Reflective post

I feel I have gained Shakespeare literacy through many things accomplished in this class. I’ve read a range of Shakespeare’s plays such as, sonnets, comedies, tragedies etc.  I’ve also studied a single play, Othello, more in depth. For this course we were able to view two plays, Merchant of Venice and Love’s Labors Lost, and I think this has been the most helpful for me in gaining Shakespeare literacy.  Watching the plays be performed, as they were meant to, rather then just reading them taught me allot about

Shakespeare’s works.  Since reading theses plays I’ve noticed a lot of modern movies books, reference shakespeare. Weather quoting his writing or discussing his life Shakespeare’s legacy is found everywhere in pop culture.

During class we had the opportunity to learn about the context, language, and themes of Shakespeare’s plays.  These have helped  me to analyze the plays we’ve read in my blog posts. While watching a couple film adaptations of Hamlet I was able to critique the performances using these things. Through our project of mimicking Shakespearian works I have been able to apply what I’ve learned. 

Blogging about shakespeare has given me the opportunity to engage in Shakespeare creatively.  By comparing it to music and other works, casting the plays(such as Merchant of Venice) and making a literary map of Othello. For the final project my group has even tried performing. 

Act IV scene I with stage directions.

Francisco and Fillipa enter stage. Francisco give Fillipa, disguised as a duchess, a rose.

Francisco: The flowers dost suit thine eye, Cecilia?

       

             Francisco leans in for a kiss. Fillippa leans back disgusted.

 She tries to keep a distance as they walk, while flirting.

Filippa:  'Tis so, my lord, tho ne'er care for roses.

              Painted beauty promises but then they

              pierce and prick when drawn too near, and we bleed.

Fillippa sits down on a bench, she see’s the empty spot next to her and quickly puts the rose down to “occupy” the seat. Francisco, pursues Filippa by brushing aside the rose, sitting and taking her hand.

Francisco: They mean not to harm but simply remind

                   the young lover's soul of his living love.      

Francisco leans in for a kiss as Filippa dodges him.                     

Filippa: Forgive. I miss your meaning. Pray, do tell.

Fillippa goes to stand but Francisco, oblivious, grabs her hand preventing her. 

Francisco: How the heart aches, sick, nay, nigh death even

                 Of one who loves but knows not of its return.

                 A roses' thorn pricks merely to awake

                 a sleeping dreamer to act on his love.

Francisco kneels on one knee in front of Fillippa.

Lucio appears in the gardens, although unseen to Francisco and Filippa.      

Lucio is behind a wall or pillar and spies Cecilia

Lucio: (aside) What's this? Fair Cecilia and Francisco.

            O, if only I beside her walked

            Sweet verse and line t'would surely fill her ears.

Filippa: You speak as tho experienced, my lord.

           (aside) What's this? Here, nigh on knees, this swooning sword!

Francisco stands seriously.

Francisco: Fair Cecilia! Words with no actions take

                 Are mere symbols on a page or breath on

                 fleeting wind which leaves as quickly as comes!

                 Dost thou weigh (judge) the meaning of mine words now?

Filippa stands cautiously.

Filippa: Indeed. But thou fails to weigh (take into account) my mean (poor, of low rank) state.

Francisco Grabs Filippa’s hand and moves closer.

Francisco: Tis nothing.

Fillippa smiles in fakery then looks away  to avoid Francisco’s gaze

Filippa: Correct. Nothing is what I have.

Francisco, thinking he has offended, rushes to redeem his speech.

Francisco: No no, your worth (rank). It is of small import (significance).

               Filippa pretends to be offended.

Filippa: Sir, callest thou my worth (value) base (worthless)?

              Lucio jealously looks upon Fillippa and Francisco

Lucio: (aside) Francisco had a base (of low quality) school to mix words,

and marks not the meaning of his fair bird (object of prey).