Well, we’ll see’t. Come, madam wife, sit by my side and let the world slip. We shall ne’er be younger.
Hamlet asks Ophelia to sit by his side to hear the play.
But here, the atmosphere is more fun.
Let the world slip!!
We shall ne’er be younger!!
Isn’t Shakespeare wonderful?
In this early play, the feeling of liveliness and joy are felt from the script.
Next time, finally, we will look into Act 1, Scene 1 of the Taming Of The Shrew.
See you then, Bye!
===
ELICA reads The Taming Of The Shrew by William Shakespeare from director’s point of view. When you want some directing/acting inspiration, or studying Shakespeare, peep in! === If you like my cast, LIKE, SHARE, FOLLOW, and SUBSCRIBE! Contact me when you want to work with me. Details and contacts → https://elicamiwa.com === Shakespeare For You
🎭Seeing too much sadness hath congealed your blood,
And melancholy is the nurse of frenzy.
Therefore they thought it good you hear a play
And frame your mind to mirth and merriment,
Which bars a thousand harms and lengthens life.
— Attendant, The Taming Of The Shrew: Induction 2,
Hello, friends. This is Elica Miwa, a theatre director/actor in Japan. Today’s Shakespeare For You is of an Attendant in Induction 2 of The Taming Of The Shrew.
[Hakken (discovery) Time]
Well, what shall I say? The phrase tells the merit and goodness and meaning of theatre altogether.
Notice he says not “see or watch a play”, but “hear a play”. From the dawn of the ancient Greek theatre through Shakespeare’s time, theatre was to be heard, which means the words were the keys the audience enjoyed. It does not mean they didn’t have spectacular stage craft, or murder/fight scenes. They do have full of blood and fighting and acrobatic and slapstick comic scenes. But what is important is, the audience enjoy to know what is going on inside the character, and the words conveys it with metaphors and symbolism. And they are the exact points the reason I love classic plays.
Hello, friends. This is Elica Miwa, a theatre director/actor in Japan. Today’s Shakespeare For You is of Sly in Induction 2 of The Taming Of The Shrew.
[Hakken (discovery)Time]
Sly the drunkard, being treated as a Lord, cannot believe this is the reality, which is of course not. But the attendants’ acting are so truthful, Sly finally believes. It’s interesting that he tries his all five senses. If I were to play him, I would either speak this to the audience as a short soliloquy, or to the attendants one by one. For the latter, each attendant nods and agrees with excitement, for his lord has finally been awaken from his long illness.
What do you think?
How interesting Shakespeare is!
If you like my cast, LIKE, SHARE, FOLLOW, and SUBSCRIBE.
Hello, friends. This is Elica Miwa, a theatre director/actor in Japan. Today’s Shakespeare For You is of the Lord in Induction 1 of The Taming Of The Shrew.
[Hakken Time!]
It seems men thought that we women can shed tears whenever we wanted, and that was the talent, the gift from heaven to women in general. Beside, the tears were not like one or two modest ones, but like shower! If you are a woman, have you ever done that? Shed tears like shower as you commanded to yourself? Anyway, it’s worthwhile knowing that in Shakespearean time, male audience must have said, “yeah, definitely!” when they heard the character said it. Was it some kind of fashion?
The phrase goes then, if he (the boy actor) couldn’t do that because he was a boy, the gender which was not gifted the ability),
an onion will do well for such a shift,
Which in a naplin being close conveyed
Shall in despite enforce a waterly eye.
Interesting stage direction!
We can see how the actors weep or shedding tears on stage! An onion wrapped in a handkerchief!!
That still works I am sure.
Very useful acting tip!
As I read this scene, I have a feeling that Shakespeare might be the one who played the role of the Lord; giving actions and what to do as a theatre director.
What do you think?
How interesting Shakespeare is!
If you like my cast, LIKE, SHARE, FOLLOW, and SUBSCRIBE.
Hello, friends. This is Elica Miwa, a theatre director/actor in Japan. Today’s Shakespeare For You is of the Lord in Induction 1 of The Taming Of The Shrew.
[Hakken Time!]
When I was in Canada, as an exchange student from my university to University of Victoria in British Columbia, some friends brought me to a pub, and there was a sign board at the door, saying “Happy Hour 1700~1800”. It was the time when you can have a drink at discounted price. Of course you must be happy for that.
“some sport in hand”: sport does not mean physical activity, but some fun to do and watch at the same time.
So the Lord is saying:
Wow, you have just come to me at the right time for some happy fun event I am planning here in my hand.
There is another HAKKEN:
the words Lord uses are quite open and wide, such as “Well, are, come, happy, time, rather, sports, hand”. Which shows his excitement is open and bright and welcoming.
How interesting Shakespeare is!
If you like my cast, LIKE, SHARE, FOLLOW, and SUBSCRIBE.
Hello, friends. This is Elica Miwa, a theatre director/actor in Japan. Today’s Shakespeare For You is of the Lord in Induction 1 of The Taming Of The Shrew.
[Hakken Time!]
“Even as” means “just as.” “Fancy” here means “imagination”.
A dream is made of imagination. It is fun, but worthless because it is not a reality.
But we know that without imagining, nothing can be realized. I think Shakespeare uses the word “fancy” not as creative “imagination”, but rather “delusion”.
How interesting Shakespeare is!
If you like my cast, LIKE, SHARE, FOLLOW, and SUBSCRIBE.
Hello, friends. This is Elica Miwa, a theatre director/actor in Japan. Today’s Shakespeare For You is of the Lord in Induction 1 of The Taming Of The Shrew.
[Hakken (discovery)]
The Lord is looking at a drunken man Sly sleeping in front of the door of an inn.
The citizens of Shakespearean time must have had many chances to see dead bodies, and felt untouchable.
If I were to play the Lord, there are some choices.
CHOICE1
I may simply detouched from sympathetic feeling and detest it,
CHOICE 2
with much sympathy, just like The Duke in As YouLike It, when he sees dying old Adam in the forest of Arden.
CHOICE 3
with much scientific interests and even try to look closer.
🎭 If we shadows have offended, Think but this, and all is mended,
That you have but slumb’red here, While these visions did appear.
And this weak and idle theme, No more yielding but a dream,
Gentles, do not reprehend, If you pardon, we will mend.
And as I am an honest Puck, If we have unearned luck
Now to ‘scape the serpent’s tongue, We will make amends ere long;
Else the Puck a liar call. So, good night unto you all.
Give me your hands, if we be friends, And Robin shall restore amends.
I held a Shakespeare Speech Festival with my fellow and student actors, and I have already shared my speech of Jaques. I also did a speech of Puck, from A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and here it is.
![If We Shadows Have Offended [Shakespeare For You]](https://elicamiwa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/pexels-photo-4129849.jpeg)
