The Merchant of Venice Act 1

203.

day off? HA! that's hilarious!!! i had a little time to relax this morning, but i have spent most of my day cleaning, cooking, reading Shakespeare, grocery shopping, etc. i haven't even started studying my LUSH stuff yet. nor have i eaten dinner. nor have i done laundry or shower! eep eep eep! let's get this blog on the road!!!


act 1, scene 1
Antonio is depressed. his friends try to help him out of it, but he can't put his finger on exactly what it is that's wrong. it's not love. it's not his business, he's a successful merchant who's got ships going out to many places. he feels secure. what is it? attention turns away from his problems toward Bassanio's. he is in love with Portia, who lives nearby in Belmont. she, however, is a wealthy girl with many suitors. in order to win her love, he needs to make a seriously good impression. although he already owes Antonio money, Bassanio asks to double his debt in order to win Portia. once he is married to her, he will have enough money to pay Antonio back. Antonio is perfectly willing to help, but all of his money is out at sea. the two friends decide to look around and see who they can borrow money from on Antonio's credit.

act 1, scene 2
Portia is a weary young lady. her father is dead and her suitors are many. her late father created a riddle of sorts that all of her suitors must go through. the one who passes can marry her. Portia's waiting woman, Nerissa, tries to remind Portia of how fortunate she is, and asks her if she is interested in any of her suitors in particular. Portia names and describes them all, quite wittily, and it becomes clear that she is interested in none of them. Nerissa tells her that the suitors are all unhappy with the riddle, and intend to go home anyway. she also reminds Portia of Bassanio. Nerissa thinks Bassanio would be a good match for Portia, and Portia agrees that he is praise-worthy.

act 1, scene 3
Bassanio asks Shylock to loan him 3,000 ducats for 3 months. Antonio will be bound to re-pay. Shylock is intrigued, and wants to talk to Antonio. in an aside, we learn that Shylock secretly hates Antonio. here's why: he's a Christian, he lends money willy-nilly, he is prejudiced against the Jews, and he openly speaks out against Shylock and his business. Antonio arrives. he makes it clear to Shylock that he would never normally borrow from him, but he has to for his friend. Antonio does not agree with the practice of charging interest on a loan. Shylock tries to tell a story from the Bible to support his stance, but Antonio shoots it down. Shylock then rips into Antonio hard core. (see quote below. it's epic.) Antonio will not refuse for being prejudiced against Shylock. he has spat on him before, and he will do it again. he tells Shylock not to lend as a friend, but as an enemy, which he is. Shylock agrees to it, and for sport offers this challenge: if Antonio doesn't re-pay the 3000 ducats in 3 months, Shylock will take a pound of Antonio's flesh. any pound he wants. Antonio agrees. (?!?) Bassanio begs him not to, but Antonio is absolutely positive that he will have the money in time. the money is due in 3 months, and his ships are due back in 2 months. they set off to make their deal official and notarized.


fun fact i probably should've known, but didn't: the Portia in this play is the same as in his later play, Julius Caesar. cool! i honestly didn't even think about it, but i'm glad i know now. it will be fun to see where the connections are.

is Antonio stupid? first he lets his friend, who already owe him a bunch of money, borrow more money! he insults Shylock and tells him to lend to him as if to an enemy. for real? is he dumb? and THEN he agrees to this crazy pound of flesh idea? why would you agree to that?!?!?!okay, if you tell your moneylender to treat you like an enemy, and then tell him he can have a pound of your flesh, you deserve to lose that pound! bye Antonio!

hm... another Shakespeare play where picking sides is difficult. very difficult. Shakespeare sure is good at that. i've noticed that he will set you up in the first couple of acts to either not know whose side to be on, and just when you think you know whose side you're on... BOOM! he switches it up on you. he's done that to me at least twice already, and i have a feeling that it's going to happen again. i have to say that right now i am on Shylock's side hard core. yeah, he's a little villainy, but he's also the victim of social injustice hard CORE and obviously much smarter than Antonio. whose side are you on?

quote of the day:
'Signor Antonio, many a time and oft
in the Rialto you have rated me
about my moneys and my usances.
still have i borne it with a patient shrug,
for sufferance is the badge of all our tribe.
you call me misbeliever, cutthroat dog,
and spit upon my Jewish gaberdine,
and all for use of that which is mine own.
well then, it now appears you need my help.
go to, then. you come to me and you say,
"Shylock, we would have moneys" -- you say so,
you, that did void your rheum upon my beard
and foot me as you spurn a stranger cur
over your threshold. Moneys is your suit.
what should i say to you? should i not say,
"hath a dog money? is it possible
a cur can lend three thousand ducats?" or
shall i bend low, and in a bondman's key,
with bated breath and whispering humbleness, say this:
"fair sir, you spit on me on wednesday last,
you spurned me such a day, another time
you called me dog, and for these courtesies
i'll lend you thus much moneys"?'
   -Shylock; act 1, scene 3

for tomorrow: act 2!

-rebecca may

The Merchant of Venice Intro Info

204.

new day, new play! i am so excited for this one because i only really only know about it through conversation and pop culture. ya know? let's do it!


here's some stuff i learned about Merchant today:
-anti-semitism ran rampant during this time period. it was typical for a Jewish man, like Shylock, to have a tough time fitting into society like he does in this play. it is unclear, however, what Shakespeare's standpoint is on the subject. some argue that Shakespeare views Shylock as everyone else does qt the time: as a villain. others say that Shakespeare is shedding light on something that he perceives to be a problem in society. it will be interesting for us to look for the clues as we read!
-contrary to what you might think if you haven't read the play, Shylock is not the 'merchant' of Venice. he is a moneylender. the merchant is Antonio. although Antonio seems to have everything, something is definitely missing in his life. what could it be?
-Shylock is a really interesting character because although we may find sympathy for him because of the way he has been treated, he is unquestionably the villain of a romantic comedy. his character is full of paradoxes such as this. look out for the dichotomous happenings that come up revolving his views on money, commerce, and morals.



get excited! it's going to be an epic read.

for tomorrow: act 1!

-rebecca may

Sonnets 43-47

205.

LUSH hair care meeting in Tampa today! it literally took up the whole day, so i'm really happy i just have a few sonnets tonight and not a whole act of a play or something. onward...


the sonnets in this section sort of tell one particular story that continues into the next set of sonnets we will read.
43- the poet prefers night to day because at night he sees his love, whom he is separated from. during the day, the things he sees are unworthy of her.
44- the poet wishes he could travel to his love as quickly as a thought. time and space couldn't stand in his way if he could.
45- whenever air or fire are with his love, the poet is with her in thought and desire. these elements deliver good news to him of his love, and he sends them rushing back to her to gather more news.
46- the poet's eyes and heart are at war with each other. which of the two will be able to enjoy his love more?
47- eyes and heart have made amends. they will now work together to appreciate his love more fully. (see quote below.)


does the poet remind you of anyone in this section of sonnets? ...? perhaps a certain Romeo Montague, with whom we have recently become acquainted? hmmm? any parallels we can make there?

it's interesting to see the sonnets in what feels like a more developed section of writing. instead of repeating the same idea over and over and OVER again (remember the whole thing about his friend having kids?), the ideas flow, develop, move forward. this is much more exciting for me to read. i hope things continue on this way. what do you think?

quote of the day:
'so, either by thy picture or my love,
thyself, away, are present still with me;
for thou no farther than my thoughts canst move,
and i am still with them and they with thee;
or, if they sleep, thy picture in my sight
awakes my heart to heart's and eye's delight.'
-sonnet 47

for tomorrow: The Merchant of Venice Intro Info!!!

12 plays, 4 poems, 47 sonnets down. 26 plays, 1 poem, 107 sonnets to go! (i know i'm behind, but i have a plan of action! more later.)

-rebecca may

Romeo and Juliet Act 5, Scene 3

206.

what a week this has been! whew! we got home from our California road trip, i started working at LUSH, my show opened, and i had family in town. yeesh! all i have to do for the rest of the weekend is work and Shakespeare. thank goodness! i don't think i could take any more than that. that being said, i have some bath bombs and bubble bars from LUSH to try out, so let's get this show on the road!


act 5, scene 3
Paris arrives at Juliet's tomb with his Page. 'sweet flower, with flowers thy bridal bed i strew--' he says. Paris' page signals him that someone is coming, and Paris hides. it is Romeo, of course, with his man Balthasar. Romeo gives Balthasar a letter for his father and threatens him with physical violence if Balthasar doesn't leave him alone now. Romeo gives him money and sends him off, but Balthasar hides close by just in case. Paris steps out of the shadows to challenge Romeo. he thinks Juliet killed herself because of Tybalt's death(caused by Romeo), so he is ready to fight. Romeo, not realizing it is Paris, tries to get him to understand and go away, but Paris persists. they fight, and Paris dies. Romeo realizes that the person he has killed is Paris and remembers that Balthasar told him that Paris wanted to marry Juliet. out of respect for a man who loved his love, he brings him into the Capulet's monument to lay there in death. Romeo sees Juliet. he notices that she still looks alive and as beautiful as ever. he is distraught. he is ready to accept death. he kisses Juliet, drinks the poison, and dies. Friar Laurence finally arrives and runs into Balthasar. worried, he rushes into the tomb to find Paris and Romeo dead, and Juliet just waking up. he tries to get her to leave the tomb, but she will not. he hears people coming, gets scared, and flees. Juliet sees Romeo. she longs to die with him. (see quote below.) she hears voices, grabs Romeo's dagger, and kills herself. watchmen, Paris' page, Balthasar, and others come and go as they all figure out what has happened. the prince is summoned, along with the Capulets and Montagues. they find Friar Laurence, and bring him back to the tomb. everyone is grief-stricken and confused by what they see. Montague reveals that his wife has also killed herself, for grief over Romeo's banishment. Friar Laurence, the page, and Balthasar re-cap everything they know. finally, the truth is revealed to all. the Prince comments that 'all are punished.' the Capulets and Montague make amends. Montague will have a golden statue of Juliet built for the town, and Capulet will allow Romeo to be buried alongside his wife, Juliet. they join hands in sorrow. the Prince finishes the play with this comment: 'for never was a story of more woe/ than this of Juliet and her Romeo.'


there was a surprising moment of sweetness of Paris' moment at Juliet's grave. i didn't remember that AT ALL. it was the first time i realized that he really loved her. and it touched me. also, i always thought Paris was a little older, but Romeo calls him a 'youth'. is he young too? if so, that would completely change my opinion of him. in that case, i feel like he becomes such a tragic character. man, he never even had a CHANCE. poor Paris!

is Friar Laurence a coward? he helps them when doors are closed, but as soon as he hears a watchman coming, he bolts. he leaves a 13-year-old alone in a tomb. her husband is dead. he got her into this mess. and he just leaves her! not cool, Friar Laurence.

i had forgotten the change Luhrmann made to this scene. in the text, Romeo dies, some other stuff happens, and then Juliet wakes up. in the film, Romeo takes the poison, and Juliet wakes up. they have the briefest moment of eye contact before he dies. it's so good! why didn't you think of that, Shakespeare! HA. just that moment of realization... so intense... maybe the purists might think it was cheap? but i thought it was A MAY MAY!
quote of the day:
'go, get thee hence, for i will not away.
what's here? a cup, closed in my true love's hand?
poison, i see, hath been his timeless end.
o churl, drunk all, and left no friendly drop
to help me after? i will kiss thy lips;
haply some poison doth hang on them,
to make me die with a restorative. (she kisses him.)
thy lips are warm.'
   -Juliet

another play down! huzzah! for tomorrow: sonnets 43-47

-rebecca may

Romeo and Juliet Act 5, Scenes 1 & 2

207.

Veronicas Room is officially open! and the audience really seemed to enjoy it! wahoo! aren't opening nights the best? the audience, the nerves, the presents... the champagne... love it. looking forward to seeing the performances grow over the next couple of weeks! in other good news, my Complete Works arrived in the mail today! thanks Dad for rescuing it from the Hollywood Bowl!!! now i can Shakespeare it up and finish this play!


act 5, scene 1
Romeo, in Mantua, is in a good mood. he has a good feeling that everything is going to be okay. his man, Balthasar, enters with news. Juliet is dead. Romeo asks if there are any letters for him from the Friar, but Balthasar has none. Romeo dismisses him and prepares to leave for Verona. on his way he stops at an apothecary. Romeo notices that the apothecary is very poor and offers him a generous amount of money for a vial of poison. the apothecary is resistant, but Romeo is very convincing.(see quote below.) the apothecary finally gives in, and gives Romeo the poison.

act 5, scene 2
Friar John greets Friar Laurence. Laurence asks after Romeo. how is he? did he get the letter? Laurence learns that John was unable to deliver the letter. he returns it to Friar Laurence. Laurence is a little freaked out and sends John to get him a crow bar. he will head out to Juliet's tomb so he can be there when she wakes up. he plans to bring Juliet to his cell and send another letter to Romeo.


see what happens when you don't have a cell phone?

love this line from Friar John: 'holy Franciscan friar! brother, ho!' i understand the greeting, but it stuck me as funny anyway. like- holy Franciscan friar, Batman!

if only Balthasar had talked to Laurence before going to Romeo. if only Laurence had sent out letters by multiple messengers. if only they could've waited a few days. if only Romeo were to go to Laurence before he goes to Juliet. this play is all about if onlys...

quote of the day:
'art thou so bare and full of wretchedness,
and fearest to die? famine is in thy cheeks,
need and oppression starveth in thy eyes,
contempt and beggary hangs upon thy back.
the world is not thy friend, nor the world's law;
the world affords no law to make thee rich.
then be not poor, but break it, and take this.'
-Romeo; act 5, scene 1

for tomorrow: the end of the play!!!!!!!

-rebecca may

Romeo and Juliet Act 4, Scenes 4 and 5

208.

last dress rehearsal for Veronica's Room! and my first day at LUSH tomorrow! eep! gotta study some products and get some sleep!!!


act 4, scene 4
it is the next morning, and everyone bustles about, preparing for Juliet and Paris' wedding. Capulet discovers that Paris has arrived. he send Nurse to wake up Juliet, and goes to greet Paris.

act 4, scene 5
Nurse goes into Juliet's room to wake her up. at first she thinks Juliet is being lazy, or she's just slept in her clothes, but she soon figures out that Juliet is dead. she is freaking out. Lady Capulet, then Capulet each enter. they freak out too. Friar Laurence and Paris enter. Paris freaks out too. they all freak out together. Nurse, as usual, is particularly eloquent here. (see quote below.) Friar Laurence begs them to calm down. their freak outs aren't helping anything. Capulet orders all of the wedding arrangements to be turned into funeral arrangements. they all leave and the musicians have a weird conversation that i don't understand.


what the heck is going on? do people usually do a lot of cutting here? i don't remember ever having seen scene 4. ever. and i certainly don't remember the end of scene 5 with the musicians. in fact, i don't even really understand what is going on there. and why we see the scene. it's like... complete randomville. has anyone ever seen a production that includes this sections? please do enlighten me.

i'm a little unclear about what Friar Laurence is saying to the Capulets. is he already inferring that this is at least partially their fault? or am i just reading too far into it? if so, that's pretty messed up considering that he knows the truth.

quote of the day:
'o woe! o woeful, woeful, woeful day!
most lamentable day, most woeful day
that ever, ever i did yet behold!
o day, o day, o day! o hateful day!
never was seen so black a day as this.
o woeful day, o woeful day!
   -Nurse; act 4, scene 5

for tomorrow: act 5!

-rebecca may

Romeo and Juliet Act 4, Scenes 1-3

209.

i'm baaaaack! we are home safe and sound, and while i do not have my trusty Complete Works with me (it's still in Los Angeles), i do happen to have a copy of Romeo and Juliet at home. phew! i don't really like reading things online (ironic, right?) so it's going to be rough if i finish this play before my book arrives, but i will certainly make do! alright, let's get this ball rolling again!


act 4, scene 1
Paris is at Friar Laurence's cell, asking him to marry himself and Juliet on Thursday. apparently no one has told him that Juliet's not interested. the friar doesn't quite know how to handle the situation. he tries to wriggle out of it, but ends up having to say yes. Juliet shows up. Paris tries to connect with her, but Juliet slyly maneuvers through the conversation, avoiding both warmth and injury. once Paris is gone, Juliet expresses her anguish to Friar Laurence. (see quote below.) Laurence has an idea: she should go back home and agree to marry Paris the next day. when she goes to bed, she will take a potion from a vial that he has there for her. this potion will make her appear to bed dead for a number of hours, although she will actually only be asleep. she will avoid a wedding and receive a funeral. when she wakes up, Romeo will be there. Laurence will send a letter to him. then Romeo and Juliet can go to Mantua together and live happily ever after. it sounds crazy, but that's his plan. and Juliet agrees to do it.

act 4, scene 2
Juliet approaches her parents and Nurse to tell them that she has decided to marry Paris. they are over the moon with joy. Juliet asks Nurse to go with her to help her get her things ready, and the Capulets plan how to throw the rest of the plans together by morning.

act 4, scene 3
Juliet and Nurse are in her room, finishing their preparations. Lady Capulet arrives just in time for Juliet to ask them both to leave her alone for the evening. they leave, and Juliet is finally alone. she takes out her vial, but before she can drink it, she begins to panic. what if the plan falls through? she imagines many ways that it will fail (but of course not the way in which it does, in fact, fail), but eventually takes the drink anyway. she lays on the bed and immediately drifts into a deep sleep.


i really can't believe that Juliet is going to let everyone think she's dead. her parents only have one kid! that is DEVASTATING! for all she knows, her mom could kill HERself over something like this. unless i missed it (possible), she doesn't really consider how much suffering others may go through. she could just run away in the middle of the night. she's have a considerable lead on them. she and Romeo could be out of Italy and free and easy. i guess maybe she thinks that would bring too much shame on her family? and being dead would be better? or maybe the friar thinks that? what grown man helps a 13 year old fake her death? that is intense. that is a BIG lie for a man of God. this is one. crazy. mess.

Paris is such an interesting character. he could be portrayed so many ways, and i have seen him played vastly differently in film and onstage. i think i have most commonly seen him as kind of an ass, buffoon, annoying type. my favorite portrayal of him, however, was in Luhrmann's film version. Paul Rudd played Paris as this clueless dork. he was completely likeable, and yet you did NOT want Juliet to end up with him. brilliant. love that. check it out.

Juliet is sharp, man. check out scene 1 to see some sweet wit. the way she verbally dances around Paris is pretty awesome.

quote of the day:
'o, bid me leap, rather than marry Paris,
from off the battlements of any tower,
or walk in thievish ways, or bid me lurk
where serpents are; chain me with roaring bears,
or hide me nightly in a charnel house,
o'ercovered quite with dead men's rattling bones,
with reeky shanks and yellow chopless skulls;
or bid me go into a new-made grave
and hide me with a dead man in his tomb--
things that, to hear them told, have made me tremble--
and i will do it without fear or doubt,
to live an unstained wife to my sweet love.'
   -Juliet; act 4, scene 1

for tomorrow: act 4, scenes 4 & 5

-rebecca may