The Winter's Tale Act 5

I went and saw Melissa Arctic on Monday so I had a feeling about what was going to happen in act 5. I should have read it before going to the play I just didn't have time. However, I wasn't expecting it to be so similar. Although since I knew what was kind of coming it was interesting to see Paulina's and Leontes's exchange in 5.1 Paulina makes Leontes swear never to marry again. Leontes says, "My true Paulina, We shall not marry till thou bidd'st us." Paulina says back to him "That shall be when your first queen's again in breath. Which without having known the ending I would not have found this line so funny cause that's what happens! I think people who read this play over again notice that line but when you read it for the first time without knowing the ending you miss the irony of that line. I am glad and sad about knowing the ending in advance but oh well.
I have read several other blogs and I am finding a lot of people angry at how the play ended. There are a few things I want to talk about concerning this act. First I want to talk about how Paulina has become even cooler in my book. She is probably the best female character in the Shakespeare plays we have read this semester. I mean Beatrice might be a close second but Paulina is by far the best. We have talked a little about her in class and I hope we spend some more time on her character because first off she stands up to Leontes and makes him swear he will not marry again. She stands up to a nobleman! Like what! Secondly she is able to bring back Hermoine! Now I'm not really sure if she brought her back or if she's been hiding for 16 years, but as I kind of read it she brought her back. She created life. Which makes sense because she is a woman but still that is so powerful. Paulina is the one who gave the play its happy ending. One thing that bothers me though is that she marries Camillo at the end of the play which is something I wish didn't happen. I feel like Paulina doesn't need to replace Mamillus or really need a man anyways.
A lot of people are man that Leontes gets everything he wants at the end of the play and has no real punishment and that he hasn't really "changed". I kind of want to disagree with that because he had to live with himself and Paulina, in his ear, for 16 years with the guilt of losing two children and his wife. I feel like he punished himself pretty well for all that time. I think 16 years is definitely enough time for someone to change and become a better person. I also think that losing his two children and his wife could make anyone be willing to change. I don't think we should write him off as quickly.
Overall I think this was a great play and I can't wait to do my write up of Melissa Arctic because there are so many things I want to talk about but I don't want to ruin anything for you until you see the play! I know you're going to love it!

The Winter's Tale Act 4

Act 4 scene 1 functions as a summary of what has happened. Time itself, tell us of the passing of sixteen years, how Leontes has shut himself up in his palace while Perdita grew up in the shepherd's care, and how Perdita has fallen in love with Florizel, Polixenes's son, who also loves her in return. And scene 2 functions as a view of what has been happening with Polixenes's for all these years. Camillo wishes to return to Sicilia, but Polixenes orders him to stay because he still needs him. He then inquirors as to the whereabouts of his son, Florizel but Camillo doesn't know where he is. Polixenes fears that it's the Shepard's daughter drawing his son away so they decide to disguise themselves to spy on Florizel. Classic Shakespeare. Why ask when you can spy.

Autolycus definitely reminds me of Falstaff. They both are conmen and willing to come up with these crazy stories in order to obtain what the desire, which of course is money. Although Autolycus seems to be much smart than Falstaff. Falstaff didn't seem to be able to get away with robbing someone and he seemed to always been the one getting robbed but they both are definitely cunning and have little care about anything but basic pleasures.

Scene 4 was definitely a much longer scene than I had first anticipated. For the major character I followed Perdita. She is the daughter of Leontes and has fallen in love with Polixenes's son Florizel. In the scene they become engaged and Perdita has predicted that Florizel's father will find out about them and disapprove. This is exactly what happens after Polizenes confronts his son and reveals his disguise. However, with the help of Camillo the two run off to Sicilia and will appear before Leontes as ambassadors from Polixenes. I choose to follow as the minor character Camillo because I like him quite a bit. I find him to be reassuring and through his desire to return home he will help Perdita to be reunited with her father. Even though it is out of self-interest to help the young lovers I still find it reassuring that he's willing to help them in whatever way he can. And by telling Polixenes where his son is off to Camillo will be able to return home at last. It seems to be a win win for both the major and minor character. Although that depends on what Polixenes will do once he finds his son in Sicilia. I hope it's a happy ending!  

The Winter's Tale Act 2-3

I am doing the "I hate this stuff" rant blog. These two acts were very hard to read because they were so infuriating. I'll start off with how stupid Leontes is for storming into his wife's room and accusing her of adultery and having her arrest for it as well because Polixenes and Camillo have run off. I mean like seriously that is not proof that your wife is cheating on you. Leontes is acting like a dam fool for going through with this and Antigonus is right that they will be the laughingstock of the world.

Also when did Hermione become pregnant? Was she pregnant the whole play and I somehow missed that? I can't believe that her husband would send his pregnant wife to a jail cell. Like come on dude. Paulina is a good and bad character for me. I like how loyal she is to Hermione but I mean she is the one who causes the baby to become abandoned. I know her intentions were honorable but everyone has been calling Leontes a tyrant so of course he's going to be irrational with his own child. Plus his judgment is clouded with jealousy. So the fact that Paulina thought she could change his mind with a baby was just dumb. Although who makes someone choose between killing a baby and abandoning it. Even if that baby isn't yours you can't just kill it! Like who does that.

Act 3, Scene 2 stuff got way too real way too fast. There was way too much going on in this scene for me. First you have Hermione's trial RIGHT after she has given birth. Like what! I also love how he has made this trial public so that he can't be accused of being a tyrant but he's the judge, jury, and accuser so I feel like he's still a tyrant. Jokes on him. Even after seeing the message from the oracle saying that Hermione is innocent he still doesn't believe it. I'm starting to wonder if Leontes was looking for a way out of his marriage because he has no evidence and he's been proven wrong by the oracle but still thinks she's cheating. He was just pissing me off. THEN Mamillius and Hermione die. We lose two main characters in one scene. Too much stuff. And in the next scene Antigonus might be dead by a bear. So many deaths in this play. Leontes is the one that should have died. I'm just not sure what else this play can possibly have in store for us but I guess we will see.

The Comedy of Errors Act 1 and The Winter's Tale Act 1

Egeon is in Ephesus and he is being led to his execution because any Syracusan caught in Ephesus must pay an indemnity of a thousand marks, a price Egeon is unable to meet, or face execution. He is in Syracuse and prospered. He had a wife and twin boys. When Egeon and his family were on a boat back to Ephesus their ship was broken apart by a storm. Egeon, his son, and slave tied themselves to one end of the mass and his wife, other son, and slave tied themselves to another end of the mass. The mass split and the two parties went on different boats. So now Egeon is in Ephesus searching for his lost wife and son. The Duke is overcome with grief that he allows Egeon a day of liberation in order to find someone to pay his ransom. I believe Egeon will find someone to pay his ransom and will also be reunited with his family since it is a comedy and comedies usually end up happy!

Leontes and Polixenes at first seem to be hitting it off great. Leontes wants Polixenes to stay longer but Polixenes says that his already been there for nine months. It is only when Leontes' wife Hermione convinces Polixenes to stay that he does. This drives Leontes crazy because he becomes convinced that Hermione and Polixenes are sleeping together. This is exactly like Othello and Desdemona. Without any proof Leontes is ready to kill Polixenes for sleeping with his wife. It was interesting to see how swiftly Leontes was to change his opinion of Polixenes. I was surprised that Camillo warned Polixenes about the King's intentions of poisoning him and then asked if he could come away with him.

Troilus and Cressida Act 4

This act had a lot going on in it so I think for this blog I'm just going to go through the scenes and make comments on things throughout. This first thing that I found surprising was Diomedes equating Helen to a common tart and that she isn't worth all that much. This depiction of Helen is quite different from the stories that have been passed on about her from other places. I find it interesting Shakespeare is choosing to not fall into the main stream by saying Helen is the woman who launched a thousand ships. I also found the fact that they are trading Cressida without having to ask her or even mention it to her before the agreement is made. I found that part a little unnerving but it makes sense that women didn't have much say back then.

I found it very scandalous that Troilus and Cressida slept together before marriage. And of course her creepy uncle had to give her a hard time even though he is the one who set the whole thing up in the first place. Pandarus is kind of annoying and flip floppy. I'm also not sure what to make of Troilus and Cressida's relationship. It seems as if he's truly in love with her but several times scene five Troilus tells Cressida to be true and it almost seems as if he doesn't trust her with all those Grecian men. Although he does get extremely jealous when Diomedes is flirting with her so that throws a loop into their relationship dynamics. So I'm just not sure what I think about those two.

I found scene 7 to be hilarious with the encounter between Achilles and Hector. The two of them throwing insults at each other made me LOL. Like Achilles thinking he can point out exactly where he'll kill Hector is just so funny. I love it when men go chest to chest with each other because it seems so childish but it's still funny.

Question: In the 6th scene where Cressida enters into the Greek camp she is kissed by many people. When they say they kissed her is it on the lips or on the hand? I mean the hand would seem more resonable because it's not as intimate but Achilles says, "I'll take that winter from your LIPS, fair lady". So I'm just wondering was kissing on the lips not as intimate as it is today? Or are they actually kissing her hand.

Troilus and Cressida Act 2 and 3

Act 2.1 - Ajax and Thersites bicker back and forth. Ajax is constantly hitting Thersites. Ajax wants to know about the proclamation concerning Hector. Achilles and Patroclus enter and try to stop the bickering and Achilles is trying to prevent Ajax from hitting Thersites and Thersites from saying mean things to Ajax. Thersites finally leaves and Achilles tells Ajax about the proclamation and how it's a lottery to see who will fight Hector but if it wasn't Achilles is sure he would be the man to fight Hector.

2.2 - The Trojan council meets to consider the situation. Priam informs them that the Greeks have repeated their offer to call off the war if Helen is returned to them. Hector and Helenus want to return her, but Troilus protests that they will lose their honor if, having approved of her abduction in the first place, they suddenly change their minds. Hector argues that the costs of war are much more than Helen's worth. Cassandra bursts into the room to threaten the destruction of Troy unless Helen is returned, but no one listens which I wonder if that is because she is a woman. After Cassandra leaves the room Hector asks Troilus if they should really ignore their sister and Troilus comes back with not judging the "justness" of a cause by the end result. Honor is more important and I liked that part.  Hector argues that if Helen should be sent back to her husband Menelaus as a matter of morality, but admits that as a matter of pride she has to stay in Troy.

2.3 Thersites is again hating everyone around him. He wishes the whole Greek camp would come down with venereal disease, which I found rather humorous. Even though Thersites hates everyone he definitely adds humor to the play. Achilles sulks in his tent like a five year old but he insists that he's ill and refuses to see anyone. While that's going on everyone is buttering Ajax up which I don't think he needs anymore buttering up. It's interesting to see the Trojan camp be more civil and use logic to settle arguments whereas the Greek camp has everyone insulting one another constantly. It's almost as if the Greek camp is full of a bunch of five year olds and the Trojan camp has all the adults in it. Funny how the war turns out.

Act 3.2 - It is interesting that Cressida is acting shy when Troilus comes into her house when we first encountered her she was witty and out-spoken and teasing her Uncle endlessly. She acted like Beatrice in 1.2 but when Troilus enters she started acting a little like Hero and needing her Uncle to speak for her and doesn't say much. Which is very weird. I wonder why the sudden extreme mood swings. And I was a little confused by the end of the scene. Did the two of them go off to bed together or separate?

Othello Act 5

Act 5 scene 1 was a little weird. I mean it made since that Rodrigo was sent to kill Cassio and I found it humorous that Cassio had armor on under his cloak which makes sense seeing as he is a solider. I also give props to Iago for setting this up beautifully. It makes me think that he had this all planned out in advance and wasn't doing it on the fly because it seems like way too complicated a plan to be put together on the fly. I definitely didn't expect Iago to kill his wife especially after she already confessed everything and he was ruined. I found it weird that he was able to keep his sword and draw it without anyone raising their swords to him. I love the part when Othello says that he didn't commit any of these murders out of hate but out of honor. It seems like honor is a very big theme in all of Shakespeare's plays and a character will go to any length in order to make sure their honor stays intact. I love Othello's final speech about how the story should be told. He doesn't want it toned down or embellished. He wants everyone to know exactly what happen there that night and how exactly he acted leading up to it which I thought was very noble of him. I also like that his reason for all of this was because he loved too much and wasn't wise about it. So I guess if you're blindly in love with someone it is easy to manipulate you and convince you of bad things that don't actually exist. Moral of the story don't love too much and be unwise about it!  

Act 4

In act 4 scene 1 Iago has Othello hide and listen to him speak with Cassio. However, I don't understand how Othello doesn't know that it's Bianca that is talking with Cassio because Iago says her name before Cassio starts laughing and talking about her. I guess the handkerchief thing can look a little fishy in the situation once Iago makes the claim that Cassio got it from Desdemona and gave it to his whore Bianca. I can believe that Othello hits Desdemona. Although when reading through the things she's saying to Lodovico in the context that Othello is hearing them then I can understand why he might be getting frustrated at her. I don't agree with him hitting her but I can see why he is getting beyond upset especially since he thinks she's slept with Cassio and has the nerve to bring him up in front of him. I just wish that Othello would accuse her of sleeping with him so that they can fight about it. His emotional reactions are not only endangering his marriage but his job as well because Lodovico is there and question Othello's state of mind and of course Iago is there to keep that doubt alive. I could definitely see Othello standing all by himself and Desdemona and Lodovico standing beside her with Iago grouped with him. So that it looks like Othello is all alone and going insane. Although Iago might be standing with him because he seems to be alienating everyone besides Iago but I still think Iago would be with the other group because Iago is loyal to no one but himself.

In scene 2 it is a little frustrating how repetitive Desdemona is when she's speaking with Othello. She keeps asking him what's she done and hopes he finds her faithful and he keeps telling her he doesn't but yet she keeps asking. And I was so happy to see Emilia come to Desdemona's defense although it seems like it's a little too late and Othello has already made up his mind to believe Iago. Emilia seems to not be as naive as I had originally thought because she knows that someone has made up this lie in order to get a position.
I will be hanged, if some eternal villain,
Some busy and insinuating rogue,
Some cogging, cozening slave, to get some office,
Have not devised this slander. I will be hanged else!

Oh I hope Roderigo is Iago's downfall! It seems Desdemona has a feeling that the night will bring either death or tears or maybe both. She's singing that willow song and that's the song that her mother's maid sang before she died so this might be some foreshadowing going on. Also it seems Emilia might have actually cheated on Iago but I don't think it was with Othello. It's good that Desdemona doesn't believe in unfaithfulness and wishes to learn from women who have been unfaithful and not to follow this bad examples. Act five is going to have a lot going on in it.

Othello Act 3

Iago is a tricky character. He definitely knows how to get Othello to worry when there is no need to worry. However before I discuss that part of Iago I wanted to point out something that happens in act 3 scene 3. Desdemona and Emilia have just left Othello and Iago and Iago is being coy with Othello about his uneasely feelings towards Cassio and Iago says something I found to be very interesting. Iago says, "Men should be what they seem, Or those that be not, would they might seem none! (3.3.131-132). I find it interesting that this is coming from Iago when he is not acting as he truly is because if he were then he would be acting like a dishonest person which he does not.

It is almost annoying how nice and thoughtful he's trying to be like when he's telling Othello that he's probably wrong about the suspicions he has about Cassio and don't make him say anything bad about Cassio. I just think that Othello should be able to see through this character. I don't understand how the nice guy is easy to pin all the negative stuff on and the bad guy is the one getting away with everything. It's frustrating!

Iago's plan seems to be working. First he infects Othello's mind with terrible thoughts. Then he gets the handkerchief from his wife, who has no idea she is a pawn in his plan and now he has proof for Othello. I just wish Othello would go and speak with his wife. That is the trouble with all of these plays is that there is no communication. Ever.    

Othello Acts 1-2 (Act 1 Scene 3)

Question 1: In "The English and Otherness" the statement is said that "Perhaps most nations learn to define what they are by defining what they are not" (NS 25). Have the English used other nations to learn their own identity?  How does identity play in concerns to Othello? Is identity even an important topic to examine? Do some characters see Othello's skin color as part of his identity and if so why might they? How do they treat him differently?

Question 2: I have two questions to ask about act 1 scene 3. The first question deals with the fact that Desdemona is allowed to go to war with her new husband, Othello. Is this something that is believable in this time period? What is the point of having her go to war with him? I feel like it will only cause problems and distract him even though he says it's not for sex and he won't get distracted. I would just like to examine some reasons for allowing a woman to go to war so easily.

The second question has to do with Iago. Is he loyal to anyone but himself? It seems as if he isn't even loyal to Roderigo, whom he claims to be good friends with. At first I thought that Iago was playing a double agent for Othello, but it seems that his hatred for Othello is real and I wonder if Othello will be able to see through his lies and deceits in the end?

Henry IV Acts 4-5

The act that I found the most interesting was act 5. Act four was just leading up to the battle, but I believe that the battle is where people's true characters come out and I especially think everyone's true character comes out int act 5 scene four. Where King Henry, Hal, John of Lancaster, and Westmorland are resting and Douglas arrives and sees the king, says, "What art thou/ That counterfeit'st the person of a king?" (5.4 26-27). Because so many others have been dressed like the King that no one is sure who the real King is. However, King Henry replies that he is the king himself, and that he will challenge Douglas directly. Prince Harry challenges Douglas in order to save his father, saying "It is the Prince of Wales that threatens thee/ Who never promiseth but he means to pay" (5.4 41-42). This is interesting that Hal is coming to the Kings defense even after he's mistreated Hal from the beginning. After Douglas flees, Hotspur arrives to fight Hal. Hal succeeds in killing Hotspur and believes his friend Falstaff to be killed by Douglas. After Hal leaves Falstaff gets up and seeing Hotspur dead on the ground stabs the body and picks him up and starts to carry him away. Hal and Lancaster see Falstaff leaving and Hal remarks that he's the one who killed Hotspur, but Falstaff being as cunning as ever immeditaley makes up a story about how both of them leapt to their feet and Falstaff killed him. He points out the wound he made in Hotspur's thigh. Hal tells him that if lying is the way he wants to be rewarded, then he will not challenge him. 

The fundamental difference between Hal and Hotspur emerges when Hotspur tries to rally his troops. The speech is a disaster, with Hotspur even admitting his inability to speak, "That I, that have not well the gift of tongue" (5.2.77). Not only are his words poorly chosen, but he is interrupted twice by messengers, making the speech a complete disaster with news of King Henry's imminent arrival. Hal would never have had this problem because he has a way with words and is able to command attention. I believe that is why Hal won in the end because he can be a ruler whereas Hotspur may be good at war could never rule as king.

The relationship between Falstaff and Hal comes to a breaking point while on the battlefield. Hal orders Falstaff to draw his sword and fight, an order which Falstaff refuses to obey. He instead pulls out a bottle of sack, at which Hal cries out, "What, is it a time to jest and dally now?" (5.3.54). The inability of Falstaff to realize the serious of the situation is marked by Hal throwing the bottle at his former friend. Which is why Hal is making extreme progress at becoming King because he is cutting ties with the friends that are holding him back and are a bad influence on him, such as Falstaff. All this shows is that Hal is ready to be King. 

Hal's pardon of Douglas at the end of the play marks a shift in the way he will rule as king versus how Henry rules. Henry orders Vernon and Worcester to be put to death for their crimes, Hal instead chooses to take a risk and pardon his enemy. This relates to the fact that Hal is a redeemer of England, a role he can only play by creating peace. In pardoning Douglas, Hal shows not only great statesmanship, but also confidence in his own abilities to win Douglas' support in the future. And this reiterates that Hal will make a better king than Henry and can handle uniting England instead of splitting it like Henry seems to be doing. That is probably why Hal will become a legend whereas Henry will be forgot. 

Henry IV Act 3

Scene 1 has Glyndwr, Hotspur, Worcest, and Mortimer are talking about going to war and discussing the plans for strategy. Glyndwr believes strongly in the pagan traditions of prophecies, omens, magic, and demons. He claims to be able to call spirits from hell, and he says that at his birth the earth shook and the sky was full of fire. Hotspur makes fun of the Glyndwr's claims of magical power. Despite his best efforts, Mortimer cannot get his tactless brother-in-law to shut up. Hotspur mocks Glyndwr’s claim to be able to command the devil; Glyndwr then asserts that he has repelled Henry’s invasions three times. By the time the four actually get down to discussing strategy, Glyndwr is none too pleased with his youngest guest. They then go and say goodbye to their wives in different forms, some affectionately and some mockingly. It is pretty humorous. 

Scene 2 is between King Henry and Prince Harry.Prince Harry is speaking with his father after a long absence. King Henry is both sad and angry and rebukes his son for his disgraceful behavior. He says he would like to be able to forgive Harry but he can't tolerate Harry’s recent behavior. Henry asserts that if Harry continues to hang around with commoners, he will never command the respect a king must have. Henry feels that only things that are rare are respected. When he himself was waging the war that made him a king, he adds, he didn't slum around London the way Harry does. Rather, when he made his occasional appearances, he was very courteous and regal. That way, the common people respected and loved him in a way that they do not respect or love Harry. Henry then tells Harry that he is behaving just like Richard II (the king whom Henry overthrew): the common people scorned and hated Richard, who spent too much time indulging in pleasures and who made friends and counselors out of fools. In Henry’s opinion, such dissolute behavior will make the people hate Harry too. Prince Henry says that he's going to try harder and be the person the king wishes to see however King Henry is wary of this, as he should be. He tells Harry that he can lead the upcoming war to prove himself. 

Scene 3 takes place in a tavern in London, where Falstaff complains to Bardolph about how thin and weak he has gotten of late. Then the hostess of the tavern, Mistress Quickly, appears and demands payment from Falstaff for the food and drink he has consumed, as well as for some clothing she has recently bought for him. Falstaff responds that his pocket was picked the previous night while he was asleep, and he accuses her of having done it. He claims to have had money and a valuable ring in the pocket. The hostess accuses Falstaff of trying to get out of paying his bill, but their argument is interrupted by the entrance of Prince Harry and Peto. Harry tells of the war that is at hand, and all must go off to fight. But first, the group must settle the matter of Falstaff’s picked pocket. After some teasing at the expense of the dumb hostess, Harry reveals that he himself emptied -Falstaff’s pockets the night before (Act II, scene v) and that he found nothing in them but tavern bills, receipts from whorehouses, and a handful of candy. Falstaff, with his usual quick--wittedness, promptly weasels out of admitting wrongdoing once again, tells the hostess that he forgives her, and orders breakfast. Harry informs Falstaff that he has bailed him out yet again: he has paid back the money that Falstaff and the others had stolen and lost the day before. He assigns the war commissions to his friends. He sends Bardolph off to deliver letters on horseback to King Henry’s troops and to Harry’s younger brother, John, Lord of Lancaster and another to the Earl of Westmoreland. He orders Peto to come on a different errand with him, and he tells Falstaff that he has put him in charge of a brigade of foot soldiers, commanding him to meet him the following afternoon to get the details of the commission.

All three of these scenes are quite different, but they do share war in common. All three scenes are the preparation for the upcoming war and everyone's responsibilities when it comes to the war. It's also setting up what's at stake for all the participants in the war. I mean Prince Harry has quite a bit to prove to his father if he ever wishes to be king. I just feel like Prince Harry's friends are going to screw something up like Falstaff since he is a coward and he's going to war. It'll be interesting to see how this supposed war is going to play out or if it even will play out.  

Henry IV Act 2 Prose vs. Verse

The passage of prose that I find particularly interesting in act 2 is in scene 5 lines 246-257. Falstaff has spent most of the passage explaining how he has fought off 100 men when they know it was only two and and he cried for mercy as he ran away. However, after Falstaff knows that they know he changes his story without even missing a beat which is first off hilarious and secondly shows how quick witted and cunning Falstaff is. It definitely shows his character more than people describing it to us.The most obvious imagery in this passage is of the lion knowing not to hurt the true prince, and this seems to play into the end of the scene when Hal is preparing to be examined by his father to discover if he is the true prince, if he has been loyal. It also plays into Henry IV legitimacy as king, because if he is not a legitimate king, Hal is not the true prince. Always love the family drama in Shakespeare! 

A passage of verse that interested me was in 2.4 lines 92 to 104. In this passage Hotspur is reassuring his wife that he does love her, after jokingly saying he didn't, but explains that he can't discuss with her where he is going or why he is going there, because she is still woman, but he does trust her not to tell anyone what she doesn't know. Dramatically this is an important passage and an important scene because it shows Hotspur going to join with the forces against Henry IV, and also because it shows a somewhat more personal side to Hotspur. With language the most interesting line from this passage is when Hotspur states, his wife is the most secretive woman he knows and that he believes she well not talk about what she does not know. I found this line interesting because I could not tell if he meant that he could only trust her not to talk about what she does not know about, or if he was saying that where he is going is implied enough for her to know whats going on and that he trust her not to tell anyone. And this also leaves open the question of whether or not she will tell anyone where he is, will she be responsible for him being found out or will she keep the secret that she desperately wanted to know. 
  
2.5 lines 395 to 439 would be tough to stage because you have characters switch who they are impersonating. But I would show this by having Hal switch to the stool that Falstaff was sitting on when he was impersonating the king as well as give him Falstaff's fake scepter. To show that Hal is now the king and Falstaff is the prince. And as usual Falstaff and Hal having a joking/mocking relationship, demonstrated in this passage by Hal describing Falstaff as fat, and Falstaff acting like he doesn't know who he is describing, and just heaping more and more praise on old Falstaff.

Henry IV Act 1

My first impressions of the king are of a man who wishes to go to war. He wishes to send his troops to fight in the crusades, but there is a despite in Wales so he is not able to do that and that is very disappointing for him. I also found it very weird that he kind of hates his son. He wishes that some fairy had actually switched his son harry with Hotspur so that he could have Hotspur as his son. I would not like my father wanting to trade me for another daughter. It'll be interesting to see how their relationship develops throughout the play.

In scene 2 we find out a lot about Prince Harry and maybe why his father wishes to switch him with another boy. Harry doesn't have a good reputation. Beginning at line 70 through line 86 there is a lot revealed about Harry's character. Falstaff says that someone came up to him in the streets and was talking to him about Harry and lecturing him about Harry's bad reputation. Then Harry proceeds to quote scripture at Falstaff incorrect. This gives me the impression that Harry might actually have some intelligence because he can quote scripture and has a talent for using it in wrong places or he is actually ignorant. And it is revealed to us that Falstaff has been corrupted by the Prince and he wants to change his life around. It's very interesting to see the Prince doing the corrupting. I find it interesting that Harry plans to put this wild behavior behind him when he becomes King so that he'll look even better when he's king, but if he's acting wild will he ever actually become King or will his father think him too irresponsible?

In scene 3 there is this big dispute over prisoners and Mortimer, Hotspur's brother-in-law. The king wants the prisoner's Hotspur has and Hotspur wants the ransom for Mortimer but neither will budge. It is interesting to see the King turn on his beloved Hotspur when just two scenes ago the King loved Hotspur. Also interesting to find out that Mortimer is the heir to the throne so I think that's going to add a little drama to this history play! Also Hotspur wishes to poison Harry if he knew it would hurt the king.

Romeo and Juliet Act 4-5

In Acts 4 through 5 the supernatural aspects of the play definitely become very apparent. Dreams are talked about a lot more and ghosts are seen such as when Juliet sees Tybalt's ghost before she drinks her potion to fall asleep. However, in act 1 when we see Romeo's dream is brushed off is no longer now that we are coming to the end of the play. In act 5 Romeo tells us about his dream and what it seems to mean to him. It also foreshadows things to come.
 If I may trust the flattering truth of sleep,

My dreams presage some joyful news at hand.

My bosom’s lord sits lightly in his throne,

And all this day an unaccustomed spirit

Lifts me above the ground with cheerful thoughts.

I dreamt my lady came and found me dead—

Strange dream, that gives a dead man leave to think—

And breathed such life with kisses in my lips

That I revived and was an emperor.

Ah me! How sweet is love itself possessed

When but love’s shadows are so rich in joy!

He has predicted that Juliet will find him dead but her kisses will not bring him back to life. He should've heeded the warnings of his dreams in both act 1 and act 5. This makes me wonder why the supernatural is sometimes ignored and brushed off. Had Romeo listened to his dreams then him and Juliet might have ended up together and been happy. But we will never know because the supernatural went unnoticed. 

Romeo and Juliet Act 2-3

Act 2 scene 2 is the famous balcony scene where Romeo and Juliet confess their love for each other and arrange to get married. This scene is one of my favorite scenes in the play as I am sure it is the favorite of many others. I love this scene in part because of the language that Shakespeare uses. Such as "O, that I were a glove upon that hand,/ That I might touch that cheek!". Shakespeare finds such great ways to express things, however since this is my second time reading this play I am finding things I didn't notice the first time that I am starting to really like. Friar Lawrence is now one of my favorite characters. He is very much down to earth and humorous. In Act 2 scene 3 l. 65-80, he mocks Romeo for falling in love with another girl so quickly and claims that since he's so young he doesn't know what true lasting love is and I found this so true and refreshing that it was put into the play because as the audience we are all thinking it.

Holy Saint Francis, what a change is here!

Is Rosaline, whom thou didst love so dear,

So soon forsaken? Young men’s love then lies

Not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes.

Jesu Maria, what a deal of brine

Hath washed thy sallow cheeks for Rosaline!

How much salt water thrown away in waste

To season love that of it doth not taste!

The sun not yet thy sighs from heaven clears,

Thy old groans ring yet in my ancient ears.

Lo, here upon thy cheek the stain doth sit

Of an old tear that is not washed off yet.

If e'er thou wast thyself and these woes thine,

Thou and these woes were all for Rosaline.

And art thou changed? Pronounce this sentence then:

Women may fall when there’s no strength in men.

I also find myself loving Mercutio because of how absolutely vulgar he is. I didn't get his jokes the first time I read this play and it makes me wonder why we are allowed to read this in the 9th grade. In Act 2 scene 4 l. 39-48 he is absolutely vulgar when talking about Rosaline and Romeo. I just found it so humorous and can't believe I missed it the first time. I also found the nurse humorous when she was coming back to Juliet to tell her the news of the marriage plans. Juliet was so impatient it seemed as if the nurse were making her wait on purpose which was nice to see. I also love the loyalty the nurse has to Juliet and Juliet's happiness. However, that love for the nurse that Juliet has disappears quite quickly. 

Act 3 for me was a much less exciting act. It still had its intriguing parts. Such as how Juliet's father takes back him claim that he wants Juliet to be happy and marry who she wants to marry. How Juliet turns on the nurse when she was just trying to help Juliet out of an impossible situation. I find the sword fight scene a little strange. Mercutio is very humorous but he also has a temper on him and had he been a little less hot headed than he might not have died because Romeo was being claim about the insults Tybalt was throwing at him. However, it would not be a tragedy without some casualties. Although as bad as this is I am glad Romeo and Juliet were able to consummate their marriage before they eventually die. I know we have to assume that's what happened. Although, I think I've heard that there was speculation that they had sex out of wedlock. Is that true or am I imagining things? I feel like I've heard it somewhere. 

Romeo and Juliet Prologue - Act 1

In Act 1 scene 4 Romeo and Mercutio are speaking about dreams because Romeo has had a dream. Mercutio says that Queen Mab has been with Romeo. He then asks who Queen Mab is and Mercutio goes into a lengthy discussion on describing Queen Mab, what her chariot looks like and how she's the one who encourages people to do things that they dream about. Mercutio talks for about forty lines on Queen Mab and I don't really understand why that whole description is in the play at all. I know Mercutio was trying to tell Romeo that dreams are just dreams and they don't mean anything, but I feel like there was another way Mercutio would have been able to get that message across without forty lines on a Queen that we, as the audience, don't really care about.

To me Romeo and Juliet has always had some of the best poetic format of the Shakespeare plays that I have read. From the onset of the play we get the Prologue which is a Shakespearean sonnet, also known as an Elizabethan sonnet. It has fourteen lines and is in iambic pentameter. There are several of these throughout the play and I find it interesting that Shakespeare uses sonnets in certain parts of the play. He may be indicating something important is happening and the audience needs to be aware of it because it is in the form of a sonnet. I am not actually sure, but I do enjoy seeing them. More along the lines of paying attention to important things, the first time that Romeo and Juliet speak to each other it is in the form of a sonnet. Shakespeare obviously is pointing out that these two are special and therefore their interaction is going to be in a different form than the rest of the play, which to me is very intriguing.

The first time I read Romeo and Juliet was in 9th grade. Honestly I didn't read much of the play because I found the language to be very hard to understand and I would just show up to class and let my teacher tell me everything about the play and I would take notes on it. This time however has been different than the first time because I am actually reading the play, but not only that I understand the language a lot better this time around. I also decided to read the play from the same book from high school with all my notes in them and I can actually understand what my teacher was talking about now. I see the puns, sonnets, couplets, and alliterations that I didn't fully understand in 9th grade. I am glad to be reading the play again when I can actually appreciate what I am reading and understand it fully.

Sonnet 116 and Sonnet 18

Sonnet 116 and 18 are common sonnets in what the topic is, which is love, however 116 is describing love in a more general sense whereas 18 is describing a beloved.

Sonnet 116 is saying that the speaker sees no reason why two minds of reason join together. Love is not true love if it goes through a change or changes when the lover sees their beloved (I think). Love is also not true love if the lover abandons the relationship when the loved one is unfaithful or has died or departed. Which basically means that true love is the marriage vows - for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do us part. Love is something that is fixed and is never moving. It is like a star which no one knows the worth of but the height can be measured (this line of the sonnet confuses me a little). Love is not a plaything of time even though rosy lips and cheeks do fade with time. Love does not alter in brief hours or weeks but it will last until the eve of doomsday. If I am (speaker) wrong and it can be proven then I never wrote, and no man ever loved.

Sonnet 18 is a sonnet where the speaker is comparing his beloved to a summer day. The beloved is more "lovely and more temperate". The rough winds of summer shake the "darling buds of May". However, summer has a fixed time period and isn't long enough. Sometimes the sun shines too hot in the summer and the summer is covered by clouds. And everything that is beautiful stops being beautiful eventually. This happens either naturally or by accident. However, the speaker's beloved summer will never fade nor lose possession of their beauty. Death wont brag about the beloved wandering in the underworld, once they are captured in the speaker's eternal verses. As long as men are alive and can see, this poem will live and keep the beloved alive as well.

Both sonnets are speaking on the topic of love however sonnet 116 is talking about the characteristics of love and what makes love true love. How someone could know that they were really in love. Whereas sonnet 18 is talking about how beautiful a beloved is and how this poem will keep that beloved eternal and beautiful forever. Sonnet 116 has a more sincere tone than sonnet 18 because 116 is speaking about how to understand love whereas 18 is trying to preserve the beauty of his beloved as they are at that moment in time and in doing this the speak is also making himself eternal. Being eternal seems like the important thing on the mind of the speaker of sonnet 18 in contrast to the speaker of sonnet 116 which the important thing for them is love.

Both of these sonnets seem to fit with what Pinksy says about sonnets because the receiver of these two sonnets would be flattered. Especially the receiver of sonnet 18 because the speaker is calling her beautiful and wanting to keep her eternal. Sonnet 116 is more characteristics of love and I don't think the reader would be flattered unless there was a side note saying the the speaker loved the reader and this is what love meant or something. Sonnet 116 isn't really "courting" anyone but more telling others what love means in contrast to sonnet 18 that is trying to court someone and make them eternal in a poem.

Much Ado About Sonnets

Benedick as a sonneteer is a hard label to give him. Benedick is a character who wished to be a bachelor for his entire life and so he would not be caught writing poetry to his beloved. Sonnet 116 is a much too romantic sonnet for Benedick to have written for Beatrice. I believe Benedick would write something witty for Beatrice and not a sonnet about how love stands the test of time. This is a couple who broke up minutes before getting married. This is also a couple who had to have their friends trick them into love in the first place. Sonnet 116 is about love being constant "it is an ever fixed mark" which in all honesty is not Benedick and Beatrice's relationship. I am not doubting they love each other, but their love changed so quickly where as the sonnet says "love is not love which alters".

If I did have to pick a sonnet for Benedick I would give him sonnet number 23. This sonnet talks about how expressing their love out loud is much too hard and they would rather write it out in the hopes that their beloved could figure out what they were saying through the sonnet. I see Benedick as a man who doesn't want to express his feelings because A. he would be contradicting everything he has ever said about marriage and B. because he is a man. I could see him writing this clever sonnet in order to express his love for Beatrice in the hopes that she's smart enough to figure it out. Because these two have been known to love playing witty games with each other.

Beatrice on the other hand would be someone who would write romantic sonnets because I believe she has had feelings for Benedick for a long time. She is much more expressive about her feelings towards everything so I don't see why her feelings on love would be any different. I could see Beatrice writing sonnet 116 though because it seems like she has liked Benedick for sometime now and continues to bring him up any chance she gets. So like a "fixed mark" Beatrice's love for Benedick isn't going anywhere.

Much Ado About Nothing Acts 3-4

What surprised me in acts 3-4 was a couple of things. For one in act 3 Hero spoke more in that one act than she has the entire play. It was surprising to see her speaking for herself and not having someone answer for her. However, when things became serious in act 4 when Claudio was accusing Hero she went back to speaking very little and her father answered Claudio's question that were direct to Hero. It was also surprising that we did not see Don Pedro, Claudio, and Don John witnessing the encounter between Margaret and Borachio but instead heard it from Borachio. It would have been better to heard it from their point of view because we could have judged character's better and it would've been nice to see how Claudio reacted.

When comparing Beatrice's and Benedick's speeches concerning one another it is interesting that Benedick doubted a little more than Beatrice. Benedick relied on who the information was coming from such as Leonato who is old and wouldn't lie about this. Whereas Beatrice based hers off the fact that people don't compliment you behind your back like Ursula was doing. It took Beatrice ten lines to believe Hero and Ursula. It took Benedick about eighteen lines to think it over. This shows that Beatrice already had previous feelings for Benedick and didn't need all that much convincing to love him.

The exchange between Beatrice and Benedick at the end of act 4 seemed a little off because they both professed their love for each other which seems a little out of their character. It would've made sense to have them dance around the issue a little bit more instead of them coming right out and saying it. And typical Beatrice to go off the deep end when Benedick refuses to kill his best friend. Beatrice has to get her way and she won't be with Benedick unless he does this, which is a little strange that he caves and decides to fight Claudio. I would've expected Benedick to put up a little more of a fight.  

Much Ado About Nothing Act 2

In act 2 scene 2 my characters are Don Pedro and Antonio. Antonio enters the scene with Leonato, Hero, Beatrice, Margaret, and Ursula. Leonato asks Antonio if he say Count John at supper which he had not. Then Antonio tells Beatrice that she is too curst or shrewish. There is awhile before he speaks to Hero and hopes that she will be ruled by her father unlike Beatrice who is ruled by no one. Antonio speaks with Ursula one of Hero's hand maidens about who he is. Which is the last time he is in the scene. Don Pedro speaks much more than Antonio does. Don Pedro enters with scene with Claudio, Benedick, Balthasar, Don John, and Borachio all of which are in masks. Don Pedro speaks with Hero. He also speaks with Benedick about Beatrice. He tells Claudio that he has wood Hero for him and that Leonato is okay with the marriage. Benedick then asks for Claudio, Hero, and Leonato's help in order to get Benedick and Beatrice to fall in love.

Antonio speaks less than Don Pedro because Antonio is the brother of Leonato which doesn't give him much rank or say in the matters that are happening in Leonato's household. Don Pedro is also the Prince so everyone wants to talk with him because he is of the highest rank in the company. He's also the one arranging marriages so that means he must communicate with others to make these arrangements.

Don Pedro thinks that Beatrice deserves a husband and wishes to try and get her one (l.281). Don Pedro also thinks that Benedick is of good descent, has proven valour, and honor (l.330). He also thinks that Claudio is a worthy match for Hero because he has arranged for them to get married.

Don Pedro wants to have Benedick and Beatrice fall in love by Monday so that they may get married. He has asked for the help of Claudio, Leonato, and Hero to help him in his task. He has not gotten what he wants so far, but it will most likely come to be.

By following these characters, more specifically Don Pedro, I find out that he does want to see his friend Benedick happy and that he cares for his hosts niece which he doesn't have to. It is also intriging to see his interaction with Beatrice when she's talking about husbands. It was also intriguing to see the interaction between Beatrice and Antonio where again Beatrice holds certain stage.

Why is Antonio even in the play? It doesn't seem like his character is really relevant. That might change, but as of now it seems pointless to have him in the play.

Much Ado About Nothing Act 1

In act one scene one Beatrice says that if Benedick was in her books she would burn her study. This shows how witty Beatrice is and her intelligence. This also adds some humor to the scene and also shows her dislike for Benedick and not just Benedick but men in general. 

Benedick talks in lines 195 about his mistrust of the female sex. He gives thanks for the woman that conceived him and the woman that raised him. However, he feels that women will cheat on him and he doesn't want to blame all women so he just avoids all women. He wishes to be a bachelor for the rest of his life. This shows that both Benedick and Beatrice are wary of the opposite sex which is comedic to me. 

Benedick mentions in lines 160 that you never see sixty year old bachelors anymore and that men are always getting roped into marriage. This shows that Benedick has a sense of humor and like Beatrice adds laughs to the play. This also shows his distrust of marriage. 

Scene 2 Leonato and his brother Antonio are talking about the upcoming party. Antonio has heard from one of his acquaintances that Don Pedro plans to profess his love for Leonato's daughter Hero and that he also plans to talk to Leonato for Hero's hand in marriage. Leonato plans to tell his daughter of this so that she might have time to come up with an answer. 

Scene 3 Don John is speaking to his Conrad and Borachio. Borachio has overheard Don Pedro and Claudio speaking about their plan to get Hero and Claudio together and they plan to disrupt it because Don John has an extreme hatred of Don Pedro. This coupled with what Leonato and Antonio plan to do will make for an interesting play.