I’m sure you’re familiar with the play “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” You know, the one where the beautiful lady falls in love with a jassack. :-)
Shakespeare’s “Dream” is full of bizarre creatures, of all sizes and shapes. One of them – and I’m sure you’re familiar with him too – is named Puck. He’s responsible for the line, “What fools these mortals be!”
Who – or rather, what – is Puck? He’s a strange little creature, not really human. In fact, to come right out with it, he’s an elf.
(His favorite song is “What’s It All About, Elfie?”)
The above line is an attempt at humor and may be ignored.
Anyway, Puck’s boss, Oberon, has a chore for him. It involves travel. No problemo, says Puck; I love to travel. In fact, I can travel around the world in record time.
Great, says Oberon, get started.
Now this sequence from “Dream” has had a number of the greatest scientific minds of our time, including mine, wondering. If it were possible to set up a race between Puck and a modern astronaut, to see who would circle the earth fastest, who would win?
These are the types of things great scientific minds, including mine, waste time thinking about. (I have to work “time” in here somewhere, to fit this week’s prompt, or I’ll be voted out of the Magpie organization.)
Well, after very little effort and no expense at all, I have come up with the answer to this “time” question.
An astronaut takes about 90 minutes to circle the earth.
Puck says: “I’ll put a girdle round about the earth in forty minutes.”
Puck wins, hands down
At the end of Act Five, Puck apologizes to the audience for the general goofiness of this play (and this post): “If we shadows have offended, think but this and all is mended. That you have but slumber’d here.”
31 comments:
Interesting interpretation of the theme. But do have another look at the last word in the two lines between your first two pictures . . . ?
oh ho ho..."What's it all about Alfie?" Great post as usual and educational to boot....however, I have only one teeeny tiny thing to disagree on:
You would never ever be voted out of the "Magpie Organization" !
I promise ... you could never be voted out of Magpie Office!
I love the way you think and write. Two weeks in a row you've really intrigued me. Love and Light, Sender
Time is a very odd part of our lives; a very enjoyable post.
CJ xx
Mrs. Trellis: "...do have another look at the last word in the two lines between your first two pictures."
It was just another pathetic attempt at humor, Mrs. Trellis. By the way, I met your cousin, Mrs. Lattice.
Also great to hear from Helen, senderupwords and Crystal J. -- thanks.
kathew: "Great post as usual and educational to boot."
Fine comment; thanks.
I wouldn't miss my weekly dose of the Bard for anything. But I love Merchant of Venice best.
ninotaziz: "I love Merchant of Venice best."
We'll get around to it. :-)
Berowne, thanks for stopping by and I, for one, loved the Jassack. Every girl should meet him, at least once in her lifetime. I really enjoy reading your blog, fun and educational. Best way to learn anything of importance. And you couldn't get kicked out, all we Jassack lovers would revolt, a stampede of immeasuarble hoots and hollers.
Elizabeth
Dear Berowne: Sensing of touch of Puck in our own elfin magic; our very own Berowne! Your comedic sense is out of this world rounding the Globe (intentional pun)in less than an blink of an astronaut's wink or the 40 hours much faster once the wine kicks in! This somewhat debauched Puck o' Jassac enjoyed like a good feast; a bakkheia of a fun time! Moi, Je tres enjoi a good Puck? I love Shakespeare's comedic relief jesters; maybe a wee bit too much at times, me thinks!
You know what Berowne I really love how you tie the Magpie's in with a bit of the classics. I always learn something from you plus you make me laugh. You're blog is great!
chiccoreal: "...40 hours much faster once the wine kicks in!"
I'll have a sip of that as long as you're pouring. :-)
Kristen Haskell: "Your blog is great!"
Your comment is greater! :-)
Elizabeth: "I, for one, loved the Jassack. Every girl should meet him, at least once in her lifetime."
Speaking for all Jassacks, I thank you. :-)
You gotta bet on a guy named Puck...
just for the shenaniganery
Rene
Hello, Berowne! So happy you stopped by. My Keeping Room has come to a virtual standstill since I returned to my classroom. Don't give up on me.
Your post is a s much a a delight as Will's fairie tale! Have you seen the old 1930's black and white and twinkley version featuring a very young Mickey Rooney as Puck? It is quite good.
Peace be with you.
We should have Puck-powered engines on board the ISS...
“I’ll put a girdle round about the earth in forty minutes.” What a great line. Loved this Puck-ish post, Mr. B. (You would never be voted out of Magpie. Ever. How could I get my weekly dose of Shakespeare?)
A delight as always!
Thank Goodness, I have been wondering if we have any great scientific minds among us. Now I know. It's sad, isn't it.
It's a pleasure to read one of the greatest scientific minds of our time. I'll be stopping by from time to time to check this blog out.
David: "It's a pleasure to read one of the greatest scientific minds of our time."
Yes, if you have any scientific problems I'll be happy to help.
Ha! Made me laugh out loud -- again. "Voted out" -- we get votes? I am so happy to know another great mind.
It is one of the few Shakespeare plays I have seen on stage. So magical. Years ago I found a terra cotta, sitting Puck who perched on one of my 14" bookshelves in three separate residences. Survived moves, dusting, organizing, reshelving...a real part of the family he was. Then one day he fell. Like a Humpty Dumpty Puck, and lost his head. I'd have not cried quite as hard if I had then known his favorite song (what a hoot!).
One of my favorites, actually! With your witty sidelines, I'm sure it will never be the same again. It'll be better than ever! :D
hehe! If only you'd been my English Lit teacher...I might not be the person I am today!
Great to hear from Rene, spacedlaw, Firelight,
willow (especially), Deborah, Friko, Karen S, Lydia, RA and steviewren -- thanks so much.
Berowne....the dog ate my homework, but I still truly love your class! You are amazing....you teach us and we don't even realize it. :-)
Wondered why I felt so drowsy! Great tale.
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