The Irony of Thersites

I think I need to put in my two cents about Thersites because if anyone else has noticed, the one person who is considered a “fool” is actually the only one who thinks rationally. The Greek commanders are so engulfed in their own egos and their desire to be true heroes that their actions fall extremely short.

In Act 2, we are introduced to Thersites whom we’ve discussed in class to be someone with some type of psychological defect and because of this, he’s allowed to say whatever he thinks without repercussions. Throughout Act 2, the Greek commanders, especially Ajax, belittle Thersites constantly. Even though Hector was completely against keeping Helen, he finally decided that she should stay because “for ’tis a cause that hath no mean dependence/ Upon our joint and several dignities.” (2.2. 192-193) His deranged sense of honor (deranged because how can it be “honorable” to keep another’s man’s wife) and egotistical tendencies keep him from actually thinking rationally.

At the beginning of 2.3, Thersites becomes the voice of reason explaining the commanders’ misguided decisions. He says, “Or, rather, the Neapolitan bone-ache,/ for that methinks, is the curse depending on those that war for a placket.” (2.3. 19-21) One can interpret this as Thersites scolding the commanders’ for continuing a war based on mostly sexual desires, which was the role of women during that time.

This irony can also extend to Cassandra who prophesied the demise of Troy if Helen was not returned. Cassandra’s brothers think she’s insane and do not heed to her warnings. Again, someone who is considered “defective” in the play is the one who actually becomes the voice of reason.

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Homer’s Hector v. Shakespeare’s Hector

In 2800 most of us studied Homer, and I’m not sure if I hold this opinion alone, but while reading the Iliad, I was a big fan of Hector. In class the other day we discussed Hector’s speeches in Act 2, and I’m sure many of us were put off by Hector’s seemingly thoughtless change of opinion. Homer’s Hector does give in to the power of war, and lets the war destroy his family, however Hector seems much less a hero, as presented by Shakespeare. I can’t help but wonder why Shakespeare felt this way about Hector, especially as we discussed that the English would have felt connected to the Trojans. Shakespeare does not present either side with much respect, as we see the foolishness of the Greeks who cannot work together in the war while we also see the Trojans experiencing domestic unrest. I’m curious why Shakespeare presents the war in this way.

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Is Helen the Fairest of Them All?

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?

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A Little Help

I know there are some Hollywood changes to our lovely story, but this movie helps me keep most of the characters straight. (BRAD PITT!)

http://youtu.be/IKQhUzxlml8

 

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You Can Get Away With Murder

I do realize that women aren’t treated respectfully in
Shakespeare’s plays, but they also aren’t exactly model citizens. We’ve seen
that the women act out in anger (hey there, Beatrice) and strike their sisters
(oh, Kate), and also have interesting ways of interacting with many of the men
in the plays. I think what allows these characters, specifically Cressida and
Helen, to get away with their very informal, and suggestive, behavior is that
they are known to be beautiful.

In an exchange with Pandarus, Cressida replies to his remark
about what position she defends herself by saying, “Upon my back, to defend my
belly” (1.2.273). One can imagine that she is alluding to a sexual position. It
would seem that because she is pretty and charming and very witty, that she is
able to get away with such candid talk, even if it is to a relative. I suppose them
being related does give a bit of an allowance of how she conducts her behavior.
If that is the case, what is her excuse with Troilus. When confessing her love
(somewhat contrived) she says, “And yet, good faith, I wished myself a man, Or
that we women had men’s privilege Of speaking first. Sweet, bid me hold my
tongue” (3.2.129-131). Again Cressida speaks her mind without any
consequences. In fact, because she spoke her mind freely she was able to get
what she wanted: Troilus.

In Act 3 Scene 1, Helen keeps up with Pandarus’ underlying vulgar
insinuations and flirts openly. Pandarus says, “What says my sweet queen? My
cousin will fall out with you” (3.1.81-81). Yet she is never chided by Paris
for her behavior. We don’t just see vulgar conversation from Helen; we also see
that she does not take direction well. When Pandarus asks her to leave he and
Paris alone she says, “Nay, this shall not hedge us out. We’ll hear you sing,
certainly” (3.1.62-63). Not once do we see her take direction from anyone in
this play.

My argument is that these women get away with it because of
their looks. In the same way that the deformed citizens like Thersites can say
what they want so are these women allowed to speak their mind. Sexism may be
alive and well in Shakespeare’s plays, but at least our beautiful female
characters get to have a little fun.

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Ulysses and Manipulation

Ulysses is brilliant in manipulating Achilles in Act 3 Scene 3. Because of the way he treats Achilles, as well as other characters, we can see that he knows what he needs to say in order to get someone to go in the direction that he wants – whether it’s by fluffing up their ego, capitalizing on their worries, or bringing them down to shame.

If you’re a hero like Achilles, you want yourself to be remembered – you want your name to go down in history. What good is it, then, if no one remembers your deeds and your name is lost in the sands of time? Ulysses knows this, and takes advantage of this fact in order to manipulate Achilles. He tells Achilles, “Perseverance, dear my lord, / Keeps honor bright. To have done, is to hang / Quite out of fashion, like a rusty mail / In monumental mock’ry” (lines 150-153). In other words, Achilles must keep fighting in order to preserve his image as a hero and great warrior, but since he isn’t fighting, we will be useless – a remnant of the past, once great, but now rusty, like old armor. Ulysses’ speech is full of military metaphors – something he probably did on purpose since he knows Achilles would relate to them the most.

But Ulysses doesn’t stop at the metaphors: he knows Achilles is in love with a Trojan princess (one of Priam’s daughters), and uses that fact as blackmail against Achilles.

The final tactic that Ulysses uses to manipulate Achilles is telling him that “all the Greeks begin to worship Ajax” (3.3.181). This would clearly manipulate Achilles by making him jealous of Ajax. “Why is everyone worshipping this stupid oaf when I’m the real hero,” is something that comes to mind as what Achilles would think.

In this scene, Ulysses proves his reputation as a masterful tactician and manipulator by using the aforementioned methods to persuade Achilles to fight again.

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Helen vs. Cressida

While you know from the beginning of Troilus & Cressida that the main love story is going to be, of course, between Troilus & Cressida, I couldn’t help but realize while reading Act III of the play that this is the first time we meet Helen.  After all, this war was instigated by her, and she is known as the most beautiful woman in the area – it seems natural that Shakespeare would write about the most beautiful woman, not a lesser beauty like Cressida. 

But when you compare Helen’s remarks in Act III, Scene I, to Cressida’s in Act I, Scene II, something about Helen falls flat in comparison to Cressida.  Whereas Cressida is constantly on her toes ready to go head to head with whomever she is speaking to, Helen resorts to bawdy jokes.

It’s also interesting to note that while Helen is the main reason this war is taking place, it is Cressida’s name in the title of the play.  However, throughout much of the play thus far, it has been Helen, and not Cressida, that has been driving much of the plot.  That is because the majority of the plot has been the talk of war, and the rivalry between Ulysses & Achilles.  This may be a weakness on Shakespeare’s part, but the romance that the title alludes to is not really picked up until Act III.  There are other pairings – Ulysses & Achilles, Pandarus & Troilus, Achilles & Patroclus – that are explored more deeply before we ever see Troilus & Cressida in love.

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Scene Study-Troilus and Cressida Act 3 Scene 1

 

http://youtu.be/iuFuZ3VJnKM

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Troilus and Cressida, Troilus’ self-speech

Among the numerous back and forth dialogues, this one stroke me as quite dramatic so I will briefly talk about it. It occurs on page 8, lines 92-108, I won’t retype it here because it can easily be found within the book.

Anyway, there are a lot of things packed into this harangued uttering which are quite notable to mention:

After calling them some names, he starts with saying “Fools on both sides!” This goes hand-in-hand with what our teacher said in class  about the meaningless war – well from our point of view. Back then Helen was considered a major prize and represented a whole country, a symbol, so all the valiant soldiers were up in arms to rescue her, not only for her patriotic representative beauty but also for their country’s emblem.

Furthermore, the character here uses some dramatic metaphorical imagery such as the line, “When with your blood you daily  paint her thus.” This means she is painted in blood, because well, war is bloody and this will be no exception, even though technically they are fighting over one woman hehe.. well also their pride as well.

I mean there are many lines here of discussion here, also when he says “It is too starved a subject for my sword,” which was another mentioned line in class. I remember our teacher paralleled-compared this line with recent warfare events – something that societies have been looking into justifying war acts.

These are just some of the briefly worthwhile things to mention in this speech which seems to be directed at one self.

Well any comments, discussions, questions .. feel free to contribute.

-Thanks.

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Much Ado About Nothing parallels to Real Life

Shakespeare was amazing at making parallels to real life.  He was a master and I believe to be very progressive in the sense that he predicts what modern life will be like.  For this reason is why I like “Much Ado about Nothing.”  The modern day bustling of real life filled with moments that tend to be small.  However, when these moments are combined they form what we know as real life.  The wild goose chase, the gossip, the lies, sex, betrayal, etc are a bunch of themes and parts of this play.  Not every person has these types of things in their lives.  When you are bored and in need of excitement you tend to tell a few fibs to get what you want.  This happens in real life, and happened in “Much Ado about Nothing.”  I am in awe of Shakespeare for his ability to make transitions from his literature to real life seamless.

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