silly - adj - [Archaic] weak; helpless; rustic, plain; homely.
When one of Shakespeare's male characters calls a woman silly, he's not insulting her; in every instance I've seen so far, he's pointing out that she's helpless, incapable of defending herself should a man attack her. Some of his women describe themselves that way.
I'm currently reading Richard III, which strikes me as being the best of his early plays. It's the story of one of English history's most fabulous villains, the limping, hunchbacked Richard, Duke of Gloucester (pronounced Gloss-ter), who lies and murders his way to the English crown. It contains two of Shakespeare's most memorable lines, both spoken by Richard. In fact they're the first and last lines Richard speaks:
Now is the winter of our discontent
Made glorious summer by this sun of York. . .
A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse!
That second line is so familiar that it's been used by God-only-knows how many comedians: "A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse! I haven't had a winner in six months!" (Bada-boom!)
Richard is so inventive, so persuasive, and so enthusiastic in his villainy that you can't wait to see what he'll get away with next. Highly recommended.
1 comment:
I've always found Richard III to be, at some level, interestingly funny. A good read definitely. If I had the time at the moment, I'd pick it up and join you, (sigh) my kingdom for a horse (or an hour in this case...) (smirk)
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