Q1 of 21 Page 119

The play revolves around a 'perceived threat' and how Weston and Lady Weston react to it. Reverse their roles with a panic-stricken Lady Weston and a frivolous Lord Weston. In a small group, choose a piece of dialogue from the play and rewrite it to suit the changed roles. Share it by taking parts and reading your script aloud with suitable tone and expression.

SCENE 2,


(Enter, bright and anxious, LADY WESTON with her practical consciousness)


LADY WESTON (looking back as she comes in): What is it, Richard? It's baking morning. Why the both of you are so worried of?


WESTON: Nothing my dear, it is just this message saying that my life is in some danger.


LADY WESTON: Oh My God!! Why would you say that? Is that some kind of threat from your enemies? What is it this time they want? Assassination?


WESTON (annihilating her flippancy with one broadside): Assassination! No dear Calm down.


LADY WESTON: You always wanted to be a great man and now you have done well to people always then why are you being targeted? Can’t you live anyone’s life?


WESTON: What do you mean?


LADY WESTON: They don't assassinate any bodies just for no god damn reason.


WESTON (showing her the paper): Read that, and see it is nothing serious dear; you can laugh about it as it can be some kind of prank.


LADY WESTON: I'm not laughing. Your life is in danger Richard.


(Trying to read): What a dreadful warning it is.


LADY WESTON: 'Remember Caesar'. It is surely a death warrant. Do you know what day this is?


WESTON: Thursday.


LADY WESTON: What day of the month?


WESTON: About the twelfth, I should guess.


LADY WESTON (with meaning): It is the fifteenth. The fifteenth of March.


WESTON: OH YESS! Your good sister's birthday! And we haven't sent her as much as a lily!


LADY WESTON: NO RICHARD!! What am I going to do with the incurable lightness of your mind? On the fifteenth of March Caesar was murdered in the Forum.


WESTON: oh Yes, of course, I remember. They couldn't stand his airs any longer.


LADY WESTON (reproving): He was a great man just like you and now I am sure (Looking again at the scrap of paper) someone is thinking of murdering you?


WESTON: Obviously not. You are over thinking my love.


More from this chapter

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2

After the discussion, write a paragraph of 150-200 words bringing out the humour in the play.

 1

Given below are extracts from the play. Study each of these carefully and based on your inference write a character sketch of Lord Weston in about 150–200 words.

 2

Lady Weston's reaction to the Lord Weston's predicament presents an interesting character study in contrast. Write a paragraph in about 150-200 words highlighting the contrast, giving relevant instances from the play.

 3

"Detail, my good Roger, attention to detail that is the beginning of greatness." Discuss how ironically, Lord, Weston lands himself in trouble by "paying attention to detail", in about 150–200 words.