As You Like It by William Shakespeare

All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players. ~ Jacques

 

As You Like It is a comedy by William Shakespeare, written in the early seventeenth century. It is a complex tale of an exiled Duke, his younger brother, and usurper Frederick.

Lest we pity the exiled Senior Duke, he professes acceptance of his lot quite nobly...

 

And this our life, exempt from public haunt,

Finds tongue in trees, books in the running brooks,

Sermons in stones, and good in everything.

I would not change it.

 

But the real story is about Rosalind, the Senior Duke’s daughter, who remains at court until she runs afoul of her uncle and then flees with her cousin Celia, and the court fool, to the forest of Arden where the Senior Duke resides in exile. Rosalind travels incognito as the young man Ganymede, while Celia is disguised as the maiden Aliena.

 

If you know anything of Shakespeare, you should guess that Rosalind, while posing as a man, meets her love in the forest. Orlando befriends Ganymede and laments his hopeless love for the lady Rosalind to Ganymede, who is, of course, Rosalind herself.

 

Why she doesn’t reveal her true identity and profess her love for Orlando was lost on me; likely for some political necessity.

 

Meanwhile, a young shepherdess, Phebe, falls in love with Ganymede despite Ganymede’s/Rosalind’s best efforts to discourage her, for reasons obvious to the reader, but less obvious to Phebe. Phebe in turn shuns the love of the worthy shepherd Silvius.

 

Oh yes, the court fool, Touchstone, also falls in love, with the simple-minded shepherdess Audrey. Of course he does. And then there's a suitor for Celia as well.

 

A perfect Shakespearean comedy. In the end, Rosalind, still posing as Ganymede, concocts an intricate plot that will enable all the lovers and, by their oath, bind them to marry their lovers on the morrow. They agree but are not very hopeful. I wasn’t very hopeful myself, but it may have been more from confusion than genuine doubt.

 

But since it’s a comedy, you might guess how it turns out. Even Frederick repents from usurping his brother, adopts a religious life, and restores the Senior Duke to his domain.

 

If you’ll pardon the pun, all’s well that ends well.

 

I liked this play very much. It is sometimes confusing, but I suspect that is intentional. I think it would likely be clearer, and more comical, if experienced as it should be: enacted on stage.

 

This play contains one of the greatest lines in Shakespearean dialogue, albeit by a minor character, Jacques, brother of Orlando, and a very melancholy soul. This first line should be familiar. I’ve included his entire speech, which shows his cynicism, wit, and wisdom.

 

All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players.
They have their exits and their entrances,
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages. At first the infant,
Mewling and puking in the nurse’s arms.
Then the whining schoolboy with his satchel
And shining morning face, creeping like snail
Unwillingly to school. And then the lover,
Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad
Made to his mistress’ eyebrow. Then a soldier,
Full of strange oaths and bearded like the pard,
Jealous in honor, sudden and quick in quarrel,
Seeking the bubble reputation
Even in the cannon’s mouth. And then the justice,
In fair round belly with good capon lined,
With eyes severe and beard of formal cut,
Full of wise saws and modern instances;
And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts
Into the lean and slippered pantaloon
With spectacles on nose and pouch on side,
His youthful hose, well saved, a world too wide
For his shrunk shank, and his big manly voice,
Turning again toward childish treble, pipes
And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all,
That ends this strange eventful history,
Is second childishness and mere oblivion,
Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.

 

Contemporary aphorisms derived from this play:

 

Rosalind, posing as a man, asks Orlando…

But are you so much in love as your rhymes speak?

 

To which Orlando replies…

Neither rhyme nor reason can express how much.

 

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The Winter's Tale by William Shakespeare

The Winter’s Tale is a comedy by William Shakespeare, written in the early seventeenth century.

Or is it a tragedy?

 

It could be either. It is one of my least favorites, primarily due to this ambiguity.

 

Leontes, King of Sicilia, is hosting his childhood friend Polixenes, now the King of Bohemia, for some nine months. When Polixenes declares he must return to his realm, Leontes tries to dissuade him but fails. He sends his queen, Hermione, who persuades Polixenes to extend his visit. The queen’s success evokes suspicion in Leontes, which in turn produces tragic consequences. But by the fourth act, in true Bardic fashion, a series of comic capers set all things right.

 

Excepting the dead prince.

 

Meh, For me, it mostly didn’t work.

 

I probably missed them, but I didn’t notice any of Shakespeare’s aphorisms that have become part of our current vernacular. Though there is one delightful stage direction…

 

Exit, pursued by a bear

 

That didn’t turn out well.

 

The title doesn’t say much either. It is taken from one character stating…

 

A sad tale’s best for winter: I have one of sprites and goblins.

 

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The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan (novel #210)

Full title: The Pilgrim’s Progress from This World to that which is to Come Delivered under the
Similitude of a Dream

 

…strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. ~ Matthew 7:14

 

The Pilgrim’s Progress is a Christian Allegory, perhaps the Christian Allegory written by 17th Century English Puritan preacher and writer John Bunyan. It was written, or at least started during Bunyan’s imprisonment for preaching and assembling without sanction of The Church of England.

 

The omniscient narrator tells of his dream, wherein the pilgrim, Christian, flees his home in the City of Destruction in search of The Celestial City. It is slow going as Pilgrim doesn’t precisely know the way and carries a heavy burden. He meets Evangelist, who directs him to the Wicket Gate, where he meets the gatekeeper, Goodwill. After entering, he is released of his burden, though there are many pitfalls, enemies, false friends, and some true yet to be encountered.

 

Of the many places Christian must pass through, some are fearful dangers, others are beguiling diversions; some are refining fires and some true delights.

 

Just a sampling of the “places” Christian encounters:

Slough of Despond

Hill Difficulty

House Beautiful

Valley of Humiliation

Plain of Ease

Vanity Fair

Delectable Mountains

 

Similarly, he meets other persons and other pilgrims along the way. Against appearance, some villains, some faithful.

 

Such as:

Worldly Wiseman

The Interpreter

Hypocrisy

Charity

Pope and Pagan

Faithful

Hopeful

Atheist

 

I read a children’s version as a child and barely remember it. The full version has been on my TBR for quite some time, and I am glad to have finally read it. It is difficult for me as a Christian to view this as mere literature because it is something more. It is light in the darkness; it is truth; it is profound; it is timeless.

 

My rating:  4 out of 5 stars

 

 

 

But it is indeed literature and had a tremendous effect on English literature. There are implicit allusions and explicit references in many other classics, such as…

 

Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

Innocents Abroad by Mark Twain

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen by Alan Moore

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Slaughterhouse-5 by Kurt Vonnegut

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

Middlemarch by George Eliot

The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis

Hinds Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard

And, of course…

Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray

Others, I’m certain

 

I found it a bit ironic that I should read Bunyan, the Puritan, immediately following the anti-Puritan writer Nathaniel Hawthorne. I didn’t plan it that way. I liked both. Religion, as I believe was Hawthorne’s point, has its flaws. Christ, as Bunyan points out, has none.

 

I read this for the Back tothe Classics 2022 Challenge, Pre-1800 category, thereby completing all twelve categories of the challenge.

 

Wanderer’s Commentary about that bit that is MORE than literature: The Wicket Gate is the Cross of Calvary and the atoning work of Christ. The pilgrim’s struggles do not end when they come to Christ, but the previously mounting weight of their burden, their sin and guilt, is removed and discarded forever by grace through faith in the redeeming work of the sinless lamb of God – The LORD Jesus Christ.

 

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All's Well that Ends Well by William Shakespeare

All’s Well that Ends Well by William Shakespeare 

All’s Well that Ends Well is a comedy, by William Shakespeare, written around the turn of the seventeenth century.

It is primarily about Helena, daughter of a late illustrious physician. Helena is under the care of the Countess of Rousillon, and is in love with the Countess’ son, Bertram – the Count of Rousillon. But Helena has no hope of winning Bertram due to disparity in their lineage.

Until she, through craft and medicine that she inherited from father, is able to heal the King of France, who promises her any eligible bachelor of his court – which includes Bertram.

Bertram will not have her though, until the hot displeasure of the King persuades him. They have a marriage ceremony, but Bertram will not consummate the marriage, and indeed vows to never until Helena can gain the heirloom ring that he wears, and bears him a child – which of course will be problematic – the marriage being unconsummated.

Except for one of those Shakespeare hallmarks, the “bed trick”, where one person goes to bed with another, believing it to be someone other than whom it is in reality.

There’s a great deal more intrigue, and it’s very clever, but not very satisfying – name of the play notwithstanding. 

Helena – she was beautiful, virtuous, and much the victim, but I couldn’t be too happy for her, as I don’t think the Count was much of a prize. And she loses a few points for even wanting the scoundrel.

The Count – He was a cad and a libertine, didn’t like him at all. He was of noble birth, quit himself admirably in battle, probably good looking, so I guess he’s considered a prize. Meh.

There were two admirable people in the play: Lafeu an elderly Lord, and the Countess, who denounced her son, and embraced Helena.

But they didn’t make up for the ending: All’s well – really? Helena has a jerk husband, Bertram has a saint wife. Meh.

Again, very clever twists and turns, brilliantly written, very funny at times, but I just couldn’t feel good about the outcome.

Excerpts:

Helena pleading her healing ability to the skeptical King

I am not an impostor, that proclaim

Myself against the level of mine aim;

But know I think, and think I know most sure,

My art is not past power, nor you past cure.

The King admonishing Bertram for rejecting Helena

All that is virtuous, - save what thou dislik’st,

A poor physician’s daughter, - thou dislik’st

Of virtue for the name: but do not so:

From lowest place when virtuous things proceed,

The place is dignified by the doer’s deed

Countess expressing her love for Helena, in spite of Bertram’s rejection.

I pr’vthee, lady, have a better cheer;

If thou engrossest all the griefs are thine,

Thou robb’st me of a moiety. He was my son;

But I do wash his name out of my blood,

And thou art my child

Helena, explaining the trickery that will get Bertram to her bed – he thinking it is with another

Why, then, tonight

Is wicked meaning in a lawful act

Where both not sin, and yet a sinful fact;

But let’s about it

Lafeu, thinking Helena is dead, now pleads to the King to forgive Bertram

But first, I beg your pardon, – the young lord

Did to his majesty, his mother, and his lady,

Offense of mighty note; but to himself

The greatest wrong of all: he lost a wife

A maiden who Bertram thought he seduced, but was a conspirator with Helena, explaining things to the king

…but for this lord [Bertram]

Who hath abus’d me, as he knows himself,

Though yet he never harm’d me, here I quit him:

He knows himself my bed he hath defil’d;

And at that time he got his wife with child.

Dead though she be, she feels her young one kick;

So, there’s my riddle – One that’s dead is quick

And now behold the meaning.

    [Enter Helena]

Final verses

The king’s a beggar, now the play is done:

All is well-ended if this suit be won,

That you express content; which we will pay

With strife to please you, day exceeding day:

Ours be your patience then, and yours our parts;

Your gentle hands lead us, and take our hearts.

This play satisfies square I-3, Classic Drama or Play, in the 2020 Classic BINGO Challenge.

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King John by William Shakespeare

King John by William Shakespeare

This England never did, nor never shall,

Lie at the proud foot of a conqueror ~ the Bastard

(repost of an accidentally deleted review from may 2019)

The Life and Death of King John is a historical play, written in the late 16^th Century, but not published until the early 17^th Century.

I am slowly working my way through the entire works of Shakespeare and have finally gotten to his historical plays. I’ve read all the Sonnets and other poetry, quite a few comedies, and several tragedies. This is the first of the historical plays that I’ve read. I decided to read the historical plays in chronological order, so King John is first. The historical King John of England reigned from 1199 until his death in 1216. He was the son of King Henry II and Duchess Eleanor of Aquitaine, succeeded his older brother Richard I to the throne, and was succeeded by his own son Henry who necessarily became King Henry III.

The play centers around the legitimacy of King John’s right to the throne. John is the oldest surviving son of King Henry II, but his older brother, Geffrey had a son, Arthur (no, not THAT Arthur). I am uncertain of 13^th Century British rules of succession, but I think Arthur had a strong case. Other advocates for Arthur included King Philip of France, Cardinal Pandolf legate of the Holy See, and of course Arthur’s mother, Lady Constance. John’s advocates include Queen Eleanor, and the Bastard, the illegitimate son of John’s brother King Richard I.

The play is about confusing genealogies, shifting loyalties, and family feuds. I am tempted to call them petty feuds, but they do decide the King of England, so petty is probably unfair.

At one point, the matter is settled by the marriage of John’s niece Blanch, to King Philip’s son Louis (no, not THAT Louis). But moments after the marriage, older, more sacred alliances are recalled and the debate is renewed. Poor Blanch, caught in the middle of the muddled affair, faces war between her new husband and her uncle. She expresses her dismay – which is I think fairly representative of the entire matter:

          The sun’s o’ercast with blood. Fair day, adieu!

          Which is the side that I must go withal?

          I am with both:  each army hath a hand;

          And in their rage, I having hold of both,

          They whirl asunder and dismember me.

          Husband, I cannot pray that thou mayest win;

          Uncle, I needs must pray that thou mayest lose;

          Father, I may not wish the fortune thine;

          Grandam, I will not wish thy wishes thrive.  

          Whoever wins, on that side shall I lose:

          Assured loss before the match be play’d

SPOILER ALERT: In the end, it is all settled rather neatly, though tragically. Arthur dead, John dead, leaving Henry the undisputed heir to the throne. (Shakespeare did not write a play for Henry III. In fact, he skipped the next three monarchs: Henry III, Edward I, and Edward II. Next up is Edward III.)

It is easy to get caught up in the dozen or so august personalities named in the play, their divine mandates, and noble destinies, and forget the thousands of unnamed lives that were spent in settling such disputes. I am not criticizing the play – it is quite worthy of its author. I am simply reasserting something that may have been a subtle point of the Bard’s: the political, economic, familial, ecclesiastical, and egotistical plays for power in this period of Western Europe were indeed often – petty feuds with dreadful consequence.

Excerpts:

And thou, to be endeared to a king,

Made it no conscience to destroy a prince. ~ King John to Hubert

Heaven keep my soul, and England keep my bones! ~ dying Arthur

And as usual, a couple phrases original to Shakespeare that have become part of English vernacular:

To gild refined gold, to paint the lily (which is clearer than the vernacular to gild the lily – to praise something that does not need further praise)

Play fast and loose

I read this for the 2019 Year of Shakespeare Challenge.

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Timon of Athens by William Shakespeare

Timon of Athens by William Shakespeare 

Timon of Athens is a tragedy by Shakespeare, probably co-written with Thomas Middleton, very early 17^thCentury. It is about a fictional Athenian during Hellenistic Greece. The title character may have been influenced by, though not entirely based on, Greek philosopher Timon of Phlius.

Timon is a generous and gregarious fellow – generous to a fault. He has many friends and flatterers who receive benefit from his generosity. Timon’s faithful steward, Flavius, tries to warn him of his wastefulness, but Timon is too deluded by flatterers to listen.

Of course, there is a limit to Timon’s resources and his generosity leads to ruin. He rebuffs Flavius for not warning him, but is not overly worried. He is confident his many friends will assist HIM, now that HE is in need. He chides Flavius for doubting.

     And, in some sort, these wants of mine are crown’d

     That I account them blessings for by these

     Shall I try friends: you shall perceive how you

     Mistake my fortunes; I am wealthy in my friends

But of course, none are so faithful. 

Timon’s lands are sold, he renounces society (pictured) and flees to live in a cave and dine on roots. He discovers a hidden treasure of gold, which he uses to hire mercenaries to destroy Athens. I’ll spare the rest.

This is rightly called a tragedy, not because Timon is ruined financially, but because his soul is ruined. He becomes a complete and hopeless misanthrope. He offers this prayer…

     And grant, as Timon grows, his hate may grow

     To the whole race of mankind, high and low!

Throughout the play all the characters, but especially Timon’s false friends, are ridiculed by cynical Apemantus, who sees through their duplicity. And although Apemantus is somewhat sympathetic to Timon’s disillusionment and need, Timon offers even him contempt, which is then returned in a sad, and yet amusing exchange of insults

     T: I had rather be a beggar’s dog than Apemantus

     A: Thou art the cap of all the fools alive

     T: Would thou wert clean enough to spit on

     A: A plague on thee, thou art too bad to curse

     T: All villains that do stand by thee are pure

     A: There is no leprosy but what thou speak’st

     T: If I name thee – I’ll beat thee, but I should infect my hands

     A: I would my tongue could rot them off

     T: Away, thou issue of a mangy dog!

          Choler does kill me that thou art alive;

          I swoon to see thee

     A: Would thou wouldst burst

     T: Away, thou tedious rogue! I am sorry I shall lose a stone

          [throws a stone at Apemantus]

     A: Beast!

     T: Slave!

     A: Toad!

     T: Rogue, rogue, rogue!

The play is a sobering indictment on humanity. And while I am certain that not all friends are false, there is a danger in wealth that makes it hard to distinguish between the true and false. I’m certain there are many instant millionaires (lottery winners, professional athletes, etc.) who could relate to this interesting play. I can’t say I loved it. I’m not surprised it is not one of Shakespeare’s more popular plays.

I read this for the 2019 Year of Shakespeare Challenge.

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Coriolanus by William Shakespeare

Coriolanus by William Shakespeare 

His nature is too noble for the world. He would not flatter Neptune for his trident, or Jove for ‘s power to thunder. ~ Menenius regarding Coriolanus

Coriolanus is a tragedy by Shakespeare, written very early 17^thCentury. It is about a Roman General, Gaius Marcius Coriolanus, of the 5^thCentury, B.C. 

Well…WOW! I loved this play, though it is a tragedy and doesn’t leave one feeling warm and fuzzy, but WOW!

I didn’t like it at first. I didn’t like the title character, but then it gets powerful quickly in the second act, and I admired the integrity of Coriolanus, and lamented his lack of political savviness. 

He is a general of great renown, bearing many scars on his body for Rome, though he is considered proud and aloof. As one officer describes him…

That’s a brave fellow; but he’s vengeance proud, and loves not the common people.

Coriolanus does not aspire to politics, he would rather defend Rome and win her more glory, but like many military heroes, he was urged into politics by his friends. One of them, Menenius, recognizes that Coriolanus may lack tact and diplomacy needed for politics.

His nature is too noble for the world. He would not flatter Neptune for his trident, or Jove for ‘s power to thunder.

Coriolanus himself detests the idea that he is judged by lesser men. He describes it as…

…the crows to peck the eagles.

Two rather contemptuous tribunes stir up discontent among the people towards Coriolanus – merely for his aloofness – though they spin it as more treacherous conduct. When a mob is ready to execute him by carrying him outside the city and casting him on the rock Tarpeian, Coriolanus answers…

No, I’ll die here. [draws his sword] There’s some among you have beheld me fighting: Come, try upon yourselves what you have seen me.

Coriolanus is not executed, but he is banished. He in turn banishes Rome, and makes his way to his previous enemy, the Volscians, and agrees to lead them against Rome.

The joy and beauty of Shakespeare is in the dialogue. The most thrilling speeches are usually made by main characters: Hamlet’s soliloquy, Antony’s eulogy of Caesar, or Henry V’s St Crispin’s day speech, but in this play, my favorite lines were by an unnamed guard, addressed to Menenius who has come to the Volscian camp to sue for mercy.

Guard: You are a Roman, are you?

Menenius: I am as thy general is.

Guard: Then you should hate Rome, as he does. Can you, when you have pushed out your gates the very defender of them, and, in a violent popular ignorance, given your enemy your shield, think to front his revenges with the easy groans of old women, the virginal palms of your daughters, or with the palsied intercession of such a decayed dotant as you seem to be? Can you think to blow out the intended fire your city is ready to flame in, with such weak breath as this? No, you are deceived; therefore, back to Rome, and prepare for your execution: you are condemned; our general has sworn you out of reprieve and pardon.

Or this shorter bit, when Menenius rebukes the cowering tribunes who have brought ruin upon Rome.

Why, so, – you have made good work! A pair of tribunes that have rack’d for Rome, to make coals cheap, – a noble memory!

Spoiler alert: Rome is not destroyed. I’ll spare you how it is spared, and the tragedy. 

This is one of Shakespeare’s lesser known, and less often enacted plays. But in the reading, at least, it is one of my favorites. 

I read this for the 2019 Year of Shakespeare Challenge.

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