English Lit. Shakespeare Week 7.
So the Discussions are on again. I've got to say there didn't seem much of a gap between discussions this time. Not that I see a problem with that, I could use all the help I can get with Henry the IV (even after an impromptu performance).
I still can't seem to decide my feelings towards the characters in the play. King Henry seems a blood thirsty sort, Prince Hal a wasteful double faced youth and Falstaff a rolly-polly thief. Admittedly there is more to these characters than these limited definitions but still, I find little in them to like or admire.
This is why rather I prefer Hotspur.
At least at the start of the play, impetuous and short tempered, barely holding diplomacy. The sort of man who finds it difficult to deceive because the world is plain to him. I'll admit he lacks vision and as MG said he is 'limited' but so far, I agree with him the most. Perhaps it's the old Irish blood in me that sees the English as oppressors and unjust rulers. Enforcing their rule on all the British Isle. Now that I am a naturally patriotic chap but I can't help but side with the 'little guy' the 'underdog'.
So I am left unsure about the play and how it sits with me. I'm hopeful that a few more days discussion will sort me out.
In the meantime I wrote this little bit in my common place book the other day. I figure I'll share it cause I enjoyed writing it, though looking back it's tad snarky. I flicked open a book the other day and read the first half a page. It was dialogue and heavy handed character exposition. The poor craftmanship of the writing led me to write the following.
Writing.
"Why do you suppose so many stories start with a dialogue?" Asked Frank Drake.
"Don't really know, but it always irks me how the characters are given their full names right away." responded Johnny Wakefield "you know, like it's the first thing you need to know and yet their last name is never mentioned again."
"Yeah, it always seems forced, like how an author will make a 'casual' reference to their job through some 'innocuous' aside." Frank noted as he finished marking yet another students essay.
"Yeah and how the location of the story is just thrown right in the readers face." Johnny looked around the staff room at the old chairs and worn carpet "There is just no subtly in writing these days.".
End.
Like I said kind of snarky, It's easy to pick apart others writing than to write yourself.
Thanks for reading (if you did)
John M.
P.S. this weeks comment... hasn't been written yet so, I'll get back to you!
Ok, so a few days later and I've written a comment. It's on Elise simply stunning poem mirroring Ovid's Four Ages. I struggled to find something critical to say about it as it is magnificently written. God grant me half her ability with verse!
http://elisriture.livejournal.com/16398.html?view=17678#t17678