Storm Ashley treated us more gently than expected today, only blowing over one heavy potted pot, so I stayed in and reviewed ‘Blood Wedding’.
The second of Federico García Lorca’s three tragedies in the Folio Society’s collection has a different approach to the story of feuding families and forbidden love than that of Shakespeare’s better known Romeo and Juliet.
Lorca focusses on contrasts, alternating prose with verse; dark with light; music and gaiety with tension and a sense of doom; warm colours of pink and yellow with colder white, grey, and blue.
Lyrical language and the tuneful verse of the happier moments exemplify the poet’s ear. It is noticeable that the joy of the guests is not reflected in the apprehension of the Bride.
As usual the author is very clear in his scene directions to set the mood of the sequences,
noticeably those introducing Act One, Scene Three (the room, the Maid’s character, and the unease of the Mother and son).
The Beggar Woman symbolises Death and Doom, while Moon casts light as the inevitable tragic conclusion unfolds, perhaps not quite as expected.
Peter Pendrey’s linocuts are here presented as set in their pages, shared with examples of the author’s writing.
Regarding Shakespeare’s play of a similar theme I have previously posted
featuring an altogether different set of illustrations.
Elizabeth visited us for a short time this afternoon, because Efford Recycling Centre where she was booked to tip some rubbish was closed, presumably on account of the storm.
This evening we dined on Royal Spice home delivery of excellent Murgh Masala (only one chilli strength) and plain paratha for me, which I drank Kingfisher; and paneer shashlik for Jackie. We shared special fried rice.