John Douglas Thompson: Hamlet, Benedick
How does an actor stay truthful to the character? For John Douglas Thompson, an actor celebrated for his physical approach, the answer is surprising: follow his thoughts. Listen along as John takes on two cerebral but very different heroes - Hamlet and Benedick, in the latest interview from the State of Shakespeare.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
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(Check out Podcast Extra #3 to hear how John got his start as an actor.
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TOPICS: Character and Text, Following the Thought, Antithesis, Consonants
Much Ado About Nothing Act 2, Scene 3 Benedick
7 I do much wonder that one man, seeing how much
8 another man is a fool when he dedicates his
9 behaviors to love, will, after he hath laughed at
10 such shallow follies in others, become the argument
11 of his own scorn by failing in love: and such a man
12 is Claudio. I have known when there was no music
13 with him but the drum and the fife; and now had he
14 rather hear the tabour and the pipe: I have known
15 when he would have walked ten mile a-foot to see a
16 good armour; and now will he lie ten nights awake,
17 carving the fashion of a new doublet. He was wont to
18 speak plain and to the purpose, like an honest man
19 and a soldier; and now is he turned orthography; his
20 words are a very fantastical banquet, just so many
21 strange dishes. May I be so converted and see with
22 these eyes? I cannot tell; I think not: I will not
23 be sworn, but love may transform me to an oyster; but
24 I'll take my oath on it, till he have made an oyster
25 of me, he shall never make me such a fool. One woman
26 is fair, yet I am well; another is wise, yet I am
27 well; another virtuous, yet I am well; but till all
28 graces be in one woman, one woman shall not come in
29 my grace. Rich she shall be, that's certain; wise,
30 or I'll none; virtuous, or I'll never cheapen her;
31 fair, or I'll never look on her; mild, or come not
32 near me; noble, or not I for an angel; of good
33 discourse, an excellent musician, and her hair shall
34 be of what colour it please God. Ha! the prince and
35 Monsieur Love! I will hide me in the arbour.
Hamlet Act 3, Scene 2 Hamlet
HAMLET
54 Horatio, thou art e'en as just a man
55 As e'er my conversation coped withal.
HORATIO
56 O, my dear lord,--
HAMLET
Nay, do not think I flatter;
57 For what advancement may I hope from thee
58 That no revenue hast but thy good spirits,
59 To feed and clothe thee? Why should the poor be flatter'd?
60 No, let the candied tongue lick absurd pomp,
61 And crook the pregnant hinges of the knee
62 Where thrift may follow fawning. Dost thou hear?
63 Since my dear soul was mistress of her choice
64 And could of men distinguish, her election
65 Hath seal'd thee for herself; for thou hast been
66 As one, in suffering all, that suffers nothing,
67 A man that fortune's buffets and rewards
68 Hast ta'en with equal thanks: and blest are those
69 Whose blood and judgment are so well commingled,
70 That they are not a pipe for fortune's finger
71 To sound what stop she please. Give me that man
72 That is not passion's slave, and I will wear him
73 In my heart's core, ay, in my heart of heart,
74 As I do thee.--Something too much of this.--
75 There is a play to-night before the king;
76 One scene of it comes near the circumstance
77 Which I have told thee of my father's death:
78 I prithee, when thou seest that act afoot,
79 Even with the very comment of thy soul
80 Observe mine uncle: if his occulted guilt
81 Do not itself unkennel in one speech,
82 It is a damned ghost that we have seen,
83 And my imaginations are as foul
84 As Vulcan's stithy. Give him heedful note;
85 For I mine eyes will rivet to his face,
86 And after we will both our judgments join
87 In censure of his seeming.