Its Moving Quickly

The Costume Designer and the Bassanio, the main male
character. 

In two weeks my parents and little brother are coming to visit. I'm counting down the minutes until I can give them a hug. My little brother is growing so fast he isn't going to be little for very much longer. Once I handed in my dissertation I thought I would have some time to stop and think but life has continued to come quickly. Decisions must be made, research is still to be done and there are always questions to be answered.

The Prince of Morroco, one of the suitors, and comedic relief. 

I took part in a production of The Merchant of Venice last week at Worcester College. There was a need for a percussionist and I was willing to help out. Meaning, I was absolutely overjoyed at the opportunity to take part in a Shakespeare production at Oxford University. It was incredible, I can't describe how amazing it was. The performance was amazing, great actors, a fantastic director. Since it was set in Venice, several of the entrances and exits took place on boats on the Worcester lake. Once the sun went down the lights on the boats took on a fairy-tale aspect.

Shylock and Antonio

Backstage we were immersed in conversations about philosophy and worldviews, discussing the ideal civilization and opinions about current events. I met young men and women who were really engaging with their world, who were interested in thinking and thinking well and who welcomed me to ask questions.

The musicians, playing the jig.

The Merchant of Venice is a very interesting play. In many ways it is a disturbing play, with a scene at the end that is highly anti-Semetic. At the same time, individual speeches in the play, the main character gives a lesson on mercy how it doubly blesses, both the giver and receiver, and the antagonist, Shylock the Jew, angrily and despairingly states "Hath not a Jew hands, organs, senses, passions, affections, dimensions?" Read the play sometime if you have a moment. It is beautiful in its emotions, delightful in its lessons and I walked away each time with a feeling of unease when Shylock was beaten.

I'm so sorry for my tardiness, I shall amend and give you several more snippets of fun for the next few weeks. Adieu mon amis.

The cast of The Merchant of Venice.