Coriolanus Part Two

Act II, Scene 2Two officers discuss the upcoming elections for consul. Coriolanus is sure to be one up for nomination. He is, of course, the one they discuss. He’s proud and clearly hates the common people, but at least he’s honest about it. Plus, he’s fought valiantly for Rome. He will probably get the consulship....

Measure for Measure Part 3

Act IV, Scene 2 The provost proposes a deal to Pompey. If he serves as an assistant to the executioner, he will get a shorter sentence and avoid a whipping. Pompey refuses to give a straight answer because that’s the function of his character. In the end, of course, he agrees and the executioner is...

Measure for Measure Part 2

Act II, Scene 3 The Duke, disguised as a friar, goes to the prison to speak to the condemned. First, he speaks with Juliet. She explains that she is in fact pregnant with Claudio’s child. She is sorry for her sin, but she loved him and will love the child. She’s upset to learn he...

Measure for Measure Part 1

Act I, Scene 1 In the most confusing way possible, the Duke tells Escalus to rely on his own judgement and knowledge to follow the laws of Vienna to the letter. The Duke has decided to appoint Angelo as the leader of Vienna in the Duke’s absence. Escalus thinks there is no man in Vienna...

Alls Well That Ends Well Part 3

Act IV, Scene 1 The conspirators prepare their plot against Parolles. They are certain he must come by them and when he does they will capture and blindfold him. It’s important that he thinks they’re the enemy. Unfortunately, he speaks most of the local languages, so they will have to speak nonsense and pretend they...

Alls Well That Ends Well Part 2

Act II, Scene 3 Lafeu comments on how logic has transformed the supernatural into something familiar and so we have lost all wonder at what should be seen as the hand of God. Parolles agrees the whole time, insisting that he was just about to say the same. They are discussing this because the King...

Alls Well that Ends Well Part 1

Act I, Scene 1 The Countess is quite upset that her son has to leave when she just lost her husband. Bertram, her son, is equally torn up about this turn of events, but he has been called on to serve the King. There’s no turning down the King. Lafeu assures them that the King...

Twelfth Night and the Gender Spectrum

Disclaimer: I consider myself to be an ally to the LGTBQ+ community, but I am a cis-gendered woman. I have spent a good deal of time thinking about how to present this topic without unintentionally offending anyone. I am still learning and understanding, so please forgive any transgressions I make. I welcome constructive criticism in...

Twelfth Night Part 3

It’s been awhile! For an update on what’s been going on with me, read to the end of this blog, but first let’s finish some Twelfth Night! If you need a refresher on the rest of the play, click here for part 1 and here for part 2. Act IV, Scene 1 Sebastian is getting...

Twelfth Night Part 2

Act II, Scene 4 Orsino longs to hear the song he heard the night before because it managed to relieve the pain of his unrequited love. Unfortunately, it was the Clown that sang it and he isn’t at Orsino’s house; he’s at Olivia’s house. Orsino sends Curio to fetch the Clown, but in the meantime...