Mere Commentary

(I think I might have just found the title for my autobiography...catch the pun on C.S. Lewis's book + my name?)

Today for Shakespeare class we are reading a play by Thomas Kyd called The Spanish Tragedy. Somehow this will relate to Shakespeare. Of course I don't know exactly what Carnike wants us to pull from this, but I'm definately pro-Kyd. (also pro-kid, but that doesn't really apply here) Some quotes...

Balthazar speaking of Bel-imperia:
But wherefore blot I Bel-imperia's name?
It is my fault, not she, that merits blame.
My feature is not to content her sight,
My words are rude and work her no delight.
The lines I send her are but harsh and ill,
Such as do drop from Pan and Marsyas' quill.
My presents are not of sufficient cost,
And being worthless all my labour's lost.
Yet might she love me for my valliancy;
Ay, but that's slandered by captivity.
Yet might she love me to content her sire;
Ay, but her reason masters his desire.
Yet might she love me as her brother's friend;
Ay, but her hopes aim at some other end.
Yet might she love me to uprear her state;
Ay, but perhaps she hopes some nobler mate.
Yet might she love me as her beauty's thrall;
Ay, but I fear she cannot love at all.

(cross-reference with the following songs "Not Pretty Enough" by Kasey Chambers and "Don't Waste Your Heart" by the Dixie Chicks) Here we have a girl-esque monologue similar to the "he said *such and such*--what does he really mean??" conversation that women tend to have, trying to interpret every slight thing a guy says or does. Here, though, Balthazar flip flops between good qualities/reasons that she might love him and circumstantial truths that would prevent that. I find this a ridiculously common battle in me--not sure if I can claim that others ever feel this way--but I'm always wondering, "what if?" when it comes to guys. Trying to be objective, I can make a list of reasons why certain guys should like me--perhaps this is prideful...but I'd like to think that it's an attempt to look honestly at myself. However, for every good thing I can think of, an equally bad trait or reason reminds me why said boy should not like me. How do you ever really know? The assumption goes, if he never shows interest, then the "bad" list of qualities must be true about me. Not that I know much about logic, but I'm pretty sure this is faulty somehow. Bring in the last line and the Dixie Chicks song--perhaps there is another reason for my singleness that has nothing to do with me. In many ways, I see myself wondering the same kinds of things here as Balthazar, although I can also relate to Bel-imperia. I fear I cannot love at all. I wonder sometimes if anyone has ever thought these things about me...because even though all the facts suggest I should be interested in certain guys, I'm not. What's up with that?? Basically no matter how you discuss, debate, or dissect it, I'm never going to understand why God has me where I am right now relationally. I think if God were to interject here, He'd say, "uh...yeah...that's the point. Chill out. Quit dwelling."

Moving on...Kyd includes this super-sexy banter between Bel-imperia and her lover, Horatio...

Bel-imperia
My heart, sweet friend, is like a ship at sea:
She wisheth port, where riding all at ease,
She may repair what stormy times have worn,
And leaning on the shore, may sing with joy
That pleasure follows pain, and bliss annoy.
Possession of thy love is th'only port,
Wherein my heart, with fears and hopes long tossed,
Each hour doth wish and long to make resort;
There to repair the joys that it hath lost,
And sitting safe, to sing Cupid's choir
That sweetest bliss is crown of love's desire
...
Let dangers go, thy war shall be with me,
But such a war as breaks no bond of peace.
Speak thou fair words, I'll cross them with fair words;
Send thou sweet looks, I'll meet them with sweet looks;
Write loving lines, I'll answer loving lines;
Give me a kiss, I'll countercheck thy kiss:
Be this our warring peace, or peaceful war.

(later we see this in action)

Horatio
Then thus begin our wars: put forth thy hand,
That it may combat with my ruder hand.

Bel-imperia
Set forth thy foot to try the push of mine.

Horatio
But first my looks shall combat against thine.

Bel-imperia
Then ward thyself: I dart this kiss at thee.

Horatio
Thus I retort the dart thou threw'st at me.

Bel-imperia
Nay then, to gain the glory of the field,
My twining arms shall yoke and make thee yield.

Horatio
Nay then, my arms are large and strong withall:
Thus elms by vines are compassed till they fall.

Whoa there--that's hot. I can totally picture this staged--a playful fight using kisses and embraces as weapons or wrestling moves, the characters dancing around each other as in a fencing match, enjoying both conquering and being conquered. I mean honestly...

Hope you've enjoyed these tidbits of literary awesomeness. Over and out.