The passage listed below and perform a close reading that demonstrates not only your understanding of the text, but what it reveals to you about how to interpret the exchange on stage.
Take the skills that you have acquired through close reading Wedding Band and apply them to the Shakespearean language. Pay attention to elements of the language: word choice, dynamics (when does the text indicate increase in speed, pauses, etc.), sounds (kinds of consonants and vowels), and whether it is prose or verse – and if verse, what kind (and why does the distinction matter). How does a word, a sound, a phrase propel the action? What do the words reveal? What do they hide?
Make sure to look up words/ phrases/ references to get their full, historical meanings. Do research beyond the given textual notes, if appropriate.
Feel free to look at clips from various productions for performance ideas, but do not copy them directly. As long as you stay true and close to the text, this is an opportunity to display creativity in revealing subtext and possible stagings.
PASSAGE:
SEBASTIAN
This is the air; that is the glorious sun,
This pearl she gave me, I do feel’t and see ‘t.
And though ’tis wonder that enwraps me thus,
Yet ’tis not madness. Where’s Antonio, then?
I could not find him at the Elephant,
Yet there he was; and there I found this credit,
That he did range the town to seek me out.
His counsel now might do me golden service,
For though my soul disputes well with my sense
That this may be some error, but no madness,
Yet doth this accident and flood of fortune
So far exceed all instance, all discourse,
That I am ready to distrust mine eyes
And wrangle with my reason that persuades me
To any other trust but that I am mad–
Or else the lady’s mad. Yet if ’twere so,
She could not sway her house, command her followers,
Take and give back affairs and their dispatch
With such a smooth, discreet, and stable bearing
As I perceive she does. There’s something in’t
That is deceivable. But here the lady comes.
