Month: October 2022

All’s Well That Ends Well (1602)

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1. All’s Well That Ends Well (1602) Based on the ninth tale of the third day in Giovanni Boccaccio’s masterpiece, the Decameron. Completed in 1353, the Decameron is a collection of one hundred short stories told by friends over ten days during the Black Death.

William Shakespeare is widely regarded as one of the greatest playwrights in history, and his plays have had an enduring impact on literature and culture. One of his lesser-known plays, All’s Well That Ends Well, has its roots in the Decameron, a collection of stories by the Italian writer Giovanni Boccaccio. In this essay, we will explore the precursor to All’s Well That Ends Well and how it influenced Shakespeare’s play.

All’s Well That Ends Well was first performed in 1602 and is based on the ninth tale of the third day in Boccaccio’s Decameron. Completed in 1353, the Decameron is a collection of one hundred short stories told by friends over ten days during the Black Death. The ninth tale of the third day is the story of Giletta di Narbona, a young woman who falls in love with Bertram, a nobleman who does not reciprocate her feelings. Giletta is determined to win Bertram’s love and goes to great lengths to do so, including using a healing potion to cure the King of France, who in turn grants her the right to marry any man of her choosing. Giletta chooses Bertram, who flees to Florence to avoid the marriage. Giletta follows him and ultimately succeeds in winning his love and devotion.

Shakespeare’s play follows the same basic plot, but with some significant differences. In All’s Well That Ends Well, the protagonist is Helena, a physician’s daughter who is in love with Bertram, the son of a Countess. Bertram is sent to the French court to serve the King, and Helena follows him, using her medical skills to cure the King’s illness. In return, the King promises her anything she desires, and she chooses Bertram as her husband. Bertram, however, is not interested in marrying Helena and flees to Italy. Helena follows him and, with the help of a bed trick, manages to conceive a child with him, which ultimately leads to their reconciliation.

One of the key differences between Boccaccio’s story and Shakespeare’s play is the character of Giletta/Helena. In Boccaccio’s story, Giletta is a resourceful and determined woman who uses her intelligence and skill to win Bertram’s love. In Shakespeare’s play, Helena is more passive and relies on tricks and subterfuge to achieve her goals. This change reflects the patriarchal society in which Shakespeare was writing, where women were often seen as weaker and less capable than men.

Another significant difference is the addition of the bed trick in Shakespeare’s play. This device, which involves a woman disguising herself as another woman to sleep with a man, is a common motif in Renaissance literature, and Shakespeare uses it to great effect in All’s Well That Ends Well. The bed trick is a reflection of the idea that women are not in control of their own bodies and that men can use them for their own purposes.

In conclusion, All’s Well That Ends Well is based on the ninth tale of the third day in Giovanni Boccaccio’s Decameron, a collection of short stories told during the Black Death. Shakespeare’s play follows the same basic plot as Boccaccio’s story, but with some significant changes that reflect the patriarchal society in which he was writing. The addition of the bed trick and the character of Helena, who is more passive than Giletta, are examples of how Shakespeare adapted the original story to suit the cultural and social norms of his time. Despite these differences, All’s Well That Ends Well remains a compelling and entertaining play that continues to be performed and enjoyed today.

The Mary Sue’s Journey

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The concept of the Mary Sue character has been a controversial topic in literature and media for years. The term originally came from fan fiction and referred to an idealized and perfect self-insert character. In recent times, the term has been expanded to describe any character, regardless of gender, who is seemingly flawless and overpowered, with little explanation for their abilities or backstory.

One of the main criticisms of Mary Sue characters is that they do not go through the hero’s journey, a classic storytelling structure where the protagonist faces challenges and obstacles that help them grow and develop into a hero. Instead, Mary Sue characters start at the end of their journey, already possessing all the skills and abilities necessary to defeat any foe effortlessly.

This lack of character development and growth makes it difficult for readers or viewers to connect with Mary Sue characters on a deeper level. Without knowing their backstory or understanding their motivations, it’s hard to empathize or root for them. Furthermore, the lack of a hero’s journey deprives the audience of the satisfaction of watching a character overcome obstacles and grow into a hero.

One example of a Mary Sue character is Rey from the Star Wars sequel trilogy. Rey is introduced as a scavenger on the desert planet of Jakku, with no apparent training or experience in combat or the Force. Yet, she is able to defeat Kylo Ren, a trained Sith apprentice, in a lightsaber duel. This victory is not only unrealistic, but it also robs Rey of the opportunity to develop her skills and undergo a hero’s journey.

In contrast, Galadriel from J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings is an example of a well-developed character who undergoes a hero’s journey. Galadriel is a powerful elf queen who possesses great wisdom and magic, but she also has a tragic backstory and a desire to use her power for good. When faced with the troll in the Mines of Moria, Galadriel initially holds back, allowing her companions to fight. However, when the situation becomes dire, she joins the battle and uses her power to defeat the troll. This victory is hard-won and comes at a cost, as many of her friends are killed in the process. Galadriel’s journey is one of growth and self-discovery, making her a much more compelling character than a Mary Sue.

ACTION MOVIES

Over the years, there have been many attempts to create successful female-led action movie franchises. Unfortunately, many of these attempts have failed, leading to the assumption that audiences are not interested in seeing women in lead roles in action movies. However, the real reason why so many female-led action movie franchises fail is that the character is just a male character with a new coat of paint and some kind of politically correct gloss to it. This approach does not create a compelling character that appeals to both male and female audiences.

One of the biggest issues with many female-led action movies is that the lead character is often written and portrayed as a carbon copy of a male action hero. This means that the character has the same traits and qualities that male heroes have, such as physical strength, aggression, and a willingness to use violence to achieve their goals. While it’s important for female characters to be strong and capable, simply copying male hero tropes does not create a unique or interesting character. It also reinforces the idea that the only way for a woman to be successful in an action movie is to act like a man.

Another problem with many female-led action movies is the tendency to add some kind of politically correct gloss to the character or storyline. This can manifest in various ways, such as making the character a feminist icon or including themes of diversity and inclusivity. While these are all important issues, simply adding them to a movie does not guarantee its success. In fact, it can often feel forced and preachy, turning off both male and female audiences.

One of the biggest problems with this approach is that it assumes that male audiences are not interested in seeing a female lead in an action movie unless she is a perfect feminist icon. This is simply not true. Male audiences are just as capable of appreciating a well-written and well-acted female lead as female audiences are. However, when the character is just a poorly disguised male hero, there is no need for male audiences to watch. They can simply watch a male-led action movie that does the same thing, only better.

Ellen Ripley, the iconic heroine of the Alien franchise, is a character that stands out in the world of action movies. Unlike many other action heroes of the time, Ripley was a relatable and unforced character. She was a single mom doing a tough job, trying to deal with incompetent and arrogant people, and surviving out of sheer persistence. Ripley was a character that anyone in the late 70s could recognize, and that is precisely what makes her such a timeless and powerful figure.

Ripley’s strength and resilience are not derived from any kind of special powers or abilities. Instead, she is a character who uses her wits, resourcefulness, and determination to overcome the challenges she faces. As the lone survivor of the Nostromo, she shows incredible courage and resourcefulness in defeating the titular Alien, a perfect killing machine. She is not a character who relies on brute force or overwhelming firepower, but rather on her intelligence and ingenuity.

One of the most significant aspects of Ripley’s character is her relatability. She is a single mom who lives with her cat as her only companion, trying to do her job in a hostile and dangerous environment. Her struggles with the incompetent and arrogant people around her are something that many people can identify with, whether they work on an oil platform or in any other traditionally male profession. Ripley’s character shows that it is possible for anyone to be strong and resilient, regardless of their gender, age, or background.

Another essential aspect of Ripley’s character is her toughness. She is not a character who shies away from danger or avoids difficult situations. Instead, she faces them head-on, using her intelligence and resourcefulness to overcome them. Her determination to survive and protect others is what makes her such a compelling and inspiring character. Her strength and resilience are not just physical, but also mental and emotional. She is a character who is not afraid to show vulnerability, but who also never gives up, no matter how dire the situation.

In many ways, Ripley’s character is ahead of its time. She is a strong and capable woman who is not defined by her gender or stereotypes. She is a character who can be an inspiration to anyone, regardless of their gender, age, or background. Ripley’s character shows that it is possible to be a hero without conforming to traditional gender roles or expectations.

In conclusion, Ellen Ripley is an iconic action movie heroine who stands out for her relatability, toughness, and resilience. She is a character that anyone in the late 70s could recognize, and that is precisely what makes her such a timeless and powerful figure. Her strength and resilience are not derived from any kind of special powers or abilities, but from her intelligence, resourcefulness, and determination. Ripley is a character who can be an inspiration to anyone, regardless of their gender, age, or background. She is a hero for our time and for all time.