LAERTES I'm all set to go. Please make sure you write me.
OPHELIA Of course I will.
LAERTES As for Hamlet and his interest in you, don't take it for anything more than flirtation.
OPHELIA It's nothing more than that?
LAERTES That's not entirely it. Maybe he does love you now, and maybe his intentions are true--but remember--he's not his own master. He can't carve out a life like you or I because his life is attached to the state. He's subject to his birth. If he says he loves you, believe it if you will, but his fate is more complex than his maturity yet comprehends. You risk not only your heart, but your honor. Stay out of range. Out of the danger of desire. For now, unmask your beauty to the moon. Your time will come. It's just happened so many times where the promise of an entire life is corrupted by simple misunderstandings in youth. Please be careful.
OPHELIA I'll take what you're saying to heart, just make sure your not a preacher who points out a road to heaven while you yourself blaze a trail of indulgence.
LAERTES Don't worry about me.
(Polonius enters.)
LAERTES (CONT'D) But I should be off--
POLONIUS (to Laertes) Are you still here? What are you doing? The wind's just right--they're waiting for you.
LAERTES I'm just on my way.
POLONIUS Remember what I told you?
LAERTES Yes father.
POLONIUS Don't give your thoughts a tongue, keep your opinions to yourself.
I do hope you 'translate' some other scenes as well. What I love about Hamlet is how he feigns insanity through speaking in verse. You would have to be a writer of great caliber to match the artistry of such verse as you were able to do with the prose, but I expect I would be pleasantly surprised.
I lament the loss of plays in verse. I wish more would go to the theater. But how can an ADD culture of 2 minute video clips be expected to sit through a few hours of pure artistry? When all is said and done in this world, as long as humans are alive to tell their tales, theater shall remain - pure in its form.
by
Ferdinand (17 articles, 4 quicklinks, 24 diaries, 199 comments)
on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 11:29:39 AM
yes, i'm working on the next scene now, and i admit i'm a little nervous as to further scenes on the horizon. it's exciting to try though. i just have to stay true to the goal, which is to make shakespeare accessible. thanks again for your comments.
by
john de herrera (34 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 148 comments)
on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 12:29:09 PM
Antiquated language? Why does it seem antiquated? Only because of what another comment calls an ADD culture of two-minute video clips. Shall we allow considerations as base as that to govern our behavior?
"To thine own self be true": In my experience pupils and students recognize the comparative vigor and freshness and rightness of such language written, as it was, when English was at its peak. The last thing we want to do is deprive young people of that. It's one of the best tools we have to illustrate to them the poor quality of the only English they now know, to put fire in their bellies to demand quality, reject mediocrity. Shakespeare isn't threatened. The very notion is laughable. Our present cultre is what's being sullied. Fight your battle another way.
by
Scott Griffith (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 18 comments)
on Thursday, May 1, 2008 at 5:31:12 PM
if she realized the great care and effort you have used to transform a great work of art - into a great transformational vehicle of power and lucidity she would be a much more expanded person. let us all say thank you, john
wolfie is walking the dog for literary hounds
by
Wolfie (8 articles, 0 quicklinks, 32 diaries, 1189 comments)
on Sunday, May 4, 2008 at 1:08:51 AM
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