Part A
Passage/Language Comparison Analysis
One of the major aspects of a Shakespearean History is the use of a soliloquy or an aside to allow the main character to profess his or her true emotions to the audience. In both "Richard III" and "Henry V", Shakespeare utilizes a soliloquy or brilliant speech to show the main characters' true colors. It is interesting to examine the contrasting speeches and to determine how Shakespeare uses language to potray Richard and Henry in different ways via the use of the same device.
Henry V
"We are glad the Dauphin is so pleasant with us;
His present and your pains we thank you for:
When we have march'd our rackets to these balls,
We will, in France, by God's grace, play a set
Shall strike his father's crown into the hazard.
Tell him he hath made a match with such a wrangler
That all the courts of France will be disturb'd
With chaces. And we understand him well,
How he comes o'er us with our wilder days,
Not measuring what use we made of them.
We never valued this poor seat of England;
And therefore, living hence, did give ourself
To barbarous licence; as 'tis ever common
That men are merriest when they are from home.
But tell the Dauphin I will keep my state,
Be like a king and show my sail of greatness
When I do rouse me in my throne of France:
For that I have laid by my majesty
And plodded like a man for working-days,
But I will rise there with so full a glory
That I will dazzle all the eyes of France,
Yea, strike the Dauphin blind to look on us.
And tell the pleasant prince this mock of his
Hath turn'd his balls to gun-stones; and his soul
Shall stand sore charged for the wasteful vengeance
That shall fly with them: for many a thousand widows
Shall this his mock mock out of their dear husbands;
Mock mothers from their sons, mock castles down;
And some are yet ungotten and unborn
That shall have cause to curse the Dauphin's scorn.
But this lies all within the will of God,
To whom I do appeal; and in whose name
Tell you the Dauphin I am coming on,
To venge me as I may and to put forth
My rightful hand in a well-hallow'd cause.
So get you hence in peace; and tell the Dauphin
His jest will savour but of shallow wit,
When thousands weep more than did laugh at it.
Convey them with safe conduct. Fare you well" (1.1)
Richard III
"He cannot live, I hope; and must not die
Till George be pack'd with post-horse up to heaven.
I'll in, to urge his hatred more to Clarence,
With lies well steel'd with weighty arguments;
And, if I fall not in my deep intent,
Clarence hath not another day to live:
Which done, God take King Edward to his mercy,
And leave the world for me to bustle in!
For then I'll marry Warwick's youngest daughter.
What though I kill'd her husband and her father?
The readiest way to make the wench amends
Is to become her husband and her father:
The which will I; not all so much for love
As for another secret close intent,
By marrying her which I must reach unto.
But yet I run before my horse to market:
Clarence still breathes; Edward still lives and reigns:
When they are gone, then must I count my gains" (1.1)
In the two speeches above, Shakespeare utilizes the soliloquy to show the evil inside of Richard versus the courage and resolve of Henry. In Richard's quote, he frequently refers to death. He is planning to kill off his brother Clarence, and he wants to profess it to someone. By speaking to the audience, Richard can reveal all his secrets and let the audience in on what is in store for the rest of the play. Richard's speech paints a dark picture for those listening, and it is interesting to see what Richard is willing to do behind other people's backs to get ahead. Henry, conversely, is willing to do what it takes to conquer and ascend the throne in France, but he is portrayed as a character who will do it the "just" way. Several times in his motivational speech the word pleasant is invoked; the diction in Henry's speeches is more positive than in Richard's. As Henry talks, he openly warns France to watch out for him; unlike Richard, Henry is shown as brave enough to announce his plan to the world. It is interesting to compare the two previous speeches and to note their similar purposes while recognizing the differences between the two English rulers.
Part B
Commentary on the Genre
Shakespeare's histories are interesting in that they are based on real people and real events in history. One aspect of his histories is the ongoing "War of the Roses" between the houses of Lancaster and York. The conflict between the two houses is an interesting study, and it must have had an effect on Shakespeare's writings. Histories also seem to be more flexible than comedies. Comedies have a set formula that works well for them whereas histories seem to vary. For example, in "Richard III" Richard is potrayed as an evil monster who will stop at nothing to get the crown. The whole tone of the play is dark and full of despair. In "Henry V", however, Henry is shown as a great man who, despite his assault on France, has behaved in ways that a king should. He gives motivational speeches and rallies his men behind him in ways that Richard cannot dream of. The fact that both these plays are considered histories while being written with such different intentions shows the versatility of the genre.
Part C
Personal Reflection
I personally enjoyed reading the histories "Richard III" and "Henry V". I found the contrast in characters fascinating. It was interesting to transition from the evil Richard to a considerably more gentle Henry. Most will not admit it, but it is enjoyable to read about others doing evil things that we would never imagine doing. When Richard decides to murder his brother, it is shocking and difficult to understand. The challenge Shakespeare presents the reader is getting inside the characters' heads. I found it particularly challenging to relate to Richard at all, which is why I found it most intriguing. In "Henry V", I found a big change in tone. Henry speaks in a style unlike Richard. Anything Richard would say has beeen completely switched around. The comparison between the two Englishmen made my experience more enjoyable and meaningful. Having read them together I found a greater understanding of the genre and its purpose.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Shakespearean Comedy
Part A
Passage/Language Comparison Analysis
The following passage from "A Midsummer Night's Dream" by William Shakespeare contains language that has been manipulated to mean two different things; one meaning is literal, while the other meaning is a pun intended to make the individual appear dim-witted. Puns and verbal irony are characteristic of Shakespearean comedies.
"Nothing, good mounsieur, but to help Cavalery Cobweb
to scratch. I must to the barber's, monsieur; for
methinks I am marvellous hairy about the face; and I
am such a tender ass, if my hair do but tickle me,
I must scratch" (4.1)
This quote is spoken by Bottom in Act 4 Scene 1 of the play, and it is used for comedic effect. Bottom and his fellow "actors" are planning a show in which Bottom has declared he will play every part simultaneously. Following many missteps and incorrect word choice, Bottom has elevated himself to superstar status, forcing those around him to do his bidding. At this point in the play, Bottom is wearing a donkey mask of sorts, signifying how much of an "ass" he is both literally and figuratively. Bottom believes he has become the character, as he does not realize that the reason he is "hairy about the face" is due to his absurd costume. He also declares he is a "tender ass", clearly a pun aimed at Bottom to exploit his self-centered tendencies.
Part B
Commentary on the Genre
"A Midsummer Night's Dream", "The Taming of the Shrew", and "The Tempest" are several of Shakespeare's comedies. The comedy genre is based on several ideas. Often love is the central idea and the problem. Lovers in Shakespearean comedies are often forced apart due to circumstances they cannot control, sometimes at the hands of family members, creating tension that needs to be overcome. One example of this idea is in "The Taming of the Shrew". Baptista Minola, father of Katherine and Bianca, controls their love lives by proclaiming that Bianca may not date until Katherine is ready to do the same. By interfering with their lives and keeping them from seeing men, Baptista is exerting control over their destinies, characteristic of a comedy. Another element of the comedy is the shortening of distance between characters; in "The Tempest", the main characters, Prospero and Gonzalo, for example, are far from one another for so long, but are reunited on an island following a horrible storm. Their separation turns to reuniting, another characteristic of the comedy. A third characteric of Shakespearean comedy is a multitude of plots that act separately but are not exclusive. In "A Midsummer Night's Dream", their are three plots: the plot in the fairy world with Oberon and Titania, the plot in the "real" world involving Demetrius, Lysander, and Hermia, and the plot involving Bottom and his absurd play. By taking varying plots and connecting them together, Shakespeare creates drama and comedy in three different ways and closes the play with a happy ending as comedies do.
Part C
Personal Reflection
As compared to the Histories, I had some trouble reading Shakespeare's comedies. I personally prefer stories that have some basis in fact like Shakespeare's accounts of the rulers of England in "Richard III" and "Henry V". Plays that invoke the use of fairies and magic do not register with me as other plays may. I will say, however, that some aspects of the plays intrigued me. In "A Midsummer Night's Dream", I enjoyed the frequent insulting of Bottom. The only thing funnier than a fool is a fool who has no idea he is being made fun of, and Bottom truly exemplifies that. In "The Tempest" I found the enslavement of Caliban by Prospero very interesting. Slavery, as we all know, came to a head centuries after Shakespeare, and it is interesting that slavery is being considered in literature years before its day of reckoning. Shakespeare seems to have been ahead of his time in that regard. One aspect of Shakeapearean comedy I enjoyed was the identity switching in "The Taming of the Shrew". The humor created when individuals switch identities to fool others and the challenge in remembering who is who within the play was a nice change. Overall, I found the happy endings in these plays to be a bit much for my taste, but, as with anything, there were parts I enjoyed and would read again.
Passage/Language Comparison Analysis
The following passage from "A Midsummer Night's Dream" by William Shakespeare contains language that has been manipulated to mean two different things; one meaning is literal, while the other meaning is a pun intended to make the individual appear dim-witted. Puns and verbal irony are characteristic of Shakespearean comedies.
"Nothing, good mounsieur, but to help Cavalery Cobweb
to scratch. I must to the barber's, monsieur; for
methinks I am marvellous hairy about the face; and I
am such a tender ass, if my hair do but tickle me,
I must scratch" (4.1)
This quote is spoken by Bottom in Act 4 Scene 1 of the play, and it is used for comedic effect. Bottom and his fellow "actors" are planning a show in which Bottom has declared he will play every part simultaneously. Following many missteps and incorrect word choice, Bottom has elevated himself to superstar status, forcing those around him to do his bidding. At this point in the play, Bottom is wearing a donkey mask of sorts, signifying how much of an "ass" he is both literally and figuratively. Bottom believes he has become the character, as he does not realize that the reason he is "hairy about the face" is due to his absurd costume. He also declares he is a "tender ass", clearly a pun aimed at Bottom to exploit his self-centered tendencies.
Part B
Commentary on the Genre
"A Midsummer Night's Dream", "The Taming of the Shrew", and "The Tempest" are several of Shakespeare's comedies. The comedy genre is based on several ideas. Often love is the central idea and the problem. Lovers in Shakespearean comedies are often forced apart due to circumstances they cannot control, sometimes at the hands of family members, creating tension that needs to be overcome. One example of this idea is in "The Taming of the Shrew". Baptista Minola, father of Katherine and Bianca, controls their love lives by proclaiming that Bianca may not date until Katherine is ready to do the same. By interfering with their lives and keeping them from seeing men, Baptista is exerting control over their destinies, characteristic of a comedy. Another element of the comedy is the shortening of distance between characters; in "The Tempest", the main characters, Prospero and Gonzalo, for example, are far from one another for so long, but are reunited on an island following a horrible storm. Their separation turns to reuniting, another characteristic of the comedy. A third characteric of Shakespearean comedy is a multitude of plots that act separately but are not exclusive. In "A Midsummer Night's Dream", their are three plots: the plot in the fairy world with Oberon and Titania, the plot in the "real" world involving Demetrius, Lysander, and Hermia, and the plot involving Bottom and his absurd play. By taking varying plots and connecting them together, Shakespeare creates drama and comedy in three different ways and closes the play with a happy ending as comedies do.
Part C
Personal Reflection
As compared to the Histories, I had some trouble reading Shakespeare's comedies. I personally prefer stories that have some basis in fact like Shakespeare's accounts of the rulers of England in "Richard III" and "Henry V". Plays that invoke the use of fairies and magic do not register with me as other plays may. I will say, however, that some aspects of the plays intrigued me. In "A Midsummer Night's Dream", I enjoyed the frequent insulting of Bottom. The only thing funnier than a fool is a fool who has no idea he is being made fun of, and Bottom truly exemplifies that. In "The Tempest" I found the enslavement of Caliban by Prospero very interesting. Slavery, as we all know, came to a head centuries after Shakespeare, and it is interesting that slavery is being considered in literature years before its day of reckoning. Shakespeare seems to have been ahead of his time in that regard. One aspect of Shakeapearean comedy I enjoyed was the identity switching in "The Taming of the Shrew". The humor created when individuals switch identities to fool others and the challenge in remembering who is who within the play was a nice change. Overall, I found the happy endings in these plays to be a bit much for my taste, but, as with anything, there were parts I enjoyed and would read again.
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