Harrison Drama Banquet 2009

Last night was the annual drama banquet at Harrison, and I probably wouldn't have written anything except something adorable did happen. We have two students who have been with us for three years (in the bast we've only had kids for two) that gave us hand crafted scupltures of the drama faces. Jesse Bell and Anna Zerby both put so much thought into this gift that I was touched, more so than usual. The back of the scultures have inscriptions, they read:
Mr. Caverly, you have been a father figure to us.
It has been an honor to work with you.
Ms. Shores, you have helped us through the toughest times,
without you the show would not go on.
The base of the scupltures are curved and fit together like a puzzle. Jesse announced to the audience that this was like putting Mr. Cavery's and Ms. Shores' talents together to work for drama. He also made the connection between tragedy and comedy and how the two are needed. I enjoyed watching him share his thoughts. There's nothing like a well thought out gift that of course have more than one meaning. I think this appealed to the Shakespearean fanatic in me, which would also fit the scenario. All in all, it was a good night.

Proverbs 31 Mother: My mom!

Dear Mom,
If you could see a copy of my college Shakespeare's Complete Works, you'd see that Shakespeare wrote several sonnets about mothers and daughters. Rebekah and I used to sit up reading these sonnets and having lovely conversations about the language. Later, Holly and I would talk on the phone and have some of the same conversations.
Sonnet #3
Look in thy glass and tell the face thou viewest,
Now is the time that face should form another,
Whose fresh repair if now thou not renewest,
Thou dost beguile the world, unbless some mother.
For where is she so fair whose uneared womb
Disdains the tillage of thy husbandry?
Or who is he so fond will be the tomb,
Of his self-love to stop posterity?

Thou art thy mother's glass and she in thee
Calls back the lovely April of her prime,

So thou through windows of thine age shalt see,
Despite of wrinkles this thy golden time.
But if thou live remembered not to be,
Die single and thine image dies with thee.

So, Mom I wanted you to remember the story I have told you for a few years now about your hands. When I look at my hands I am instantly comforted by the hands that I remember as yours. Your image will not die with thee, and more importantly than the image of your face is the image of your heart that you have left with your daughters.

Love,
Heather

Great Quotes from Shakespeare's Othello

This play was one of the first I studied in college. Eric and I were dating as I was studying this play and I often thought of our love while reading the lines. Shakespeare was a master of irony, hidden meanings and double meanings; they must be in every other line of his plays. How ironic it is to think then of this being my favored play during Eric's time. Listen to these lines, they are startling and beautiful at the same time.

The most noble lines in the play:
Othello:
She loved me for the dangers I had pass'd,
And I lov'd her that she did pity them.
This only is the witchcraft I have us'd.
Here comes the lady; let her witness it.A daughter honors her father:
Father: Do you perceive in all this noble company
Where most you owe obedience?

Desdemona:
My noble father,
I do perceive here a divided duty:
To you I am bound for life and education;
My life and education both do learn me
How to respect you; you are the lord of duty;
I am hitherto your daughter. But here's my husdand;
And so much duty as my mother show'd
To you, preferring you before her father,
So much I challenge that I may profess
Due to the Moor, my lord.

When I read these lines for the first time, I was filled with such love for Dad that I often read them and cried tears of joy that I had a father who had taught me so much.These lines are precious to my heart, but more so are the man in my life they represent: Dad.

The irony of course is that Eric did tell me he no longer loved me, just as Othello does to Desdemona. Othello was a good man who let evil people and ideas rule his heart. Eric, I believe, was a good man who let the same happen.
Here are some other lines to celebrate from Othello:

Iago:
I'll pour this pestilence into his ear--
And out of her own goodness make the net
that shall enmesh them all.
Othello:
But I do love thee! and when I love thee not,
Chaos is come again;
Iago:
O, beware, my lord, of jealousy!
It is the greeney'd monster which doth mock
the meat it feeds on.

Iago:
The Moor already changes with my poison.


Othello:
All my fond love thus do I blow to heaven.
Tis gone
Arise black vengence, from the hollow hell
Yeild up, O love, thy crown and hearted throne
to tyrannous hate!
Desdemona:
And have you mercy too! I never did
offend you in my life

As my unit comes to an end, I see that the kids did get into the story a little. I say a little because I am comparing it to their excitement for Romeo and Juliet. I have managed to keep them in suspense, even though some already know everyone will die. It has been a wild ride with these kids-- to see their eyes open to this literature is so exciting! I think, though, next year I will try a different play. What do you think of King Lear?