Sunday, May 26, 2013

170 Quiz Answer


Here’s the answer to this week’s quiz.
In the play “Hamlet,” Laertes loves his sister Ophelia but like most Elizabethan males he seeks to control her. Before he leaves for France he gives a speech instructing her on the importance of proper behavior.

(Also for Three Word Wednesday and ABC Wednesday: "T" is for "Tom")

Here’s this week’s Berownial quiz.  I wrote the following scenelet, which should remind you of one of the Shakespeare plays.  Your assignment, should you choose to accept it, is: which play?

Sue: “You’re still packing?  You’ve been running around all morning.  I thought you’d be all set by now.”
Tom:  “I’m just about ready.  Have you seen my beret?  It's my badge of honor for a visit to France.”
“Oh God Tom, you didn’t have to buy a beret to make a trip to Paris.  That’s really overdoing it.”
“Well, I wanted to fit in.”
“My understanding is that most French folks stopped wearing berets around the time of Louis Fifteenth.  Just buy a baguette first thing you get there and walk down the street with that skinny loaf of bread tucked under your arm; you’ll fit in nicely.”
“I guess I’m about ready to leave.  Don’t forget to write; let me know what’s going on around here.”
“What’s going on around here will be the usual – not much.”


“Come on, cheer up.  Why do you let your mood darken so much?  After all, you live like a princess in an actual castle; not many girls have a lifestyle like that.  So you should just be happy that your bro got a chance to go to Paris.”
“Yeah, it’s great.  It’s just that whenever Dad decides to spring for something really expensive, like a chance to leave these northern climes for a trip to France – with all those luscious meals at Parisian restaurants – it’s for you.  I get to sit home and watch.”
“Listen.  I know your relationship with Dad is a bit...”
“Strained?”
“Well, yes.  Why don’t you make a bit more effort to be...”
“The dutiful daughter?  What century is this?  I should be able to live as I want to live.  You certainly do.”
“Anyway, you know very well this is an educational trip.  I’ll be studying most of the time while I’m in Paris.”
“Yeah, and I think I know what you’ll be studying.”
“Hah, witty to the last.  Sis, you have to face it, Dad’s old school.  He loves his daughter, wants the best for her.  I know that's something of a liability for you.  If that means keeping you here in a castle so he can watch over you – well, I have no idea how to get him to change such ideas at his age.  Talk about conservative, I believe he thinks Herbert Hoover was the last great president.”
“No, for him Hoover would have been too much of a leftist.  Well, anyway, bon, as they say at the Deux Magots, voyage!”

(Also submitted to Sunday Scribblings.)




 

 

36 comments:

Audrey Howitt aka Divalounger said...

I feel so ignorant---can't say that I have the slightest clue--

Dana Dampier said...

Hmmm... I have to say I don't know where this dialogue came from. Very interesting though! I'm will be checking back for the answer!

naturgesetz said...

I'm going to say this sounds like Ophelia and Laertes in "Hamlet."

Helen said...

Could you, just one time ... give us something 'easy?' I'm feeling totally dumb.

Roger Owen Green said...

Well, the only Shakespeare that I know of that was set in Paris is All's Well That Ends Well, but I'm not confident on this at all.

The Blog of Bee said...

Hamlet

21 Wits said...

Oh my, I shall give Henry VI as my answer! Still laughing about the bread!

Altonian said...

At the moment I'm stumped - but I'm thinking about it.

Anonymous said...

I love the bit about the baguette! Very engaging I wanted to keep reading =) I don't know what the play is but it sounds interesting

Sueann said...

Don't know...it does remind me of Cinderella though...the young girl...being held back by her father/mother. Interesting!
Hugs
SueAnn

Berowne said...

I'm pleased to report that Bee of Bee's Blog and naturgesetz both came up with the correct answer. Who's next?

Berowne said...

One blogger wrote: "Well, the only Shakespeare that I know of that was set in Paris..."
But the play isn't set in Paris, the guy is getting ready to GO to Paris.

Silent Otto said...

I like the way this flows.......Rapunzel?

Kathe W. said...

Much Ado About Nothing?
Love your quizzes! You'll educate us yet!

Susan Lindquist said...

Could this be a conversation between Laertes and Ophelia in Hamlet?

Berowne said...

News flash! Susan Lindquist has just joined the fine group of those who've provided us with the right answer. Who's next?

Lyn said...

...Well, nobody's perfect... (Favorite last line!)

Sharp Little Pencil said...

I'm thinking "As You Like It."

Kathe W. said...

well Pooh! I haven't a clue BUT I will persevere! The week ain't over ....yet....smiles to Berowne!

Unknown said...

Stumped on this, has elements of taming of the shrew but will have to keep thinking.

Altonian said...

Methinks, perchance, 'tis converse betwixt Laertes and Ophelia; therefore - Hamlet.

kaykuala said...

Love's Labour's Lost, is that it?

Hank

Berowne said...

Altonian said...
"At the moment I'm stumped - but I'm thinking about it."
I'm pleased to report that Altonian, having thought about it, has come up with the correct answer. Well done!

Kate said...

Hamlet

Berowne said...

Kate, as in "Kiss me, etc.," has just joined up with the right answer.

Leslie: said...

I'm stumped - but HI anyway and have a great week.

Leslie
abcw team

Hildred said...

As you like it????

Old Egg said...

I have torn enough hair out this week trying to solve this one so I shall have to admit defeat. I'll try harder next week.

Anonymous said...

Romeo and Juliet is all I can think of for this one, perhaps that will be correct!

Mary said...

Is this really Shakespeare? I would have guessed something else...Can't wait to see what the answer is.

Sheilagh Lee said...

I haven't a clue

LaTonya Baldwin said...

Let the smart people answer. I'm fine just enjoying your spin on it. :-)

Lydia said...

Alas, I do not know. But I want to know....do I get credit for that?!!

You are a genius with dialogue. I loved reading this and building my own scene in my mind, in spite of not knowing the play. :)

The Blog of Bee said...

This is fun!

Anonymous said...

Hamlet! Damnlet!

Anonymous said...

I am not familiar with Citizen Kane (I know it is one of the greatest movies if not the greatest) but your story is both charming and enthralling. How much luckier could a lady get if she has a husband as devoted as the one here. :-)

 
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