Merely awry: when he did love his country,

It honour’d him.

-Junius Brutus

Coriolanus                      Act III, scene i, line 304

 

The crowd, led by the two tribunes Sicinius Veletus and Junius Brutus, is calling for the head of Caius Marcius Coriolanus. Menenius Agrippa, the voice of reason, is trying to calm the crowds by telling them that Coriolanus fought and bled to defend Rome and that if he were now to be killed by Romans it would be a mark of dishonour against Rome that would last to the end of the world. Sicinius says that’s absolutely wrong, and Junius follows him up with Today’s Totally Random Line.

I guess I now realize why this play is not taught in high schools: the representation of Sicinius and Junius is so like today’s politicians that it would not be allowed.

Quel dommage.

The summer growth, the patio furniture, and a migrating flamingo have taken over quite a bit of the view outside my cellar office window. Thinking about the state of our nation's politics and realizing that this sorry state hasn't changed in centuries (and probably never will- it's part of the human condition) is a bit depressing. So I'm posting a pic that's got nothing to do with that. Can you blame me?

 

 

It is not for prisoners to be too silent in their words; and therefore I will say nothing:

 

-Costard

Love’s Labour’s Lost            Act I, scene ii, line 155

 

Costard seems to be contradicting himself in this sentence, doesn’t he? He is told he’s going to prison, and he says Well, if ever I do see the merry days of desolation that I have seen, some shall see--. Moth interrupts with What shall some see?, and Costard replies with Today’s Totally Random Line(s).

 

Nay, nothing Master Moth, but what they look upon. It is not for prisoners to be too silent in their words; and therefore I will say nothing: I thank God I have as little patience as another man; and therefore I can be quiet.

 

So, what exactly is Costard saying? It seems to be a whole lot of contradiction, doesn’t it? Every piece of this seems to be a self-contained contradiction: They won’t see anything but what they see; It’s not for me to say nothing, so I’ll say nothing; I have little patience, so I can exercise patience and be quiet. What the heck?

This whole scene, most of it dominated by Armado and Moth, is a lot of wordplay. Will loves wordplay, especially in his comedies. And this is, of course, a comedy.

So Costard gets led away by Moth to confinement directly after speaking these lines, and Armado finishes the scene talking to himself about the country wench that he is in love with.

But, what’s it all mean Basil? I think that’s up to you.

This is Veronica Roodt. I was going to say that this picture is completely irrelevant, but now that I think about it:

Veronica's mere presence, at the time and place that we met her, seemed to be a contradiction in and of itself. And today's line is all about contradictions, isn't it?

 

[to Gaunt] O thou, the earthly author of my blood,-

Whose youthful spirit, in me regenerate,

Doth with a twofold vigor lift me up

To reach at victory above my head,-

Add proof unto mine armour with thy prayers;

And with thy blessings steel my lance’s point,

That it may enter Mowbray’s waxen coat,

And furbish new the name of John o’ Gaunt,

Even in the lusty haviour of his son.

 

 -Henry Bolingbroke

King Richard the Second       Act I, scene iii, line 70

 

This is son addressing father. Bolingbroke is about to fight Mowbray and he’s asking his father, John of Gaunt, … well you can plainly see what he's asking his father.

I really like the first line, the earthly author of my blood. It’s a really interesting use of all three words: earthly, author, and blood, and a way to describe a father that's quite unique.

 

 

We have received your letters full of love;

-Princess

Love’s Labour’s Lost      Act V, Scene ii, Line 770

Yes, that’s right: line 770. It’s a fairly long scene. But it’s the last scene of the play so Will is tying up all the loose ends. Anyway, it’s a nice line to start the month on. We have received your letters full of love. I mean, at least on the surface, without delving into it, it seems like a nice sentiment. Right? I think I’m just going to leave it at that for the first day of the month.

Very random pic today.

 

Thou shalt have cause to fear before I leave thee.

-Walter Whitmore

King Henry the Sixth Part II      Act IV, Scene i, Line 118

So says Walter Whitmore to the Duke of Suffolk. And he’s right, because before the end of the scene he leaves and re-enters with Suffolk’s lifeless body. Simple as that.

It’s a little bit funny that this guy has a first and last name. He’s just one step above an anonymous henchman, and yet he’s got a full name. Walter Whitmore. Hmmm.

 

Here's a pic of a different Walter, a fellow I worked with. His name was Walter Frankenburger. Walt was a good guy, and he certainly never threatened me like Walter Whitmore apparently would have.

 

 

I am a rogue, if I were not at half-sword with a dozen of them two hours together. I have scaped by miracle. I am eight times thrust through the doublet, four through the hose; my buckler cut through and through; my sword hackt like a handsaw, --ecce signum!

-Sir John Falstaff

King Henry the Fourth Part I      Act II, Scene iv, Line 170

This is the beginning of Falstaff’s version of what happened during the robbery. Of course, it’s all rubbish, and Hal knows it’s rubbish, but Falstaff does not yet know that Hal knows. Ecce signum means (according to my notes) hold the sign. I’m not sure that Falstaff isn’t just using it as an exclamation.

Ecce signum!

Okay, they're not holding the sign, they're standing on either side of it. Just the same, remember, L'otters are not afraid!

 

Faith, that was not so well, yet would I knew

That stroke would prove the worst!

-Iago

Othello                    Act IV, Scene i, Line 273

Iago is working his evil magic on Lodovico, an uncle of Desdemona. They’ve witnessed Othello slap his wife and then storm off. Lodivico is now questioning the suitability of Othello to be the military leader. What, strike his wife!, he says, and Iago replies with today’s Totally Random line.

I was reading other parts of this scene to get some better context and I came across another line worth looking at. Lodovico remarks to Othello that Desdemona is weeping. He replies,

If that the earth could teem with woman’s tears,

Each drop she falls would prove a crocodile.

I didn’t know that Will was responsible for the term crocodile tears. Did you?

Well, I'm glad I saw that line, because it makes sense. There's no way this eye is going to be crying any tears.