Shakespeare Electronic Conference, Vol. 6, No. 0865. Friday, 3 November 1995.
(1) From: Karen Krebser <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: Wedmesday, 01 Nov 95 09:02:34 -0800
Subj: Re: SHK 6.0860 Re: Happy *Lear*
(2) From: Helen Vella Bonavita <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: Thursday, 2 Nov 1995 11:36:29 +0800 (WST)
Subj: Re: SHK 6.0860 Re: Happy *Lear*
(1)----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Karen Krebser <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: Wedmesday, 01 Nov 95 09:02:34 -0800
Subject: 6.0860 Re: Happy *Lear*
Comment: Re: SHK 6.0860 Re: Happy *Lear*
There is no truth to the rumor that Demi Moore and Gary Oldman
are planning to star in a movie version of Nahum Tate's
"Happy" Lear. After all, they wouldn't ever be party to such
a mutilation of a literary classic, would they?
[Editor's Note: See this week's *Newsweek* with long list of
happy endings for these two. --HMC]
I'm holding out for a Moore/Oldman movie version of "Oedipus Tyrannus," myself.
The dramatic possibilities are staggering....
Many, many thanks to all who responded to my original query!
Best regards,
Karen Krebser
San Jose State University
[Editor's Note: Actually, it was *Time*. --hmc]
(2)----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Helen Vella Bonavita <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: Thursday, 2 Nov 1995 11:36:29 +0800 (WST)
Subject: 6.0860 Re: Happy *Lear*
Comment: Re: SHK 6.0860 Re: Happy *Lear*
Personally I think that yes, Lear dying in Cordelia's arms would be a much
easier ending for the play, but the very neatness of such an ending would
obviously rob the play of much of its interest. As far as Cordelia's death
goes, I don't necessarily think it meaningless. I am not at all sure, however,
that it forces Lear to "deal with" the mistakes he's made, because I don't
think he ever does. His urging Cordelia to prison with him is in effect,
demanding the same sacrifice of her - that she "love her father all" - that he
demanded in Act 1. The only difference here is that she does so.
Helen Vella Bonavita