This is a wonderful scene, very funny in a schadenfreude kind of way. Menenius is in rare form.
Have y’all been looking at the tag cloud as we’ve progressed? I think it’s been a valuable analytical tool: look at how big Menenius is compared to Aufidius. Of course, that just means more scenes, not more weight, but it’s interesting nonetheless.
Yes, I certainly noticed that. The idea of me being Menenius was inspired by his speech in the first scene. As the play progressed and I realized the enormity of his role – well let’s just say I think it is out of my range physically.
I will be particularly interested to see how the playing of Menenius develops as we continue rehearsal. I think this scene lends itself to several different approaches from him and will be interested to see which one prevails.
I think Sicinius may be one of the more challenging characters in this scene. It would be entirely to simple to leave his arc here as confident–>frightened. He is a seasoned politician, and as such, has probably been wrong about something before. The really good ones are a)not overly alarmed by such a development and b)always looking for the best political out. As I think Shrek (or was it Donkey?) put it, he’s got layers.
Only Menenius has recourse to irony throughout the play, but we also get to see events take their toll, even on someone as adept at the game as he is.
This is a wonderful scene, very funny in a schadenfreude kind of way. Menenius is in rare form.
Have y’all been looking at the tag cloud as we’ve progressed? I think it’s been a valuable analytical tool: look at how big Menenius is compared to Aufidius. Of course, that just means more scenes, not more weight, but it’s interesting nonetheless.
Yes, I certainly noticed that. The idea of me being Menenius was inspired by his speech in the first scene. As the play progressed and I realized the enormity of his role – well let’s just say I think it is out of my range physically.
I will be particularly interested to see how the playing of Menenius develops as we continue rehearsal. I think this scene lends itself to several different approaches from him and will be interested to see which one prevails.
I think Sicinius may be one of the more challenging characters in this scene. It would be entirely to simple to leave his arc here as confident–>frightened. He is a seasoned politician, and as such, has probably been wrong about something before. The really good ones are a)not overly alarmed by such a development and b)always looking for the best political out. As I think Shrek (or was it Donkey?) put it, he’s got layers.
Only Menenius has recourse to irony throughout the play, but we also get to see events take their toll, even on someone as adept at the game as he is.