The entire play kicks off with a monologue by Arcturus. Who's Arcturus? Why is he starting off this play? First of all Arcturus is the brightest star in the constellation Bootes. It is the fourth brightest star overall. In this play, The Ropes, Arcturus states that he is a constellation by night but walks around with mortals during the day. He states that he is there to make things right in the world. To return what is lost, to free those who are innocent and to curse those who do evil. And to do all of these things Arcturus must create a storm that causes a shipwreck at just the right place.
Arcturus, works for his master Jove, and there for helps maintain the good in the world. The bigger picture of this constellation is that it forms a shepherd, which in the world of the play makes sense. Arcturus is making sure that the world stays good for Jove and his time on Earth is spent watching over the people, like a shepherd over his sheep. In the time of Greece and Rome, Gods and Goddesses were something of importance. So it makes sense for the prologue to be said by a God.
Source:
"Arcturus." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2010. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 31 Oct 2010 <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/33255/Arcturus>.
Arcturus, works for his master Jove, and there for helps maintain the good in the world. The bigger picture of this constellation is that it forms a shepherd, which in the world of the play makes sense. Arcturus is making sure that the world stays good for Jove and his time on Earth is spent watching over the people, like a shepherd over his sheep. In the time of Greece and Rome, Gods and Goddesses were something of importance. So it makes sense for the prologue to be said by a God.
Source:
"Arcturus." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2010. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 31 Oct 2010 <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/33255/Arcturus>.
No comments:
Post a Comment