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Sarah's avatar

This analysis is very helpful and adds a good deal to how I view the scene. Thank you.

Kieran Garland's avatar

really wonderful, thank you. next, a character breakdown for anyone who happens to be about to play Benedick i think would be very popular!

i kid, but i did wonder if and in whom the Lord of Misrule might be reigning in this play. in the sense that i've started to understand the idea, my guess is no one really in particular. not clear to me that Shakespeare is quite drawing on those same energies as he is in other plays (...?), or embodying them fully in one character. but tbh am still getting my head around the idea. be interested to hear your view on that

cheers

Henry Oliver's avatar

I wouldn’t think of him as a Lord of Misrule, no. His trope is the proud young man who thinks himself above the weakness of love. He’s a military man ensconced with his friends. He then goes through the reversal of the garden scene but is shocked into action by happened to Hero. Kill Claudio is a real hinge moment.

Kieran Garland's avatar

thank you. glad to say that was mostly my view too. the timing of these pieces for me have been pleasingly serendipitous, and the revelations in this piece in particular, especially for an actor who loves Shakespeare and would like to do him to do him some justice, has been very satisfying. cheers

Henry Oliver's avatar

Very pleased to hear it—do lmk if you have other questions

Kieran Garland's avatar

will do, cheers

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May 22, 2024
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Henry Oliver's avatar

Ah thanks :) Sadly I suspect none of them will see your lovely comment as this is largely a paywalled post but I have shared it on Notes! Very kind of you.