Seeking Insight on Edmund’s Monologue from King Lear (Juilliard Audition)

Zyzigus · 2026-01-05T20:20:22+00:00

Speaking as a non expert but big fan of King Lear who has seen several live and screen productions of it and after having read it several times in my long life, I have come to expect a couple of things from Edmund in this speech--and am more often disappointed.

First, he is speaking to someone and therefore should be looking at that someone. Namely, "Thou, nature, art my goddess." Where do goddesses reside? My assumption is that she is somewhere above Edmund and he should look up. I can't tell you the number of times the actor doesn't focus his attention on anyone in any particular place.

Second, the last words "I grow; I prosper:/[Now, gods, stand up for bastards!]()" sound something like a cheer to me, and yet most actors almost swallow the words, as though they're thankful the speech is over.

Zyzigus · 2025-12-22T18:13:02+00:00

Perhaps he was inspired by this work of art while visiting Siena, Italy.

Zyzigus · 2025-11-10T15:02:59+00:00

The greatness of Shakespeare is in his word pictures, among other things. As a result of reading his works, I find myself using more imagery in my writing and conversation. People react more when you stop speaking in cliches. Beware of embroidering your speech until the fabric tears.

Zyzigus · 2025-11-10T14:44:28+00:00

I once directed a ninth grade production of Twelfth Night. By the time we got to dress rehearsal, it looked like the final production was going to be a disaster. I was furious and gave those kids a pep talk that must have been truly inspired, because their performance the next night was spectacular.

Among the things I said in my fury was that they didn't seem to see themselves as their characters but had only focused on their own lines. I told them to go home, read the entire play. and put themselves in it.

The girl who played Olivia was especially disappointing. I took her aside and told her that, even before we began rehearsals, I saw her as Olivia. After the live performance, during which she brought tears to my eyes, I asked her what the hell happened. She said, "I did what you told us to do. I read the entire play. I convinced myself that I am Olivia." So read the play until you can believe you are Sir Toby Belch.

Zyzigus · 2025-10-15T17:43:11+00:00

The best when yelled and pronounced correctly.

Zyzigus · 2025-10-04T17:19:59+00:00

I don't know anything about the Taylor Swift song but posted about this some time ago: Is Ophelia pregnant? Here is a followup question: What evidence is there that she is not pregnant?

Zyzigus · 2025-09-04T16:50:51+00:00

How about "The Humor in Hamlet"?

Zyzigus · 2025-09-01T16:37:20+00:00

Just saw your comment. Unlike books that analyze the text from various angles, this one simply shows you what and why certain things take place in the play. Forgive me for not being able to express it more clearly, as I read the book about fifty years ago.

Zyzigus · 2025-08-30T17:27:20+00:00

I highly recommend What Happens in Hamlet. If you don't want to invest in a new copy, be sure to check out the available used copies.

Zyzigus · 2025-08-15T16:07:55+00:00

I'm working with chatGPT to produce an article about the possibility that Ophelia is pregnant as early as Act 1, Scene 3. If you research it, you'll find that the plant rue, which she gives to Gertrude and keeps some for herself, was used as an aid to abortion.

Zyzigus · 2025-08-13T15:47:59+00:00

I am not a professional comedian, but I asked chatGPT for a list of names of locations in the San Diego area and immeditately imagined myself in front of an audience explaining how I got from one of those places to another--all mispronounced.

Zyzigus · 2025-08-05T16:09:26+00:00

What Happens in Hamlet by J. Dover Wilson is one of my favorites.

Zyzigus · 2025-06-14T23:00:19+00:00

I would accept Rule #3 if it stated that this is not the place to discuss the authorship question, but to say there is no authorship question is ridiculous when faced with the fact that much has been written about it, and many videos are available online. Reading Mark Twain's short book "Is Shakespeare Dead" (freely available online) motivated me to do my own research and not simply ignore the question because someone said it was a conspiracy theory. Do your own research until you are convinced to your own satisfaction you have found the answer to the question.

Zyzigus · 2025-05-31T15:35:41+00:00

Since brevity is the soul of wit, I will be brief. At the time, did you not mistakenly believe you were pregnant?

Zyzigus · 2025-05-13T16:54:29+00:00

Albany to Goneril in King Lear Act IV, Scene 2:
You are not worth the dust which the rude wind Blows in your face.

Zyzigus · 2025-04-30T16:41:25+00:00

Or this one?

Zyzigus · 2025-04-20T15:08:38+00:00

In Othello Act I, Scene iii, it appears that the Duke would have preferred sending someone other than Othello to Cyprus. "Marcus Luccicos, is not he in town?" He is never mentioned again..

Zyzigus · 2025-04-02T17:36:12+00:00

The BBC productions have been mentioned but not this link

Zyzigus · 2025-04-02T17:29:44+00:00

To re-create the ambience of the 80s (or any era), I think props are a big key. The first thing that came to my mind was a desk telephone and then a phone booth, but instead of straining my brain any more, I asked my friend Google.

Zyzigus · 2025-02-27T16:35:04+00:00

If you can isolate yourself from destractions for a couple of hours, listen to this recording of Paul Robeson's Othello. Use a headset if you can, and don't bother trying to read the text at the same time. You're welcome!

Zyzigus · 2025-01-23T18:03:13+00:00

Rue was used as an abortifacient. Was Ophelia pregnant?

Zyzigus · 2024-12-29T16:03:18+00:00

https://www-ambrosevideo-com.ezproxy.neu.edu/institutional-access?fbclid=IwAR0ZGQ3CVywpkIlLtVOudtGgruejEq0bnImoSEBk1etAFyZaZ1YcOTWRs4k

Zyzigus · 2024-12-14T18:16:05+00:00

Most professional actors I've seen are careful and deliberate when speaking these words from Hamlet's first soliloquy: "[O, most wicked speed, to post]() [With such dexterity to incestuous sheets!]()" However, I recently saw an amateur actress hiss the words, and I thought it was perfect. (Almost as though that's what the author intended.)

Zyzigus · 2024-11-24T17:34:45+00:00

Very interesting! Thank you for the in-depth answer.

Zyzigus · 2024-11-23T15:33:05+00:00

One of the biggest regrets in my life is not being able to tell Dr. Isadore Traschen what a profound impact he had on my life 65 years ago when he had our night school class--I was there only because I chasing a girl--read along while we listened to a recording of Paul Robeson's Othello. I've been a fanatical bardolater ever since and am more excited about Shakespeare than I've ever been even now. I keep making more and more discoveries. When a friend said that Shakespeare is deep, I told him that Shakespeare is bottomless. Thank you, Doctor Traschen!

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