Shakespeare Electronic Conference: SHK 8.0214. Friday, 14 February 1997.
(1) From: Hugh Davis <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: Thursday, 13 Feb 1997 21:10:14 -0500 (EST)
Subj: Re: SHK 8.0205 Re: Parallel Scenes (and "My Own Private Idaho")
(2) From: Hiroyuki Todokoro <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: Friday, 14 Feb 1997 15:34:44 +0900
Subj: Re: SHK 8.0205 Re: Parallel Scenes
(1)----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Hugh Davis <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: Thursday, 13 Feb 1997 21:10:14 -0500 (EST)
Subject: 8.0205 Re: Parallel Scenes (and "My Own Private Idaho")
Comment: Re: SHK 8.0205 Re: Parallel Scenes (and "My Own Private Idaho")
Gus Van Sant's _My Own Private Idaho_ is in fact his version (updated to 1990s
Portland) of Welles' _Chimes at Midnight_, which is Welles' condensation of the
two Henry IV plays, with elements from the rest of the Henriad and dialogue
from Merry Wives. "Conventional wisdom" says that Scott Favor (Keanu) is Hal,
with his father the mayor, and with Bob Pigeon (William Richert) as the
Falstaff figure. The literal reading then suggests that Mike Waters (River
Phoenix) would have the Poins role. For several reasons, this is too
simplistic. I believe (and I am currently placing into writing in my thesis
project) that Mike is in fact also representative of Falstaff. The films, seen
in conjunction with each other, suggest the narrative link between the two
characters, and the Scott/Mike comradeship evokes Hal/Falstaff in many aspects.
Does anyone else have any thoughts on this?
I suggested that a RII parallel might be seen (I don't know of RIII connections
or dialogue) because of the rejection of Mike parallelling the rejection of the
King. I've also seen allusions to Two Gentleman of Verona, but the chief
parallel is definitely with Henry IV.
--Hugh Davis
UNC-CH
(2)----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Hiroyuki Todokoro <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: Friday, 14 Feb 1997 15:34:44 +0900
Subject: 8.0205 Re: Parallel Scenes
Comment: Re: SHK 8.0205 Re: Parallel Scenes
Virginia M. Byrne suggested:
> "Lear" and the Japanese movie "Ran."
Also try "Macbeth" and Kurosawa's monochrome movie "Kumonosujo"(lit. meaning
"Spider's Web Castle", sorry I don't know the English title).
[Editor's Note: the English title is *Throne of Blood.* --HMC]
