It has been an age since I last read a book. Tis a crime, one could say. In my defence, I could only muster – there was no time ?
There was something which I have to forget, a sad turn of events. I decided that I should go thru my sparse collection of books, to find something to turn my thoughts towards happier ones. At the very least a story with a happy ending. It was then that I came across “Shakespeare in Love”. Oh ... I have forgotten that I have this book.
But it turns out ... there is no happy ending to this story! There is comedy, love and sadness. Not all at once though.
Nevertheless, here is a story about Master Shakespeare, taken from the screenplay of Shakespeare in Love, the movie.
It is the summer of 1593, and the rising young star of London’s theatre scene, Will Shakespeare, is writhing on the grip of writer’s block, desperate for inspiration. The great Elizabethan age of entertainment unfolds around him, but Will just can’t seem to work up any enthusiasm for his latest play, “Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate’s Daughter”.
A young man walks in and auditions for the part of Romeo.
Will: Your name ?
Young man: Thomas Kent. I would like to do a speech by a writer who commands the heart of every player.
What light is light if Silvia be not seen?
What joy is joy, if Silvia be not by?
Unless it be to think that she is by
And feed upon the shadow of perfection
Except I be by Silvia in the night
There is no music in the nightingale
Unless I look on Silvia in the day
There is no day for me to look upon
Will is captivated. He has found his “Romeo”. Unknown to him, “Romeo” is actually Viola, a young beautiful woman who wishes for a life on the stage.
Later, Will is at the house of Thomas Kent, searching for this actor. He sees Viola in the crowd.
He is entranced and follows her into the dance.
Viola: Good sir ?
Will has lost his tongue.
Viola: I heard you are a poet.
Will nods in this trance and she smiles at him.
Viola: But a poet of no words ?
Will is then pulled aside by Lord Wessex, who has noticed Will’s attention on Viola, his intended bride. Will makes his escape from Lord Wessex’s dagger.
Later that night, he is in the garden. He approaches Viola’s balcony.
Will: My lady ! (in a whisper)
Will: Will Shakespeare !
Viola: Master Shakespeare ?
Will: The same, alas.
Viola: Oh but why “alas” ?
Will: A lowly player
Viola: Alas indeed. I thought you the highest poet of my esteem and a writer of plays that captures my heart
Will: Oh - I am him too !
***
Viola, is on stage, in rehearsal as “Romeo”
The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars
As daylight doth a lamp. Her eyes in heaven
Would through the airy region stream so bright
That birds would sing and think it were not night
See how she leans her cheek upon her hand
O that I were a glove upon that hand
That I might touch that cheek
***
Viola is writing to Will
Master Will, poet dearest to my heart. I beseech you, banish me from yours. I am to marry Lord Wessex – a daughter’s duty ...
She sheds a romantic, unhappy tear.
***
Many scenes later, the wedding between Viola and Lord Wessex has just taken place. Viola bids farewell to Will, just before her impending voyage to America, her new home.
Will: (heartbroken, testing her name) My lady Wessex ?
Viola nods, heartbroken too.
Will: I have hurt you and I am sorry for it.
Viola: If my hurt is that you will write no more, then I shall be the sorrier.
Will looks at her.
Viola: The Queen commands a comedy, Will, for Twelfth Night.
Will: (harshly) A comedy ! What will my hero be but the saddest wretch in the kingdom, sick with love?
Viola: An excellent beginning ... Let him be a duke. And your heroine ?
Will: (bitterly) Sold in marriage and half way to America
Viola: (adjusting) At sea, then – a voyage to a new world? She lands upon a vast and empty shore. She is brought to the duke ... Orsino
Will: (despite himself): Orsino – good name
Viola: But all ends well.
Will: How does it?
Viola: I don’t know. It’s a mystery.
Will: You will never age for me, nor fade, nor die.
Viola: Nor you for me.
Will: Good bye, my love, a thousand times good bye.
Viola: Write me well.
She turns and runs from him. Will watches as she goes.
Will is seated at his desk. He is writing a new play.
My story starts at sea. A perilous voyage to an unknown land. A shipwreck. The wild waters roar and heave. The brave vessel is dashed all to pieces, and all the helpless souls within her drowned ... all save one ... a lady ... whose soul is greater than the ocean. And her spirit stronger than the sea’s embrace. Not for her a watery end but a new life beginning on a stranger shore.
It will be a love story, for she will be my heroine for all time. And her name will be ... Viola.
THE END
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