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....

Coriolanus Part One

Act I, Scene 1The plebeians are hungry. Grain (referred to as corn) costs too much and they blame the patricians (leaders), especially Caius Marcius. They have decided to revolt and hopefully kill Marcius. Their reasoning being: if they kill Marcius, they can have grain at whatever price they want. One citizen mentions that Caius Marcius...

Antony and Cleopatra Part 3

Act IV, Scene 1Caesar laughs at Antony challenging him to one-on-one combat because he has better ways to die. Mecaenas tells him to not pay Antony any mind because he is clearly failing. Caesar decides to let the army know that some of Antony’s men have come to their side. He also decides to let...

Antony and Cleopatra Part 2

Act II, Scene 6Pompey, Caesar, Antony, and Lepidus meet to negotiate terms. They have prisoners to exchange, so they will spea before the fight. Caesar, Antony, and Lepidus have sent terms beforehand. Pompey either needs to agree to those terms or they will go to war. Pompey acknowledges that his father has been largely avenged...

Antony and Cleopatra Part 1

Act I, Scene 1Philo and Demetrius are disappointed in Antony. He used to be so full of manly war feelings, but now all he wants to do is dote on Cleopatra. Antony and Cleopatra are discussing how great their love is when a messenger arrives from Rome. Antony doesn’t want to hear it, but Cleopatra...

The Complex Family Dynamics of King Lear

TW: emotional abuse, violence, dementia As I was watching the Stratford Shakespeare Festival’s recent stream of King Lear, I was confronted with a feeling I didn’t expect: empathy for Goneril. This was my first experience with King Lear and all I had heard was that Lear was horribly abused by his two evil daughters. I...

King Lear Part 3

Act IV, Scene 1While reflecting on his sorry state, Edgar sees his father being led by an old man. It quickly becomes clear that Gloucester has no eyes. The old man is one of Gloucester’s tenant farmers. Gloucester doesn’t want his help for fear that they would punish the old man. They notice “Poor Tom”...

King Lear Part 2

Act II, Scene 2Kent, the King’s messenger, meets Oswald, Goneril’s messenger, outside of Gloucester’s castle. Oswald appears not to recognize Kent as he asks him where to tie up his horse. Kent does not take too kindly to this and unleashes a barrage of insults onto Oswald. (Probably unleashing years of bottled up contempt.) He...

King Lear Part 1

Act I, Scene 1Kent and Gloucester discuss which of the King’s son-in-laws will likely inherit the kingdom. At first, it seems he preferred the Duke of Alban, but now it’s hard to tell. Kent turns to Edmund and asks Gloucester if that’s his son. It’s not. It’s his wife’s son though. Gloucester uncomfortably rags on...

MacBeth Part 3

Act IV, Scene 3MacDuff has come to see Malcolm, the rightful heir to the throne. MacDuff urges Malcolm to fight and take Scotland back. Malcolm is suspicious of MacDuff though. It wasn’t that long ago that MacDuff loved MacBeth. In addition, MacBeth has not done any grievous wrong to MacDuff. AND he left his wife...