Author Archives: Chenda

Posts: 5 (archived below)
Comments: 5

Macbeth – Act 3 Scene 1 Study Scene Critique

Posted on December 14, 2011 by Chenda

This was a very difficult project.  First of all, we only had two members (Teshia and I) to act several parts of the scene such as Lady Macbeth, Banquo, Macbeth, the servant, and the two murderers.  Secondly, trying to manage the camera while acting is much harder than it sounds!  But overall, it was a challenging assignment that I benefited from.

I was actually able to memorize my lines (well, only the first part before Macbeth and the others came in).  We did cue cards because we were trying to live up to Group 5’s standards but that was hard as well!   But before we acted out the scene, Teshia and I read it together out loud and it helped me understand everything better.  Reading out loud does indeed makes a difference and because of that, I read all the other plays out loud to comprehend it better.

Posted in Macbeth, Macbeth and the Murderers -- Group 6 | 2 Comments

Polixenes’ Repressed Feelings

Posted on December 6, 2011 by Chenda

Perdita has grown up to become a beautiful young lady and she and the Prince of Bohemia, Florizel, have fallen in love with each other.  He secretly visits her in disguise at the Shepherd’s cottage with who they both believe is her real father.  Although Polixenes (Florizel’s father and King of Bohemia) is worried about his son, he over reacts just a little bit when he breaks up the young lovebirds’ engagement.  He plans to have the Shepherd hanged and Perdita’s pretty face “scratched with briers and made More homely than thy state” (4.4.429-430).  Although Polixenes eventually changes his mind, this was still a harsh punishment for finding out about his son’s almost-wedding with a beautiful young girl.

It is almost as if Polixenes has repressed feelings from his lost friendship with Leontes.  His anger and resentment has stimulated around his son for marrying a fellow civilian of no royal blood.  When was Polixenes ever like this?  The audience has always known him to be kind and gentle and warming.  After all, he spent nine months in his best friend’s kingdom when he himself had a country to attend to.  Maybe he has hidden feelings about Leontes for treating him and suspecting him of sleeping with his wife.  Maybe he has grown to resent him for that.  Polixenes knew he never did any wrong yet Leontes was stubborn and believed his own suspicions.  Maybe the way Polixenes treated Florizel was mirroring what Leontes did to Hermione, even though Polixenes was not there for her trial.  Could old friends have similar characteristics?  They did grow up together, did they not?

Posted in The Winter's Tale, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Scene Study – Macbeth Act 3 Scene 1

Posted on November 21, 2011 by Chenda

 

http://youtu.be/F2GDUdcc5qw

Posted in Macbeth and the Murderers -- Group 6 | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Is Helen the Fairest of Them All?

Posted on November 3, 2011 by Chenda

We all know that Paris kidnapped Helen (who actually voluntarily went with Paris) because he fell in love with her.  He talks about how beautiful she is, how he’s head over heels for her, etc.  Even Pandarus comments about her marvelous white skin.  Thus, the Trojan War began for Helen’s return.

But is Helen really that beautiful?  In all Greek mythology, Helen is stated to be the most beautiful woman in the world yet it is only Paris who approaches her.  Of course she is the wife to King Menelaus but it seems that there are only these two men who are in love with her.  If you are the most beautiful woman in the world, wouldn’t you have countless suitors after your love?  Wouldn’t you have every man as your slave kissing your feet and tending to your every need?

Indeed she is flattered by others such as Pandarus: “What says my sweet queen, my very, very sweet queen?” (3.1.81-2).  She receives many other compliments but you would think they would also be after this very beautiful, sweet lady’s companionship.

I guess proclaiming a war over her is enough to state her utmost beauty.  But if she had a magic mirror on the wall, would it be able to reply that she is the fairest of them all?

Posted in Troilus and Cressida | Tagged , | 2 Comments

A Vampire in Henry V

Posted on October 22, 2011 by Chenda

Pistol did not have much of a major part in the play but he is still an interesting character.  He is most definitely a fool who does not amount to a man, as the Boy have noted and observed in Act 3 Scene 2, and makes promises he cannot keep.  He has a killing tongue in which he speaks things he cannot do.  He says he will fight and kill many men but in reality, he will never draw his sword.  After all, things are easier said than done.

But has it every occurred to anyone that he speaks a lot about sucking blood?  Although he may only mention it twice in 2.4 and 4.4, it’s still an odd statement.  It is understandable that they are fighting in a war but we all know Pistol would not suck any blood.  If he keeps his sword in one piece by keeping it in its sheath, how can he suck the blood of his enemies without having to kill them first?

“Let us to France, like horse-leeches, my boys, To suck, to suck, the very blood to suck!” (2.4.56-57). Maybe Shakespeare intended Pistol to have vampire-like qualities (except the daylight quality).  As in Dracula, no one knew he was a blood-thirsty creature.  Dracula went about his duties acquiring land but doing so during the night.  He appeared like a normal being to others until Jonathan (a man staying at Dracula’s castle to complete some business with him) noticed peculiar things and when his wife Mina started to worry when Jonathan did not come home during the expected week he said he would. 

Was it normal for soldiers to drink the bloods of their enemies?  If not, is it normal for one, such as Pistol, to speak about doing so?  Does saying so show pride for his country?  Does anyone else think it’s weird that Pistol mentions it more than once? 

Posted in Henry V | Tagged , , | 2 Comments