Shakespeare Study Programs; The Comedies by Charlotte Porter;Helen A. Clarke
page 50 of 126 (39%)
page 50 of 126 (39%)
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Is the inconsistency of the last three scenes misleading and puzzling
rather than alluring to the curiosity of the reader? Could it be made more interesting on the stage by the way of enacting the part of Brother Anthony? ACT II THE PRINCE PLOTS FOR TRUE NOTING AND HIS BROTHER FOR FALSE Tell the story of the masked ball. What new light is thrown, first, on the characters and, then, on the plot by means of these fragmentary bits of dialogue heard as the revellers pass on and off stage together. Is Don John really misled as to his Brother's intentions toward Hero? What does Hero herself think? Does Don Pedro himself show that he is acting for another--that the god, Love, dwells beneath his visor? The modernized edition spoils one of the references to this office in which the Prince labors for Love and does a labor of love in whose disinterestedness some doubt is expressed. By changing Love to Jove (in II, i, 92) a literal correction is made in accord with the legend referred to, but in entire destruction of the point made by the Prince, if Shakespeare means to adapt the allusion to his special purpose. Note also Benedicke's name for Claudio (II, iii, 34). What is your opinion of this? (See Note on II, i, 91, in "First Folio Edition"). Compare |
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