#david blixt

I'm currently reading David Blixt's essay on Romeo and Juliet "The origin of the feud". Have you read it? What are your thoughts about it? If you didn't, would you read it? So far I agree and disagree with some points he made but it is too early to say much since I started it a few hours ago.

…My man really just started writing fanfiction whole cloth. Woof.

So I did read (1) essay by him of the same title online, (he has a whole essay collection that somehow managed to be published) and boy, was it a doozy. Long story short, Blixt found it strange that Lady Montague’s off-stage death came so suddenly, basically tacked on at the end, and thought it might have a symbolic meaning—that is, signaling the end of the feud. From there he headcanoned that Lady Montague was the cause of the feud re: love triangle. Lords Capulet and Montague were once best friends turned rivals over the love of a woman, who would become Lady M.

First of all, the Chorus was clear that the feud was an ancient grudge; if a recent-ish love triangle were the cause, then it would certainly be the new mutiny. Second of all, for would-be ex-BFFs and rivals, Lord Capulet is eager to save face to young Count Paris and assure him that it would not be hard (he thinks) for him to keep the peace with Lord Montague, as they are both old. It’s possible, but not very probable.

Most likely Shakespeare axed Lady M off for symmetry—Romeo and Lady Montague from the Montague side, Juliet and Tybalt from the Capulets, and Mercutio and Paris from Escalus. Each side lost at least two people. (Then again, he did have Benvolio killed off-stage in the Bad Quarto, so it may not have been symmetry after all).

Author David Blixt (the star-crossed series) posted on FB that his wife believes that the true hero of the play was Friar John. Why you may ask? Simple:

Friar John. Going to find a bare-foot brother out

One of our order, to associate me,

Here in this city visiting the sick,

And finding him, the searchers of the town,

Suspecting that we both were in a house

Where the infectious pestilence did reign,

Seal'd up the doors, and would not let us forth;

So that my speed to Mantua there was stay'd.

So if Friar John did indeed give the letter to Romeo, and possibly is infected, Romeo could transmit the disease to Balthasar, later to Paris and later to Juliet and soon to Friar Lawrence and so on the whole town of Verona could end up quarantined and the casualties would've raised higher than 6 death in the play, could've died thousands in Verona and in Mantua.

In conclusion: Friar John prevented the worse by being locked inside with the sick man and stay to avoid social interaction. Soooo, it was better off the death of 6 people in the play rather than thousands and thousands of innocent people. Friar John could be the hero in the play. Though 6 people died, but thousands were saved.

"A plague o' both your houses!" Mercutio said. Yes true, but not on Verona's and Mantua's watch!!!

WWW Wednesday: October 21st, 2020

WWW Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Sam at Taking on a World of Words.

The Three Ws are:

What are you currently reading? What did you recently finish reading? What do you think you’ll read next?

Personal

My Wednesday and Thursday were quiet enough. That lasted until approximately 5:30pm Thursday afternoon. That was when Miss Rdecided she wanted to play outside while I cooked supper.

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a place to meet up and share what you have been, and are about to be reading over the week. It’s a great post to organize yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment and er… add to your groaning TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn here at 

WWW Wednesday: October 14th, 2020

WWW Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Sam at Taking on a World of Words.

The Three Ws are:

What are you currently reading? What did you recently finish reading? What do you think you’ll read next?

Personal

Miss R has adjusted to having her lip bumper/retainer in. There were a couple of days where the retainer hurt her and the lip bumper rubbed her bottom lip. But by Saturday, she was…