To One, Of One, Still Such and Ever So

Ada saat-saat di mana kita sebagai perempuan malas banget pakai make-up. Buat saya, itu mood sehari-hari. Mungkin ada lah beberapa hari dalam setahun di mana jiwa perempuan normal dalam diri saya ingin menunjukkan sisi femininnya, tapi selain itu.. Karena itu hari ini saya ingin berbagi beberapa quote Shakespeare yang sering muncul di kepala saya kalau saya sudah mulai disuruh dandan. Henry IV, Part I Waktu mikirin soal bagaimana bayak orang mengkritik gaya hidup dia yang sama sekali nggak kaya pangeran yang bakal memimpin kerajaan suatu hari nanti. If all the year were playing holidays, To sport would be as tedious as to work; But when they seldom come, they wished-for come, And nothing pleaseth but rare accidents. Yang artinya, Kalau sepanjang tahun libur terus, libur bakal sama ngeboseninnya kaya hari kerja. Tapi ketika kita jarang libur, liburan jadi hal yang ditunggu-tunggu. Nggak ada yang lebih menyenangkan daripada hal yang jarang terjadi.  Yang buat saya arti...

Anggap saja ini postingan permohonan maaf karena melewatkan hari Shakespeare tanggal 23 lalu. Hari Shakespeare yang jatuh pada hari Minggu atau hari Sabtu memang selalu mudah terlewatkan. (Alasan,) Karena itu saya mau memberikan beberapa pengumuman. Posting blog ini mungkin akan semakin jarang Kehidupan di dunia nyata memang ternyata sangat merepotkan. Pada akhirnya, saya tidak bisa menyediakan terlalu banyak waktu untuk blogging , karena jadwal yang semakin padat. Kalau Shakespeare bilang, "My salad days, when I was keen for merriment." #misquote Post mungkin akan semakin sering dalam bahasa Indonesia Yang satu ini sama sekali bykan karena saya nyaman menulis dalam bahasa Indonesia, tapi karena saya rasa blog Shakespeare dalam bahasa Indonesia akan lebih menarik daripada dalam bahasa Inggris, yang tentu sudah banyak bertebaran di mana-mana. Fitur-fitur seperti Bad Translation juga rasa-rasanya lebih "kena" dalam bahasa Indonesia dan jelas akan lebih mudah d...

Hi, everybody! It's been a long long while. (Sorry.) Busy as I am nowadays, I would feel more than guilty if I miss Shakespeare's 400th Death Anniversary. (Do we celebrate the deaths of people now?) Day of death is a perfect time to reflect on life. Not for the dead person, of course, but for us the living. We get to think about our lives this far, about what we have achieved and what impression we would leave on people. As for Shakespeare, we know what he had achieved, and what impression he left on people. Nothing can sum it up better than his own prophetic (or, depends on the interpretation that you prefer, narcissistic) sonnets. Take Sonnet 55 , for example. Nor Mars his sword nor war's quick fire shall burn The living record of your memory. 'Gainst death and all-oblivious enmity Shall you pace forth; your praise shall still find room Even in the eyes of all posterity That wear this world out to the ending doom. That is what we call self-description. Howev...

Hi. I think by now you have guessed how little I have time to blog. But I suppose it would be a great mistake not to mention the 600th Commemoration of the legendary Battle of Agincourt. There's a whole website dedicated to it , if you want to know more about people's seriousness when it comes to this event. Tho only reason why I remember the date, why I care about it, seeing that I am no Englishman nor Frenchman, is Shakespeare. I believe that I'm not the only person in the world who spends a slot in his memory for Julius Caesar's death-day and the Battle of Agincourt/Crispin Day just because Shakespeare mentioned them. So, let's get straight to Shakespeare and his half-deified King Henry V. When I think of Agincourt, the first thing that comes to mind is the Crispin Day Speech. Naturally. It's hard to choose a favourite among all the actors that have played Henry V. As many other Shakespeare's characters and speeches, this can be highly personalised by...

I was reading Ecclesiastes the other day, and found the verse that I was looking for - the one that I was reminded of when I read Sonnet 59.  It's Ecclesiastes 1:9, 10 (KJV). The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.  But Shakespeare's Sonnet 59 is a (not so) subtle refutation to the verses' argument that the world repeats itself. Here's what the Bard says about his friend. If there be nothing new, but that which is Hath been before, how are our brains beguil'd, Which, labouring for invention, bear amiss The second burthen of a former child! O, that record could with a backward look, Even of five hundred courses of the sun, Show me your image in some antique book, Since mind at first in character was done! That I might see what the old world ...

Do you feel bad today? Do you feel like your problems are Everest-like, so tall and unconquerable? Or even worse, Pompei-like, dark and deadly? Do you need a boost of motivation to help you through the day? Let's do it Shakespeare's way. There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so. - Hamlet Even the emotional-sometimes-homicidal-sometimes-suicidal Hamlet knows this. Be positive. It's not that bad. It's just our paranoia. We'll get through it. Extremities are the trier of spirits. Common chances common men could bear. - Coriolanus Despite being a bad mother, Volumnia gives Martius a good advice. Don't be a common man! Prove ourselves better than what they think. Stretch the boundaries, try the extremes, be amazing. All things are ready if our minds be so. - Henry V King Hal was going to war when he said this line. We're probably not going to any mortal combat today. However, the words still stand. Prepare your mind, and go. There ...

If Tom Hiddleston has made girls learning St Crispin's Day speech by heart, Christian Borle has just sung Sonnet 18 into their minds. I am talking about one of the latest musical sensations - Something Rotten! The plot basically involves two brothers who really want to make a hit in Renaissance theatre world. It won't be easy for them, because at he very top of that same world reigns William Shakespeare. One of the brother, Nigel, is definitely okay with being his fan, but the older brother, Nick, has some issue about it. He makes it really clear that he hates Shakespeare. I definitely side with his younger brother, especially after the performance of these two of the musical numbers: Interpretation of Shakespeare as a narcissistic rock star idol of his age, although probably exaggerated, works really fine with me. As too turning Sonnet 18 and Richard III 's opening lines into a rock song. Christian Borle makes it really hard not to sing along. Some Shakespear...

Last week by chance I happened to listen to this song for the first time in my life. Before, I had had no idea that the song existed. So I just half-listened to it, about how a picture worth a thousand words, and thought, "Good old proverb." In fact, I had a full entry in my diary discussing how a word could give you a thousand pictures as well. However, when the song went to the second stanza, it went, "If a face could launch a thousand ships..," and I just immediately straightened my back. "A face that launched a thousand ships," I thought. "It's Marlowe." In his play Doctor Faustus , his character Faust was talking about the legendary Helen of Troy, the cause of Trojan War and the ultimate destruction of the city. "Was this the face that launch'd a thousand ships, And burnt the topless towers of Ilium--" I know that is article is so trivial. It is more like a diary entry than anything worth putting in one'...

Their transformations Were never for a piece of beauty rarer, Nor in a way so chaste, since my desires Run not before mine honour, nor my lusts Burn hotter than my faith. There he got me. I am very vulnerable to sweet princes and sweet words. There he is. Florizel, The Prince of Bohemia. The young man is madly in love with Perdita, the lost (the clue is in the name) daughter of the King and Queen of Sicilia. But at that time, nobody knew that. So it's lovely to see his love for the "low-born" Perdita, and how he insisted that he would always be true to her. More impressive, he stayed true to his vows. For I cannot be Mine own, nor any thing to any, if I be not thine. To this I am most constant, Though destiny say no. I find the last line so beautiful. Not more nor less beautiful than this one: What you do Still betters what is done. (I think you understand why I still believe in Prince Charming.) Wait, more vows. And he, and more Than he, and men,...

In the end of King Lear, Edgar speaks this line: "Speak what we feel, not what we ought to say." Simple as it may sound, I believe it is a perfect conclusion to all the things that have happened in the play. The conflicts in the play, both in Lear's family and Gloucester's start when people don't say what they mean and don't mean what they say. Although it's clear that Regan and Goneril are the guiltiest party, Cordelia is not free from fault. What strikes me from Cordelia's choice of words is that it sounds so cold. Too cold. "You have begot me, bred me, loved me: I Return those duties back as are right fit, Obey you, love you, and most honour you." These words certainly wouldn't appeal any parent. Cordelia in the Court of King Lear  by Sir John Gilbert What Cordelia underlines in her speech is her duty  as a daughter, but she doesn't express how she views that duty - whether she willingly does it out of love, or just ...

Roger Allam as Falstaff, who, to be honest, is much more likeable than the Hollow Crown  one. I understand well enough that Falstaff is a funny comic character, that he provides more jokes than any other character in whole Shakespeare's canon except Hamlet, if those gloomy jokes are still counted as jokes. I also understand how he's an important character because he promotes the view so different than those considered as virtuous in his era. Nevertheless, I never consider him as a likeable character, no matter how much I laugh on him in the two Henry IV plays. It's just that he's such a bad friend to Prince Hal. And my term "bad friend" means neither "a friend who robs and steals and pickpockets every once in a while" nor "an indifferently good man who doesn't really care about you" which would make him a good acquaintance. No. He takes both the negatives and combines them. Let me show you why I can't like this man despite all...

In this article , the once-my-beloved-Watson states that Shakespeare has "boring bits" that should be chopped off in productions. This comment he made when he was talking about the new production of Richard III  in which he plays the main tragic role. Anyway. Is there any boring parts in Shakespeare? Let's be honest. There are many , almost in every play we have boring bits here and there. They are plays. Shakespeare might have written them to give time for the actors to change clothes, to prepare props, or any other thing. But does it mean that they have no significance , at all? Most of Shakespeare's "boring parts" actually enrich his plays, add more roundness to his characters and plots, and cheer us up with the "useless" comedy. If you want Shakespeare to appeal to the youngsters, watering it down is not the answer. You don't cut the half-naked women and leave the flowers in Botticelli's Primavera  to attract 15 y.o teenagers to a...

First time I read Henry IV Part 1 , I couldn't help laughing at this terrible quoting of the Bible. Thou didst well, for wisdom cries out in the streets and no man regards it Context: Falstaff was telling Hal that an old lord spoke about Hal, and very wisely too. But Falstaff "regarded him not, and yet he talked very wisely." Then the young Prince answered with the words above. What a quote, though? Here's what Proverbs 1:20, 24 says, in the Bishops' Bible. Wisdome cryeth without, and putteth foorth her voyce in the streetes:...Because I haue called, and ye refused, I haue stretched out my hande, and no man regarded: There. It's not the striking resemblance that has impressed me, but the aptness of Hal in saying it - misusing it. No wonder Falstaff said that the young prince had "damnable iteration." On the other hand, it shows just how much he knew the Bible. Another way to think about it, eh? To be able to quote it so aptly and effectiv...

Actually, I was going to call this kind of article, "The devil can cite scripture for his purpose," or at least, "Shakespeare can cite scripture for his purpose," but it's too long for an article title. So I satisfy myself with "Citing Scripture." I hope it will be a good feature in this blog, since I will write more articles about Shakespeare and the Bible. So, firstly, what Bible did Shakespeare have? Certainly it's not the renowned King James Bible, because it was first published in 1611. Shakespeare might have used the Bishops Bible, or Geneva Bible as his source, both in English already. Whatever the Bible he chose as his source, he used it in the way he used every thing - anyway he liked. In Merchant of Venice , Antonio said about Shylock: "The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose." Maybe he was thinking about Matthew 4:6, when Satan used a Bible verse to justify his offer. It's interesting to notice, though, th...

"Ay, he was porn at Monmouth, Captain Gower. What call you the town's name where Alexander the Pig was born!" Thus started the playful comparison between Henry V and Alex the Great. It was funny the first time I read it. It was, really. The Welsh Captain kept saying the word wrong, the comparison couldn't be more absurd, especially the way he tried to find similarity between Monmouth and Macedon. The second time I read it, I wanted to cry. I am the one to blame for my sheer ignorance of English history. Reading Henry V, I was full of expectation that the king would live long and prosper, he would be the best Shakespearean character ever, and would stay high, live eternally, and be a living literary legend like Sherlock Holmes, for instance. I had no idea that the king would die. I mean, I know he would, but not that fast. As soon as I knew that he died shortly after Agincourt, Alexander was no longer a joke. Well, at least we know why they didn't say an...

Prince Hal, and later, the king, Henry V is a complex character with volumes to think, say, and analyse about. Following his character development from Henry IV part 1 through Henry V, it's hard not to relate to him when one comes to what people call 'conflict of interests.' For me, the worst part of it in Henry V is when he heard that his (former) friend, Bardolph, had been executed for thievery. In many productions, the directors let Henry either see the execution, or at least the hanged man. Kenneth Branagh and Hollow Crown versions even take time for a little flashback, therefore show us that the king remembered Bardolph and all things they had done together in their former days. Both also, through acting, show that the king was sad about it, yet could do nothing. Reading the play, however, it was quite shocking that the king made no comment upon the hanging, except that it was just and necessary. Why didn't he say anything about it? Knowing Shakespeare, he co...

How encouraging is it to find that one of your favourite actors is a Shakespeare fanboy?! For me, it's amazing. One example is David Tennant. I love him as the Doctor, but when he gets all excited over Shakespeare I can't help blushing. It's just so sweet. But we're not talking about him today. A couple of months ago, I fell in love with Tom Hiddleston's Loki. I said it right. I don't really know about the man, but I sure sympathise with the character he played, in this case the naughty brother of Thor Odinson - Loki. And he's just a Shakespeare fanboy. Anybody wants evidence? He radiates happiness touching the First Folio as if he's a pilgrim touching the Holy Grail. Well, more videos below. I don't see the God of Mischief, only a fan talking about his idol. I don't really know Tom Hiddleston that much to speak more about him, but one thing for sure: Shakespeare's fan is always my friend. Maybe I like him now more due to the...

Emotionally tiresome. I spent a few minutes writing just now, trying to get into somebody's character and write a poem from his viewpoint. It tires me out emotionally. I feel like I have just finished crying for half an hour. It's extraordinary. I experience such feeling over and over again, because writing poems is just one of my hobbies. I find joy and relief through it. But I just realised.... How did Shakespeare manage to do it over and over again without losing his sanity? The range and varieties of emotions, feelings, and characters he had to play inside his mind to write plays like Othello , Macbeth , and Hamlet  is uncountable. How did he manage to do it? For me, to be able to write a poem that would convince myself of an emotion or feeling, I need to repeat a scene or situation in the character I want to write it for, over and over again, until the words come to me, or until I find the word I'm looking for. But when you write a poem, you only play a character...

Have you ever wanted to say “I don't get it” without making yourself look stupid? Shakespeare is your solution. Firstly, if your friend knows Shakespeare, he would think you're cool. If he's not Shakespeare-literate, you still sound great. Well, here's some help. “I understand the fury in your words, but not your words.” - Desdemona, Othello Othello was full of wrath, and Desdemona innocently said this like, “Calm down, Honey. I don't know what you're talking about.” 'Fury' means super ARRGHHHH! type of anger, not the Greek furies, though the word was probably derived from that. But hey, why not calling your frienemy a Fury anyway? It's like, “Hey Bro, you act like a monster and I still don't understand any word you say.” “More matter with less art.” - Gertrude, Hamlet Polonius was going down the rabbit hole explaining Hamlet and Ophelia's love story in superfluous lines. The Queen wanted it quick, so, “Stop all the fuss and say ...

Ah! lève-toi, soleil! Fait pâlir les étoiles Qui, dans l'azur sans voiles, Brillent au firmament. Just 4 lines of Romeo's famous aria,  L'amour, l'amour!... Ah! lève-toi, soleil! I've been a fan of Gounod's opera interpretation of Shakespeare's tragic lovers RnJ, but yesterday something brought it to my attention, again. Somebody (on a TV program) describes the aria as "Romeo waiting for the sun to rise so he can see his beloved again." How huge the difference is between what Shakespeare expressed in his play and this tenor understands through the libretto  I rushed to the Aria Database website  and checked the lyric of the aria again. Today, I'd like to discuss it with you guys here. The scene opens with Romeo, under Juliet's balcony, trying to express his feelings, the love that he experiences after much heart break in his previous unrequited love story, while hiding himself in the dark, avoiding any contact with both his fri...