Jacobean Drama- Nikol Cherniak
The scene that I chose is the last scene of Cruel Intentions which is when Kathryn is revealed to have a big part to do with Sebastian’s final break down before his death. She is, also, discovered to use cocaine. Choosing a scene from this movie was difficult since this whole movie is about mind games, betrayal, dramatic love, drugs, sex, manipulation, and not necessarily incest, but close since Kathryn and Sebastian, step-siblings, always have sexual encounters throughout the movie. Jacobean dramas are all about these themes present in Cruel Intentions. In Cruel Intentions, Sebastian and Kathryn are step-siblings who have indulged in multiple sex flings and heartless destruction and manipulation of others. When Kathryn and Sebastian make a bet if Sebastian can manage to seduce the virgin, Annette Hargrove, Sebastian realizes that he is falling in love with her. This is when Annette’s pure heart changes Sebastian and he becomes very different from his manipulative step-sister. However, since his sister can’t rest until Sebastian is destroyed, she tells her lover about how Sebastian hit her, which is a lie, and which leads to Sebastian’s death. One quote from the movie is when Kathryn admits to manipulating Sebastian, she says, “You were very much in love with her. And you’re still in love with her. But it amused me to make you ashamed of it. You gave up on the first person you ever loved because I threatened your reputation. Don’t you get it? You’re just a toy, Sebastian. A little toy I like to play with. And now you’ve completely blown it with her. I think it’s the saddest thing I’ve ever heard.” The manipulation that is very strong in this movie is what Jacobean dramas entail. Without the manipulation there is no Jacobean drama
1,272 responses so far
This is truly an amazing movie, and without doubt a great selection for this assignment! Now that you have summed it up so well, I can see so many connections with the plays of the Jacobean Era. I agree that there is definitely lots of betrayal and dramatic love, hence Cruel Intentions delivers a strong message to the viewers, making it a perfect comparison to Jacobean Drama.
Nikol, I enjoyed this post, as much as I enjoyed the movie. And I believe this is the perfect example of a Jacobean drama influenced movie.
All the lying, betrayal and manipulation that this movie contains is what the Jacobean drama is all about.
Excellent pick and nice job.
Great example, Nikol! I remember watching this movie for the first time in amazement about the storyline. It was shocking to see siblings (regardless of them having different parents) in a sexual relationship. It’s sort of like Whitney Houston’s daughter, Bobbi Kristina, marrying her adopted brother, or even Woody Allen marrying his adopted daughter. True Jacobean drama!
One of my favorite movies. Actually this is one the movies that made me look at an actor in a very particular way. After Cruel Intentions, I can only look at Ryan Phillips as manipulating, evil, pervert. Too much? maybe. So much that when I watched Fifty Shades of Gray a few weeks ago I told my friends that I thought that was a perfect character for Ryan Phillips.
The movie does reflect all kind of revenge, manipulation and abuse, typical about Jacobean drama.
I agree with everyone’s responses — great choice!