brighter than lamp light

Beautiful Cinnamon Roll, Too Good For This World, Too Pure: Henry VI

Looks Like They Could Kill You But is Actually a Cinnamon Roll: Henry V, Henry IV

Looks Like a Cinnamon Roll But Could Actually Kill You: Macbeth, Richard II

Looks Like They Could Kill You and Could Actually Kill You: Richard III, Claudius

Hey gang!

So I must confess it’s been a little while and I’ve actually read ahead quite a bit! 

I have now read both ‘Richard II’ and ‘Henry V’ once through AND I’m currently digesting ‘Julius Caesar’. (Hurrah for being ahead of my reading requirements and being less stressed about uni work!) And let me top this list even more, because I have also managed to find a recording of David Tenants performance of ‘Richard II’ at the RSC from 2013, which as you will often find when studying Shakespeare, helped me have a more solid understanding of the text. Let me explain....

A ) First Impressions

“Why do they hate King Richard?....Wuuuut, he stopped them from having to fight! he saved one of you getting killed, be grateful ye’ idiots??...Why does Bolingbroke want to take the throne? War? Where? Who? How? Why did Richard give up the throne? Why is everyone so angry? This all seems like it could be easy to fix? Where is a peacekeeper? why? why? whyyyyy!?”  - My thoughts, 2017 (a reliable source/reference) 

If asked to break down/sign post the story of ‘Richard II’ I would begin like this (BTW, if this summary is ‘off’ remember I’ve read the play once and seen an adaptation - I’m still learning it too! Tell me if it needs amends!) : 

1. Opening: Two noblemen/dukes come to King Richards court accusing each other of treason. Which one is the liar? What are their accusations grounded on?

2. How to settle an argument PLUS a royal interference: The two quarrelling noblemen/dukes prepare to duel; it is deemed the only way to settle their differences. The King and court prepare to watch and marshall the battle- at the last second the King stops the fight and decides the two men will be banished instead. One for life, the other for 10 years. 

3. Advice from the old to the young: The father of the nobleman/duke banished for 10 years (which is dropped to 6 years) is old and ‘suddenly’ dying. He is sad and bitter that he won’t see his son again and potentially worried for the future of his family and England that he will not be there for. He is sad and bitter for he disagrees in how King Richard is running the country. The King is called to the the mans death bed, where the old man berates the King- gets angry- which equally makes the King angry. The old man dies. Assumably somehow the banished son is told. 

4. WAR?: King Richard leaves England and heads to Ireland to fight in a ‘vanity’ war. (I didn’t realise it was happening, until he landed back in England and kissed the ground). 

5. HOWEVER!?: Whilst the King has been away, over 1200 men have been turned against him and are siding with that nobleman/duke who was banished for 10 (6 years) - this Dukes name I will now reveal is Henry Bolingbroke!- The King is incredibly stunned and scared by the loss of men and loyalty. Then, my favourite speech from the play happens - opening: “Let's talk of graves, of worms, and epitaphs; Make dust our paper and with rainy eyes Write sorrow on the bosom of the earth, Let's choose executors and talk of wills: And yet not so, for what can we bequeath Save our deposed bodies to the ground?” HOWEVER, by the end of this speech and after discussing with his advisors Richard is inspired to stand up and see why everyone has turned against him. 

6. Talking across castle walls: Bolingbroke and his 'lad gang’ ride to the castle King Richard has taken up home in, waiting for the people who want him ‘removed’ to come to him. After discussing from the safety of the castle the King agrees to give Bolingbroke the crown - he appears to want to retire without a fight, but seems to think there is honour in this. Hands himself over. 

7. Self Reflections: Bolingbroke and his ‘men’ have Richard as a prisoner - all they need is his abdication and then Henry will become King. However, brought into the throne room and asked to accept retirement, allowing the ruling power to transfer, without any seeming ‘force’, Richard plays the mocker, sarcastic character. They ask him to read charges of his ‘sin’ - a list of reasons why they think he needs to go/be punished. He refuses too, he will only read from one  book in which these sins be writ, which he believes is upon his face. He asks for a mirror. He continues to mock the wannabe court and its new King, until he must admit defeat, hand over power and is sentenced away. 

8. But what about his Queen?: Being taken away to prison and then assumably death, Richard happens across his wife in passing. The pair share a touching scene which showcases their love and affection. The Queen even states the King seems to have lost his courageous self. She asks him to stand up for himself, but Richard sees this a lost cause. The Queen then pleas they be allowed to say together - however, she is to be sent to France and Richard his final fate. 

9. SAVE RICHARD II: The nobleman, Aumerle who believes in the leadership of Richard- is among a group of men, who wish to save Richard and subsequently kill Henry! However, whilst with his mother and father, the Duchess and Duke of York, he carries a letter detailing the treason he wishes to perform against the new king. His father, loyal to Bolingbroke, is outraged- but the son runs off to the king to beg ‘forgiveness’ for his trespassing. When alone with the new king, ‘begging’ forgiveness, we never get to find out if the begging forgiveness is an act before giving Aumerle perfect opportunity to kill the new king or if he is genuinely begging to save his life. His audience alone with the king is interrupted by his parents - his mother begging he be forgiven and her son following her orders, whilst his father scorns him. King Henry forgives Aumerle.

10. Alone in a cell: Richard is locked up. His royal garb gone, he is delirious and sad and presented as a tragic hero. Suddenly, his cell is intruded by murders. Poor Richard is killed, defenceless. 

11. I love the murdered, but hate the murderer: Richards body is brought to King Henry by the murderer. Although pleased the deed is done, the King says he cannot bare to look upon the man who did this to Richard - though it is exactly what he wanted. 

THE END (of a hodgepodge summary :)

SO, this is an account of how ‘I’ read the play the first time and all the information ‘I’ took from my first reading.

B) Original Things I Questioned/ I am still Questioning

1) What was the point of the fight in the opening? Nothing happened, and both men left with their lives. Why was Bolingbroke so bitter?

2) Why does Bolingbroke’s father get angry at Richard?

3) How did Richard get the throne?

4) What wars were going on at the time? Had happened? Why does Richard leave England?

5) How does 1200 men turn on their leader?

6) Why does Richard give up his crown? Why does he cave so easily?

7) Why does Aumerle give up his fight for Richard so easily?

8) WHY DOES NOBODY LIKE RICHARD! HE SEEMS REALLY REALLY TOO NICE!

^As you can see all these thoughts and feelings are all good and well, but after just reading the play I’d only absorbed the story and the words. Naturally this had hindered me slightly, as my reading of the text was internalised. Shakespeare’s text do not give you the full story of the characters and motives in which they move within, but I personally find performed interpretations are the best ways of filling the gaps in this problem. FYI, this is a hot debate in my class rn - is Shakespeare made to be read by ones self, alone, in your head or performed on a stage, for an audience! 

So theeeeeeeeennn, I watched the RSC 2013 interprtationetation and it answered some of my original questions! 

C) Impressions Post 1 Live Performance 

(FYI, when looking at a live performance DO NOT FORGET, directors cut, edit and interpret meanings and scenes within the play text - you are not always seeing the full text NOR in no way can we ever see it how the author originally imagined - directors always have a vision) 

1. “OMG! What if Bolingbroke wanted to replace the King all along - thus when he was accused of treason at the beginning, the other nobleman wasn’t lying! Meaning Richard exiled the one person who knew Bolingbroke was on a mission to get rid of him! Plus through Bolingbroke being banished AND his father dying whilst he was away, surely his original motive to kill Richard was now hidden behind plausible reasons to want ‘revenge’”

2. Wow, Richard can be totally played with no relationship truly with his wife...how sad...they’re together scene at the end seemed so nice in reading and words. Hmm.

3.   Wow, the costume for Richard in this production sets him apart from the court. He is mostly seen in whites and gold, ordained with necklace of the cross of Christ. Interestingly, the RSC slowly removed this costume bit by bit until Richard is left standing in a white shift after being captured. He contrasts very much with the darker colours of all the other men, but fits in with he clergy men. This seems to reflect how ‘obsessed’ he is with his rights as having a mind which is direct with god! One of his fatal flaws. 

4. Richard II can be performed with queer undertones, intriguing. This impression and evidence was supplied by the fact Richard barely has a physical/conversational relationship with his wife - yet is surrounded by men, like “catapillars” who fawn over him and flatter him. Plus, there is a scene in which Richard and Aumerle kiss. See, this can re read as a moment of bounding with someone in fear, kiss - release the tension and fear of dying, even project that fear into a sexual/loving action many enjoy and crave. It can be seen the kisses of soldiers in ancient warfare who kiss before battle. It can simply be read as a queer relationship. All very interesting!

5. Bolingbroke can be played as a regretful character. He can appear unfit for the throne, he can appear unsure if it’s really his, he can appear with still respect and affection for Richard. 

Building off of point 5, one MASSIVE and crucial reading you MUST take from Richard II. It is the first story in a series! It is setting the scene and foregrounding Shakespeare’s Henry IV pt1, Henry IV pt 2 and Henry V, AND then the rest of his Kingly history plays. Critics often say after Richard II people are left feeling unresolved; common with tragedy - but I think it’s more so we all known Richard II could have done and been more for Britain, he just never got to complete his role. Furthermore, can we ever say Henry IV is truly a King after Richard - for the role of King is a right past down by God, yet is it is Richard who ‘passes’ the power to Henry Bolingbroke. This move is unofficial for Richard is not God, he has no right to choose. Thus the theme of uncertainty and lake of loyalty carries on until Henry V takes the throne in this royal tetralogy (Thats what ya call a 4 part series folks - I love new words!)

Greetings again wonderful human beings!

It is done. I probably finished ‘Measure for Measure’ over a week ago and NOW I'm back at uni, in my new house, preparing for the first day of term which starts tomorrow. All exciting and micro stressful things, but back to the real business. 

....’Measure for Measure’....?

*drum roll*

*dramatic pause*

Surprising to me and maybe surprising to you...

I openly did not like this play.

*gasps of horror from everyone, including my past self before she embarked on this reading journey*

You may be asking “wHAT HapPeneD?” How is it possible a total theatre and Shakespeare loving nerd did not enjoy one of his texts? Surely this is unheard of? Surely she is losing her mind?

Well actually, I think it’s healthy. 

For the first time in my existence I have picked up work by the bard and I’ve turned away from it with a very disappointed BUT critical eye. (Key thing to remember, I am being critical on what I think makes a good story/play - I have become aware of what I like and have the confidence now to bash something historic by a beautiful, elegant and sexy writer - check me!) Admittedly I was very invested in the story 75% of they way through. Obviously the writing and words and language is stunning, no fault in his style and prose! I love the social-poetical backbone to the story, rulers and the lower orders - the rights and wrongs of sex workers, which is relevant to todays society as its still an illegal business but making it illegal hinders the people who make a living out of it especially when they are wronged by clients and so on etc. But, I was all riled up and ready for the grand conclusion - a little bit like a Scooby Doo episode, I was ready for the comfortable format of villains to be unmasked and everyone join in celebration once the confusion and wrong doings were put right, it’s something you expect of Shakespeare and normally I am entertained by such conclusions; I get a gut feeling of when and where he is making a point in them, especially when this conclusions are unjust, I normally feel “Will Shake, you’ve done it again! You’ve made a point and wiggled it before the wider communities eyes yaaaaaay!”- HOWEVER, this ending just flopped about like crazy in my opinion! I felt so unsatisfied and took to sc to complain “I feel like Shakespeare was in a rush to get to the pub when finishing ‘Measure for Measure’”. And whilst I blame the author, I also blame a particular character as the soul of the messy, rushed and unnatural ending to a play, which I felt had a natural course of life to live. I blame the Duke.

NOW, as fun as it would be to write a dribble of reasons why right now, I’m gonna hold off for a little bit. This is the first time I’ve read ‘Measure for Measure’ and I’m not reviewing it in a lecture/professor led environment for another 7 weeks - I aim to come back to it then and give another go at reviewing my thoughts and making something more organised. However, this post is important as I’m marking my growth as a reader. Finally, I’ve read a play by a particular author and I have had an adverse reaction to the message and morals presented in the text. I see no hinder agenda in the ending, I see idiocy and sullen closed mindedness. Something I don’t normally feel within Shakespeare. So I’m curious how I’ll feel after round two of Me VS Measure for Measure. 

Today I plan to read ‘Richard II’, a play I am familiar with in plot, more then I had on ‘Measure for Measure’ but still it’s not a text I’ve seen nor read. 

Happy reading for me! 

Stay curious and safe crazy cats