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The Shakespeare Meme
Sep. 25th, 2005 09:43 amWhen you see this, post some of the bard...
Ok, this is not a fair meme for someone who has read 3 shakespeare plays this semester, one the previous semester and has always been more or less a fan.
my first selection is a 'so that's where that comes from' selection. This is from Richard II and is said by John of Gaunt. Richard II has not been the best of kings. John of Gaunt, who is dying, is hoping that Richard will actually listen to him this time. Before the king arrives, John spends some time explaining why this is important to him:
Richard II, 2.1.45-72
This royal throne of kings, this sceptered isle,
This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars,
This other Eden, demi-paradise,
This fortress built by Nature for herself
Against infection and the hand of war,
This happy breed of men, this little world,
This precious stone set in the silver sea,
Which serves it in the office of a wall,
Or as a moat defensive to a house,
Against the envy of less happier lands,
This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this
England,
This nurse, this teeming womb of royal kings,
Feared by their breed and famous by their birth,
Renowned for their deeds as far from home
For Christian service and true chivalry
As is the sepulcher in stubborn Jewry
Of the world's ransom, blessed Mary's son,
This land of such dear souls, this dear dear land,
Dear for her reputation through the world,
Is now leased out - I die pronouncing it -
Like to a tenement or pelting farm.
England, bound in with the triumphant sea,
Whose rocky shore beats back the envious siege
Of wat'ry Neptune, is now bound in with shame,
With inky blots and rotten parchment bonds.
That England that was wont to conquer others
Hath made a shameful conquest of itself.
---
Now for a little light humor, Titus Andronicus, which is otherwise a fairly dark play, does have this cute little exchange. The empress (a goth) who has just been married to the roman emperor has a baby whose skintone immediately reveals that he is the son of Aaron the Moor and not the emperor. The empress' two older sons are rather upset about this.
Titus Andronicus 4.2.74-80
Aaron: Zounds, you whore, is black so base a hue?
[to the baby]Sweet blowse, you are a beauteous
blossom sure.
Demetrius: Villain, what hast thou done?
Aaron: That which thou canst not undo
Chiron: Thou has undone our mother.
Aaron: Villain, I have done thy mother.
(rimshot)
Ok, this is not a fair meme for someone who has read 3 shakespeare plays this semester, one the previous semester and has always been more or less a fan.
my first selection is a 'so that's where that comes from' selection. This is from Richard II and is said by John of Gaunt. Richard II has not been the best of kings. John of Gaunt, who is dying, is hoping that Richard will actually listen to him this time. Before the king arrives, John spends some time explaining why this is important to him:
Richard II, 2.1.45-72
This royal throne of kings, this sceptered isle,
This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars,
This other Eden, demi-paradise,
This fortress built by Nature for herself
Against infection and the hand of war,
This happy breed of men, this little world,
This precious stone set in the silver sea,
Which serves it in the office of a wall,
Or as a moat defensive to a house,
Against the envy of less happier lands,
This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this
England,
This nurse, this teeming womb of royal kings,
Feared by their breed and famous by their birth,
Renowned for their deeds as far from home
For Christian service and true chivalry
As is the sepulcher in stubborn Jewry
Of the world's ransom, blessed Mary's son,
This land of such dear souls, this dear dear land,
Dear for her reputation through the world,
Is now leased out - I die pronouncing it -
Like to a tenement or pelting farm.
England, bound in with the triumphant sea,
Whose rocky shore beats back the envious siege
Of wat'ry Neptune, is now bound in with shame,
With inky blots and rotten parchment bonds.
That England that was wont to conquer others
Hath made a shameful conquest of itself.
---
Now for a little light humor, Titus Andronicus, which is otherwise a fairly dark play, does have this cute little exchange. The empress (a goth) who has just been married to the roman emperor has a baby whose skintone immediately reveals that he is the son of Aaron the Moor and not the emperor. The empress' two older sons are rather upset about this.
Titus Andronicus 4.2.74-80
Aaron: Zounds, you whore, is black so base a hue?
[to the baby]Sweet blowse, you are a beauteous
blossom sure.
Demetrius: Villain, what hast thou done?
Aaron: That which thou canst not undo
Chiron: Thou has undone our mother.
Aaron: Villain, I have done thy mother.
(rimshot)