Literature

Shakespeare a Day 15

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Othello and Desdemona, by Alexandre-Marie Colin

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“That death’s unnatural that kills for loving.” – Othello, the Moor of Venice

Love, such a short and simple word, and so much goes into it.  Most things we do during our days on Earth we do for Love – for love of someone, of something, for love of money, for love of success, for love of the planet, of its people, for love of material things … Whether that Love is right or wrong, in our minds, we do it just for Love.  Crimes of passion are said to be committed out of Love – love that has sickened and crossed the line towards death.  Even the denial of oneself for the pleasing of the loved one, is out of love.  All is done in the name of Love.  Love is pure, a higher essence; in our humanity, or twisted humanity, we corrupt it.

Today, think of it – what do you love?  why do you love?

Shakespeare a Day 14

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The Death of Desdemona, by Eugène Ferdinand Vi...

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“Had all his hairs been lives, my great revenge had stomach for them all.” – Othello, The Moor of Venice

This line is full of emotion, vengeance and anger – both strong and powerful emotions that can take over the best of our humanity.  It only takes a moment for those emotions to undo the best in us.  As humans, we experience a ray of feelings and emotions that can shape our behavior; the real power rests in how we deal with them.

My favorite authors are the ones that can tell a good story but also let me feel the emotions through the words in the page.

Shakespeare a Day 12

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"Falstaff and Mistress Quickly from 'The ...

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“Lust is but a bloody fire, kindled with unchaste desire, fed in heart, whose flames aspire as thoughts do blow them, higher and higher.  – The Merry Wives of Windsor

Whether we are talking about love, lust, or something else, what is in our thoughts feed our hearts.  If you think it much, it is deposited in your heart and becomes part of you, of what you believe, of who you are.  It shapes you, your immediate surroundings, and eventually your reality.

Shakespeare a Day 11

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Frederick Richard Pickersgill painting of Orsi...

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“If music be the food of love, play on; give me excess of it, that, surfeiting, the appetite may sicken, and so die.” – Twelfth Night or What You Will

The affairs of the heart –  Love.  Our actions – good or bad – revolve around it.  We die for love, do good deeds for love, suffer for love, live for love, and kill in the name of love.  Whether the concept of Love we have is right or wrong, or even a sick perception of it, many times, the result is a denial of the true essence of Love (as in the case of crimes of passion).

This month we are celebrating Love.  One of my favorite definitions of Love can be found at 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. 

It goes like this – Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends; as for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.

Shakespeare a Day 9

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Malvolio and the Countess

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“Many a good hanging prevents a bad marriage.”  (Twelfth Night, or What You Will)

This one made me smile.  Although it refers to a hanging as punishment, and in the context of Shakespeare’s play, it made me think about the small issues in a marriage.  The economic meltdown in the country affected many families and brought the best and bad in us.  So, what prevents a bad marriage and promotes a good one?  A good hanging – well, let’s not get scared here, metaphorically speaking.

There are many little issues that we keep inside to ourselves and eat away our spirits, our love, our marriage.  Maybe it would be a good idea to do a symbolical hanging of all the small issues that we carry on the inside, and expose them, hang them, or hang them to dry if you must, let the sunshine lighten the load, and work them out with your love one.

Shakespeare a Day 8

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“He hath a heart as sound as a bell and his tongue is the clapper; for what his heart thinks his tongue speaks.” – Much Ado About Nothing

Love it!  Our bells ring of love, hate, joy, sadness, passion, hurt, envy, anger, awe, spirit …  What ever melody we play inside, notes play on the outside.  Might as well become instruments for good, praise, and the highest Love.  In the end, the music we send out vibrates back to us.

Shakespeare a Day 7

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Malvolio and the Countess

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“But be not afraid of greatness; some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon ’em.”  (Twelfth Night, or What You Will)

This one is a very popular line and we have heard it a lot.  What I like about it is that it makes greatness accessible to all.  Despite our doubts and fears, we all have greatness in us – if we could only let it thru, let it shine.  We are works of art by a Creator of all things (my personal belief) and most times, we forget about that. 

We mesmerize while observing works of art at a Museum, while reading a poem, or a brilliant piece; however, we don’t do the same when we look in a mirror.  Why is that?  It puzzles me too.  Maybe it is because in failing to recognize this greatness we protect ourselves from being afraid of it, from letting it out – from stepping up to the plate and becoming great.

Shakespeare a Day 6

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Portia

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“The quality of mercy is not strain’d, it droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven, upon the place beneath: it is twice bless’d; it blesseth him that gives and him that takes.” (The Merchant of Venice)

Mercy – The definition of mercy according to the American Heritage Dictionary

  • Compassionate treatment of an offender, enemy, etc; clemency.
  • A disposition to be kind and forgiving.
  • A fortunate occurrence.

Are we merciful with ourselves or do we beat ourselves up with self-criticism about our lives and work?  Whether we are the ones who take or give, mercy knows no difference.  However, it is up to us to look inside and understand the part that takes and the part that gives, and upon that understanding we might be able then, to be more merciful to ourselves.  It is then, that Creativity  will flow.

Shakespeare a Day 4

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Laura Hope Crews and John Drew in "Much A...

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“Speak low, if you speak love.”  (Much Ado About Nothing)

This one certainly made me think.  Most times, when we are happily in love we want to scream it to the world.  We are so happy that we want to announce it.  Although, this is just a line that one of the characters was saying to another, and in tune with the scene, it makes you ponder a different meaning.

Sometimes, we are not so demonstrative of our love, but that does not diminish it.  We are “speaking low” the language of love.  Sometimes, a gentle and sweet demonstration of love and affection is just what we need.  Love has many frequencies.

Shakespeare a Day 2

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Ludwig Devrient as King Lear, probably made fo...

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“Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks! Rage! Blow!” – King Lear

This is the perfect quotation to illustrate the power of words, descriptive and emotional.  It lets you feel the type of rage and anger; you can picture the face turning red, ready to blow up in all kinds of verbal display, steamed up!

I love writing that brings up emotion.  Hope you enjoy today’s quotation.