Conversation Piece - Monday, December 8, 2008
"Oh, come not near me, sir; I shall defile you.
I am that of your blood was taken from you
For your better health. Look no more upon't
But cast it to the ground regardlessly;
Let the common sewer take it from distinction.
Beneath the stars, upon yon meteor
Ever hung my fate, 'mongst things corruptible;
I ne'er could pluck it from him. My loathing
Was prophet to the rest, bu ne'er believed;
Mine honor fell with him, and now my life."
(The Changeling V.iii.158-67)
I am that of your blood was taken from you
For your better health. Look no more upon't
But cast it to the ground regardlessly;
Let the common sewer take it from distinction.
Beneath the stars, upon yon meteor
Ever hung my fate, 'mongst things corruptible;
I ne'er could pluck it from him. My loathing
Was prophet to the rest, bu ne'er believed;
Mine honor fell with him, and now my life."
(The Changeling V.iii.158-67)
Sunday, September 14, 2008
'Minion' applies to Gaveston
Gaveston holds the title 'minion' in Edward II because of the nature of his relationship to King Edward. As the OED indicates, the word originally described somone favoured by a superior. This meaning accurately describes Gaveston, whose position of proximity to the throne threatens those of nobility in the play. The nature of the word 'minion' in the play mirrors its historical context. While Gaveston, a minion, embodies "a person who is dependent on a patron's favour" his jealous enemies percieve him simply as an "underling." (See 1.1.132) Minion now generally describes someone subordinate and we associate the word with corruption, just as the queen, and the king's opposition do. The other interesting association between Gaveston and 'minion' is the amorous undertones. "The King is lovesick for his minion" (1.4.87) The relationship seems suspiciously erotic, and with the context of 'minion' meaning "a male or female lover" the title signifies that which the queen suspects.
