KEV67 Posted August 3, 2022 Author Posted August 3, 2022 I have only started reading the actual play, although I have been reading the introduction. I don't want to put it down for Anthony and Cleopatra. Quote
lunababymoonchild Posted August 3, 2022 Posted August 3, 2022 All right then. Cymbelline it is. Quote
Hayley Posted August 3, 2022 Posted August 3, 2022 Let's push on then! I have thoughts about the gifts that Imogen and her husband give to each other... are you both past that point already? Quote
KEV67 Posted August 3, 2022 Author Posted August 3, 2022 Don't think so, but say what you think. Quote
lunababymoonchild Posted August 4, 2022 Posted August 4, 2022 I haven't got there either but do carry on Quote
KEV67 Posted August 4, 2022 Author Posted August 4, 2022 Tell you what, that Iachimo seems like a very ill bred fellow. Notwithstanding, I would not want to fight him with anything more deadly than my fists, because he might be good. Quote
Hayley Posted August 5, 2022 Posted August 5, 2022 I think you're probably both past it now, it's in Scene 1. This part: IMOGEN Look here, love; This diamond was my mother's: take it, heart; But keep it till you woo another wife, When Imogen is dead. POSTHUMUS LEONATUS How, how! another? You gentle gods, give me but this I have, And sear up my embracements from a next With bonds of death! Putting on the ring Remain, remain thou here While sense can keep it on. And, sweetest, fairest, As I my poor self did exchange for you, To your so infinite loss, so in our trifles I still win of you: for my sake wear this; It is a manacle of love; I'll place it Upon this fairest prisoner. Putting a bracelet upon her arm ... Firstly, I thought it was unusual that they didn't already have rings. Maybe that is a sign of Posthumus' lack of wealth? But then he gets a diamond ring and she gets a bracelet which is described as a manacle... because she's a prisoner... a bit more depressing than it is romantic! I enjoyed the lord telling us what he really thought about Cloten in Scene two 17 hours ago, KEV67 said: Tell you what, that Iachimo seems like a very ill bred fellow. Agreed! Quote
lunababymoonchild Posted August 8, 2022 Posted August 8, 2022 Ah, I see now. I have completed Act 1. I'm going to read my notes on the subject and then commence with Act 2. Quote
Hayley Posted August 8, 2022 Posted August 8, 2022 What did you both think of the ending of Act 1? I don't trust Iachimo asking Imogen to look after the trunk full of jewels... I don't know what he'd be up to but it seems like he's still up to something now she's rejected him. Also big fan of Cornelius for being clever enough not to really give the Queen the deadly poison she wanted! Quote
KEV67 Posted August 8, 2022 Author Posted August 8, 2022 2 hours ago, Hayley said: What did you both think of the ending of Act 1? I don't trust Iachimo asking Imogen to look after the trunk full of jewels... I don't know what he'd be up to but it seems like he's still up to something now she's rejected him. Also big fan of Cornelius for being clever enough not to really give the Queen the deadly poison she wanted! Innogen came through that test. Iachimo is up to no good. I am struggling to follow the dialogue. Quote
KEV67 Posted August 8, 2022 Author Posted August 8, 2022 Cloten, the queen's son, is a boorish man with BO. I would have thought everyone had B.O. back then. Quote
lunababymoonchild Posted August 8, 2022 Posted August 8, 2022 6 hours ago, Hayley said: What did you both think of the ending of Act 1? I don't trust Iachimo asking Imogen to look after the trunk full of jewels... I don't know what he'd be up to but it seems like he's still up to something now she's rejected him. Also big fan of Cornelius for being clever enough not to really give the Queen the deadly poison she wanted! I read the notes and they really help with understanding the story. I, too, am having a little difficulty following the dialogue. Iachimo is a villain and did try to seduce Imogen to test her faithfulness and the trunk is suspicious, but not full of jewels, as we shall see. Not Shakespeare's strongest play, I'm thinking. Quote
KEV67 Posted August 8, 2022 Author Posted August 8, 2022 I once watched the film version of Richard III with Leo McKellen. The scene where Iachimo tried to seduce Innogen reminded me of the scene near the start of Richard III in which Richard seduced the wife of the man he had just killed. I did not think that was very likely, especially the Leo McKellen played him. Quote
lunababymoonchild Posted August 9, 2022 Posted August 9, 2022 10 hours ago, KEV67 said: I once watched the film version of Richard III with Leo McKellen. The scene where Iachimo tried to seduce Innogen reminded me of the scene near the start of Richard III in which Richard seduced the wife of the man he had just killed. I did not think that was very likely, especially the Leo McKellen played him. I'm pretty certain that it was Sir Ian McKellen that played Richard III, I saw that film too, he was very good. Quote
KEV67 Posted August 9, 2022 Author Posted August 9, 2022 2 hours ago, lunababymoonchild said: I'm pretty certain that it was Sir Ian McKellen that played Richard III, I saw that film too, he was very good. Yes, you're right, Ian McKellen. I did not think much of that film. I thought that scene was ridiculous. I could not understand why everyone thought he was so great when he seemed to be so creepy and horrible. I thought Maggie Smith was good. I liked the song, and being interested in aircraft, I liked the Blenheim bomber and the de Havilland Rapide. Quote
KEV67 Posted August 9, 2022 Author Posted August 9, 2022 I thought Iachimo was going to rape Innogen. He doesn't, but he has a good look at her. Also, I was disturbed that Innogen turns down the pages of the books she reads. I hope that doesn't mean she folds the corners down. Quote
lunababymoonchild Posted August 9, 2022 Posted August 9, 2022 18 minutes ago, KEV67 said: Yes, you're right, Ian McKellen. I did not think much of that film. I thought that scene was ridiculous. I could not understand why everyone thought he was so great when he seemed to be so creepy and horrible. I thought Maggie Smith was good. I liked the song, and being interested in aircraft, I liked the Blenheim bomber and the de Havilland Rapide. Not that I'm an expert but I was under the impression that the character of Richard III was creepy and horrible and that's why Sir Ian played him that way. I've seen Sir Ian McKellen in other things and he is a great actor, imho. 17 minutes ago, KEV67 said: I thought Iachimo was going to rape Innogen. He doesn't, but he has a good look at her. Also, I was disturbed that Innogen turns down the pages of the books she reads. I hope that doesn't mean she folds the corners down. I didn't get the impression of rape, but he was unsuccessful in seducing her so he takes different steps. Haven't got to the books bit yet. Quote
KEV67 Posted August 9, 2022 Author Posted August 9, 2022 6 minutes ago, lunababymoonchild said: Not that I'm an expert but I was under the impression that the character of Richard III was creepy and horrible and that's why Sir Ian played him that way. I've seen Sir Ian McKellen in other things and he is a great actor, imho. I didn't get the impression of rape, but he was unsuccessful in seducing her so he takes different steps. Haven't got to the books bit yet. Richard III was creepy and horrible, but no one could see through him except his mother. He was like Jimmy Savile. No one could see through him except Johnny Rotten. I read in the introduction that the play could be subtle propaganda, or at least pleasing to the king. King James wanted to unite England and Scotland into one kingdom. Cymbeline introduces the idea of this island as Britain and the inhabitants as Britons. Quote
lunababymoonchild Posted August 9, 2022 Posted August 9, 2022 8 hours ago, KEV67 said: Also, I was disturbed that Innogen turns down the pages of the books she reads. I hope that doesn't mean she folds the corners down. She does turn the corner down, or at least, has her maid do it for her. If you don't have a book mark there's little choice. Quote
KEV67 Posted August 10, 2022 Author Posted August 10, 2022 The stolen bracelet reminds me of the stolen handkerchief in Othello. I thought a bit too much was made of the handkerchief, but a stolen bracelet would be more difficult to explain. In addition, his knowing of those marks on Innogen's breast would be very difficult to explain. There was a bit of fruity language in Act 2 Scene 3. When Victorians revived the play I wonder if they cut that out. Quote
KEV67 Posted August 11, 2022 Author Posted August 11, 2022 I was reading in the introduction that the play might be considered subtle propaganda on behalf of King James. King James wanted to unite the English and Scottish kingdoms. This play makes us think of ourselves as Britons. Quote
KEV67 Posted August 13, 2022 Author Posted August 13, 2022 I am finding this play sort of interesting. I have read De Bello Gallico by Julius Caesar. When it came to the British invasion, the bits I found most interesting were that the people of Kent coloured themselves blue, shaved themselves from the lower lip down, and shared wives between brothers. Quote
lunababymoonchild Posted August 13, 2022 Posted August 13, 2022 I'm up to Act III which I will start on Monday. Quote
KEV67 Posted August 14, 2022 Author Posted August 14, 2022 Posthumus seems like a very odd name to me. Probably nothing in it though. I keep thinking posthumous. Quote
lunababymoonchild Posted August 19, 2022 Posted August 19, 2022 (edited) I'm pulling out of this. The play just doesn't hold my interest. Sorry if that jeopardises the group read and I'm astonished myself at saying that a play by Shakespeare doesn't interest me but it doesn't so I'm out. Thank you for bringing the play to my attention though, I'd never heard of it before. Edited August 19, 2022 by lunababymoonchild Quote
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