And even more...Shakespeare thoughts...

Just finished watching The Merry Wives of Windsor... I could not help but laugh at the pride and pompousness of Falstaff. I found myself laughing along with Mistress Page and Mistress Ford at the audacity and insincerity of his intentions. It seemed as if the characters in this play had a tight-knit community because instead of the women getting angry or offended, they choose to humiliate and poke fun at Falstaff. I especially took notice of the Ford family. Mistress Ford was very faithful and diligent in not doing anything that would harm her marriage. Mr. Ford was a very jealous man. Because of this incident, he becomes enraged and absorbed in his "supposed" marital problems. And as I have found many times in life, this trial that the Ford's went through actually brought them closer together. Mr. Ford realized that his wife loved him dearly and was committed to him, helping to abate his jealously. In fact, I think through this incident that he learned how foolish it was to be jealous, how that emotion helps no one.

In Venus and Adonis, a poem about an older woman trying to seduce a younger man, I was surprised that Adonis responded lukewarm to her advances. It seems an unusual happening to find in a Shakespeare play. I did read a little history on the poem, though, and learned that he took the story line from another source, as was so typical of Shakespeare. I wonder if he wasn't attracted to Venus or if he really just loved hunting that much. I loved the rhyme, rhythm, and literary usage in the poem, as I do all of Shakespeare's poems. The words and cadence seemed to envelope me in a frothy, airy state. Of course I was sad, at the end of the poem, when Adonis gets killed by the boar, but I didn't have too much sympathy for her as she sulks off to isolation. I really felt like she needed to find someone who appreciated her and loved her for herself. I fervently believe that there is someone for everyone and I've been in situations where I've wanted others to love me, when they weren't as passionate or as committed as I was. I understood her frustration. I've learned to take life as it comes, take what is offered, and be grateful for my blessings. Life seems much smoother and happier along the way.

Reading Lucrece wasn't as hard for me as I thought it would be. It wasn't as graphic as I had imagined Shakespeare would write it and for that I was grateful. There were a few stanzas that made an impression on me and I had to review them for a little while. One was "Pawning his honor to obtain his lust; And for himself himself he must forsake: Then where is truth, if there be no self-trust? When shall he think to find a stranger just, When he himself confounds, betrays To slanderous tongues and wretched hateful days." I seemed to find in this poem many emotions that rose to the surface within his words and dialogue. I thought it was interesting that Tarquin meditated thoroughly upon the deed he was going to do. This was no spur of the moment, lustful act. He inherently knew what was going to happen if he followed through with his desire. I think it's sad that he didn't heed his internal warnings. I wonder about his life. I'm sure he was given everything he wanted throughout his life and felt that the boundaries between right and wrong, even though he knew what they were, didn't apply to him socially. Unfortunately, at the end of the poem, we find he was wrong about that also, as his family is taken out of a leadership position and banished, which brings to the surface another truth: our actions affect others, including our family. Others will suffer or be blessed by the choices we make in this life. We are not independent entities, but are knitted together as brothers and sisters. Another stanza that gave me a great teaching opportunity with my children was "What win I, if I gain the thing I seek? A dream, a breath, a froth of fleeting joy. Who buys a minute's mirth to wail a week? Or sells eternity to get a toy? For one sweet grape who will the vine destroy?"And we know Tarquin's actions destroyed Collatinus, Lucrece, and their happy family, his own life, the life of his family, and others. The cost was huge. We find in the poem that the lustful act that he performed actually made him bitter and hateful against Lucrece, himself, and the world. We have to be so careful choosing the things that we desire. Will they create a long-lasting, eternal joy or fleeting happiness? On a much less significant scale, I think about the times when I eat junk food out of boredom, stress, or just wanting to eat something. Once the taste is gone, I'm regretful at having subjected my body to the ill effects. I feel much better about myself when I consciously choose the foods I put into my body and especially when I choose the right ones.

Romeo and Juliet. For some reason, it was extremely hard for me to get through Romeo and Juliet. I'm not sure if it's because I've read it before and watched the movie or if I have another reason. I'm not a fan of Shakespeare's tragedies (I prefer uplifting, happy story lines), but it seemed extra painful for me to read this play. I did notice this time around how much foreshadowing of death there was in everybody's speech. For example, Juliet says, "I see thee, now thou art so low, As one dead in the bottom of a tomb" in Act 3, Scene 5 and Act 2, Scene 6 records "These violent delights have violent ends." Also, I realized how much the characters rushed into decisions. The Capulet parents seemed unrestrained and quick to rage, Romeo and Juliet seem to want to rush their marriage (which may be because Paris wanted to marry Juliet quickly), and Mercutio is a prime example of rushing in headfirst without thinking of the consequences. I learned that moderation is the best course of action. I need to remind myself of this sometimes for I also am subject to that feeling of "let's get it done, and quickly!" or "being quick to anger." It's a conscious decision I make at times and when I choose moderation, the outcome always is better. I guess I always hope, in this play, that the characters and momentum will slow down, and the ending will change.

In Funeral Elegy, another of Shakespeare's poems, I found myself seeing Master John Peter's character in many people that I know and hoping I had some of the same attributes. It was a very uplifting poem, though I doubt they would have taken the time to read the whole thing at a funeral. I loved some of the phrases such as "never-blemished name", "upstanding man", "not in the waste of many idle words cared he to be heard talk", and especially, "That Christ was his." What an incredible husband and father this man was. He was a true scholar and Christian, and through his actions and well-chosen words, he achieved a grace through the silence he sometimes opted to practice. I hope that I, too, when my time comes to pass from this life, that many of the same characteristics may be remembered of me and that my love will be my legacy.

I watched Henry IV, Part 2, the BBC version, on DVD. Actually most of my family is now watching the histories. They love the battle scenes. Can you tell we are plentiful in boys? I noticed and appreciated the anguish that King Henry went through as he's worrying about the deeds of his son, Prince Hal. In this case I was glad to know that all the worrying was in vain (what worry isn't in vain?!!). Prince Hal becomes an amazing and great king, but of course his father cannot see that in the lifestyle that his son has adopted for the moment. It shows me that we need to maintain an eternal perspective, especially in the most discouraging of circumstances. Also, I found much truth in Prince Hal's decision to separate himself from his "party" friends. I've known people who have had to move and/or discontinue friendships in order to change their lifestyles. I'm not sure there is any other way to do so. Of course, the former friends do not understand and are often apt to label the person "hypocritical", but be that as it may, the separation must be made for the person to begin anew.

As I listened to Henry V, I thought it was very interesting that Shakespeare would begin with a huge, emotionally-charged battle scene. But as we arrived at the end of the CD, I realized that we had popped in the 3rd CD first. Oh my.... the anticipation faded from that story. I did gain satisfaction, though, in the great leadership abilities that King Henry V exhibited, especially gaining the confidence and thoughts of his countrymen. He really cared for them and they inherently knew that. I believe that is one of the attributes of a great leader and mentor - LOVE.

Henry VI, Part 1. This trilogy or tetrology (if you include Richard III) was an interesting series for me to watch and read. It seemed to me this king had the "bad things happen to good people" stigma. He seemed to be mild-mannered, kind, and a sympathetic leader with a life full of chaos and dissention. Maybe he was just the leader England needed to maintain some peace in such a turbulent time. When I watched this particular play, I noticed that I focused on Talbot a lot. He was an amazingly, patriotic speaker and leader. His speeches are stirring and powerful. The English were very lucky to have him leading their army. I was very sad towards the end of the play when his son, John, comes to help in a battle and is killed. Talbot is devastated and dies quickly afterward. It was heart-breaking to see him so tough in battle and steadfast to his loyal purposes and then die at the end as love conquers him.

Henry VI, Part 2. There is so much political backstabbing and conflict in this play. It gave me a great understanding of how fragile people's positions were in England's monarchy, especially during this time. I felt so sad for Henry as the personality and character of his wife, Margaret, emerges even more passionately and clearly in this play. It must have been hard for him to maintain control of the his country during this time, but to also have a wife with opposite opinions throughout his reign, must have made it extremely challenging and frustrating. It is so important to maintain unity as a husband and wife. I know that as my husband and I have had differences, a chasm sometimes arises that threatens to split the whole family. That is exactly what happened to England at this time. I thought it was very interesting at the end of the play when Suffolk is captured and behead that he maintained that he was a "great" and "noble" man. Could he not see the hypocrisy in that statement? Did he really not have a clue how evil and malignant his character was? I causes me to imagine...how do we see ourselves in the light of truth? How is that achieved? Oftentimes our own view of ourselves is much different than the views of others. Sometimes that view is not easily reconciled and sometimes it cannot be in this world.