Saturday, December 22, 2007

Lying: a Sin or a Useful Tool?

Thus far in Shakespeare's comedy, "Much Ado About Nothing," relationships are increasing in importance, and characters are going to outrageous lengths to pursue their love interests. Men like Benedick--the confident comic--utilize wit and boasting to attract the opposite sex (aka. Beatrice). However sometimes, more favorable ploys such as simply admitting outloud, or telling the truth, just don't seem to make progress. In those situations, lying comes into play, and there are certainly several situations where this is evident.

Claudio, the more sensitive and charming member of Don Pedro's army, returns to Messina with a newfound interest in Prince Leonato's daughter, Hero. This possible romance has mixed opinions, like critical Benedick's, and Don Pedro's encouragement. Yet Claudio can't seem to approach Hero himself. During the night of the masquerade, Don John (whom is aware of this situation) approaches Claudio and addresses him as Benedick. He exchanges his two cent on how Claudio is "no equal to his birth," and that he should "dissuade him from her" (II.1.162-163). In a soliloquy, Claudio says, "Thus answer I in the name of Benedick/But hear these ill news with the ears of Claudio" (II.1. 170-171). Without receiving this information, Claudio wouldn't have been aware of Don John's jealousy and cruelty, and the need to take caution if he wants to get ahold of Hero. This scene represents how lying in one's life can provide knowledge and keep one current on the latest gossip, but most importantly, its ability to help someone to protect themselves. In this case, the newfound knowledge does not harm anybody, but rather it assists somebody.

Another example arises in scene 3 of Act 2, where Don Pedro makes an attempt to bring Benedick and Beatrice together. This seemingly quarrelsome relationship has not developed yet, but while Benedick is hiding behind the bushes in the garden, Don Pedro lies about Beatrice's immense love for him, "By my troth lord, I cannot tell what to think about it, but that she loves him with an enraged affection, it is past the infinite of thought" (II.3.107-109). This very thought segues into Benedick's revealing speech where he addresses all of the emotions going through his mind. However, later, when Beatrice comes to invite Benedick in for supper, her abhorance returns, and it is evident that no such relationship exists yet. Lying can also, and more often, acheive un-favorable results; it can lead someone down the wrong path where they actually believe what is untrue. Benedick has the wrong impression, and now he will have to deal with Beatrice himself, and build a relationship without assitance. Perhaps by eliminating some of that superiority, and telling the truth, he will succeed.

Sunday, December 2, 2007

"He Wishes For The Cloths Of Heaven" By William Butler Yeats

1. Had I the heavens' embroidered cloths,
2. Enwrought with golden and silver light,
3. The blue and the dim and the dark cloths
4. Of night and light and the half-light,
5. I would spread the cloths under your feet:
6. But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
7. I have spread my dreams under your feet;
8. Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.
This brief, but beautiful poem was introduced to me in a very unlikely place--Varsity Choir. These words, placed to music, were one of the songs for our holiday concert; and though I can recite the words from memory, I have not considered their true meaning.
Yeats begins his poem by describing the embroidered cloths that he wishes he could possess. The cloths, being from Heaven--a place of paradise--are visualized through imagery like "golden and silver light" (2) and "blue and dim" (3) to conjure up an image of luxurious and colorful material . These cloths are of significant value and worth. One would assume that the owner of such a treasure would surely showcase, sell, or keep them to themselves, but the man being portrayed in this poem says that they would be given to his loved one, "I would spread the cloths under your feet" (5). The act of spreading something under one's feet is a sign of respect , and he imagines just that, which displays his intense feelings for her.
However, these cloths are imaginitive, and therefore only exist in his mind and personal desires. He is not wealthy; he cannot afford such a gift; he cannot even supply something close to that level of joy, "But I, being poor, have only my dreams" (6). His dreams--symbolizing his love--are all that he possesses; enough to satisfy him, and enough to hopefully satisfy her. He would give her everything that he has, but is vulnerable and easily affected...she could easily break his heart. By stating, "Tread softly, for you tread on my dreams," (8) he means that she must be gentle and respectful because he is very sincere when it comes to his feelings. Yeats implicitly goes to show that one does not need cloths of heaven to achieve love, but rather hopes/dreams, and compassion.