But it is not of love or romance that I write today. I bring you a mystery... and an answer!
If your only exposure to Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is the 1968 Franco Zeffirelli film version, then you have been deceived! The language in the film is not 100% Shakespearean. I give you the case of the "punk rampant."
... (with apologies: the video has been removed) ....
As I wrote in my blog three years ago, I did a little research and discovered that the phrase is actually from The Dutch Courtesan by John Marston, 1605:
Actually, Mercutio (portrayed by John McEnery in the above clip) and Tybalt are two of my favorite characters in all of Shakespeare, no doubt because the actors who portray them are always so much more compelling than the various Romeos. (Okay, I'll give you Leonardo di Caprio, best Romeo ever.) Michael York's distinctive voice gave the Zeffirelli Tybalt a heavy helping of sexiness that rocketed the actor to superstardom.
And, incidentally, York co-wrote (with Adrian Brine) a nifty book full of advice and gossip, called A Shakespearean Actor Prepares. He writes:
It may also have been a bit too rampant for the movie ratings board and in 1968, I highly doubt my mother would have permitted this view of such a punk.
Shakespeare Readers, prepare to read Romeo and Juliet using an authorized edition (i.e., one that does not contain this errant phrase).
Folger Shakespeare Library edition (paperback)
Penguin edition (Kindle)
In Bard We Trust,
Cindy
RSVP for the February 12 reading at American University's Bender Library (1-4 p.m. in room 306) to hosaajoy 'at' gmail.com
As I wrote in my blog three years ago, I did a little research and discovered that the phrase is actually from The Dutch Courtesan by John Marston, 1605:
Freevill (to Franceschina): Go; y'are grown a punk rampant!Great phrase, though, and very apt for the likes of Mercutio and Tybalt, the restless punks whose passions are the real culprit in this tragedy. Romeo and Juliet themselves are passionate, but their blood burns for love, not aggression; for reconciliation of families, not revenge for perceived slights.
Actually, Mercutio (portrayed by John McEnery in the above clip) and Tybalt are two of my favorite characters in all of Shakespeare, no doubt because the actors who portray them are always so much more compelling than the various Romeos. (Okay, I'll give you Leonardo di Caprio, best Romeo ever.) Michael York's distinctive voice gave the Zeffirelli Tybalt a heavy helping of sexiness that rocketed the actor to superstardom.
And, incidentally, York co-wrote (with Adrian Brine) a nifty book full of advice and gossip, called A Shakespearean Actor Prepares. He writes:
Cast in Zeffirelli's Romeo and Juliet, as the cocky, libidinous Tybalt, I was originally introduced in the very act of proving my reputation as the King of Cats between the thighs of a Veronese maiden. This was perhaps too obvious an image and it was cut, but I still make my entrance a trifle more subtly, from the codpiece upwards!
It may also have been a bit too rampant for the movie ratings board and in 1968, I highly doubt my mother would have permitted this view of such a punk.
Shakespeare Readers, prepare to read Romeo and Juliet using an authorized edition (i.e., one that does not contain this errant phrase).
Folger Shakespeare Library edition (paperback)
Penguin edition (Kindle)
In Bard We Trust,
Cindy
RSVP for the February 12 reading at American University's Bender Library (1-4 p.m. in room 306) to hosaajoy 'at' gmail.com
