Fools All

For those less interested in shakespearean drama perhaps you mayst ponder prithee some other post.

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I recently encountered a new DVD at the library of one of my all time favourite Shakespeare plays "Twelfth Night" So naturally I jovially capered up to the counter and counted out my coins. The play was a made for TV version that I think did an admirable job of retelling the classic plot of mistaken Identity, fine foolery, and courtly love.

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For those unfamiliar with the story Wikipedia has done a good synopsis here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelfth_Night,_or_What_You_Will

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Last year I was in the play as the pirate Antonio (a minor character) with a local community theatre. It was great fun and the video brought back faaantastic memories.

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The play has so many great quotes too...

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"If this were played upon a stage now I could condem it as improbable fiction"

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"Better a witty fool than a foolish wit"

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"'Tis beauty truly blent, whose red and whiteNature's own sweet and cunning hand laid on:Lady, you are the cruell'st she aliveIf you will lead these graces to the graveAnd leave the world no copy."

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"I am a great eater of beef, and I believe that does harm to my wit."

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"Many a good hanging prevents a bad marriage."

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"be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them."

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"Thus the whirligig of time brings in his revenges."

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The common thread through out the play seems to be that every character plays the fool at some point. Whether it be falling in love with someone that cannot love them, or being tricked through their own self love, or mistaking identities and protecting the wrong person out of love. It seems Shakespeare was trying to make love out to be foolishness. The only person that seems to always have their wits about them is the fool.

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Ironic