WeEK Two - Venus and Adonis
O.K., well it’s all pretty racy stuff, highly erotic to say the least. Considering that it was written 400 years ago and adapted from Ovid’s ‘Metamorphoses’ written in 8AD, is this telling us something about people back then, it seems to me that they are the same as people in this day and age, when it comes to erotica. It’s all very intriguing and interesting realm to explore the uncharted human emotions and pushing certain buttons to see how others will react, then capturing it on paper whether it be poetry or art. The Renaissance was a period of beauty, rebirth, realism, re-education, rich poetry and literary works, elaborate art works by the masters, rich colours in fabrics, tapestries and jewellery. Music was very much a part of the Renaissance, and extension of the Gregorian chant. All this reflected in day to day life something captured so beautifully by Shakespeare, in his many plays, sonnets and narrative poems.
In V & A, Venus just does not stop, nothing seems to hinder her, she is trying to rope Adonis in but he is literally ‘as stubborn as a bull’ a bull that Venus is so infatuated with that her whole being is encapsulated by this yearning for him, she is definitely getting ‘no satisfaction’ (maybe she should take to Mick), he repudiates her.
Shakespeare’s images are so salacious and his expression brings out the lusting, thrusting Venus.
Lines 229-240 ‘Fondling, she saith…’ direct and straight to the point. Her words to Adonis ‘just take me and do what you please with me’. Adonis ain’t budging, a goddess is throwing herself at him… how many men would have said no?
Seeing the stage production, the music, props, lighting and amazing actresses all added to the erotic flavour of the play. Venus’ lusty, insatiable appetite and bodily movements, clothing and caressing her body- x two Venus’ emphasized Shakespeare’s Venus perfectly. The poor Adonis’ in the front row must have been running a temperature.
The music composition heightens the rhythm of the language, and defined her emotions. The huntress of the city night but confined to this small hotel room like a caged animal, wanting to be unleashed and consumed!!
What a wonderful way to spend an afternoon with Bill…10/10 and the more you read the more of a deeper understanding you have of the play.
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