[For ABC Wednesday, Magpie 56, Writer's Island and Sunday Scribblings]
“H” is for “Head Over Heels”
Think of a beautiful woman, perhaps the most beautiful woman you’ve ever seen.
She falls in love with a guy who has the head, a big head, of a farm animal.
And she falls head over heels.
That’s the story of Queen Titania and Bottom the Weaver.
You remember him – he’s the chap in Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” who has his head turned into that of a jassack. :-)
Nick Bottom – who knew he had a first name? – is a simple workman, with the emphasis on “simple.”
He and his fellow working stiffs are planning to put on a play for the Duke’s wedding day; if the presentation is successful each performer will be in line to receive sixpence a day for the rest of their lives. (Which would be pretty much like winning the national lottery as far as they’re concerned, so they’re all taking this production of theirs very seriously.)
But Puck, a crafty, not to mention cunning, little character with magical powers, a prankster par excellence, decides to have a little fun with them.
He does the deed with Bottom’s head and leaves him in the forest.
Along comes the spectacularly beautiful Titania, Queen of the Fairies. She is what Shakespeare would have described as a “looker,” if he had thought of it. :-) Check out those gossamer wings.
She has herself been enchanted by a love potion made from the juice of a rare flower – and you know how powerful that stuff can be – administered by her jealous husband, who has rigged things up so that she will fall for the first individual she sees after waking up.
He says: “Wake when some vile thing is near.”
The vile thing turns out to be our friend Bottom.
The Queen falls head over, to risk repeating myself, heels for this guy; they make a handsome couple. :-)
Titania orders her minions to treat him well:
"Be kind and courteous to this gentleman.
Feed him with apricocks and dewberries,
With purple grapes, green figs and mulberries;
Nod to him, elves, and do him courtesies."
And it's a tribute to Bottom that he can adapt to any situation; he takes all of this in stride -- he’s enjoying every minute.
Later, when he’s back to his true self, he tries to describe that adventure. He figures it must have been a dream:
“I have had a dream, past the wit of man to say! The eye of man hath not heard, the ear of man hath not seen, what my dream was!”
But now of course he’s aware they must all rehearse the play to be ready for the Duke’s wedding day.
(I knew, with a bit of luck, I’d be able to work this week’s Magpie prompt in here somewhere. :-))
Bottom: “Most important, fellow actors, eat no garlic, for we are to utter sweet breath, and I don’t doubt everyone will say, it is a sweet comedy!”
9 years ago
40 comments:
I love Midsummer Night's Dream! We named one of our dogs Puck because he's such a little rascal!
Very nice. I can't believe Will never said that word.
Bravo!!!
A sweet comedy, indeed! "A Midsummer Night's Dream" is one of my favorites: "Lovers and madmen have such seething brains,/Such shaping fantasies that apprehend/More than cool reason ever comprehends." Brilliant working in of the garlic; Robin Goodfellow would be proud!
Timeless writing Berowne --and " alas, sweet breath, one and all"....bkm
sweet-tasting post. or something like that.
very enjoyable read about a play I've seen sone maybe a half dozen times, always differently.
Great choice for letter H.
Have a peek on my letter H, see you.
Ooh, well done with the Magpie in there, Berowne.
I never would have thought of "head over heels" but it works! Good one.
-- K
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
Always a treat to read your interpretation of Shakespeare! :D
Leslie
ABCW Team
This was such fun! I was wondering where you were going with this, 'though - and kept saying, "Wait for it, wait for it." Totally worth it! You are such a great read!
Would never miss your postings, Berowne - always so entertaining and creative.
Ha! Amazing garlic insert.
wow.
what interesting shots.
fun take.
Head over Heels! A clever one. And you got the garlic in there too! As well as giving us a lesson in English literature. (Not one of my favourite plays, though.)
I always enjoy your clever takes on Willow's mags. This one is no exception!
You never fail to hit the high points of the Bard's wit! This is the one play that our readers group indulges in costumes with the most creative being Bottom's new head.
HelenMac, ABC Wednesday Team
My thanks to Shari Sunday, ds, bkm, Roger O G, Kay L D, Leslie and lightverse for these welcome comments.
Hildred & Charles: "Would never miss your postings, Berowne"
And I'd never miss your comments -- thanks.
I'm pleased to offer more thanks to Tumblewords, Jingle, R Rimes, S W Arkie and helenmac.
Very cute and interesting post
Say Hi to my Horse, my entry for H.
Wonderful, to find a reference to garlic in Shakespeare. Google found me one in Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales", also in the "Odyssey" Well told, as usual.
If only it kind of went like this at high school! Entertaining as usual!
hahaha...this was one sweet comedy alright!!
I loved Shakespeare's potential "lingo"... it nearly KILLED ME!! :-)
Gosh... they should really make a play out of this script!! "Seriously"!!! :)
One always learns something from your interesting posts. Thank you.
Well done .. this is thoroughly enchanting. Love the artwork too.
'everyone will say, it is a sweet comedy' Yes indeed!
Whatever digging and/or researching you have to do to come up with an appropriate response to prompts, it's all worth it when you get such comments as these from Shydub, Dr. FTSE, Lena, Kavita, Trellissimo, Helen and Stafford Ray -- thanks.
This is delightful!
Magical mix of words and musing Berowne..Jae
A joy to read :o)
An enchanting tale well written, with a clever bit tossed in there at the end! :-)
Delightful read... love the interpretation here. Well done.
What a delightful post as usual. I noticed the Jassack as opposed the Jackass but didn't get it, so was it a mistake after all?:)
Garlic insertion (or warning) at the last minute! Well done.
oldegg: "Was it a mistake after all?"
It was no mistake. :-)
This is comedy in words
I have read Lamb's 'Tales from Shakespeare', must admit yours is a bit more entertaining; more in keeping with the 21st. Century.
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this, Berowne. You are quite clever, as well as entertaining, in your responses.
Gloria: "Thoroughly enjoyed reading this, Berowne."
Thanks, Gloria; you're in Excelsis. :-)
Linda J, jaerose, Deb, JTS, Reflections, spacedlaw and Old Altonian -- always great to hear from you; thanks.
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