And I keep hearing from the cellar bin/The rumbling sound/Of load on load of apples coming in.

In reading the first ten chapters of Emma, I find it a little bit eerie how similar Emma is to Elizabeth of Pride and Prejudice. It’s obvious that both are incredibly complex characters and that they both have seemingly little or no regard for their own love lives. This makes it even more interesting that the two are so involved in the love lives of others.

In Emma’s case, perhaps it is her involvement in others’ romantic endeavors which prevents her from being concerned with her own. That is to say, by helping others with love, she satisfies all of her emotional needs related to the emotion. That said, it is equally possible that she chooses to involve herself in others’ lives in order to block out her lack of success in the love department. This would introduce an even greater complexity in her character in that it would mean that she is hiding an entire facet of her emotions. Either way, it’s very clear that the outcome of Emma’s romantic life will be unexpected and spectacular.

After reading Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, I feel like it’s time to say TGIAC: Thank Goodness It’s A Comedy. After all of the mistaken identities, love triangles and deception, it was satisfying to have everything resolved. In my short career as a reader of his plays, I have found that Shakespeare creates more dilemmas than what seems possible.

Although the definition of a comedy says that all problems must be resolved, I was surprised at Malvolio’s re-entrance into the play in Act V. I was under the impression in Act IV that that would be the last we would see of him. However, I am glad that in the end no one thinks he is mad.

All of that said, it would’ve been equally entertaining if the play had ended in complete disaster.

After reading Act I, Shakespeare’s intentions are already clear in one respect–to show that deceit only leads to unfortunate things. What will become of Viola (Cesario) and Olivia I don’t know. But I have to say I’m quite curious.

I also like how he uses Sir Toby and the Fool as a sort of respite from the “real action.” Any time things seems to be getting serious, we hear that “he that is well hanged in this world needs fear no colors.” Charming, Will. Charming.