'I'm always looking for the Hows and the Whys and the Whats,' said Muskrat, 'That is why I speak as I do. You've heard of Muskrat's Much-in-Little, of course?'
'No,' said the child. 'What is it?'
- The Mouse and his Child. Russell Hoban.

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Thursday 8 July 2010

Feste



One of my favourite literary characters is Feste, who plays the 'wise' fool in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night or: What You Will. Unfortunately I cannot now imagine him played by anyone but Sir Ben Kingsley, who, I was delighted to learn, can sing. And indeed, more than well enough for the role.

W.S has included some exceedingly fine songs in this play for the singing. 'O Mistress Mine' is one of the few sombre moments in the play.

....What is love? 'Tis not hereafter.
Present mirth hath present laughter.
What's to come is still unsure.
In delay there lies no plenty,
Then come kiss me, sweet and twenty.
Youth's a stuff will not endure.


5 comments:

  1. I used to be a devotee (second successive comment using that word; a word I cannot recall using for many moons prior to the last comment) of WS. I say 'used to be' because I've neither read nor watched much Shakespeare for quite a few years.

    I always think of Feste as my introduction to the quote: Some are born great,some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrown upon them.

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  2. In nature there's no blemish but the mind;
    None can be called deformed but the unkind.

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  3. I'm afraid that you outgun me. But that's all one, our play is done, And we'll strive to please you every day.

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  4. Blogger's being a pain. I think. It said that my last comment wasn't processed and it also said it was waiting approval. ?? I know I'm not the only person having problems so, just in case, I'll try and recall what I said.

    Katherine. I accept defeat. You outgun me. But that's all one, our play is done, And we'll strive to please you every day.

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  5. "...we'll strive to please you every day." - are the very last words uttered in the Trevor Nunn film version. We always give a big happy sigh at the end. And then think about how soon we can watch it again. A Very Good Movie, with a brilliant cast.

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