1. Who am I?
From this diary entry, I will pick a moment that highlights the duality of Beatrice's character. A moment in which she has acted on her outward emotions and suffered because of her inward. The moment below, I believe, highlights this perfectly:
Dear Diary,
Today Don Pedro proposed. To me, Beatrice, the one women who would turn down such a man. I cannot tell who was more embarrassed when I refused his offer, him or me. You would probably expect the answer to be him, but the deep shame I felt at being faced with my true character, the women I really am, was humiliating. Everyone makes jokes at my expense: Beatrice can't love, she won't love, maybe she can't love and for so long I've fuelled their humours because it was just as amusing for me to witness as it was for them to experience. I didn't care. And that's where I was wrong; I do care. So very much.
On the outside I am cold, calculating, sarcastic, witty- perfect example of a bitch in all honesty. I am not a lady like my cousin, nor am I obedient, or kind, or lovely, I am none of those things. I thought I didn't want to be. I wanted people to think I didn't want to be, but maybe I do.
Deep down perhaps all I want is love. I had it once. Not so long ago. After that I vowed I would never be so weak as to let something so trivial hurt me again and yet the lack of love's presence in my life seems to be hurting me more. Seeing everyone so happy is infuriating because I know I cannot have it. I've lived without it for too long. I fear letting it back in would be deadly for both me and those around me.
So I shall live alone, sharpening my wits and closing myself off slowly yet surely from everyone and everything. And when the day comes that I am no longer troubled by love, that is the day I will need it most.
Over and out
Beatrice
Next I will go through each scene I'm in and discover the answer they hold to the next 8 questions. Those questions are:
2. What time is it?
3. Where am I?
4. What surrounds me?
5. What is my relationship?
6. What's just happened before the scene starts?
7. Objective?
8. Obstacle?
9. Action?
Scene 1- The morning of Hero's wedding
It is morning, the air is hot in the middle of Messina's summer, but there is a breeze entering hero's chambers as the sun hasn't reached it's peak- the perfect setting for a wedding. I am in the bedroom of Hero, her private chambers. I am surrounded by the belongings of a young lady, a dressing table with bottles full of oils and perfumes, a hairbrush set, with the mirror in Hero's hands. A screen is draped with a veil and jewellery that will be added on to the bride to be before she enters the church. My relationship with Hero is that of a sister, comforting her before one of the biggest moments of her life. Before the scene started I had been moping in my chambers, crying into a handkerchief, not because I was said, but because I do not know how to process the feelings I am having for Benedick. My objective is to disguise my inward emotions from all present and focus on what my cousin needs me to do and be today. My obstacle is that Hero and Margaret insist on dragging the subject farther, teasing and joking which stops me from putting the matter out of my mind. My action is one I am all too comfortable with- joke and tease back until they grow tired of retaliating.
Scene 2- The wedding pt.1
Not long after the scene in Hero's bedroom, the day is warmer and the breeze has stopped as we travel through midday. I am in the church in which Hero is to be wed to Claudio. It has been tastefully decorated by the Imam and my Uncle, a collection of drapes, vines and flowers, billowing from the roof and a carpet of white velvet on which the couple stand together. The fountain is flowing and the sunlight glints of my cousins dress. My relationship is joyous- even if there are people in the room I do not like- in this moment I am happy because my cousin is. Before the scene started I was making the finishing touches to my cousin's gown, hugging her close and telling her that there was nothing to worry about, expressing my joy at how wonderful this day would be for us all. My objective is to be happy for my cousin. My obstacle is Benedick's face looming behind Claudio's shoulder which I can't help but glance at, taking my mind from the matter at hand. My action is to interact with my family as much as I can, taking pride in the company I am a part of.
Scene 3- The wedding pt.2
Question 2,3 and 4 remain the same but my relationship has changed dramatically. My cousin has been refused at the alter, humiliated and disgraced. Everyone on the other side of the church is now my enemy. The way they judge my cousin; I will not stand for it. Before this the wedding was going according to plan and then Claudio pushed my cousin away demanding my uncle to take her back. My objective is to comfort my cousin and assure her all will be fine. My obstacle is the fact that underneath it all, I am worried at what might happen and know all may not be okay. My action is to focus my mind only on making Hero feel okay, prioritising that above anything else.
Scene 4- Benedick and Beatrice pt.1
Again, question 2, 3 and 4 remain the same, but my relationship is all over the place. I am battling once again my inward and outward relationships. Although Benedick is the only one in the room, I am focused on my relationship with Hero, Claudio and Leonato, causing me to be frenzied and unpredictable in any current relationship with Benedick. My relationship with him takes a turn, becoming emotional and honest for the first time in the play. Before the scene started I stayed strong as my cousin was taken into solitude and presently took my anger out in the presence of Benedick. My objective is to get Benedick to kill Claudio. My obstacle is that Benedick happens to be Claudio's best friend. My action is to make Benedick choose- my love or Claudio's and I think I know which one is more persuasive at this moment in time.
Scene 5- Benedick and Beatrice pt.2
It is now the evening, still warm but the sun is going down, the view of which from a balcony is indeed beautiful. I am surrounded by nature: I look out to a vast landscape, a few palm trees, a trickling fountain and a couple of red cups and beer bottles litter my traditional family home. My relationship is again with Benedick, playful and calm, with an underlying note of the seriousness of the previous scene. Before this scene I was in my chambers ready to retire for the evening, but when my maid Margaret called for me, I knew who it would be waiting for me on the balcony. My objective is to discover the true findings of Benedick's encounter with Claudio. My obstacle is that Benedick's mind is less with Claudio and more with me. My action is to play to his current weakness and use it for my own gain.
Scene 6- The happily ever after
It is the next morning, the weather as fine as it always is. I am in the same church in which my cousin was first disgraced. The decorations of the first marriage have remained. My relationship is one of forgiveness, for Claudio and happiness at the resolution of all my families troubles. My relationship with Benedick takes a new literal turn as he proposes and I, in my own sarcastic way, accept his offer. Before this scene my whole family carried out the plan to reveal Hero to Claudio and see her happily wed, a plan which worked out exceptionally well. My objective is to finally give in to happiness. My obstacle is that my nature seems to want to ruin that. My action is to accept both- my wit and sarcasm can coincide with my true feelings so long as I make the effort.
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