For Monday: Sheridan
Answer TWO of the
following...
Q1: Restoration theater
and 18th-century comedy typically employed names that represented the
characters’ true personalities. How do some of the characters’ names function
in this “inside” way with the audience? Related to this, are the “good”
characters the ones with non-allegorical names?
Q2: Our previous
literature typically had one woman surrounded by a sea of men (Cleopatra, the
Wife of Bath, Alison, etc.): this is the first work that shows women among other
women in English society. How does Sheridan
Q3: Why does Sir Oliver
distrust the accounts of his nephews Joseph and Charles? Why is he more
inclined to trust the servant, Rowley, than his old friend, Sir Peter? Related
to this, what is his general view of reputation and society?
Q4: Plays like The
School for Scandal are the forbearers of the modern-day sitcom with their
punch lines and stock characters/situations. Where do we see familiar comic
situations or jokes in this play that could still be used today? Or, where do
we see modern characters beneath the wigs and petticoats of these 18th-century
ancestors?
Q1: Sir Peter Teazle and Lady Teazle's names can be transcribed to a familiar term that we use, tease —a person who teases or annoys. This representative trait is evident in the way the two interact with one another. Lady Teazle is annoyed by her husband while he feels closest to her through their many arguments. Lady Teazle's "annoying" personality is presented at the beginning of Act II, Scene I, "…I ought to have my own way in everything, and what's more, I will, too" (13). On the other hand, at the end of Act II, Scene I, Sir Peter expresses "…yet, with what a charming air she contradicts everything I say, and how pleasingly she shows her contempt for my authority…There is great satisfaction on quarreling with her" (15).
ReplyDeleteJoseph Surface tends to represent his surname quite well in expressing himself solely on how his surface persona appears to be not only to himself but also to other characters' viewpoints. His responses include: "Ah! Mrs. Candour, if everybody had your forbearance and good-nature!" (6) and "Doubtless ma'am—a very great one" (7).
Snake is characterized through Joseph Surface's oration, "Lady Sneerwell, I am very sorry you have to put any further confidence on that fellow…I have lately detected him in frequent conference with old Rowley, who was formerly my father's steward, and has never, you know, been a friend of mine." (4). Joseph's characterization of Snake creates a duplicity in Snake's persona, therefore exemplifying his function in the play.
Q3: Sir Oliver and Rowley have a deeper past regarding Sir Oliver's father. They were both under the rule of a good ole master, be it the son or the servant, and were confident in each other before the nephews came along. Sir Oliver has a moderate view of society that is both fair and just. "Aye I know there are a set of malicious, prating, prudent gossips, both male and female, who murder characters to kill time; and will rob a young fellow of his good name, before he has years to know the value of it." (22). This quote shows Sir Oliver's un partiality and unbiased opinion in judging his nephews versus society.
Great responses: the names are a kind of inside joke for the audience, who can examine their true face/motives behind their on-stage personas. Lady Teazle has been taught in society to "tease" her husband to get her will (much like the Wife of Bath, actually), and her husband is horrified but powerless to stop it--and so plays along with the marriage farce. The question is, can any man and wife be truly companions, or do they have to play an age-old comedy for the upper hand?
DeleteQ2: The females in the upper classes are simply self driven. They desire to get what they want and when they want it. If they are taken from these privileges, they make it known. They do not believe anyone ever owns them, hence the conversation between Lady Teazle and Sir Peter in Act II Scene I. With the conversation among the women, they are mainly a bunch of gossips who try to one up one another with who has the best information or kept secret. It's intriguing really, to hear the women banter on about nonsense that the men really only listen to so they are able to receive attention from the women.
ReplyDeleteQ3: Sir Oliver does not believe that Joseph is as innocent as he seems. He believes that a man at his age must be a little rebellious, like Charles, and he is very disagreeable on the conversation that is going on about Charles' behavior as well. He believes everyone is getting too into the lives of his nephews and that every story they say is not entirely true.
Jessica Johnson
Yes, Sir Oliver knows that if everyone says good things about someone, that's suspect; it means they're not jealous of him/her, and want nothing from him/her. Those who are the most talked about are the ones people are jealous of and what to destroy for their own gain. The women of this sphere are always plotting to destroy one another and using whatever gossip at their disposal to do so.
DeleteQ1: I noticed a connection between many of the characters' names and their personalities right away. Snake's opening dialogue, for example, describes his underhanded and manipulative ways; he and Lady Sneerwell are discussing the paragraphs he has written "in a feigned hand, there can be no suspicion whence they came" (1.1.1). He acts very much like a snake in this scene - slithering about to help Lady Sneerwell carry out her plot. Mrs. Candour's name connects with "candor" (honesty; frankness); her name, however, is a bit deceiving. She is described by Maria as one "who does more mischief than the direct malice of old Crabtree" (1.1.5). Her reputation as a gossip befits her well.
ReplyDeleteQ4: One of the funnier passages I found was in Act 2, Scene 1. Mrs. Candour strikes up a conversation about Miss Vermillion's appearance (surprise). Lady Sneerwell and Mrs. Candour say she is a pretty woman with fresh color; Lady Teazle retorts "yes, when it is fresh put on" (2.1.17). Mrs. Candour fires back, saying her complexion must be natural because she has seen it come and go. Lady Teazle hilariously points out "it not only comes and goes, but what's more - egad, her maid can fetch and carry it" (2.1.17). The sarcastic, comical tone of this conversation continues as the group discusses other women who wear too much makeup. I could picture them all laughing and sneering at one another's puns as I read through this passage.
Yes, this is a great passage, and notice that they're discussing someone "composing" their face--a persona (mask) that is worn in society. Of course, the irony is that they're all wearing artificial faces, each one concealing their true character and motives. They're wearing too much literal and metaphorical makeup!
ReplyDelete