has too much misinformation. he kills Titus because Titus kills Tamora. he thinks he has a legit marriage. he doesn't know she's a fraud. so he kills for her, and in turn is killed. so sad.

also, i thought Lucius' little speech to young Lucius was sweet, but a little hard to believe. he says that Titus always did these sweet things for young Lucius, but... how? before this time hasn't he been in battle for years? he hasn't been home THAT long, has he? or has he? passage of time in Shakespeare eludes me.

final death toll: 14! YOWZA.

quote of the day:
'come hither, boy. come, come, and learn of us
to melt in showers. thy gransire loved thee well.
many a time he danced thee on his knee,
sung thee asleep, his loving breast thy pillow;
many a story hath he told to thee,
and bid thee bear his pretty tales in mind
and talk of them when he was dead and gone.'
   -Lucius; act 5, scene 3

6 plays, 4 poems, 6 sonnets down. 32 plays, 1 poem, and 148 sonnets to go. whew! i have a lot of Shakespeare to read this summer!

for tomorrow: sonnets 7-12.

-rebecca may

UP NEXT!

hello everyone! here's what's up next:

SONNETS!
tuesday, march 29- sonnets 7-12

LOVE'S LABOR'S LOST!
wednesday, march 30- Love's Labor's Lost Intro Info
thursday, march 31- act 1, scene 1
friday, april 1- act 1, scene 2
saturday, april 2- act 2, scene 1
sunday, april 3- act 3, scene 1
monday, april 4- act 4, scene 1
tuesday, april 5- act 4, scene 2
wednesday, april 6- act 4, scene 3
thursday, april 7- act 5, scene 1
friday, april 8- act 5, scene 2, lines 1-310
saturday, april 9- act 5, scene 2, lines 311-628
sunday, april 10- act 5, scene 2, lines 629-919

hope you will read along!

-rebecca may

Titus Andronicus Act 5, Scene 2

282.

it's engagement party night! i am currently en route to Carrabba's to enjoy a lovely dinner with about 25 of our friends. and then back home to hang out with a few people. and then i have to do more research for my paper... but i'm not going to think about that right now. i am going to relax and have a good time with good friends and good food.


speaking of good food, you won't believe what happened in this scene.

act 5, scene 2
Tamora arrives at Titus' house with her sons Demetrius and Chiron. she has heard that Titus has lost his mind, so she is going to play a little trick on him. she convinces him that she is Revenge and her two sons are Murder and Rape, and they are there to help him in his struggle. he remarks how much like Tamora, Demetrius, and Chiron they look, and tells them that they will know who to kill when they find their twin in court. Tamora tells him to invite Lucius over for a feast and they will avenge Titus. she is leaving to 'help him' and he asks for Murder and Rape to stay behind with him. she agrees and off she goes. Titus, however, was only pretending to believe her. he gets his people to bound and gag D and C and gets a knife. he tells them that he will grind their bones to paste to make pie crust and fill those pies with their guts. (see quote below.) he will then bake those pies himself and feed them to their mother. then he slits their throats.


nice. i was freaking out when i read this scene. any relation to the old story of Sweeney Todd I wonder? i know that story comes from England long ago. anyone know?

so was Titus pretending to be crazy all along? or is he losing it, but not stupid enough to fall for this dumb trick. i'm a little disappointed in Tamora. i thought she could do better. sigh. oh well.

death toll: 9. mutilation and rape stay the same.

quote of the day:
'hark, villains, i will grind your bones to dust,
and with your blood and it i'll make a paste,
and of the paste a coffin will i rear,
and make two pasties of your shameful heads,
and bid that strummer, your unhallowed dam,
like to the earth swallow her own increase.'
-Titus; act 5, scene 3

for tomorrow: the end!

-Rebecca May

Titus Andronicus Act 5, Scene 1

283.

cleaning. cleaning. and cleaning some more. researrrrch paperrrrrr. other homework i haven't even thought to start yettt. and home alone. gah. so let's get to Shakespeare so i can get back to cleaning. yay.


act 5, scene 1
Lucius is marching to Rome with an army of Goths. he has received a letter from Roman citizens proclaiming their hatred for Saturninus and willingness to fight with Lucius. and apparently they are ready to bring Tamora down too. a random soldier comes in with Aaron. he was off exploring and found him and the baby. Lucius wants to hang him and the baby ('first hang the child, that he may see it sprawl.'), but Aaron makes a deal with him; he will give Lucius some intel if Lucius swears not to kill the baby. after some negotiating, Lucius agrees. and then Aaron tells him EVERYTHING. and i mean everything. he tells him all about how Bassianus was killed and Lavinia mutilated and Titus was ground down to a pulp. he even tells him that he laughed when he saw Titus with his sons' heads. he tells him who is responsible for what, and Lucius gets so ticked off. Aaron even brags about other bad things he's done. (see quote below.) he goes on and on til Lucius has him gagged. Lucius decides that hanging isn't enough punishment for Aaron, and decides to take him along to Rome. meanwhile, a messenger enters requesting a parley at Titus' house. Lucius accepts and heads that way.


question number one: why do Romans hate Saturninus so much? is it just because he killed Titus' sons? and they love Titus? or is there something else there that i am missing? do they hate Tamora too?

which brings me to my second question: why do the Goths hate 'cursed Tamora'? i thought she longed for home and loved her people? did i mess that one up terribly too? it says in the footnotes: 'the play permits us to speculate as to why Tamora was not popular in her own country.' not helpful.

which brings me to my third question: why do the Goths want to persecute Aaron, one of their people, when they don't know what he's done until he tells them?

and my last question: so Aaron does not love Tamora? because he just got her in a world of trouble. is he capable of love? does he love his child? check out the quote of the day. he's pretty darn evil. i wish i knew what made him this way. like in Richard III, it's explained. in this, so far, Aaron is just a bad guy with a soft spot only for his son. it's so much more interesting when you know the back story of the villain.

death, mutilation, and rape tolls remain.

quote of the day:
'oft have i digged up dead men from their graves
and set them upright at their dear friends' door,
even when their sorrows almost was forgot,
and on their skins, as on the bark of trees,
have with my knife carved with Roman letters,
"let not your sorrow die, though i am dead."
but i have done a thousand dreadful things
as willingly as one would kill a fly,
and nothing grieves me heartily indeed
but that i cannot do ten thousand more.'
   -Aaron; act 5, scene 1

for tomorrow: act 5, scene 2

-rebecca may

Titus Andronicus Act 4, Scenes 3 and 4

284.

it's Friday!!!! woohooooo! i have an engagement party this weekend AND my half-sister is visiting from Japan! and i have a 10 page research paper and and a dirty apartment to clean (all by myself boo) and various other homework assignments... but let's not focus on that. the point is there are epic events happening this weekend and i am SO excited! and let's not forget that this weekend i will finish Titus Andronicus. woot. excited to find out how this whole thing wraps up. i don't know if i'm dumb for not figuring it out, but i really don't know what's next. i can, however, tell you what i read today. it's pretty crazy, so let's get to it.


act 4, scene 3
Titus and his posse are walking around Rome. Titus is looking for Justice, but can't find it anywhere. Marcus is getting very concerned for Titus' mental health. Titus keeps talking about Justice and Revenge as actual people and tries to get them to help him capture Justice. Titus has his people shoot arrows into the king's court. a clown enters. although he is not the traditional clown that we think of, he is quite funny. he has a bunch of pigeons and Titus asks him to deliver them to Saturninus with a message from him. the clown agrees and they all part ways.

act 4, scene 4
Saturninus is pretty mad about the arrows. he doesn't understand, and wants to take Titus down. the clown enters and delivers the pigeons and message. Saturninus is so angered by the letter that he orders the clown's head be cut off. Saturninus is ANGRY. (see quote below.) he learns that an army of Goths led by Lucius is approaching Rome. this upsets Saturninus because he feels that the people of Rome love Lucius and would rather have him as emperor. he feels that the people will turn on him and side with Lucius in battle. Tamora, of course, has a plan. She tells Saturninus to request a parley with Lucius. meanwhile, she will go to Titus and sweet talk him until he turns on Lucius. Saturninus is skeptical, but goes along with the plan as his best bet.


when i first read that a clown enters, i was like WHAAAT. it took me a second to realize that this clown would not be a happy man in white makeup, orange frizzy wig, and red foam nose. thank goodness. anyway, i tell you this so you can laugh at my momentary foolishness.

Tamora. is. a genius. i love that she wears the pants in her relationship. we know how Shakespeare loves those unruly women. AND without having to do much of her own dirty work, she has married a king while maintaining a relationship on the side, had an illegitimate baby without anyone finding out, arranged for her enemy to go crazy, and arranged for her husband that she dislikes and her enemy to quarrel. Titus is pretty much destroyed already. if the play ended now i would say that she won. and i would say that she will probably be able to return home at some point. that's just a guess, but the fact remains that she is wickedly sly. moral of the story? never stand between a mother and her son. or 5 acts of devastation will be in store for you.

here's what i wish would happen: Lavinia beats Chiron and Demetrius to death with her stumps. that's my one wish.

i feel like there's no way for Titus to recover from this. even if he were to win against Saturninus and Tamora and Rome in this war, i don't think he can recover. his mind is gone, he only has one son left (if he doesn't die in battle), he's lost a hand, and his daughter is a shadow of her former self. once this battle is over, then what? all of his issues are still there. that's the problem with revenge. once you get it, you still have the problems you had before. plus a guilty conscience. moral of the story: don't seek revenge. or 5 acts of devastation will be in store for you.

death toll: 7? if the clown dies. mutilation toll: only 2 still! what the heck! rape toll: 1. i thought this was supposed to be the blood and guts play. act 5 better be pretty bloody and gutty!

quote of the day:
'may this be borne?-- as if his traitorous sons,
that died by law for murder of our brother,
have by my means been butchered wrongfully!
go, drag the villain hither by the hair.
nor age nor honor shall rape privilege.
for this proud mock i'll be thy slaughterman,
sly frantic wretch, that holp'st to make me great
in hope thyself should govern Rome and me.'
   -Saturninus; act 4, scene 4

for tomorrow: act 5, scenes 1 and 2

-rebecca may

Titus Andronicus Act 4, Scene 2

285.

the excitement is back! i have to say that my brain is FRIED from today's rehearsal, but i will do my best! have you ever devised a play before? well, let me tell you... it's exhilarating and fulfilling and fun and completely exhausting. i'm kind of happy i have this play to read right now. i'm sure i could analyze it on a much deeper level, but it is wicked enjoyable and i can follow it pretty easily. so anyway, today's scene is very entertaining, so let's get to it.


act 4, scene 2
Aaron and Tamora's sons, Demetrius and Chiron, are hanging out when young Lucius pays them a little visit. he brings a gift from Titus: weapons from Titus' own armory. Lucius informs them that Titus knows what they did and wants them to be prepared in case they find themselves in a fight. Demetrius and Chiron are flabbergasted, but Aaron doesn't see how they can be surprised since they totally deserve it.
a nurse comes in bearing a baby in her arms. it turns out that the baby is Tamora's and she is freaking out about it. and she is freaking out about it because the baby is black. the sons freak out even more than the nurse, vowing to kill it to save their mother's honor. Aaron refuses to let them kill his child and tells them off for trying to kill their brother. Aaron asks the nurse who knows about this, and she responds that it's just Tamora, the midwife, and herself. since he must keep this a secret to save his child's life, he stabs and kills the nurse.
this is Aaron's plan: his white friend in the country just had a baby. he will send them some money in exchange for the baby, who will grow up like a king. it's a win-win for the parents as far as Aaron sees it. he will also have the midwife come to see him so he can kill her too. he will send his baby back to the Goths to be raised as a warrior.


here's a question: does Aaron love Tamora? does Tamora love Aaron? or are they just friends with benefits? i need to know.

what's the context here when it comes to race and social acceptance? it feels like Shakespeare is trying to make a statement, but that of course is from my frame of reference. Aaron's feelings and actions feel justified, and it seems that that is the intention. Aaron is a jerk, but come on. again, i'm coming from a biased point of view, but it feels like the scene is slanted toward Aaron being portrayed as righteous in this particular situation. does anyone else get that from it, or is it just me?

i love this whole thing that Aaron says starting at line 117- how being black is better than being white because black people don't blush. he doesn't want his bad deeds to be given away by the color in his cheeks. ahahaha. brilliant. where did Shakespeare get that one from? genius.

death toll: 6. mutilation toll: 3. rape toll: 1.  i feel like these numbers are about to go up.

quote of the day:
'Demetrius: villain, what hast thou done?
Aaron: that which thou canst not undo.
Chiron: thou hast undone our mother.
Aaron: villain, i have done thy mother.'
   -act 4, scene 2

for tomorrow: act 4, scenes 3 and 4

-rebecca may

Titus Andronicus Act 3, Scene 2 and Act 4, Scene 1

286.

well today was a surprising read. i was ready for more blood and guts. i mean, last time Titus' sons' heads were given to him. and Aaron chopped off Titus' hand. it was a gruesome day. so today's read caught me off guard. there's no blood or guts at all! innnnterestinggg. i've got a long night of rehearsal and research, so let's get into it!


act 3, scene 2
Titus, Marcus, Lavinia, and young Lucius are gathered together for dinner. Titus is losing it. he also promises Lavinia that he will learn how to communicate with her. Marcus sees a fly and kills it, and Titus freaks out. he says that the fly is an innocent creature and no brother of his would kill an innocent. (see quote below.) Marcus is dumbfounded, but in a stroke of genius tells Titus that the reason he killed the fly was because it reminded him of Aaron the Moor. Titus forgives him and strikes the fly with the knife himself. Titus takes Lavinia and young Lucius away to read with them.

act 4, scene 1
young Lucius enters, running away from Lavinia, who is chasing him. Titus tells him that there is no reason to be afraid of Lavinia. they try to figure out what she is trying to tell them. she takes one of young Lucius' books and uses her stumps to flip to the right page. the book is Ovid's Metamorphoses, and the story is of Philomel's rape. they realize that Lavinia must have been jumped in the woods and raped like Philomel was. Marcus shows Lavinia how she can use a stick to write in the sand by holding it in her mouth and moving it with her arms. she writes 'Rape. Chiron. Demetrius.' Marcus and Titus are enraged and swear revenge. Lucius volunteers to help Titus, and they leave with Lavinia while Marcus minds the house.


why is Marcus left to mind the house? i know he's not a warrior, but neither is young Lucius? why is it preferable to have the boy with him rather than a full-grown man?

in the first scene, it seems to me that Titus is really losing it. i mean, he freaks out about Marcus killing a fly. but it feels like he's fine in the next scene. is he just going nuts because he's idle and can't figure out what to do, but is fine once he has some direction? or is he going to continue to crumble? what's the deal?

who will end up on the top of the heap? Titus and co.? Tamora and Aaron? Saturninus? can't wait to find out!

death, mutilation, and rape tolls stay the same.

quote of the day:
'"but"? how if that fly had a father and mother?
how would he hang his slender gilded wings
and buzz lamenting doings in the air!
poor harmless fly,
that, with his pretty buzzing melody,
came here to make us merry! and thou hast  killed him.'
   -Titus; act 3, scene 2

for tomorrow: act 4, scene 2

-rebecca may

Titus Andronicus Act 3, Scene 1

287.

all right kids, you ready for another whopper? i'm not even going to preface, i've just got to tell you what happened.

act 3, scene 1
ok! so Titus is begging for his sons to be pardoned, but no one will listen to him. he begs and begs but they just walk on by. then, Titus' last alive and free son, Lucius, enters to inform Titus that he has been banished. and then Titus' brother, Marcus, comes in to reveal Lavinia to Titus. (remember Lavinia? raped? no hands or tongue?) suffice it to say that Titus is having a bad day. then Aaron enters to tell them that if one of them chops off their hand, they can trade it in to Saturninus for the lives of Titus' sons. Titus, Marcus, and Lucius fight over who will be the one to do it. Titus tells them to agree who will do it, 'i will spare my hand.' they go off in search for an ax, and while they do Titus gets Aaron to chop off his hand and take it to Saturninus. (see quote below.) a few minutes later, a messenger enters with the severed heads of Titus' sons and Titus' hand. he tells them that they have been duped and feels sorry for their situation. Titus vows not to rest until they are all avenged, and Lucius is sent to the Goths to raise an army.

the way i'm excited to read and write about this every day makes me feel like i'm into soap operas or something. seriously. it's outrageous and i gasp and i gush when i tell my roommate what happened. just sayin', there's a parallel there.

i love the play on words with 'spare my hand'. they think he means he will spare it from being cut off and he means that he will go without it. love that.

you know what's cool about this play? i'm not sure where my loyalties lie. i feel bad for everyone and yet i think everyone has behaved abominably. i don't think anyone is above reproach. not even Lavinia. i mean, she's no murderer, but she wasn't perfect either. i was psyched for Tamora's revenge, but now i'm kinda feeling like Titus deserves to be avenged. that's exciting to me, because it makes the whole thing seem less predictable. who will win? anyone? can anyone really win now? everyone is losing people in this battle.

death toll: 5. mutilation toll: 3. rape toll: 1.

quote of the day:
'i go, Andronicus, and for thy hand
look by and by to have thy sons with thee.
(aside.) their heads, i mean. o, how this villainy
doth fat me with the very thoughts of it!
let fools do good, and fair men call for grace;
Aaron will have his soul black like his face.'
   -Aaron; act 3, scene 1

for tomorrow: act 3, scene 2

-rebecca may

Titus Andronicus Act 2, Scene 4

288.

hello readers! i hope you're all having a lovely day! i've got a pretty short scene today, and i'm just going to leave it at that since i tackled such a large scene yesterday and have rehearsal tonight for Writes of Spring at Orlando REP. i also feel kind of bad that yesterday's blog was so long. i know it's a lot to try and tackle. so today i will keep it short and sweet. smaller scene=smaller blog!

it might be short, but it's a doozy. here goes:
act 2, scene 4
Demetrius and Chiron, sons of Tamora, enter with Lavinia. they have cut off her hands and cut out her tongue. she is 'ravished' and bleeding. they mock her, asking how she's going to tell or signify who did this to her with no hands or tongue. they leave and Marcus comes in from hunting. he can't believe what he sees. (see quote below.) he bemoans her fate and hopes to avenge her. they leave to find Titus.

ah! i can't even believe this stuff. i would love to hear how these things are tackled on stage. lots of blood and guts? or just suggestive? i mean, i'm sure both are done, but i'd love to hear about personal experiences. i was just saying to someone here in the grad office though that it's not even the gore that is unsettling, it's the things that are said! for instance, the way that they mock Lavinia is horrible! i feel like in every scene there's some dialogue that i find to be very shocking. was it perceived as shocking back then?

and also, why didn't they kill Lavinia? didn't Tamora basically tell them to kill her? i fell like Tamora is going to be seriously ticked off. i also feel that this is going to be their downfall. we shall see!

death count: 3. mutilation count: 2. rape count: 1.

quote of the day:
'if i do dream, would all my wealth would wake me!
if i do wake, some planet strike me down,
that i may slumber an eternal sleep!'
-Marcus; act 2, scene 4

for tomorrow: act 3, scene 1

-rebecca may

Titus Andronicus Act 2, Scene 3

289.

well, i don't know what all the negativity is about. i am loving this play. of course, i am only part of the way through, but right now i am definitely into it. sure, a lot of my enjoyment is based on shock value, but hey... it's a nice change from the norm. anyway, if you haven't read this play and/or you're not following along, it's not too late to catch up! it's a crazy ride!!!

okie dokie. act 2, scene 3. brace yourself. i don't even know how to sum this up. it's so insane. but here goes:
Aaron comes in and buries a bag of gold. very mysterious. then Tamora comes in, proclaiming her love for Aaron and wanting to have a sexy time with him. he's not in the mood, however, he's in mind for vengeance. he also gives her a mysterious letter. Aaron goes to get Tamora's sons just before Bassianus and Lavinia enter. they rip her apart for cavorting with Aaron, and threaten to tell King Saturninus. just then, Tamora's sons enter and she tells them that Bassianus and Lavinia lured her there! she says that the area will soon be filled with snakes, frogs, and other creatures. they've threatened to tie her up and leave her for dead. she tells her sons that if they love her, they will kill him. so they stab him to death. she wants to kill Lavinia herself, but they tell her that there is more in store for Lavinia than that. Lavinia begs her to kill her then and there, and not let them rape her chaste body, but Tamora does not relent, and the sons take Lavinia away to have their way with her. (see quote below.) THEN Aaron enters with Quintus and Martius, Titus' sons. Aaron leads them to the pit where they threw Bassianus' body, and Martius falls in. Aaron sneaks off to fetch Saturninus, and Quintus is too frozen with fear to help Martius out of the pit. instead, he throws himself into the pit out of loyalty. just then Saturninus and Aaron enter. since they are in the pit with Bassianus, it follows that they likely killed him. then Tamora and Titus enter and Tamora shows Saturninus the letter, which tells of their 'plot' to kill Bassianus. afterward, Aaron digs up the gold that is alluded to in the letter, thereby further incriminating them. they all head back to town, Martius and Quintus in custody. Tamora vows to hep Titus clear his sons' names.

crazy, huh? i told you so!

so, Lavinia isn't the sweetie pie i thought she was. she's pretty sassy actually. i mean, no one deserves what happens to her, but she's no sweet-tongued lady. also, i find it interesting how the men talk about raping her. it's as if they want to punish her for being so virtuous. it's the same in The Rape of Lucrece. i wonder if the sons will have the same regrets that Tarquin had. what's with the punishing chastity thing? is it the same in Metamorphoses? it's a theme that i don't think we see these days. am i wrong? can anyone think of an example?

i am loving how deliciously bad Tamora and Aaron are. i mean, i see where Tamora's vengeance is coming from, but man is she cold! i love that we see her outright lying to everyone. even her sons! do they know she's lying about Bassianus and Lavinia? are they in on it? or is she lying to them too? either way, it's thrilling watching it all go down. for real.

death toll: 3, maybe 4. mutilation toll: 1. rape toll: 1.

i literally gasped reading this act. it's insane. my synopsis can't even do it justice. can't wait to see what's next!

quote of the day:
'had'st thou in person ne'er offended me,
even for his sake am i pitiless.
remember, boys, i pured forth tears in vain
to save your brother from the sacrifice,
but fierce Andronicus would not relent.
therefore away with her, and use her as you will--
the worst to her, the better loved of me.'
   -Tamora; act 2, scene 3

for tomorrow: act 2, scene 4

-rebecca may, non-hater of this play!

Titus Andronicus Act 2, Scenes 1 & 2

290.

i got to see A Midsummer Night's Dream tonight at Orlando Shakespeare Theater! it was exciting to see Shakespeare moved out of its time period, but in a way that feels justified and fun. i feel like i often see the trap of setting Shakespeare in a different and distinct time and/or place just... to do it. just because. i can't stand that. it feels like a gimmick. but when done in a way that feels like it brings something new, exciting, and justified to the play, it's exciting to see Shakespeare done in a 'non-traditional' way. so kudos to OST. tonight was a lot of fun!


speaking of fun, this play is insane! truly insane. here goes:

act 2, scene 1
Aaron (the Moor) reveals that he has been Tamora's lover, and that he intends to continue to do so. Demetrius and Chiron, Tamora's sons, enter fighting over Lavinia. they are both 'in love' with her. they're about to duel each other over it when Aaron interrupts them. Aaron tells them not to fight over a women they can't have anyway, since she is with Bassianus. they tell him they don't care about Bassianus, they will woo her anyway, and just date her on the side. (see quote below.) then Aaron suggests that they don't really need to woo her, they can just have sex with her. they can just share her instead of fighting over her. he tells them to jump her in the woods and have their fill of her.

act 2, scene 2
everyone is up and ready for a hunt, Titus helping Saturninus. Demetrius and Chiron will use this opportunity to get to Lavinia.


ummmm... what?!?! right? Aaron has this line- 'take this of me: Lucrece was not more chaste/ than this Lavinia, Bassianus' love.' i'm glad i read The Rape of Lucrece, so i know the reference. in that poem, Lucrece is alone at home while her husband is off in the army. a man named Tarquin, who is a high ranking officer in the army, goes to Lucrece saying that he needs a place to stay for the night. it is proper etiquette for her to say yes. he falls in love with her because she is so good and pure. in the middle of the night he rapes her, because that is the only way he can have her. it's disturbing/intriguing to me, the idea that if a woman is too good to cheat on her husband, but you want to have sex with her, you just rape her so you can have her anyway. nuts! funny that Aaron leaves off the end of that story. Tarquin ends up completely ruined. he is banished from the city. but i guess they don't want to think that far in advance. they just want her now. but the real question is... does anyone NOT want Lavinia? Saturninus, Bassianus, Chiron, Demetrius, and who knows who else. what will happen to this poor girl? i hope she doesn't end up like Lucrece, who is so ashamed that she kills herself. we will find out soon!

i also see a parallel with Richard III, with the way he treats Anne. even the quote of the day below makes me think of Richard's line 'was ever a woman in this humor wooed?' there's a cocky presumptuousness there that is so over the top. were things really like that? or is Shakespeare exaggerating to make these men more clearly villains?

so much deception building up from all sides! what will happen next?!?!?

quote of the day:
'she is a woman, therefore may be wooed;
she is a woman, therefore may be won;
she is Lavinia, therefore must be loved.'
   -Demetrius; act 2, scene 1

for tomorrow: act 2, scene 3

-rebecca may

Titus Andronicus Act 1, Lines 169-end

291.

hey there Shakespeare readers! if you're reading along, i hope you're enjoying Titus Andronicus! and if not, i encourage you to pick it up. especially if you struggle with Shakespeare. so far, i find this play to be remarkably easy to follow. and wickedly entertaining.

so let's finish act 1. the people want Titus to be emperor, but he defers to Saturninus. he is crowned, and Bassianus is not pleased. Saturninus asks Titus for Lavinia's hand in marriage, and Titus accepts. then out of the blue, Bassianus snatches Lavinia away from them and claims that she is his. all of Titus' sons are on Bassianus' side and help him steal Lavinia away. Titus is SO mad that his sons have betrayed him, and in his rage ends up killing one of them. to spite them, Saturninus decides to take Tamora as his wife instead. Titus fights with his sons and brother, but eventually makes some sort of peace with them. Saturninus thinks Titus has turned on him, and wants nothing to do with him. Bassianus speaks up for him, defending the truth. Tamora then speaks up, saying Saturninus should make peace with Titus. it is revealed that her real motivation is to make peace with him so she herself can tear him and his entire life apart bit by bit to avenge her son's murder. (see quote below.) Saturninus makes peace with Titus and suggests a double wedding: Saturninus to Tamora and Bassianus to Lavinia.

i was moaning and groaning halfway through this scene, and let me tell you why. i hate when everything in a play is based on a misunderstanding. i'm like.... ahhhhh just clear up that misunderstanding and there's no problem!!! so when Saturninus was shunning Titus for being involved in the Bassianus/Lavinia thing, even though he had nothing to do with it, i got really scared. i was like, oh no this whole play is going to be based on this one misunderstanding. kill me. but then the misunderstanding got cleared up in the same scene and now we're moving on. i'm excited because even though i know there's a bunch of death and destruction coming up, i really don't know what's going to happen. the next happenings are surprisingly unpredictable to me.

so does Lavinia love Bassianus? does Bassianus legitimately love Lavinia? were they really betrothed? or what's the deal?

can't wait to see Tamora unleash the wrath! don't mess with a woman and her child!

death toll so far: 2. mutilation toll: 1. children of Titus: 22 dead, 4 to go.

quote of the day:
'you are but newly planted in your throne;
lest then the people, and patricians too,
upon a just survey take Titus' part
and so supplant you for ingratitude,
which Rome reputes to be a heinous sin,
yield at entreats; and then let me alone.
i'll find a day to massacre them all
and raze their faction and their family,
the cruel father and his traitorous sons
to whom i sued for my dear son's life,
and make them know what 'tis to let a queen
kneel in the streets and beg for grace in vain.'
   -Tamora; act 1, scene 1

for tomorrow: act 2, scenes 1-3

-rebecca may

Titus Andronicus Act 1, Scene 1 Lines 1-168

292.

okay kids. let's take a trip back in time. we're not studying English and French history anymore. we've travelled back to the Roman empire. the emperor has just died, and Rome needs to choose its new leader. let the bloodbath begin!

Saturninus and Bassanius are the sons of the late emperor, and each feels he is entitled to the throne. Marcus Andronicus let's them both have it by telling them that Titus Andronicus is who the people want as their leader. when they hear that, Saturnius and Bassanius back down pretty quickly. Titus comes in with his four sons and the queen of the enemies he has just beaten in battle. Titus has lost 21 sons in different wars, and is home to bury the latest. he only has his 4 sons and one daughter, Lavinia, left to him. as revenge on the queen of the Goths, Tamora, Titus has his sons chop of her son's limbs and roast his body parts on a fire. (see quote below.)

yup. that's the kind of play that we're in for. it's hard to see too much into it at this point, but i'm guessing a lot of people die. i would guess... Lavinia? at least two sons. i don't know, but i am braced for the worst. i already kind of feel attached to Lavinia. i mean, 25 sons and one daughter? tough life! stuck at home while your whole family dies one-by-one in war? man, that's gotta be hard. and she loves her daddy. maybe blindly? but she seems sweet.

so, the emperor that died... is that emperor Caesar? as in Julius? it says that Saturninus and Bassianus are his sons? is that literal, or does it just mean ancestors of Caesar or something?

it's early, but if you have any insights please share!

quote of the day:
'see, lord and father, how we have performed
our Roman rites. Alarbus' limbs are lopped,
and entrails feed the sacrificing fire,
whose smoke, like incense, doth perfume the sky.'
     -Lucius; act 1, scene 1

for tomorrow: the rest of act 1!

-rebecca may

Titus Andronicus Intro Info

293.

well well well. Titus Andronicus. every time i tell people i'm about to read this, they groan. i've gotten a lot of "i HATE that play"s. i know one person who loves it, and she REEEEALLY loves it. i hope she will offer us up some wisdom as we go!

so here's what i learned about this play today:
it has a bad rep. T.S. Eliot called it 'one of the stupidest and most uninspired plays ever written.' HARSH. it seems like the criticism has a lot to do with the fact that Shakespeare wrote it. if it had been penned by someone else, maybe it wouldn't seem so bad. our expectations are higher when Shakespeare is involved. yeah, maybe it won't measure up to Hamlet or Macbeth, but i'm sure there's still a lot there. yes? no? maybe?

this play was written super early in Shakespeare's career, probably by 1590. and apparently it was a hit. a couple of other plays on the same subject may have existed at this time, which Shakespeare probably pulled from. he was also strongly influenced by a book called The History of Titus, Ovid's Metamorphoses, and the works of Virgil, Kyd, Marlowe, and others. Shakespeare was so young when he wrote Titus, and was leaning heavily on what he learned from reading the classics.

also, this is a revenge play. not like a mature, brain-crunching revenge play like Hamlet. oh no. this is a violent, horrific revenge play. be prepared for human sacrifice, murder, mutilation, etc. blood galore! i feel like we saw Shakespeare mature a lot from the Henry 6 plays to Richard III, and it might be a little frustrating to take a step back a few years. but oh well. i'm going to try to read it with a little perspective and enjoy it for what it is. i know there's a lot more than violence going on, and maybe some Titus lovers out there will help guide us through!

i hope you will read along!

-rebecca may

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

okay. here's the deal. my goal in writing this blog is 3-fold:
1. i hoped it would force me to actually read and think about what i'm reading... check!
2. i hoped to get people interested in reading Shakespeare or to bring up questions that might get people thinking, etc... half check? maybe used to be a half check?
3. i hoped it would start a conversation, and that people who were interested in or were knowledgeable about certain plays would share that knowledge. or would raise more questions... no check.

what can i do? how can i move toward accomplishing those goals.

should i cut the section where i talk about what happened? or is that helpful? if i keep it, is the dialogue version more fun, or should i just briefly sum it up?

should i just pose questions and give my opinions and that's it, or make it more personal?

what do you think? what do you want to read? how can i make this blog what you will want to read? any input would be great! without parts 2 and 3, i just feel like i'm posting to post. and i hate that.

thanks!

-rebecca may

Sonnets 1-6

294.

well... i dont really know what to write. it's been a crazy day of classes and engagement party planning and choosing a date for the wedding a family visit and reminiscing over old shows and of course Shakespeare! it's all a jumble in my brain.

i don't really know what to think of what i read today either. it wasn't what i expected. ive never attempted to read these all before, let alone in 'order'. it's so strange. so far, they all have such similar subject matter. i know that will change, but i was so taken aback by how similar these all were.

it's basically like this. the poet-sleaker is talking to his friend and says: you're so pretty, so have kids! your beauty is wasted if you don't have children. if you have kids, then you never really die. your beauty is a gift that shouldn't be wasted. you will get old and ugly, but if you have children your beauty will never die.

apparently, the friend he is talking to is an aristocrat who is younger than him. it's a little weird to me that he cares so much about his friend having kids. he seems kind of obsessed with him. will we see this progress? i'm not sure how it will work. i thought they would be more individual entities so i just don't know what to expect.

let me know your thoughts if you have any! i wish there was more time for me to study the poems in depth and make a more concrete analysis, but there's just not. so if you have thoughts to share, please do!

quote of the day:
'when forty winters shall besiege thy brow
and dig deep trenches in thy beauty's field,
thy youth's proud livery, so gazed on now,
will be a tattered weed, of small worth held.'
-sonnet 2

for tomorrow: Titus Andronicus intro info

-rebecca may

Sonnets Intro Info

295.

sonnets. yes! i am so excited. i haven't read any of them in years, and have little recollection of them. we've said before that Shakespeare was probably more serious about his reputation as a poet than as a playwright. plays brought in the money, but poems brought credibility. it's not completely clear when they were written, but they were probably written over a number of years during the heyday of sonneteering- the 1590's.

it's a huge mystery who the sonnets are addressed to. they are dedicated to 'Mr. W. H.' the sonnets were published, however, in 1609 by Thomas Thorpe, who evidently didn't have any permission to publish them. it's unclear if the dedication is Shakespeare's or Thorpe's. and no one is sure who W. H. is.

another subject of historical debate is the order and relation of the sonnets. the order we know them in is probably Thorpe's, and may not be the order that Shakespeare intended. then again, maybe it is Shakespeare's order. also, it is not clear if the characters are supposed to be part of one consistent story or not. there seems to be the narrator, a friend, a lover, and a rival poet. are they all the same friend? the same lover? no one is sure. it will be fun to think about that as we go. are the 'inconsistent' poems simply juxtaposed scenes spanning a long story? and a non-linear one at that? and is the story, if there is one, in any way about Shakespeare's own life? apparently it was unpopular at the time to create poems of a personal nature, but who knows? let's make our own observations and guesses as we go.

I'm so excited to read the sonnets. and i hope you will read along with me. i will share more background information as we go, and feel free to share your knowledge, opinions, and ideas! thanks, as always, for reading!

for tomorrow: sonnets 1-6

-rebecca may

What's Next in Shakespeare Land!

hello there!

well, we've finally finished all the Henry 6's and Richard III! wahoo!

up next:
SONNETS 1-6!

and then:
TITUS ANDRONICUS!

here's the schedule (tentative as always):
monday: intro to sonnets
tuesday: sonnets 1-6
wednesday: intro to Titus Andronicus
thursday: act 1, lines 1-168
friday: act 1, lines 169-end of act

i am excited to get into something completely different. i hope you'll read along!

-rebecca may

Richard III: Act 5, Scenes 4 & 5

296.

well, we have driven through the night, and we are back in sunny Florida again, just a couple of hours from home. as the epic road trip ends, so does the equally epic play: with a victory for the good guys. Richmond. and me! Richmond wins for England and justice, and i win for love and loyalty!


here it is. the end:

act 5, scene 4
Richard is vicious in battle, slaying more men than seems possible even though his horse was slain and he fights on foot. Catesby is running around telling everyone to withdraw, and trying to help Richard to safety. Richard cries out his famous line, "a horse! a horse! my kingdom for a horse!" (see quote below.)

act 5, scene 5
Richard and Richmond fight, and of course Richard is killed. Richmond and Stanley take the crown and congratulate themselves on their victory. we learn that young Stanley is still alive, and Norfolk is dead. Richmond vows to unite the red and white roses, and brig peace and prosperity to England.


i have to say that the ending was a little anticlimactic for me. i'm sure it's different when you see it, but on the page it's not very exciting. basically, they just fight and Richard dies. no nifty dialogue. i would love to see this moment staged in a few different ways to see how directors make the scene pop. and I have to say that the scene after is pretty ho-hum too. it's interesting... we want the good guy to win, but when he does, it's boring. Richmond is boring. Richard is exciting.

what a freaking phenomenal play, right? i feel like most people could get into this. if you know someone who can't get into Shakespeare, tell them this story. that's what i did. and it worked. the person i told was totally wrapped up in it. reach out and convert someone!

quote of the day:
'slave, i have set my life upon a cast,
and i will stand the hazard of the die.
i think there be six Richmond's in the field;
five have i slain today instead of him.
a horse! a horse! my kingdom for a horse!'
     -Richard; act 5, scene 4

for tomorrow: intro to sonnets!!!

5 plays, 4 poems down. 33 plays, 1 poem, 154 sonnets to go!

-rebecca may

Richard III: Act 5, Scene 3

297.

what a spring break it's been. we've been to Alabama, Tennessee, and New Jersey in one week. we bought a car. Sean and i both had (and still kind of have) a stomach flu. AND we got engaged. amongst a million other amazing things. i think i'm still in shock. i'm not sure i can process everything. right now we are attempting a 19-hour drive back to Orlando all in one trip. it's weird to think about returning to 'real life', but i've got to start somewhere, so here we go...

act 5, scene 3
this scene is kind of a split-screen scene, with Richard and his posse on one side and Richmond and his crew on the other side. they both arrive at the battlefield the day before the battle is to begin, and set up camp. Stanley visits Richmond and vows to help him as best he can without giving himself away. Richard and Richmond go to sleep, and are met by the ghosts of the people Richard has killed. there are 11 visitors in all, all of whom wish failure upon Richard and victory upon Richmond. Richard wakes up completely freaked out (see quote below), and Richmond wakes feeling refreshed and optimistic. they give their speeches to their soldiers, Richard talking smack as usual. Richard also learns that Stanley has openly switched to Richmond's side, and orders Stanley's son's head cut off as soon as the battle is over.

i am loving watching Richard unravel. he used to seem so collected. crazy? yes. but completely in control. that's how he got away with everything, and what made him so deliciously evil. now he is totally losing it, and it is SO fun to watch. i never realized how repetitive the dream sequence is. i wonder how that plays. boring? anyone care to share?

so Stanley goes from saying he's going to help Richmond in a super-stealthy way to deciding to outright switching sides? what's going on there? is he just that confident that Richmond will win that he's willing to take the risk? i mean, his son's life is a pretty big risk to take. is it a further tactic to rattle Richard? what's going on?

only 2 scenes left! i can't wait to watch Richard go down!

quote of the day:
'what do i fear? myself? there's none else by.
Richard loves Richard; that is, i am i.
is there a murderer here? no. yes, i am.
then fly. what, from myself? great reason why:
lest i revenge. what, myself upon myself?
alack, i love myself. wherefore? for any good
that i myself have done unto myself?
o, no! alas, i rather hate myself
for hateful deeds committed by myself!
i am a villain. yet i lie, i am not.'
-Richard; act 5, scene 3

for tomorrow: act 5, scenes 4 & 5

-rebecca may

ENGAGED!

298.

still sick. but engaged!!! it was supposed to happen yesterday, but happened today because it's our last night in town! needless to say, between sick and engaged, Shakespeare will have to resume tomorrow.

im engaged im engaged im engageddddddd!

-rebecca may

Sick

299.

Hello Bloggers :), Rebecca is very ill this evening. She posted her blog last night and after that she has been throwing up all night and all day, with a temp of 102. We've been to the doctor and she's taking her meds but she'll have to write about what she's read tomorrow. She feels really bad but I hope everyone will share their love with her. Have a great evening everyone.

-Sean (Rebecca's other half)

Richard III: Act 4, Scene 5 and Act 5, Scenes 1 & 2

300.

bear with me. i am in the car, driving from Tennessee to New Jersey. my computer is buried somewhere, so i'm typing this on my phone. also, the Internet is spotty. so who knows how successful i will be in posting this. the good news is that Seany is feeling better! yay! AND we are driving with my best friend and her husband to see our other best friend and HER husband and kids and new baby girl! hurray!


in other news, this play continues to be freaking fantastic. ready? ok. go!

act 4, scene 5
Stanley sends a message to Richmond that he can't meet up with him just yet because Richard has his son. in better news, Elizabeth has agreed to marry her daughter to Richmond. Stanley will meet up with him as soon as possible.

act 5, scene 1
Buckingham is lead to execution, begging to speak to Richard to no avail. Buckingham realizes that Margaret was right all along. (see quote below.)

act 5, scene 2
Richmond calls together his army to fight Richard the tyrant. he has many men on his side and is sure he will gain many more from Richards side as they go.

ok first of all, another one added to Richard's death list!!! Buckingham! i mean, he kinda deserved it, but still... that's 8 full out because of Richard, one questionable (Anne?), and one contributed to (Edward). oh i can't wait to get back to him. i'm sure he's really losing it now.

and Stanley! he had me fooled! and had Richard fooled too! i thought he was on Richard's side since he left his son with him. i literally gasped when i read that. the fun never ends!

so excited to read the last few scenes. Richard is SO gonna get his.

quote of the day:
'thus Margaret's curse falls heavy on my neck:
"when he," quoth she, "shall split thy heart with sorrow,
remember Margaret was a prophetess."
come lead me, officers, to the block of shame.'
-Buckingham; act 5, scene 1

For tomorrow: act 5, scene 3

-Rebecca may

Richard III: Act 4, Scene 4

301.

tragedy strikes Epic Spring Break Road Trip of 2011. my Seany is sick! around 4am he started throwing up, and hasn't kept anything down since. needless to say, we did not head off to New Jersey today. sometimes it's just not in the cards. so instead of driving, i am attacking the most enormously long scene i have yet to come across and having another relaxing day. and taking care of poor Sean of course. as Richard is soon to learn, we make plans and God laughs. it must be true. when i googled the quote, it came up with a hundred different sources. anyway, we keep moving forward!


today we have yet another insane scene. you seriously won't believe it:

act 4, scene 4
Elizabeth and the Duchess are bemoaning their fate when they run into Margaret. Margaret is pretty pleased that she was right all along, and doesn't hesitate to tell them so. (see quote below.) Elizabeth asks her to teach her how to curse, and Margaret tells her that grief will be her teacher. Margaret leaves and Richard enters, on his way to battle. the Duchess (Richard's mother) tells Richard that she wishes she could've strangled him in her womb. she prays that the other side will win in battle, tells him she she will never see him again, and leaves. before Elizabeth can go, Richard asks her about her daughter, also named Elizabeth. Elizabeth (senior) cannot believe Richard's audacity. she will have none of it, and tells Richard so in every way possible. then Richard uses his old line, telling Elizabeth that he did all of the bad things he did out of love for young Elizabeth. Richard uses every line and angle he's got to get Elizabeth to woo her daughter for him. Elizabeth comes back at him with more strength than we've ever seen from her before. finally, he threatens that if he doesn't have Elizabeth for a wife, he will rip England apart, killing mercilessly until he has her. Elizabeth can hardly believe it, but she finally has to cave into him. she leaves, and many messengers come and go delivering good and bad news. most importantly, Richmond is on his way with an army to claim the throne and Buckingham's army was scattered in a flood. Buckingham is taken prisoner by Richard's people, and Richard is headed off to battle.


so much to say! first of all, good for Elizabeth for finally speaking up for herself. i love that she begs Margaret to teach her how to use her words against Richard, but then finds it in herself to battle him. i thought she was winning against him until he brought up 'death, desolation, ruin, and decay' for England. then she caved. it is unclear to me whether she is giving in because she wants what's best for England or because she's tired and just wants to be comfortable again. or a little of both? or is she just bluffing? not sure. what do you think?

i cannot BELIEVE Richard used that same line again that he used on Anne. like... for real?!?! i killed all of these people because i love you?!?! come onnn. he is the most incredible character. i can't even believe it. i hate to use such a vulgar phrase, but i truly can't think of a better way to describe it... he's got balls. huge ones. unbelievable.

it's interesting too to see him starting to lose it. toward the end of the scene, we see that he's starting to become forgetful, scattered, and paranoid. he is sending people off to take care of business and forgets to give them orders. and he has trouble commiting to orders once he makes them. in one of my favorite parts of the scene that i didn't go into above, he asks Stanley to go gather an army. Stanley says he will, but Richard tells him that he knows he is lying and that he is really going to join forces with Richmond. Stanley assures him he is loyal, but Richard can't trust anyone, so he forces Stanley to leave his son with him as collateral. crazy, huh? i guess that's what happens when you burn all your bridges. if no one can trust you, eventually you will not be able to trust anyone either.

this play is amazing!!!

quote of the day:
'thus hath the course of justice whirled about
and left thee but a very prey to time,
having no more but thought of what thou wast
to torture thee the more, being what thou art.
thou didst usurp my place, and dost thou not
usurp the just proportion of my sorrow?
now thy proud neck bears half my burdened yoke,
from which even here i slip my weary head
and leave the burden of it all on thee.
farewell, York's wife, and queen of sad mischance!
these English woes shall make me smile in France!'
     -Margaret; act 4, scene 4

for tomorrow: act 4, scene 5 and act 5, scenes 1-3

-rebecca may

Richard III: Act 4, Scenes 1-3

302.

another great day of relaxing and hanging out. we leave Alabama today for Tennessee to visit my best friend and her husband. it's going to be a Bachelor-ific kind of night. oh yeah. AND we are celebrating our Christmas today! ha! how awesome is that? i love this trip. i feel so blessed. and to have the time in the mornings before the day gets rolling to read Shakespeare in peace without worrying about the homework i need to turn in or the chores i need to do... it's basically perfect.

and perfect is the word i would use to describe this act. it is my favorite thus far. i can't even deal. SO GOOD.


act 4, scene 1 (i'm obsessed with this scene)
The women finally in one place. Elizabeth, Duchess of York, Anne, and Clarence's daughter all meet before the Tower of London. they want to see Elizabeth's children, but they aren't permitted to enter, by order of the king. king? who is the king, they ask? Richard. Richard is king. Elizabeth realizes the curse put on her by Margaret is coming true. (see quote below.) she sends her son Dorset (her son by Grey) away to safety. Anne gets the chance to redeem herself to the other women, and unwillingly goes off to her husband.

act 4, scene 2 (i am also obsessed with this scene.)
Richard loses his mind. he's on the throne, but extremely paranoid. he asks Buckingham to kill Elizabeth's two sons in the Tower. this is where Buckingham draws the line, and asks to go think about it.  Richard finds a man (Tyrrel) desperate enough to do the deed, and sends him off to kill them before Buckingham can return. Anne is sick, and he will marry Edward's daughter to ensure the throne will remain his. Buckingham re-enters and asks for what he was promised- the earldom of Hereford. Richard won't answer him, going on and on instead about the need to get rid of Richmond, the boy prophesied to be the next king.

act 4, scene 3
The children killed. Tyrrel got two killers to murder the children for him. even though they are 'fleshed villains, bloody dogs' they wept to kill the innocent boys. Tyrrel tells Richard he killed the kids, and saw them dead. Richard promises him whatever he wants. Anne is dead and Richard will marry young Elizabeth. as Richard goes to take care of Richmond, he learns that Buckingham has raised an army against him.


PHEW! this play is clipping right along. so exciting. i can't wait to see what happens next! i remember the basics of it, but i have idea who dies who wins who loses... this play is crazy amazing. everyone should read it.

let's keep up with Richard's death toll, shall we? so far: Prince Edward, young Richard, Clarence, Rivers, Grey, Vaughan, and Hastings. he is at least partially responsible for the deaths of Edward and Anne. 3 of these people are Elizabeth's daughters: Edward and Richard by King Edward, and Grey by Lord Grey. she has one son left by Grey (Dorset). i hope he makes it. and she has one daughter, right? Elizabeth? and Richard is trying to marry her. GROSS. Richard is 'not worried' about Clarence's son, apparently. i hope that comes back to bite him in the ass. and he's married off Clarence's daughter to some loser. can you believe all this?!?! he deserves the worst, and i can't wait to see Shakespeare give it to him.

i feel like the first scene of the act could easily be lost if not played or directed with care. does anyone have experience with this scene that they could share with us?

quote of the day:
'o Dorset, speak not to me. get thee gone!
death and destruction dogs thee at thy heels;
thy mother's name is ominous to children.
if thou wilt outstrip death, go cross the seas
and live with Richmond, from the reach of hell.
go, hie thee, hie thee from this slaughterhouse,
lest thou increase the number of the dead
and make me die the thrall of Margaret's curse,
nor mother, wife, nor England's counted queen.'
     -Elizabeth; act 4, scene 1

for tomorrow: act 4, scenes 4 & 5

-rebecca may

Richard III: Act 3, Scene 7

303.

Epic Spring Break Trip of 2011 Day 2!!! having a wonderful, relaxing day in Alabama with my family. i;m not used to everything being so leisurely. it's fantastic! looking forward to a movie tonight and some home-cooked enchiladas (i hope), and lots of play time with the baby! wahoo!

on the Shakespeare side of life, i think i am more and more shocked with every scene. is there any awful thing he is not capable of? i'm not sure. check it out:


act 3, scene 7
(see the quote below. it's cray cray!)
Buckingham tells Richard all the lies he told the public in order to get them to back Richard as king. instead of immediately crying, 'God save King Richard!' however, they all just stood there and said nothing. thus, Buckingham and Richard plot further. Richard goes to 'pray' with some clergymen and Buckingham receives the Mayor and some citizens. Richard plays the part of a holy man, reluctant to take the throne. Buckingham 'convinces' him to take the throne. the two play their parts so well that the Mayor and citizens are completely conned, and must have Richard as king. eventually, Richard 'gives in' and agrees to be crowned the next day.


i have one big question. is Buckingham just as evil as Richard? is that even possible? is he motivated by fear? desire to be appointed a role of power? true loyalty? or what? some combo? where does he/will he draw the line? i'm fascinated. he is going through so much to get the crown for Richard. now that Richard will  have it, what will become of Buckingham? he' the only true witness to Richard's misdeeds. will he be the next to go?

let's add to our list of Richard's dastardly deeds: he's killed Clarence, Hastings, Rivers, Grey, and Vaughan. he has made Edward out to be a cheating, greedy, lustful, power-hungry bastard. (which may or may not be true in full or part.) he tears Edward's kids' right to the throne away from them by having them proclaimed bastards. not sure about Clarence's kids? did i miss it? what will happen to Buckingham? Margaret? Elizabeth? Richard himself? can't wait to find out!

quote of the day:
'i did; with his contract with Lady Lucy
and his contract by deputy in France;
th' insatiate greediness of his desire
and his enforcement of the city wives;
his tyranny for trifles; his own bastardy,
as being got, your father then in France,
and his resemblance, being not like the Duke.
withal i did infer your lineaments,
being the right idea of your father
both in your form and nobleness of mind;
laid open all your victories in Scotland,
your discipline in war, wisdom in peace,
your bounty, virtue, fair humility;'
     -Buckingham; act 3, scene 5

for tomorrow:
act 4, scenes 1-3

-rebecca may

Richard III: Act 3, Scenes 2-6

304.

WE GOT A PRIUS!!!!!!!! And began our Epic Spring Break Road Trip of 2011. we are currently on our way to Alabama to see my amazing cousins. day one of the trip has offered us a new car, a guy openly peeing on the side of the road, serious life conversations, and more Shakespeare than I've had the chance to read all at once in at least a month! woohoo! so much happened it's ridiculous. you thought Richard was evil before? you don't even know. i've said this before, but this time i mean it: brace yourselves!!!

Here's the deal. While I'm on vacation, it's unrealistic to think I'll spend the hour or two to write this blog on top of the time to read. I didn't want to, but Sean convinced me it was okay to go easy. Instead of the abridged version I usually do, this week I'll just give highlights. Deal? Deal.

bring on the dastardly deeds:
act 3, scene 2- Stanley goes to Hastings for fear of Richard, but H isn't having it. Catesby tests the waters with Hastings to see if he'll be cool with having Richard as king. He's not. He loves him, but not as king. Hastings & Buckingham head to the Tower for a council meeting.

act 3, scene 3- Rivers, Grey, and Vaughan are paraded in on their way to their death. Their crime? Nothing of course. Just some crap invented by Richard.

act 3, scene 4- at the council meeting, Catesby tells Richard of Hastings' reluctance to have Richard as king, so Richard concocts this story about Elizabeth and witchcraft. Hastings defends her and is thus sentenced to death for treason. He definitely feels the fool.

act 3, scene 5- Richard gets Buckingham to start spreading the rumor that Edwards children are bastards, and therefore have no right to the throne. He also convinces the mayor to convince everyone else that Hastings deserved his execution. Next target: Clarence's kids. !!!

act 3, scene 6- ??? Not sure. It's a short passage, and I'm not sure what's going on. Can anyone help?

That Richard is some piece of work, huh? So far in this play he's killed: Clarence, Rivers, Grey, Vaughan, and Hastings. He's had a hand in Edwards death, just by stressing him out. Now he's trying to illegitimatize Edwards kids. Who is next?!! There's still half a play to go! It's insane! Of course, I think it's so insane, and yet I can only imagine the things politicians get away with now. I don't think I will open that can of worms personally, but it sure is something to think about.

i need help. i often run into confusing passages, have thematic questions, or desperately want other peoples opinions. if you know anyone who might be willing and/or able to help by commenting and answering/suggesting/sharing, please tell them about this blog! i would love more dialogue to occur here! thanks, and as always thanks for reading!

quote of the day:
re: Hastings not thinking he has anything to worry about with Richard
'the lords at Pomfret, when they rode from London,
were jocund and supposed their states were sure,
and they indeed had no cause to mistrust;
but yet you see how soon the day o'ercast.
this sudden stab of rancor i misdoubt.
pray God, i say, i prove a needless coward!'

For tomorrow: act 3, scenes 5-7

-Rebecca may, true king of England

Richard III: Act 3, Scene 1

305.

today was my first day completely 'off' since... early December? and i think i got more accomplished than i have in months! i had a phone interview (fingers crossed), cleaned the house, packed, moved around some stuff, cooked, watched some House with Sean... tons of stuff. and i am still going strong! wahoo! i am ready for tomorrow. God willing, we will pick up our Prius and finally start out on day one of our Epic Spring Break Road Trip of '11! WOO!

in not-as-good-news, i have to say that my level of comprehension of this section was not terribly high. maybe someone can help?!?! here we go:
   (Prince Edward, Richard, Buckingham, etc. enter.)
Buckingham: welcome, Prince Edward, to London!
Richard: God keep you from the 'false friends' who will try to work against you.
Edward: i have no false friends. (the Mayor enters.) i thought my mother and brother would be here. (Hastings enters.)
Hastings: i don't know why, but your mother and brother have taken sanctuary. your brother would've come, but your mother made him stay.
Buckingham: Cardinal, go persuade the Queen to send Edward's brother, the Duke of York. if you can't persuade her, just take him.
Cardinal: i will try, but if she won't give him up, i must obey the sanctity of sanctuary.
Buckingham: oh, just do it. it's fine!
   (Hastings and Cardinal exit.)
Edward: where shall we go until the coronation?
Richard: if you'll take my advice, i think you should spend a few days at the Tower of London for your health and safety.
Edward: i don't like the Tower. (see quote below.)
   (York, Hastings, and Cardinal enter.)
Edward: brother, how are you?
York: not so great now that i have to call you 'my Lord'.
Edward: yes, i am grieving too.
   [this is the portion during which i am confused.]
Richard: York, come with us to the Tower. i will get your mother.
York: why are you going to the Tower?
Edward: Richard advises it.
York: i don't think i will like it there. i fear Uncle Clarence's ghost.
Edward: i know, but come on, let's go.
   (Edward, York, Hastings, and Cardinal exit.)
Buckingham: come here, Catesby. go find Hastings. ask him to come to the Tower tomorrow to sit in council on the coronation. if he is unwilling and cold, let us know. we will hold our own council at Crosby house.
Richard: (i think he's saying...) talk to him. tell him his enemies (or his friends?) will be bled tomorrow. and tell him to give his mistress, Jane Shore, a gentle kiss in happiness for this news.
   (Catesby exits.)
Buckingham: what do we do if Hastings isn't on our side?
Richard: chop off his head.


lines 101-135 are really confusing me. also, lines 160-the end. can anyone help?

when are people going to stop taking Richard's advice? i mean dammmmmn he is good. i can't wait for his tracks to show. i can't believe he has gotten away with so much already. let's see: Clarence's imprisonment and death, the arrest of Grey and Rivers, and now this stuff with the boys, to say the least. and maybe, within the context of this play, he can be partially to blame for Edward's death by bringing him more and more grief that exhausted an already sick man? i mentioned last time or the time before that i thought he would have to kill Edward's sons. i totally forgot about Clarence's son and daughter! what will happen to all of those children? plus God knows who else? ah! i can't wait to find out!!!

quote of the day:
'an if i live until i be a man,
i'll win our ancient right in France again
or die a soldier, as i lived a king.'
     -Edward; act 3, scene 1

for tomorrow: act 3, scenes 2-6

-rebecca may

Richard III: Act 2, Scenes 2-4

306.

blessings in disguise. we were supposed to leave for Alabama today, but because of issues with getting the car, we have to hold off for 2 days. (moral of the story is: don't have a co-signer in another state.) i was so upset when i found out we would be behind schedule for our road trip, but today i have a little different perspective. if we had left today, the world we would have left behind here in Orlando would be a disaster. and 10 days later, we would come home to be faced with that disaster. and then have to start school the next day. the apartment is a pig sty, i didn't have the right books for my research paper, i hadn't made time for my phone interview, i think our dog needs to go to the vet, etc. but now we had tonight and an extra day to get life in order. we can get a good night's sleep tonight and really take care of all items on the pending list. sometimes it takes awhile to adjust to new plans, but once you do you might find that those plans are better anyway. it's a pretty good life lesson. i have to say that i keep learning that lesson over and over again, and yet i still crumble when my plans crumble. maybe one day i will figure it out.


and guess what else? the crap is hitting the fan in Richard-Land! holy guacamole. it just gets better and better. let's see if you can believe this:

act 2, scene 2
   (Clarence's children and Duchess, their grandmother.)
Boy: is our dad dead?
Duchess: no.
Girl: then why do you cry so much?
Duchess: i cry for the sickness of the king. it is 'lost sorrow' to cry for a dead person.
Boy: then he is dead. it is King Edward's fault, and God will revenge it.
Duchess: please calm down, children. the king loves you.
Boy: Uncle Richard told me that Queen Elizabeth turned Uncle Edward against our father. Uncle Richard cried and said we could always rely upon him.
   (Elizabeth, Rivers, and Dorset enter.)
Elizabeth: 'Edward, my lord, thy son, our king, is dead!'
Duchess: oh no. now i have lost two of my sons. Elizabeth, you are a widow, but you are still a mother. death has taken my husband and two of my sons.
Boy: you didn't weep for our father's death. how can we weep for your husband's death?
Elizabeth: i don't need help in my grieving.
Rivers: my queen, think of your son. send for him right away.comfort in him, crown him, and let yourself find joy in him.
   (Richard, Buckingham, and others enter.)
Richard: oh poor Elizabeth. i too grieve. (see quote below.)
Buckingham: we all still have each other. let's cheer up. let's get the prince and crown him.
???????

act 2, scene 3
   (citizens on a London street.)
Third Citizen: our world is troubled.
First Citizen: no, Edward's son will reign. it will be fine.
Third: having a child as our king does not sound like a great idea.
Second: there is hope in him. he will grow up to rule well.
First: yes. all will be well.
Third: leave it to God.

act 2, scene 4
   (Archbishop, Elizabeth, and others.)
Archbishop: don't worry. your son will be here tomorrow or the next day.
Duchess: i can't wait to see the prince.
Elizabeth: neither can i. i hear he has grown so much.
   (Messenger enters.)
Messenger: Lord Rivers and Lord Grey have been captured and put in prison!
Duchess: by whom?
Messenger: by Richard and Buckingham.
Archbishop: for what?
Messenger: i have no idea.
Elizabeth: 'ay me, i see the ruin of my house!'
Duchess: not all of this again! oh God, end this or kill me so that i don't have to see any more death!
Elizabeth: let's go. we must find sanctuary.

funny how the Duchess bemoans the death of two of her sons. what about Rutland? also, i think it's important to know that in real life, Edward died five years after Clarence. way to infuse the play with some urgency, Shakespeare!

??????? the end of scene 2 really confused me. i don't think i understand what's going on? can anyone help? i'm looking at lines 124-the end. HELP! ???????

also, how weird is scene 3? i don't know if we've seen this kind of thing before. i don't think the scene really gives us any new information, other than the realization that the public is very much affected by all of this. i know this is blasphemy, but this scene feels dispensable after one read. perhaps a closer reading would reveal more? i wonder how often this scene is cut in performance. does anyone have experience with this?

i am also a little confused about who is on what side. i know Buckingham is with Richard, but to what extent? i feel like Richard would keep and is keeping even his closest confidante at arm's length. who else is with him? Hastings? Ratcliffe? to what extent? does anyone have input?

quote of the day: (ready for a laugh?)
'sister, have comfort. all of us have cause
to wail the dimming of our shining star,
but none can help our harms by wailing them.--
madam, my mother, i do cry you mercy;
i did not see your grace. humbly on my knee
i crave your blessing.'
     -Richard: act 2, scene 2

for tomorrow:
act 3, scenes 1 and 2

-rebecca may

Richard III: Act 2, Scene 1

307.

a car, a car, my kingdom for a car! the infernal car shopping continues. i loathe it utterly. i just want a freaking car. i want it to be simple. and over with. and not skeezy. it's completely frustrating and tiring. i'm just trying to remember that when it is all said and done, it will be such a relief. and the reward will be all the sweeter for having worked so hard for it. kind of like this blog. it's really hard sometimes to do it, but when i look back i will be so happy i did. i just gotta keep moving forward.

here's another taste of Richard's craziness:
   (Edward and the whole royal crew except for Richard and Ratcliffe, and obviously Clarence.)
Edward: 'now have i done a good day's work.' i have joined all of my friends in friendship once more. Rivers and Hastings, swear your friendship to each other. (they do so.) Hastings and Elizabeth, you're next. (they do so.) Hastings and Dorset. vow your friendship to one another. (they do.) now Buckingham and my wife and her allies. be all united. (they vow.) now all we need is Richard.
   (Richard and Ratcliffe enter.)
Richard: hello everyone! what a great day!
Edward: it is a great day. we have all come together as friends.
Richard: sounds good to me. (see quote below.)
Elizabeth: Richard, get Clarence so we can all make up with him as well.
Richard: what? what have i done that you would mock me like this? doesn't everyone know? Clarence is dead. (all react.)
Edward: he's dead? the order to kill him was reversed.
Richard: they only got the first order, and killed him based on that. it was a cripple who had the second order. he couldn't make it in time. it's his fault.
   (Stanley enters.)
Stanley: help me, Edward. my servant accidentally killed a man today who was acting out violently. please pardon his death.
Edward: i could've pardoned Clarence, but i didn't. how can i pardon a slave when i couldn't even save my own brother? who begged me to save him just as Stanley begs to save his servant? no one! no one would speak for Clarence. (Edward, Elizabeth, and some others exit.)
Richard: did you see the guilty looks on the faces of Elizabeth's kinsmen? they still wanted Clarence dead, and urged Edward to do it.


what really kills me about this scene is that Richard comes in and he's perfectly happy. no trace of sadness. then 40 lines later he announces that Clarence is dead. does no one wonder why he was so happy just a few lines ago if his brother is now dead? hello! warning signs.

so that's one down, how many to kill? well, Edward has to go. Edward has 2 sons, i think, that will have to go. who else might be in the way? will he get rid of Elizabeth? Margaret? Hastings? what do you think? the title kind of gives it away. we know he will become king. but who else will suffer along the way? and how? and how sneaky will he have to be to cover his tracks? and who will be on to him? ah! this play is so good. i can't wait to find out!!!

quote of the day: (get ready to laugh)
'a blessed labor, my sovereign lord,
among this princely heap, if any here,
by false intelligence, or wrong surmise,
hold me a foe;
if i unwittingly, or in my rage,
have aught committed that is hardly borne
by any in this presence, i desire
to reconcile me to his friendly peace.
'tis death to me to be at enmity;
i hate it, and desire all good men's love.'
     -Richard; act 2, scene 1

for tomorrow: act 2, scenes 2-4

-rebecca may

Richard III: Act 1, Scene 4

308.

how crazy is life? i sped around all day to get to classes and do homework and have meetings. and then i spent all this time researching cars and stressing about the '05 Prius vs. the '07 and what we can afford and what will service us best long term. and i was go! go! go! all day long. and then, i had a lovely couple of hours with my beautiful friend Robin Eskin. and the pace slowed and things became more real, more down-to-earth, more centered. it's exciting how a good friend can bring you back to your core, isn't it? car shopping and homework and blogs and everyday hullabaloo can feel so silly when you look into the eyes of a true friend and find ultimate truth. i am blessed.

if only Richard had some real friends! LOL. we discussed Zoo Story and Beckett in Avant-Garde today. connection. who can connect? who can't? why? on what level? interesting stuff. for me, it all comes back to Shakespeare and the human connection. who has that connection and who doesn't and how does it manifest? how does the human connection affect these characters? what do you think?

act 1, scene 4: a sad day.
   (in the Tower of London)
Keeper: what's wrong?
Clarence: i had the most terrible dream. i had escaped from the tower and was travelling with my brother, Richard. he stumbled, and it knocked me overboard. it was so painful to drown! i passed into the underworld and met with Warwick and all of the other ghosts from my past.they howled and cried, and wouldn't leave me alone. i couldn't believe it. i was in hell. i have done terrible things for Edward, and see how he repays me? (see quote below.) (Clarence falls asleep. Murderers enter.)
Brackenbury: why are you? and why are you here?
Second Murderer: let him see our orders. (they hand them over and Brackenbury reads them.)
Brackenbury: he's sleeping there. i will leave to see the king. (he exits.)
Second: should i stab him now, while he's sleeping?
First: no, it is cowardly to do that. are you scared?
Second: i'm not scared to kill him, but i am scared to be damned for killing him.
First: remember the reward you will get when we are finished.
Second: oh yeah. i had forgotten the reward.
First: where's your conscience now?
Second: in Gloucester's wallet. and if i find my conscience again, i will ignore it. it ruins everything good.
First: sh. he's waking up.
Second: let's strike now!
First: no, let's reason with him.
Clarence: who sent you here? why? to murder me? how have i offended you?
First: you offended the king, not us.
Clarence: he and i will make amends again. what you are doing will damn you forever.
First: we are doing what has been commanded of us.
Second: and our commander is our king.
Clarence: your king? well, your king of kings commands not to murder.
First: and you have broken that vow yourself. haven't you?
Clarence: but i did it for Clarence's sake! he is as deep in sin as i am! if you need money, go to my brother Richard. he will give you money for not killing me.
Second: 'you are deceived. your brother Gloucester hates you.'
First: Richard is the one who sent us to kill you.
Clarence: it can't be.
Second: it can. make your peace with God.
Clarence: those who told you to do this will eventually punish you for doing this.
Second: what do we do?
Clarence: stop now. your souls will be saved. be on my side. pity me.
Second: look behind you. (First Murderer stabs him.)
First: take that! and if that doesn't work, i will drown you.
Second: oh God. i wish i could wash my hands of this foul deed.
First: i will tell Richard what a wimp you were.
Second: take the reward. i repent for my part in this.
First: i don't.


it just occurred to me how intense this scene is. or could be. like, i can see this being played on a relatively surface level, but i can also see it HARD CORE. this scene is scary. roller coaster! i would love to see it legit intense. what would it feel like to murder someone? to know you're about to be murdered? try to talk your way out of being murdered? crazy.

quote of the day:
'ah, keeper, keeper, i have done things,
that now give evidence against my soul,
for Edward's sake, and see how he requites me!
o God! if my deep prayers cannot appease thee,
but thou wilt be avenged on my misdeeds,
yet execute thy wrath in me alone!
o, spare my guiltless wife and my poor children!
keeper, i prithee, sit by me awhile.
my soul is heavy, and i fain would sleep.'
     -Clarence; act 1, scene 4

for tomorrow: act 2, scene 1

-rebecca may