Meditation 12 - The School For Scandal
Title/Subject: The School For Scandal
I think this is my favorite play we have read thus far this semester. I don’t think I have ever found a play so clever with it’s wordplay before. I thought Shakespeare was funny, and I laughed at The Misanthrope, but this play was ridiculously hilarious.
The exchanges between most of the characters are just absolutely outrageous. Mrs. Candour talks about how it’s not just the people who make up the gossip that are ‘bad’ people, it’s the ones who spread it – then she goes on to try and get gossip abut Surface’s brother. As soon as Snake leaves for the first time, the characters left on stage immediately begin talking about him. I’ve actually probably done this, so it’s funny and a little disconcerting to observe it from the outside. I also love the implications of a woman having sheep children – I’m not sure I get the whole joke, but I do get that someone put their foot in their mouth.
This play is simply amazing, from the way Richard Brinsley Sheridan uses the names of the characters to the ultimate revelation of the play - Lady Teazle was only pretending to have an affair because everyone else was doing it. I usually find it amusing to watch adults act like high schoolers, and this play is no exception.
posted by Anonymous @ 12:06 PM
5 Comments:
Granted, there was much wordplay in this play. But to assert that it is the play you have found the most amount of wordplay in it means you weren't looking hard enough in the Shakespeare. Maybe citing a few of the instances where the wordplay happens and comparing it to what you find in other plays can help strengthen your arguement. Perhaps a better postulate would be that you have not found a play where the wordplay was more prevelant and accessible.
I think the best part about this whole time spent on this play would be the question you asked about the sheep children. Made class so entertaining and unique.
I think everyone has talked about other people, especially after spending time with them and they walk away, as you said. I think the greatest thing to do is to walk away from a group, but hide somewhere close to hear what they say about you. I figure I might as well know what they are saying about me if they don’t have enough courage to tell me to my face.
I also thought this play was absolutely hilarious. My favorite part was the scene in which Lady Teazle is hiding behind the screen and Sir Peter is hiding in the closet and they poke their heads out back and forth, yet never know the other person is there. Very clever, very slap stick, and at the same time, very High School, as you said. The characters are acting like people do in today’s society, which I believe is why we find it so funny. Because we do this as well!
I liked the character Mrs. Candour too. It was funny how she talked bad about someone and then right away went and said something that she did not even know was true. How many people do we know that are exactly like that. I know i can name several adults and kids form my high school that were like that. I also know that everyone has done this at some point so we can all relate. I think that is what makes this play so interesting and intertaining.
This comment has been removed by the author.
I completely agree with you - this play is probably one of my favorites as well. Like I wrote in my meditation, I think that some of the humor of this play is a direct result of the absurd situations. Everyone seems to be scandalous, lying hypocrites! I believe that it is the absurd excessiveness of which these characters back-stab one another coupled with the witty language that makes me laugh. However, I would not say that the lies and deceit alone make this play funny. The word-plays and quick retorts of the characters help lighten the mood as well.
Post a Comment
<< Home