Sunday, June 8, 2008

Personal Reflection of A Midsummer Night’s Dream

One of the main reasons why I enjoyed reading A Midsummer Night’s Dream is I had watched a movie version of it, so as I read the play, I could envision the characters doing what they did in the movie, which was actually quite true to the play. I also like this play for its genre in general. It had been a long time since I last read a comedy, so A Midsummer Night’s Dream was a good refreshment of variety.
The way Shakespeare composes this play is what makes it a unique comedy. He manages to incorporate a great deal of fantasy fiction; however, he does not allow this to stop him from writing a play with some characters the audience can make similarities to. Overall, this easy and fun read was relaxing and made me laugh.

Shakespeare’s Comedy

A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a very well written comedy by Shakespeare. The way Shakespeare utilizes the different characters and situations they are in to create humor is very cleverly planned. A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a good example of the range Shakespeare can write. He has written numerous tragedies, and even plays based on history, but this comedy proves how Shakespeare is well-rounded in his capabilities as a playwright.
Shakespeare’s ironic and ridiculous situations account for much of the humor in this play. While the language alone is very witty and contributes to this comedy, it is used to set up the ridiculous happenings that are yet to come. The play is split into two stories: one is the love mismatch between the four lovers and the other is Bottom’s and Titania’s affair after his transformation into a donkey. It is comedic how neither of the young men loves Helena and yet after the spell both of them fight for her. It is also humorous and ironic how Bottom, the cocky jerk of the play, becomes an actual jackass.
This comedy is topped off by a happy ending. In the end, when all seems like utter chaos, the four lovers fall in love again with who they are supposed to, remembering the frenzied night as just a silly dream. Bottom is transformed back into a man, and as a man, he makes a “donkey” of himself in the play he performs. This resolved ending marks a true comedy, since in the past, a comedy used to mean a story that ended on a positive note, not necessarily a story centered on humor.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream: SCENE I. The wood. TITANIA lying asleep.

BOTTOM
Nay, you must name his name, and half his face must
be seen through the lion's neck: and he himself
must speak through, saying thus, or to the same
defect,--'Ladies,'--or 'Fair-ladies--I would wish
You,'--or 'I would request you,'--or 'I would
entreat you,--not to fear, not to tremble: my life
for yours. If you think I come hither as a lion, it
were pity of my life: no I am no such thing; I am a
man as other men are;' and there indeed let him name
his name, and tell them plainly he is Snug the joiner.


Shakespeare wanted to use this passage in his play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream to show the idiocy of Bottom and his fellow actors. Here, they are attempting to plan their performance of Pyramus and Thisbe. This story is supposed to be a very serious one; however, Bottom and his friends manage to unintentionally make a disgrace out of themselves and this play. Specifically, this dialogue deals with a lion in their play. Because the lion is supposed to roar ferociously, Bottom fears that the ladies will be scared of it. This is completely ridiculous and purposefully humorous because first of all, the group of them are such poor actors that they would lack the talent to instill the emotions they want to express in anyone, let alone fear. Two, the people in the audience know that they are attending a play; so, it is quite obvious that the lion onstage is not an actual lion, but just an actor. The solution Bottom thinks of is equally humorous. He wants Snug to directly tell the audience that he is not really a lion, but just a man in a costume.
Shakespeare effectively uses humor in this passage. Since this scene is prior to Bottom’s transformation into a donkey, Shakespeare utilizes this dialogue between Bottom and his friends to portray to the audience what is to come later on. After his change, the audience already knows the irony and humor behind Bottom’s transformation since he is a jackass in both the animal and human aspects.

Comments on the Historical Genre of Richard III Along with a Personal Reflection of the Play

To me, the way Shakespeare can make actual events in history an elaborate and unique storyline is amazing. The historical background of Richard III is quite interesting, but Shakespeare makes the emotions and actions of those people come to life in Richard III. Especially since these events took place so many years ago, it is easy for people today to misinterpret or feel bored by the list of facts of these happenings. However, Shakespeare uses Richard III to provide new information on the people during this time.
Reading about Richard III online or in books is not the same as seeing him onstage as an actual human being. While I have not seen Richard III performed, I still have a better sense of who Richard was because of the way Shakespeare makes the story revolve around him and the chaos he causes around him. Being able to envision these people in history actually talking and acting the way Shakespeare has composed them to do so in the play helps the audience to have a deeper appreciation for the times.
Because Shakespeare was able to take history and recreate it into something everyone could relive, I like this play. I also find it very intriguing how Shakespeare tells the story through the villain’s perspective, and so instead of cheering for the main character, the audience is wishing for someone to finally put an end to him. I admit that another bonus for me liking the play is how Richard is finally stopped for good. His demise is so ironic too. He can get everything he manipulated so perfectly accomplished, yet in the end he fails because of his horse, “A horse! a horse! my kingdom for a horse!”

Richard III: SCENE I. London. A street.

Enter GLOUCESTER, solus
GLOUCESTER
Now is the winter of our discontent
Made glorious summer by this sun of York;
And all the clouds that lour'd upon our house
In the deep bosom of the ocean buried.
Now are our brows bound with victorious wreaths;
Our bruised arms hung up for monuments;
Our stern alarums changed to merry meetings,
Our dreadful marches to delightful measures.
Grim-visaged war hath smooth'd his wrinkled front;
And now, instead of mounting barded steeds
To fright the souls of fearful adversaries,
He capers nimbly in a lady's chamber
To the lascivious pleasing of a lute.
But I, that am not shaped for sportive tricks,
Nor made to court an amorous looking-glass;
I, that am rudely stamp'd, and want love's majesty
To strut before a wanton ambling nymph;
I, that am curtail'd of this fair proportion,
Cheated of feature by dissembling nature,
Deformed, unfinish'd, sent before my time
Into this breathing world, scarce half made up,
And that so lamely and unfashionable
That dogs bark at me as I halt by them;
Why, I, in this weak piping time of peace,
Have no delight to pass away the time,
Unless to spy my shadow in the sun
And descant on mine own deformity:
And therefore, since I cannot prove a lover,
To entertain these fair well-spoken days,
I am determined to prove a villain
And hate the idle pleasures of these days.
Plots have I laid, inductions dangerous,
By drunken prophecies, libels and dreams,
To set my brother Clarence and the king
In deadly hate the one against the other:
And if King Edward be as true and just
As I am subtle, false and treacherous,
This day should Clarence closely be mew'd up,
About a prophecy, which says that 'G'
Of Edward's heirs the murderer shall be.
Dive, thoughts, down to my soul: here
Clarence comes.
Enter CLARENCE, guarded, and BRAKENBURY
Brother, good day; what means this armed guard
That waits upon your grace?


This opening scene of Richard III by William Shakespeare tells the audience what to expect of the play’s main character. In this speech, Richard is admitting to all the horrible things he is planning on doing. He delves into many different aspects of his dark nature – his negativity, his jealousy, his hate, and his duality. With this, Richard adds “I am determined to prove a villain,” which provides much insight on how this play is going to unfold.
This passage shows how openly evil Richard is. The first line of Richard’s speech, “Now is the winter of our discontent,” expresses his complaints of this time of peace. Winter is known to be barren, cold, and bleak, all adjectives that can be used to describe Richard as well. He continues by describing war in high regards, and how, unfortunately to him, the need for raising arms is no longer needed. Also, Richard conveys his envy of those who are empirically better looking than him, since he is, “Cheated of feature by dissembling nature,” and so much so, “That dogs bark at me as I halt by them.” This hideous man blames nature for the way he is. However, it seems that his disconcerting looks match his black heart interior. Because Richard realizes how much he hates the times he is trapped in, he is willing to make arrangements that will kill his brother Clarence and make himself king. This is one of the aspects that make Richard a truly evil person. His duality causes people to trust him, but then he tells the audience his real intentions in various asides. In other words, he plans to fool everyone make them believe he is a virtuous man, when, in reality, he is nothing of the sort and wishes never to be.
Perhaps the best stylistic component of this opening speech is at the very end, when Richard says, “Dive, thoughts, down to my soul: here/ Clarence comes.” The use of dive and down in these lines describe how he is quickly sending his true intentions deep within him so that they are hidden to those he wants to deceive, in this scene, Clarence. This line exhibits the duality of Richard. This entire time, Richard is giving an entire speech of his evilness, and by the end of his unpleasant introduction, it shows how his words are already a foreshadowing for what is to come.

Saturday, June 7, 2008

Personal Reflection of Macbeth

I enjoy the story of Macbeth because of the way Shakespeare crafted this tragic play. I like how the mood and tone of the play is immediately realized by the introduction of the three witches casted in a dark and foreboding setting. Also, the progression of Macbeth makes for a fascinating plot to follow. The story of who he once was, to who he becomes, and what ultimately happens as a result provides numerous aspects of the immense sense of tragedy Shakespeare weaves so consistently throughout the play. The prevalent transformation of Macbeth is what I like most about the play. In the beginning, Macbeth is a brave and loyal man. As the play continues, Macbeth is torn between doing what is right or taking another man’s life to steal the thrown. I like how Shakespeare makes Macbeth’s internal struggle realistic and therefore relatable to a point. Overall, I really liked the storyline and style of the play, but I think I would have a greater appreciation for it if I saw performed.

Why Macbeth is a Tragedy

Shakespeare makes his play, Macbeth, a tragedy by incorporating ideas and desires we can all relate to. Macbeth is told his future in three parts: who he currently is, what is to come in the very near future, and his destiny to be “Macbeth, thou shalt be king hereafter!” After discovering that his fate truly is foretold when he is promoted to Thane of Cawdor, he naturally begins to wonder how much more of the witches’ predictions are true. What makes Macbeth a tragedy is how Macbeth could not resist the urge to obtain what he wants, even when his life is already heading towards success.
When Macbeth is promoted, his life is on the rise; people are recognizing him for his bravery and loyalty. Most people want to lead successful lives, so Macbeth’s striving ideal is very easy to relate to. However, Macbeth does not stop here. Instead, he reaches for more at whatever costs, even murder. Macbeth’s story is a tragic one because he cannot stop his greed, his own ambition. He puts aside his morals for his desires. At one point Macbeth convinces himself not to murder Duncan for numerous reasons. Unfortunately, he allows Lady Macbeth to persuade him to carry on with their plan because she challenges his manhood and assures him that it is worthwhile. Macbeth’s transformation is tragic because he was once a good man who corrupted himself by his own dream to be king.
Macbeth is a tragedy for all that is lost – Macbeth’s humaneness, Lady Macbeth’s sanity, and all the lives of the people they murdered. Macbeth cannot resist the withes’ promise. He destroys his once respectable image for power that quickly transforms him into a tyrant. Even Lady Macbeth, who is seemingly the most evil and driven of all the characters, cannot bear all the blood on her hands, and then dies because of it. It is tragic how countless innocents are murdered. The death of Macbeth is tragic, despite how awful he is by the end of the play because in the beginning, it is obvious to the audience that he was a good man with all the potential to be great.

Friday, June 6, 2008

Macbeth: SCENE V. Dunsinane. Within the castle.

MACBETH
I have almost forgot the taste of fears;
The time has been, my senses would have cool'd
To hear a night-shriek; and my fell of hair
Would at a dismal treatise rouse and stir
As life were in't: I have supp'd full with horrors;
Direness, familiar to my slaughterous thoughts
Cannot once start me.

By this scene, the honorable, brave, and renowned hero the audience knows as Macbeth is gone. In his place stands a monster, an incredible tyrant whose morals are hopelessly lost. This passage is so stylistically and cleverly woven that only Shakespeare himself can write it. The use of sensory details emphasizes how Macbeth no longer feels sympathy and how he has become a merciless force that will do anything to achieve his goals. He is numb to the chaos he is causing. Macbeth’s words mark the self-realization of who he was and who he has become. Macbeth starts this short dialogue with “I have almost forgot the taste of fears,” meaning that the person he once was is far gone. He nearly forgets the taste of fears because he no longer feels remorse for those he has killed, and he believes that no one can conquer his ambition and power. He continues by stating how scared of the screams he would be prior to his transformation. The hairs on his neck would have stood up uncontrollably due to human nature. But by the end of Macbeth’s response to the shriek by women, he makes it clear that he has been the cause to some of the horrors men fear, and how now they, “Cannot once start me,” meaning that he sees his own fears as weakness, and how even these fears are powerless to stop him.