Please activate JavaScript!
Please install Adobe Flash Player, click here for download

Spektrum Shake-speare

Schule und Unterricht 125 class. It was practically impossible for him to live outside it; to become an outcast, as a consequence, meant to be socially dead. The Earl of Oxford was honest and hated all empty ceremonies. That is why he sums up his state of mind in Sonnet 121 by saying. «I am that I am.» An unwritten code of behaviour is as powerful as a written one, because an informal group of people decides who should be condemned morally. This strategy of ostracizing a person makes the defendant defenceless, even if he is innocent, even if he is honest or has broken a rule that is worth breaking. It is enough to be punished with a contemptuous look by others. This penalty is worse than imprisonment because imprisonment in isolation, loneliness, being outcast is a prison-like experience indeed. Isolation was a high price Shakespeare had to pay for real honesty. 29 When in disgrace with Fortune and men’s eyes, I all alone beweep my outcast state, And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries, And look upon myself and curse my fate, 4 Wishing me like to one more rich in hope, Featured like him, like him with friends possessed, Desiring this man’s art, and that man’s scope, With what I most enjoy contented least; 8 Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising, Haply I think on thee, and then my state (Like to the lark at break of day arising From sullen earth) sings hymns at heaven’s gate; 12 For thy sweet love rememb’red such wealth brings That then I scorn to change my state with kings.   1 in disgrace: out of favour   1 fortune: fortune was the goddess of luck, either good or bad, in Roman religion. She was represented turning a wheel the direction of which she could at any time change, so symbolizing the mutability of luck   2 state: social status   3 bootless: hopeless, useless   6 featured: with features like his, beautiful

Seitenübersicht