"O" Mirrors Othello

           “O” brings Shakespeare into the 21^st century. This movie is based on the dramatic tragedy known as Othello. But unlike most teen spin offs of Shakespeare’s plays, I find this movie to be almost identical.

            The biggest difference between the movie and the play is the setting. No longer is the scene of Venice and Cyprus but instead a southern boarding school, and the Turkish war has been replaced by a basketball court. With the changes in setting come changes in language. To modernize the play, profanity and slang are very dominant. And for the soundtrack, the melody of rap plays as Hugo plans his evil scheme.

            Symbols that are present in both play and movie are the handkerchief and the Willow. The handkerchief has identical symbolic meaning in the play and the movie. The handkerchief symbolizes different things to different characters. Since the handkerchief was the first gift Desi received from Odin, she keeps it about her constantly as a symbol of Odin’s love. Hugo manipulates the handkerchief so that Odin comes to see it as a symbol of Desi’s faith and chastity. By taking possession of it, he is able to convert it into evidence of her infidelity. The handkerchief originally was in the possession of Odin’s mother and is supposed to stay in the family, which represents him making her apart of the family and of their  trust. The Willow is represented differently but does maintain the same meaning for Desi in the play and the movie. In the play as Desdemona prepares for bed in Act V, she sings a song about a woman who is betrayed by her lover. She was taught the song by her mother’s maid, Barbary, who suffered a misfortune similar to that of the woman in the song; she even died singing Willow. The song’s lyrics suggest that both men and women are unfaithful to one another. To Desdemona, the song seems to represent her alienation from Othello’s affections. In the movie, Willows is the hotel that Odin and Desi spend a romantic night. During the night, Odin becomes forceful to Desi and in this moment in the relationship Desi feels disconnected from Odin and questions their relationship.

            Themes such as betrayal, infidelity, love, passion, romance, death and manipulation are all problems that even today’s world is faced with. Therefore these modernized versions are often very applicable and relatable to our lives when the setting and cultural restraints of the Renaissances era are removed. 

Who Are You?

           Disguise is a dominate theme in Twelfth Night . Viola’s disguise is the most obvious, when she transforms into a man named Cesario when she dresses and acts like a man. Viola dressed as a man and created  very tangled web of lies that resulted in a strange love triangle. Viola loves Orsino, but Orsino love Olivia, but Olivia loves Cesario. What is the point of this strange love triangle? Well I think Shakespeare is trying to show how delusional human attraction can be and that it can be manipulated by just dressing like a man.

            Another character disguises himself in the play. Malvolio under the impression that Olivia loves him decided to dress as she wishes. This outfit comprises of crossed garters and yellow stockings, which is a horrible outfit but because of his blinded love he will do or become anyone to be with Olivia. When Malvolio dreams of his life with Olivia he imagines himself dressed in fine clothes. Due to Olivia’s high status, Malvolio feels the need to change his look in order to be able to be with Olivia.

            While Malvolio is determined mad because of his goofy clothing and excessive smiling he is sent to a confined dark room. While in the dark room, Feste decides to create another disguise. He creates a priest named Sir Topas, who he dresses up as to deceive Malvolio. The catch is that Malvolio is not able to see Feste so there is no need to dress as his new character. This is very telling on the topic of disguise because Feste believes that the outfit and reality are deeply connected. For Sir Topas to be real he must dress the part and then he will truly be Sir Topas. I believe that Shakespeare shows this crazy scene because he is making a statement on the issue of class and gender and all you need to change this image is to change clothes. I gender and class a fixed variable or can the change of clothes change who you are?

            The question over changing who you are is a question that is still relevant to today. Many believe that a new pair of shoes or a designer bag will change the way you and others feel about you. But is this really what happens. I personally think people can pretend to be something they are not but in the end their true self will be revealed. 

Seeing Double...

            We have just started reading the play called Twelfth Night, which is a comedy I have been looking forward to reading. Hearing that the movie She’s the Man makes me want to investigate the similarities and differences that the movie has from the play. The greatest thing about the work of Shakespeare is that each generation is free to interpret his stories to suite the circumstances and situations prevalent to their times. Shakespeare’s plays encompassed every possible aspect of the human condition form the tragic to the ridiculous making younger generations able to relate and retell his stories.

            The first references to the play in She’s the Man are the similarities in the names. Such as Olivia, Sebastian and Viola. And the main reference is the main character is attempting to pass as a boy. The movie presents Amanda Bynes in the role of the heroine Viola, who pretends to be her twin brother in order to play soccer after the girls' team at her school is disbanded. Bynes displays a flair for comedy, especially when Viola studies guys walking down the street and mimics their gait and mannerisms. Bynes uses her elastic face to show Viola's every thought making the transition and doing her darnedest to pull it off. The largest problem comes in the form of her roommate Duke Orsino. He is a sensitive young man that is more than willing to open up to what he thinks is another guy. Duke is romantically interested in a girl at the school, Olivia. The problem is she has eyes for Sebastian. Viola completes the strange romantic triangle when she begins to fall for Duke. This naturally places Viola in some uncomfortable circumstances. Since this genre is far from subtle the lamentable Viola finds being a guy is not as easy as she had hoped. This plot parallels the love triangle present in the Twelfth Night. One small reference to the play is that the pizza joint that the kid frequent is called Cesario, a reference to the name Viola uses as a man in Twelfth Night.

            Although the movie uses loose references to the play it has inspired the inspiration for the concept of the chick flick comedy. After I’m done reading the play I’m sure I will find more secret inserts from the writers that reflect the inspiration from the play. 

Puck: The God of Desire

Love can transpose to form and dignity.

Love looks not with the eyes but with the mind.

And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.

Nor hath Love’s mind of any judgment taste—

Wings and no eyes figure unheedy haste.

And therefore is Love said to be a child,

Because in choice he is so oft beguiled.

As waggish boys in game themselves forswear,

So the boy Love is perjured everywhere.

(Act I, Scene i)

            Robin Goodfellow, but more well known as Puck, is a very intriguing character that seems to be overlooked when discussing A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Puck is often referred to as the most important character in the play. This might be due to his character threading the play together from the fairy world to the human world. Puck also adds to the comedy by his fun-loving humor, and mischievous nature. I think that Puck role in the play is to be metaphor for Cupid.

            In a play about love and the confusion of love their needs to be a force that can pull and push lovers together or apart. From the quote above, Helena is talking about the blindness of love. She refers to Cupid as blind and that is why he makes reckless and hasty decisions. Helena also says that Cupid breaks promises all the time. Helena’s description made me think of Puck immediately. Shakespeare has created Puck, who is reckless and hasty, which we see when he picks the first Athenian he sees instead of looking for the right Athenian. Puck also is reckless in the way he turns Bottom’s head into an ass on the fly. Instead of arrows, Puck has a magical flower that holds love juice, which will make people fall blindly into love. 

            Puck’s character aligns itself with the Roman version of Cupid. Cupid was the son of Venus and Mars. In the legend, Venus becomes jealous of princess Psyche, who was loved by her people so much that they forgot about Venus. Venus order Cupid to make Psyche fall in love with the vilest thing in the world. Although this story is not parallel to Puck’s there are still many similarities. In the play Oberion takes the role of Venus and is jealous of Titania for having the Indian child he wants. In order for Oberion to get even he sends Puck to make Titania fall in love with a vile creature, which turns out to be Bottom.

            I believe these similarities ties Puck to being Cupid in the play. He adds the magic that makes love blind and mysterious but he is able to create love that will last forever. 

Brutus Reveals Emotions…But Only In Private

              Portia only has two short appearances in the play Julius Caesar but her presence reveals a lot about the main character, Brutus. Due to this being one of Shakespeare’s earlier plays I don’t think he truly developed Portia’s character as well as could. Portia proves to be a tragic figure in this play because of her lack of power over the situation. She has the chance to stop Brutus from killing Caesar and ultimately destroying his life but due to her position in society she is forced to remain quite.

            When Portia catches Brutus outside in the garden talking to the conspirators she wants to know the secret that burdens Brutus. Brutus holds back saying he is just sick. Portia tries to prove that she is stronger then her “sex” because she comes from a strong father and has a strong husband. She even goes as far to inflict pain on herself to prove that she will not tell his secret. Brutus ends up avoiding her request and has her find out with the rest of the citizens of Rome. The reader’s later finds out that Portia has committed suicide by swallowing hot coals. The symbolic nature of her death represents her living in silence and in her death she burns her throat to silence herself forever.

            We find out this sorrowful news two different times. I think the presentation of Portia’s death twice tries to show the different between Brutus’s private and public life. The first encounter we see Brutus talking about the death when he is alone with Cassius after their fight. In private Brutus allows his emotions to go crazy and picks a fight with Cassius to work out his aggression he has built up around his wife’s death. At this point Brutus is dealing with the decision about the state of his own life, the failure of the Roman Empire and now the sudden death of his beloved wife. Brutus seems to want to leave emotions out of the decisions he makes but at this point his emotions are now leading his decisions. He admits to Cassius the death of Portia and says how upset he really is. This private moment is very different then his public displays of emotion when he finds out from Mesalus. Mesalus enters the tent under the impression that Brutus does not know about the death. Brutus responds to Mesalus calmly and stoically. Mesalus seems impressed with the leaders ability to endure such a loss and barely be impacted.

            In the death of Portia, the audience discovers the importance that Brutus puts on his public perception. He tries to keep his private and public lives separate. If Brutus would of revealed his struggle and forget about his outward perception about the decision to kill Caesar with Portia then all the bloodshed might have never happened. 

Brutus vs. Antony: The Power of Persuasion

           The power of persuasion is a sought after trait that everyone desires especially those in politics. Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar shows politicians using their own techniques to manipulate and deceive their audience. A particular scene in which the power of persuasion is particular strong is the speech in which Brutus and Antony give to the plebeians announcing the death of Caesar. Both men use different approaches to convince the plebeians of their position on the topic of Caesar’s death, but one proves to be more convincing.

            Brutus’s whole speech is presented in prose rather then verse in order to speak to the plebeians simply so they feel on the same level as Brutus. He tries to convince the crowd that acted as a concerned citizen of Rome and not as a power hungry individual. The plebeians seem to be convinced that he is telling the truth and did the right thing for Republic.

            In contrast, Antony speaks only verses unlike Brutus’ use of prose. Antony refers to the conspirators and Brutus as “honourable men” which starts as a compliment but through out the speech it is more of a mocking term.

He was my friend, faithful and just to me. 
 But Brutus says he was ambitious; 
 And Brutus is an honourable man. 
 . . . 
When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept. 
 . . . 
Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; 
 And Brutus is an honourable man. 
 . . . 
I thrice presented him a kingly crown, 
 which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition? 
 Yet Brutus says he was ambitious, 
 and sure he is an honourable man. (III.ii.82–96)

            Antony also takes Brutus’ logo and turns it into an anti-logo, such as Caesar being ambitious and Antony reminds the crowd that Caesar grew up in poor family and how he refused the crown three times. He even adds a bit of tears in the middle of the speech to build on the pathos in the crowd. Another tool he uses that Brutus tried to do was to be on the same level as the crowd. Antony does this by leaving the pulpit and actually standing on the same level as the plebeians. Again he uses pathos by showing the bloody body of Caesar. Then he can feel the pity and anger in the crowd and decides to mention mutiny. He tells them not to perform mutiny but he knows the mention of the word will have the power to plant the idea inside the plebeian’s minds and eventually will turn into action.

            These two honorable men try to inflict their opinion on to the public. As we learn in the beginning of the play being popular with the public is very important when you want to be in control. Antony realizes this importance and tries to win over the public in order to seek revenge for Caesar’s death. 

The Omens of Death

             After only reading the first few acts in Julius Caesar the presence of omens are scattered though out the scenes. Each character seems to interprets these omens differently. The omens that have appeared so far are the Calphurnia’s dream, the ides of March, and weird animal behavior. Every character interprets these omens as they see fit but all point to certain doom.

            One of the more important omens so far is Calphurnia’s dream. Calphurnia dreamed about Romans standing around washing their hands in Caesar's blood. Caesar’s wife correctly predicts that this dream foreshadows danger for her husband. But Decius tries to convince Caesar that this dream means he will be Rome’s’ savior. Due to Caesars’ pride he decides to agree with Decius and in turn dies.

            Another interesting omen that has been presented multiple times is concept of the Ides of March, which the Soothsayer insists to be heard. This date is of course the day Caesar dies and the date being repeated in the play is there to remind the audience of Caesars’ fate. But why does Caesar choose to ignore the warnings? If he didn’t ignore them would we have a different ending to this story? I think Caesar is blinded by the popularity of the Roman people that he chooses to turn his deaf ear to the warnings, which ultimately is his downfall.

            An additional omen that from the beginning of the play seems strange is the sighting of the lion from Calpurnia and Casca. Calpurnia sees the lion giving birth in the streets and Casca sees the lion walking by him with no attempt to attack him. This bizarre appearance of the lion could symbolize Caesar. Like the lion who is king of the jungle, Caesar could become king of Rome. But the weird behavior of the lion could mean that Caesar may not become King.

            While reading the begging of the play the biggest omen that stuck out to me was the sacrifice that was missing a heart. Like the other omens the meaning of the heartless sacrifice gets misinterpreted. Caesar believes that the lack of heart means that if he doesn’t go to the capitol that day it will show a lack in courage and therefore he will be removed from consideration of the crown. But I understood the omen to mean that the conspirators have no heart and will kill Caesar.

            The seriousness with which Romans looked at omens is evident in the beginning of this play. However it is very frustrating watching these characters misinterpret the warnings from the gods and their close ones. If only Caesar caught on to one omen that alluded to his death we might have had a completely different outcome. 

The Womanizer

             Why are Shakespeare fans embarrassed by The Taming of the Shrew? The controversy about controlling women in the play is hotly debated issue, but was it as big of a deal in Elizabethan society? The presence of gender roles is an important aspect of the play. The relationship between Petruchio and Katherine balances on a thin line between acceptable and controversial.

            In Elizabethan society, men were permitted to beat their wives. Men at the time were concerned of shrewish women because of their power to disrupt the model of a perfect household. Shakespeare might be showing a lighter side of the Elizabethan gender treatment. He does not show physical violence against women in the play. But Petruchio does threaten to hit Katherine and uses other tactics to tame and exert his superiority. Even in the courting process Petruchio makes Katherine his property. He offers to marry Katharine to save her from being a spinster. Petruchio also comments on Katherine’s physical beauty and says that she has passed the test but implying that she just barely passed. But the main controversy is the means in which Petruchio “tames” Katherine. 

            Petruchio uses many different controversial techniques to “tame” Katherine. From there first meeting Petruchio tell Baptista that Katherine has agreed to marry him when she obviously did not wish. Later at the wedding, Petruchio shows up late, in unfashionable clothes, and riding a broken horse. In the middle of the reception Petruchio asserts his authority on Katherine and forces her to leave. When they arrive to Petruchio’s house he decides to “kill her with kindness”. He does this by saying that nothing is good for her and therefore she is not allowed to have anything that is not perfect. This put Katherine in an awkward position because he has never claimed that he does not want the best for her.  Because of this Katherine cannot retaliate in anger. Katherine’s speech at the end of the play proves that Petruchio’s strange tactics have worked to tame Katherine.

            In the 21^st century, The Taming of the Shrew is seen as more controversial than it was when it was originally written. I think we have to remember that the play is written as a comedy and in a time where traditional gender roles were practiced therefore we should not take the play too seriously. 

My Journey to “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”

            As a Christmas gift, my Grandma heard I was taking a class on Shakespeare and decided that I should experience his work in person. I received tickets to see “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at The Denver Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, February 4^th. It was an amazing performance that had me laughing non-stop. This play is interesting in the fact that we know very little about the history of the play. Historians do not know the exact date of the play’s first performance but they do suspect that the play was performed for a wedding celebration in the palace. From class we have learned how difficult it is to direct a play that has limited direction. Kent Thompson, the director of this particular play had some different interpretations from other directors.

            Originally the play has more emphasis on the young lovers and their complex relationship in the magical forest. In Thompson’s rendition he finds interest in the veteran lovers, Oberon and Titania. The two old loves seem accustom to the young lovers due to their long relationship of squabbling for 30 years and usually get over it.

            Thompson also wanted to focus on the danger of the forest. Even though no one is in danger. Thompson wanted to have the characters be unaware that the forest could become a jungle. Puck is playful but that could get out of control. He feels that it “is the classic opportunity for comedy. Audiences love to see characters almost go too far and then find their way back.” This interest in pushing the boundaries of the play allows for a different personality from other interpretations of the play.

            Unlike other versions of the play, Thompson went for a fresher and lighter version that allows the humor to shine through.  He did an amazing job at making a play that was written in the Elizabethan era seem relevant in the 21^st century. A wonderful summary of the performance by Dan Sullivan says, “Dream remains an amazingly fresh play, a remix of classical legend, down home superstition and backstage foolery, braided into a tall tale that keeps us laughing and leaves us reflecting.” 

Why is there an Induction in "The Taming of the Shrew"?

              The purpose of the induction in the Taming of the Shrew could be for many reasons. The use of this technique was a common feature during the Renaissance period, but a rare element in Shakespeare’s plays. Although none of the characters in the induction are present through out the main part of the play they do serve as an important role. The Induction serves to introduce key themes that will become present in the main play such as identity, disguise, illusion and reality.

            The induction consists of the Lord playing a practical joke on homeless, drunk named Christopher Sly by dressing him up and making him believe that he is the Lord. This funny, little story draws a parallel to Katherine’s story in the main play. Sly’s story reinforces the idea that a person’s environment and treatment can determine their behavior. Sly is told and treated like a Lord therefore he believes it is true. In the main play Katherine is told from her father and husband to be an abiding wife. Although Katherine struggles with the thought of being a dutiful wife she has no choice and is forced to conform. Katherine and Sly are treated like puppets and whatever their controller decides to make them do they are at there will.

            Another theme in the induction and play is the concept of “social mobility”. In Shakespeare’s time many people were worried that someone from the lower class would simply move up in class by dressing in nicer clothes and acting as though they were of a higher class. The Lord in the induction does exactly that and dresses up the lower class drunk in nicer clothes and then is presumed to be a Lord. It brings up the issue of individual identities and whether people can disguise themselves as others and believe that their new identity is true. This concept might be a clue from Shakespeare that someone or something is pretending to be something other than what they seem in the main play.

            The interesting and humorous induction ends with the beginning of the play. We never find out what becomes of Christopher Sly and his beautiful wife, but the induction serves as a valuable lead in to the main portion of the play. 

The Boar in Richard III

            Richard III is referred to through out the play as a boar. Historically, Richard’s royal symbol was a boar. Unlike his brother Edward whose symbol was the sun, which reflects the royalty view that they are godly. Richard’s symbol represents a fierce and hideous creature. Just like the boar that destroys the obstacles in his path, so does Richard by killing the people who cared for him and crushing the dreams of the citizens of England.

            In Elizabethan time, the boar was a popular animal to hunt due to its aggressive nature. But some laws Privatized certain land and animals for hunting only for royalty. The boar was one of the creatures that only royalty could hunt. In the play, Richmond is the one who kills Richard because only a man who is equally royal could kill the boar.

            The Elizabethan period also enforced a natural hierarchical order. On top was God then royalty and higher society, then peasants, and at the bottom were animals. Richard’s symbol is placed on the lowest tier of the order, which makes it strange that he is made king and corrupting the system. It only makes sense that to restore order in England, Richard must be removed from the throne to replace order in society.

            However, Richard’s character is even lower then a raging boar because he lacks all humanity. Richard and Anne have a discussion about even how beasts have pity. Richard claims he has no pity meaning that he is not a beast or human. The audience can come to the conclusion that Richard is far worse then any beast, he is an unnatural creature. Through out the play Richard refers to himself as ugly and unnatural looking and so do other characters. Margaret mentions that Richard was born with teeth. This might indicate that he is something other than human and that is why he does not have human feelings.

            Comparing Richard to a boar is more of a compliment then he deserves. His viscous acts of killing the people closest to him and not feeling any remorse proves that he is lower on the hierarchical order than an animal. Shakespeare has taken the aggression of the boar and combined it with a heartless soul to create Richard III. 

War of Roses (Richard III)

             Richard, Duke of Glouster, begins the play by telling the viewers that the House of York is in power. His brother, King Edward IV, is the one leading York House to power. The War of the Roses is the underlying historical context of the Shakespeare play, Richard III. I am interested in learning about the War of the Roses to form a better understanding of the influences and mindset of the characters and the audience during the time period that the play was performed.

            The War of Roses consisted of  two branches of the Royal House of Plantagenet. The houses of York and Lancaster competed for the throne of England from 1455 and 1485. The war ended with Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond coming into power and founding the House of Tudors. Henry Tudor united the House of York and Lancaster, even combining the symbol of the white and red rose into an emblem of a red and white Tudor rose.

            An influence that the battle between the houses could have affected was the courtship of Richard III and Lady Anne. Lady Anne is part of the Lancaster family. Richard’s alliance with Lady Anne might help him get both the approval of his own house and the House of Lancaster.

            History not only plays as a background setting in the play but was also an influencing matter in the presentation of characters in the play. Queen Elizabeth I was in power at the time, who was a Tudor, of the writing and performance of Richard III. Shakespeare wanted to please the royal family because they could influence the success of his career. Due to this pressure Shakespeare portrays Richard III as a horrendous villain in order to make Henry Tudor appear in a much brighter light. If Shakespeare did not show the devilish side of Richard III as much as he did then Henry Tudor would have looked less heroic. Even though the history of England has swayed the representation in this play due to the fact that the characters he was writing about were still alive and influential.