Sebastian’s thoughts and emotions, as well as the dynamics of the language used

by | Oct 21, 2023 | art

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.

Sample solution

Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.


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God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

Sample Answer

Sample Answer

In this passage from Shakespeare’s play “Twelfth Night,” Sebastian reflects on his current situation and the events that have led him to where he is. Through close reading, we can gain insight into Sebastian’s thoughts and emotions, as well as the dynamics of the language used.

Word Choice: Sebastian begins by describing his surroundings, stating “This is the air; that is the glorious sun.” The use of the word “glorious” suggests a sense of awe and wonder, emphasizing the beauty of the world around him. He then mentions a pearl given to him by a lady, indicating its significance and value. The word “credit” is used to describe the information he received about Antonio’s actions, suggesting trust and reliability.

Dynamics: The text indicates an increase in speed when Sebastian exclaims, “Yet ‘tis not madness.” This shows his urgency to make sense of his current situation and assert his sanity. He then questions the whereabouts of Antonio, which slows down the pace, reflecting his confusion and uncertainty.

Sounds: The passage contains a variety of consonant and vowel sounds, such as the repetition of the “s” sound in “sense” and “reason,” creating a smooth and flowing effect. The use of alliteration in phrases like “this may be some error” adds emphasis and rhythm to the text.

Prose or Verse: This passage is written in verse, specifically blank verse. The use of verse in this moment elevates Sebastian’s speech, giving it a more poetic and introspective quality. This distinction matters because it highlights the significance of Sebastian’s thoughts and adds to the overall dramatic effect.

Propelling the Action: Sebastian’s words reveal his internal conflict between his senses and his soul. He acknowledges that there may be some error or madness at play, but also recognizes the overwhelming evidence in front of him. This internal struggle propels the action by creating tension and anticipation for what Sebastian will do next.

Revealing and Hiding: Sebastian’s words reveal his doubts about his own sanity and the lady he has encountered. He questions whether she could truly be in control of her household and affairs if she were mad. However, he also hides his true feelings and suspicions, keeping them to himself until he has more certainty.

Through close reading, we gain a deeper understanding of Sebastian’s character and his thoughts in this moment. The language used helps to convey his emotions, uncertainties, and internal conflicts. By analyzing word choice, dynamics, sounds, and the distinction between prose and verse, we can uncover the hidden layers of meaning within the text.

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