Character Thursday For Let’s Read Plays

One aspect in reading plays that is quite different from prose, is that we get so familiar with the characters. Scenes in the plays enable us to see them vividly in every act, dialog and emotion. During Let’s Read Plays event, I am inviting you to post about these characters, which will add more fun to the yearlong event! As I already have my own Character Thursday feature, I’m thinking about combining these feature & event.

In short, you can….

• Choose any character from plays you read (as many as characters from each play, and from as many as plays you like).
• Post each of your character analysis/summary on Thursdays.
• Link up each your post in the linky in my Character Thursday post on the respective week.
• I will update your Character Thursday posts below this original post.
• All Character Thursday posts would be eligible for my giveaway at the end of the event (only for signed up participants – see the list in Sign Up post).

I’m waiting for your Character Thursdays, and have fun… :)

LIST OF CHARACTER THURSDAYS FOR PLAYS:

Shakespeare's Tragedy:

Julius Caesar
(1) Listra (Portia) -- (2) Fanda (Brutus) -- (4) Fanda (Cassius) -- (6) Bzee (Julius Caesar)

Macbeth
(3) Arenel (Banquo) --

Romeo and Juliet
(5) Dessy (Mercutio) --

Antony and Cleopatra
(7) Fanda (Mark Antony) -- (8) Fanda (Cleopatra) --

King Lear
(18) Fanda (Earl of Kent) -- (19) Fanda (Cordelia) --


Shakespeare's Comedy:

Two Gentlemen of Verona
(9) Listra (Silvia) --

The Merchant of Venice
(10) Fanda (Portia) -- (11) Fanda (Antonio)

As You Like It
(13) Bzee (Orlando) -- (14) Bzee (Rosalind)

The Tempest
(15) Ann (Ferdinand) --

The Taming of the Shrew
(20) Fanda (Katharina)

Love's Labor's Lost
(21) Listra (Berowne)


Other Authors:

Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand
(12) Listra (Roxane) --

The Crucible by Arthur Miller
(14) Maria (Abigail Williams) -- (16) Maria (Samuel Parris)

Medea by Euripides
(17) Fanda (Medea) --

Oscar Wilde
(22) Bzee (Lord Goring)

Julius Caesar – Act I

Scene I – Rome. A Street

Marullus and Flavius sent away two commoners who were taking a holiday and dressed to take part in rejoicing Julius Caesar’s triumph; for Caesar did not deserved the same treatment as what they had given Pompey, Caesar’s triumph was nothing compared to Pompey’s.

Note:

* One witty scene [Marullus & 2^nd Commoner – a cobbler]:

Marullus:     “What trade, thou knave? Thou naughty knave, what trade?” 

Commoner: “Nay, I beseech you, sir, be not out with me; yet, if you be out, sir, I can mend you.” –l. 84 :)

* Here is the early sign of conspiracy….

Scene II – A Public Place

• Caesar was preparing for his course with Mark Antony, while a Soothsayer warned him about the prophecy of the Ides of March, which Caesar instantly ignored as a nonsense (“He is a dreamer, let us leave him”.)
• Cassius held Brutus out of the others, and began to approach him for conspire against Caesar, and to convince Brutus that people loved him. Brutus still hesitate, as he was a noble man who did not want to plunged in Rome’s politics :

“If I be aught toward the general good,

Set honor in one eye and death i’ the other

And I will look on both indifferently.

For let the gods so speed me as I love

The name of honor more than I fear death” –l. 139

“Brutus had rather be a villager,

Than to repute himself a son of Rome

Under these hard conditions as this time

Is like to lay upon us.” –l. 167

Mark Antony offers Caesar
the crown

Notes:

* Cassius envied Caesar, was that his real reason for building the conspiracy?

“…and this man is now become a god, and Cassius is 

A wretched creature and must bend his body 

If Caesar carelessly but nod on him.” -l. 146

* Shakespeare used a metaphor ‘the falling sickness’ (meant for epilepsy, which Caesar did suffered from) for Rome’s condition at that time under Caesar’s tyranny.

Brutus:  “Tis very like. He hath the falling sickness.”

Cassius: “No, Caesar hath it not, but you, and I,

                  And honest Casca, we have the falling sickness.”

* Cassius seemed to be not really sure yet whether Cicero was in their side or not. On the event of Mark Antony “pretended” to offer Caesar the crown and Caesar “pretended” to refuse, Cassius asked Casca:

Cassius: “Did Cicero say anything?”

Casca:    “Ay, he spoke Greek.”

Cassius: “To what effect?”

Why else was Cassius so interested in Cicero’s comment in particular?

Scene III – A Street. Thunder & Lightning

• Great thunder and lightning 'swayed' Rome, and Casca reported to Cicero several preternatural things in the city, which he was sure to be signs of something terrible to happen.
• Cassius was approaching Casca for the conspiracy too, and Casca joined him.
• Cassius sent Cinna (already in the group of conspiracy) to sent several letters to Brutus as if they were from people who could no longer resist Caesar’s tyranny.

Note:
* As usual, Cicero did not believe in any sign of superstitious.

"Indeed, it is a strange-disposed time.
But men may construe things after their fashion,
Clean from the purpose of the things themselves."

* Cassius criticized Romans who got weaker so Caesar can became a tyrant.

Weekend Quote 10: The Scarlet Letter

I happened to find this lovely quote from The Scarlet Letter. This quote appeared in the narration, when Hester and Dimmesdale met each other in the forest in ‘A Flood of Sunshine’ chapter. This was a crucial moment for both of them, for many things changed (especially for Dimmesdale) after this forest excursion. Here is the quote…

Love, whether newly born or aroused from a deathlike slumber, must always create sunshine, filling the heart so full of radiance, that it overflows upon the outward world.

In fact, I believe that Dimmesdale found his courage and new spirit from his meeting with Hester, particularly after having Hester’s love and support. Without it, I think Dimmesdale would keep continuing his life under the evil power until his death. Love DOES create sunshine, doesn’t it?

This Weekend Quote is hosted by Half-Filled Attic. Feel free to join. You can:

• Give the context of the quote
• Give your opinion whether you agree or disagree with it
• Share your experience related to the quote
• Share similar quotes you remember
• Or anything else. Just have fun with the quote.

Hester’s Way Or Dimmesdale’s Way?

When I was working out with The Scarlet Letter for my The Well Educated Mind self-project, I came to the thoughts of “Sin” and “Repentance”. Hester and Dimmesdale were both sinned, they worked together to their falls, however each proceeded with different ways. And suddenly I was curious to watch both their progresses, and how their conducts brought them to their ends. So I made this diagram, to conclude in the end, who’d succeed and who’d failed. This is interesting….

I think we can learn from this diagram too—I don’t say that we must wear a kind of token to show off our sin in public, but I am thinking about how we’d best represent ourselves before God. Only with humbleness and openness we could receive His mercy and forgiveness, and with that we could revive from our sin, and instead of fading from life like Arthur Dimmesdale, we could be more useful for others, or for the society, just like Hester.

Why had Hester Pryne succeeded? I incline to think that she had been purged from her burden of sin by wearing the scarlet letter, and at the same time accepted in her calmness of being secluded, humiliated and scowled by the Puritans, while she kept doing kindness to them. All these lifted her burden, and she could renew her life after her freedom, she had her own choices.

Why had Arthur Dimmesdale failed? Because he was too hypocrite and too cowardice to admit that he was a sinner. He had accepted what he deserved for all his services to God (people appraisal). I can only think that Dimmesdale did his sermons and anything else just to get God’s (and people’s) rewards. In the end his sin only made his divine efforts distinguished.

So, which way would you choose for your own, Hester’s way, or Dimmesdale’s way? :)

The Scarlet Letter – Summary Chapter XXI – XXIV

Chapter XXI – The New England Holiday

Election Day was one of the rare holidays for New England when the Puritans—usually repressed by their strict law—could enjoy merriments; this was also the day Hester would be set free from wearing the scarlet letter. Chillingworth appeared and had conversation with vessel’s captain—who previously had arranged to take Hester and Dimmesdale in his boat; then the captain informed Hester that they would have another passenger, which was—in Hester’s horror—the old physician.

Chapter XXII – The Procession

The procession began, exhibiting the honorable ranks of the magistrates and citizens, then appeared Rev. Dimmesdale appeared, energetic and with an angelic look. Hester felt as if Dimmisdale had gone away from her, she then approached near the scaffold—where she had been seven years ago—to listen to Dimmesdale coming Election Sermon.

Chapter XXIII – The Revelation of The Scarlet Letter

Rev. Dimmesdale’s sermon was so wise and holy to the people’s ears, however at the end of it he looked suddenly pale and feeble; he called Hester and Little Pearl to step up on the scaffold with him, while dismissing Chillingworth’s last attempt to win his soul. Dimmesdale finally admitted to the public that he was the man who committed adultery with Hester, and proved it by tearing his robe to reveal what some of the people witnessed as a scarlet letter on his bosom; he finally died after having kissed Pearl.

Chapter XXIV – Conclusion

There are many speculations about what was the mark on Dimmesdale’s bosom; meanwhile Chillingworth’s energy had vanished after his vengeance came to end, and he bequeathed his estates to Little Pearl before his death. Hester and Pearl disappeared from New England, but some years later Hester returned alone to her old cottage and kept the scarlet letter and giving counsels and comforts to the people in sorrow as her repentance; while Pearl had married and lived happily somewhere.

Melanie Hamilton in Gone With The Wind

Although she was not made the main character in Gone With The Wind, I think Melanie was the real heroine. Melanie was a timid, simple, humble woman with a very kind heart. Her main strength was how she could see the positive side of every person; she followed her own instinct, not what people around thought about the person.

Melanie was not typical women who glow in parties; and being the center of attention was never her aim. She even preferred to be behind the curtain all the time. However people always love her, I can’t think of any character in this story who did not love Melanie—not even Scarlett although she tried hard to. People love her because she was always genuine in heart, no pretense, always willingly to pour her love and affection to everyone because she wanted to, not because she needed something from them in return. All they’ve got to do was just opened their heart.

On the earlier stages of her life, I thought Melanie was a passive woman with the lack of initiative, but apparently she developed very much throughout the story. Hard times reshaped her a lot. She might be shy, but she was very brave when needed. Twice in a crisis, she calmly made quick decisions and acted right.

Her only weakness was that she only believed what she wanted to, she could not accept that people she loved made a mistake. She definitely closed her eyes of what happened between her husband and Scarlett. Instead of analyzing every details, she just threw the idea away only because she loved both of them, and they won't therefore do such a thing.

Anyway…Melanie was a real lady with her inner beauty, as Rhett Butler said…. “Beauty doesn’t make a lady, nor clothes a great lady.”

Let’s Read Plays MASTER POST

I’m very pleased to finally kick off our Let’s Read Plays, a yearlong event to read classics plays from varied authors (see the sign up post for more detailed info). This is the master post where you can link up all your reviews and other posts during the event, which ends on 31 October 2013. Once in a while I will organize all the posts based on category, to make it easier to navigate.

You are welcomed to sign up here; the signing up will be closed on 15 November 2012.

Must I sign up formally? Can’t I just participate and post reviews in my blog?

Yes, you can. But signing up help us to get to know all the participants, how many we are here, and once in a while we might want to have a visit to your blogs :). Plus…by signing up by 15 November 2012 you will be eligible for some giveaways throughout Let’s Read Plays event, yayyy! :)

I just found out this event after 15 November 2012. Can I still participate?

Yes, you can. You can participate on all activities during the year, but unfortunately you won’t be included in the giveaways.

During the event we would have a lot of fun, besides reading and reviewing plays. There would be memes, game and giveaways; here in this blog as well as in Dessy’s blog (my co-host) and in other participants’ who have confirmed to host theirs as well. If you would like to host anything, you are always welcomed (except for meme, as we already have two); just fill in this form and let me know when you have done it (because I do not check everyday).

To put your link in the linky, please use this format:

Post title (blog name)

For example: Master Post (Fanda Classiclit)

For posts in Bahasa Indonesia only, please add [IND] behind your name
For example: Master Post (Fanda Classiclit) - [IND]

And last but not least, check in every once and a while, because from time to time I might post some updates, giveaways or other activities during the event. The updates would be placed on the top sidebar, under the Let’s Read Plays banner. If you have twitter, you can follow @Fanda_A for updates, or just check in #LRP which would be our official hashtag during the event.

To remind you, here's our reading theme schedule:

Nov '12 Shakespeare's Tragedy

Dec '12  Shakespeare's Comedy

Jan '13   freebie

Feb '13  Shakespeare's History

Mar '13 Greek

Apr '13  Shakespeare's Comedy

May '13  Shakespeare's Tragedy

Jun '13  Oscar Wilde

Jul '13    Other author

Aug '13 Shakespeare's Comedy

Sep '13  freebie

Oct '13  Shakespeare's Tragedy