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Falstaff calls, long and loud,
fighting fit, bellowing 'More sack!
Ale is all, passion all, lust is all;
Always tell a lie.
Lying allows children,
running from adulthood, more truth.
Ale is all, passion all, lust is all;
Always sell a friend.
Friendships exploited for
honours beyond old men who drink.
Ale is all, passion all, lust is all;
Rely on Falstaff.'
Falstaff laments a life
causing wit, shadowing his fat heart;
Ale was all, passion all, lost is all -
Never more alive. |
working on this
Written by patterjack (1435 comments posted) 31st July 2008 | Having played the role ( in which our director combined Merry Wives with parts of the Henry IV plays ) I still tend to find the Big F a somewhat puzzling personality and a definite moral problem .
And Hal as well !!!
Doubt if I will ever solve it to my own satisfaction . Tried to in my piece Bookends but to little avail
Most interesting piece this one of yours
patterjack |
Written by Veronica_Milvus (768 comments posted) 1st August 2008 | Ale, in my limited experience, tends to work against lust and passion, rather then with them.
The first two lines of the second stanza are puzzling. Care to elucidate?
And poor old Falstaff, by the end has he decided that ale isn't so great after all? |
Written by punchy (535 comments posted) 1st August 2008 | hi Brett, interesting piece. I am also a little bermused by the meaning of second stanza but I am easily bermused so forgive me.
Keep it up, even with the Ale
P x | Repetition
Written by Katanga (1537 comments posted) 1st August 2008 | I find the repetition of line three, with the final change of 'lust' to 'lost', very strong. And such a sad last stanza!
With V. and P. I am bemused by the meaning of the first two lines of the second stanza.
Cheers!
John |
Written by Phil (7005 comments posted) 1st August 2008 | No problem with the second - but then I may have it wrong!
Seemingly, much more straight forward in construction than much of your poems - but the form still adds to the piece. Like John, the subtle change in the second last line worked well.
Enjoyed it - though some allusions are possibly lost as I have never been a fan Shakespeare and I'm not that familiar with this character. While I love watching Shakespeare, reading it does nothing for me.
Phil | Thanks.
Written by Brett (1002 comments posted) 1st August 2008 | patterjack - I doubt anyone will ever be fully satisfied with their interpretation of Jack Falstaff, and you are quite right that Hal can be just as morally mystifying!
V - Ale works with them, just not for very long. And I don't care to elucidate, I shall just mark it as a failure to communicate. Thanks.
Paula - Cheers, but I can't keep it up with this much ale!
John - Thanks
Phil - Glad you have no problem with that stanza. Interesting that you think this more straight forward in constuction than some of my others - and reading big Billy S does nothing for you (not even the St Crispin Day speech?)? You heathen!
Cheers |
Written by Phil (7005 comments posted) 1st August 2008 | I can't feel guilty about it. It was written to be performed - that's my excuse.  |
Written by Brett (1002 comments posted) 1st August 2008 | Phil - so were the scripts of Pete 'n' Dud, but they still make great reading. Besides anything that is written to be performed is always best read to one's self - you can have whoever you like playing each part; there's nothing worse than watching a favourite play and seeing an actor you really fucking hate ruin it for you!
Cheers |
Written by Phil (7005 comments posted) 1st August 2008 | Fair point - but I still love watching Shakespeare. I do have a complete works that I look into from time to time - but it's not the same as watching.
I remember seeing Othello in Stoke (of all places) and the lead was taken by a white guy who blacked up! Class. Added a whole extra dimension to evening. The fact he was crap didn't help either. Still enjoyed it. Desdemona's death scene must be one of the longest I've ever witnessed.
Prefer the comedies really. (A true heathen) Saw an excellent version of Taming of the Shrew in a Doncaster leisure centre by the RSC travelling something or other. Began with a drunk pissing up a wall. Just my level.
Just for you, I'll give it another go - after I've finished the books I've just bought. (Excellent Oxfam near me!)
Phil |
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