So why lie in the first place? Well, humans lie because it is easy but for the most part they are trying to project an image about themselves so that other people accept them. This is how Sartre ties in that Hell is other people; because of others people ideas about, humans become too wrapped up in the image rather than the authentic self. l, lies occur because it is more difficult to face the truth than a lie- people hide their true selves, like the characters.

When does one face the authentic self? Well, when all the distractions are removed, like in Hell. In Hell the characters are forced to recognize  (share) their past, knowing that they cannot do anything to change it, but nevertheless,  chas to face their lies and the image they have presented to other people (which entirely false and is believed by the  characters to be a true representation of the self).

Guess again, the authentic self can only be faced when all the evil is gone- this involves people. But in “No Exit” the characetrs are not going away; therefore they are forced to performe their moral duty towards the good by correcting their sin (original sin).

In short: the play was an excellent showing of Sartre’s philosophy which is viewed as dark and full of death, but in actuality he provides a solution for humans- trust. Trust that you will make the right decision and evil will not push the authentic self away from the individual, which by the way equals existence. So, I made the good choice in going to the play, did you, because you true self depended on it!!!!

What can one to do to correct their original sin you might ask? Well, practice practice practice. Until good choices can be made without having thought involved then evil will still exist. What is so bad about evil anyway? Well, it distracts humans away from their authentic sleves- which they cannot face but rather cover with lies, exactly what the three main characters do in “No Exit”.

Anthology: Play Introduction

• From the beginning of his [John Gay] writing shows an attention to rank and socio-culture modes and mores
• Reversal of high and low- divided into social categories of power, wealth, and gender
• Satirizes self-interest and profiteering social order- capitalism
• All-too-human sentiments and behavior that we all share

First: Names

• P. 806- Names reflect character (class/profession/behavior)
  • Reversal- Player and the Beggar

Second: Men

• Mr. Peachum- pawn shop owner, accountant- compares himself with lawyers
  • “A lawyer is an honest employment, so is mine. Like me too he acts in a double capacity, both against rouges and for ‘em, for ‘tis fitting that we should protect and encourage cheats, since we live by them” (p. 807)
• Cheats [again reflecting their position and profession] (p. 808)- Crook-fingered Jack; Slippery Sam; Robin of Bagshot; Bob Booty; Bluf Bob; Tom Tipple (quzzling, soaking sot)
• But…Act II, Scene i. A tavern near Newgate. gang at table with wine, brandy, and tobacco. They question “Are we more dishonest than the rest of mankind?” (p.819).
• No they actually appear better. Scene ii, MacHeath- “I have a fixed confidence, gentlemen, in you all as men of honor, and as such I value and respect you” (p. 820)

Third: Women

• Mrs. Peachum’s involvement with the business
  • With Flinch- very aggressive with him- forces him to tell her about Polly- “You shall go with me into my room and tell me the whole story” (p.809)
• Diana Traps business like qualities in Act III, Scene vi (p.837) about cloths as Maren mentioned
• Act II, Scene iv (all the women of the town p.821/2)
  • slut; amorous as ever; hussy; charming mistresses; drunk; prim and demure; prude; mischievous heart; hypocrite; careless…
  • When MacHeath is caught: Scene v- “Women are decoy ducks. Who can trust them? Beasts, jades, jilts, harpies, furies, whores!” (p…}

• However, Scene vi- women are involved in their business
  • with Vixen and Jenny- “Look ye, Mrs. Jenny, though Mr. Peachum may have made a private bargain with you and Suky Tawdry for betraying the captain, as we were all assisting, we ought all to share alike”
  • Jenny- “As for as a bowl of punch or a treat, I believe Mrs. Suky will join with me. As for anything else, ladies, you cannot  in conscience expect it!”

Forth: Jail- if you have the money honey

• Mr. Lockit- “We have them of all prices, from one guinea to ten” (p.825)
  • Macheath- “I understand you, sir. Gives money. The fees here are so many and so exorbitant that few fortunes can bar the expense of getting off handsomely or of dying like a gentleman” (p.825)

Fifth: Hanging

• MacHeath- “I am ordered immediate execution” Exits jail guarded (p.845)
  • Beggar- “Let the prisoner be brought back to his wives in triumph” (p.845)

But think of this maxim, put off your sorrow:/ The wretch of today may be happy tomorrow” (p.846)

John Gray’s The Beggar’s Opera (1728)

Meeting Information:

When- Thursday 11:00am-1:00pm

Where- WCL Room 223

Please have play read and prepared ideas to discuss strategies.

Although the characters behavior, again, was predictable, there was more substance I found because all had an important part in the play. It did appear that there was an equal stage time for the genders, which both shared similar, if not, the same problems and situations.

Another surprising theme for me was the actual violence including the ‘rapes’ in the play. When the introduction mentioned these I was not impressed at all, but I did state in other posts that the lack of action was basically annoying. So it was fun reading about the fights. The rapes I am still not too sure of, especially the last one, I think I should read it over again. I am missing something. But I think the action in the play was needed, and possibly a better play because the other plays did not have action.

In the beginning I found the play to be very “play like” in respect to its form of speaking to each other as characters and to the audience; however, I noticed, or maybe just my imagination, that later in the play it looked as if the play and characters were developing at the same time. I picked this notion up particularly on page 257, I noted that there was a sudden shift from a speaking form to a more speech like formation in the play. The style seemed more refined and elegant almost because I imagined the characters as being serous and I liked this. I am not a fan of the nonsense that occurs in the play, this one nor the one pervious, but I felt that maybe because the play was complete that possibly the characters themselves were complete.

But again, I am not good at interrupting plays from the eighteenth century. Just a few thoughts.

If I can understand how the audience reacted in the Eightenth Centrury I might be able to get more out of the plays.

am, [if you are wondering Willliams name is now Jeta]

Is it just me or does this sound like the last play, Marriage A La Mode? What strikes me the most is the references to the “orange wenches at the playhouse” plus every one and everything has the “pox”. And a question- everyone in the town knows each other because they have all slept together and now Mr. Pinchwife wants to keep his wife out of site the twons people so she does not get to know the community memebrs9 he he, that is a joke). 
If I could guess what happens Mr. Horner will like and possibly do more than that if he has the chance, I bet, Mrs. Pinchwife (she seems a little out going). Plus it would be funny if he changed his morals for a women whom he should hate, like the rest of them.  Prediction first made page 100.

This ‘understands the town’ must be important not just for sexual content but possibly for satirical gestures towards the higher class because of the sexual nature included with the position (he he, another joke).

I am having troubles determining if Mrs. Pinchwife really does want to meet other men or if she is just arousing her husband, I would not put it past her or another man who she will come in contact with but I guess I am a little confused.  Because it is interesting when her husband actually tells her that a man is attracted to he: “I tell you then that one of-the lewdest fellows in Town, who saw you there, told me he was in love with you.” Why would do this? Could he possibly trust her with this information- I am willing to bet no.

Anyway, good enough for now. I must find a new name for my bunny- formally known as William Shakespeare. Why formally- he is not a he but a she.

Marriage A La Mode: False Fires of a Fantastic Glory

In short: a)predictable plot and characters, b) play on words for sexual excitement, c) usual play formation with no surprises from beginning to the conclusion, d) satirical mockery of the private lives of the rich [economic separation], e) unique language structure around the characters and their personalities [importance of speech], probably so many other aspects but this is enough for now.

a) predictable plot and characters: The plot is not original but maybe it was during the Seventeenth Century. However, since it is a comedy audiences would have been laughing at the characters who were performing common behavior- sexual, devious, self deserving and, oh yes, acting to ones duty. These attributes are normal to anyone really and therefore, the contents of plot is not difficult. It would have had to been predictable for people to laugh without paying great attention to every detail.
As for the characters the men act like men and the women, well act like men too. What is interesting is how Dryden represents the women as having men qualities, such as action (the fact they do, dress like men, and say things, a lot of things) and lust (well, speaks for its self). The main female characters are humorously chaste yet under neither it all, they are just as self deserving as the men for gain/game of some sort. What I think is smart is the fact that Dryden uses “mature” adult figures so represent the hysterical lives of the rich (later discussed further down) and uses the younger couple originally from the pastoral world outside of the rich realm to represent real love in the end. Does he not?

b) play on words for sexual excitement: I could just rewrite the whole play but I wont. I am sure we have lots of favorite examples. One that stands out is when Palamede and Rhodophil are speaking about how the masquerade was established, interesting because it is like he confesses to her and tries to make it seem that is okay to do what men do, and then she tries to make it like women are always in it for love. Ha Ha! I just find it funny.

Rhodophil: I believe it was invented first by some jealous lover to discover the haunts of his jilting mistress or perhaps by some distressed servant to gain an opportunity with a jealous man’s wife.

Palamede: No, it must be the invention of a women: it has so much subtlety and love in it.

c) usual play formation with no surprises from beginning to the conclusion: I do not know about anyone else but nothing surprised me other than nothing happened. Kind of a disappointment. I think the audience would have enjoyed a little action.

d) satirical mockery of the private lives of the rich [economic separation]: The private lives of the rich and famous are now exposed to be laughed and mocked at by everyone. Who would not see this play? It is always nice to see that “they” the people we work for and hand all our money to are just dirty like us “lower ground dwellers”. Ironic that the sane characters in the play are the servants who actually use rational to herd the cattle. I mean the people they are loyal to.

e) unique language structure around the characters and their personalities [importance of speech]: This is were it would have been really handy to know French. Wow, I will admit, I think I lost a lot of meaning throughout the play because I was to lazy to look up the words. So I know it is important because Dryden uses the distinction of language throughout the play but I think I will wait to see if anyone brings it up in class.

So there are just a few thoughts. I guess I am more concerned about the gender roles and how they are similarly represented yet the traditional gender roles still apply. Weird, but I think I will read Alan’s blog to find out.

Thanks.
am

I will admit that this class will be a difficult one for me personally. Sometimes students leave one particular course for the very end well, Restoration Drama is it for me. However, I get to do something new, read what other students are thinking and sharing, and learn from the whole experience. But since I am new at this I will take any advice I can get, so feel free to give comments (especially spelling and my terrible syntax). Just do not throw by blog against a wall please. I am trying.

am