Shakespeare In Love Act I Flashcards
VIOLA: …But how can one care for Silvia while she is - by the order of the Lord Chamberlain - played by a pipsqueak boy in petticoats!
I liked the dog.
VIOLA: Stage love will never be real love until we women can be onstage ourselves. Yet when can we see another?
When the queen commands it.
VIOLA: But at the playhouse.
Playhouses are not for well-born ladies.
VIOLA: I am not so well-born.
Well-monied is the same as well born these days and well-married better than both. Lord Wessex was looking at you tonight.
VIOLA: All the men at court are without poetry. If they look at me they see my father’s fortune. I will have poetry in my life. And adventure. And love. Love above all.
Like Valentine and Silvia?
VIOLA: No - not the artful postures of love, but the love that overthrows life. Unbiddable, ungovernable, like a riot in the heart, and nothing to be done, come ruin or rapture. Love like there has never been in a ply. I will have love or I will end my days -
As a Nurse?
WILL: My Romeo. Hands off.
My Lady. Where have you been?
VIOLA: I have been to audition for the theatre.
I’ll be in my grave if they find out. Quick indoors, you must get ready for the ball. The guests are already arriving. Special guests, too, as you well should know. Your father is waiting to introduce you to Lord Wessex. You’ll drive me to madness.
WILL: But I have a letter. For Thomas Kent.
Who asks for Thomas Kent?
WILL: Will Shakespeare - actor, poet, and playwright of the Rose. Master Kent auditioned for me this afternoon.
Master Kent?
WILL: You know him?
Yes. He is my… nephew.
WILL: I have a letter. To offer him the lead part in my play.
I will see that he gets it, sirs. Catling, let them through.
WILL: By all the stars in heaven, who is she?
That’s my lady - Viola de Lesseps
WESSEX: I am perfectly happy, now.
Look, My Lady, a letter to Thomas Kent.
VIOLA: Who from?
From the playwright, William Shakespeare. He was desperate to speak to “Master Kent.”
VIOLA: And I would have you play Romeo Montague - a young gentleman of Verona.”
Verona again?
VIOLA: Is Master Shakespeare not handsome?
He looks well enough for a mountebank.
VIOLA: Oh, Nurse! He would give Thomas Kent the life of Viola de Lesseps’ dreaming.
My Lady, this play will end badly.
VIOLA: ‘Tis a comedy. It ends with a pirate jig. As you love me and as I love you, you will bind my breast and buy me a boy’s wig. Rehearsals begin tomorrow.
Your father–
WILL: I don’t dare! The nurse is there.
My Lady. You’ll catch your death out here.
VIOLA: Leave me Nursey.
Believe me, this will end in tears.
VIOLA: Who is there?
WILL: Will Shakespeare.
Madam!
VIOLA: ALas indeed, for I thought you the highest poet of my esteem and a writer of the most brilliant comedies that capture my heart.
WILL: Oh - I am him too.
Lady Viola!
VIOLA: Not another word. It’s perfect.
Madam.
MARLOWE: Very good.
WILL: Thank you.
Lady Viola!
VIOLA: Oh, go away!
Your father comes.
MARLOWE: Jump!
SHAKESPEARE: Hang on, I’m just getting the hang of this.
Screams
VIOLA: Oh, I am made immortal!
My Lady. My Lady. My Lady. Where have you been? Lord Wessex is waiting for you. He’s waiting downstairs. Quickly, you must change.
VIOLA: How long has he been here?
All morning.
VIOLA: What did you tell him?
I told him you were at prayer, My Lady.
VIOLA: For four hours.
I said you were pious, My Lady.
VIOLA: Why is he here today?
You know perfectly well, My Lady.
WESSEX: Nurse. Nurse! Where is the future Lady Wessex?
You must have patience, sir. My Lady is still in the act of contemplation.
WESSEX: Lengthy orisons for one so young.
She always was a pious little girl, My Lord. My mistress is the sweetest lady, My Lord, and still as pious. Lord, Lord, even when she was a rating child, sir, she would spend hours on her knees. I used to wear she’d wear them out!
WESSEX: Oh, for heaven’s sake, where the devil is she?!
My Lady, My Lady, Lord Wessex is here…
