Sunday, October 28, 2007

Carol tries to guess the "one boon at parting"; or, Don't make her wear a hairy smock

After exhausting the obvious choices when guessing Fairfield's parting request in II.iv, Carol begins a list of strange favors that are unlikely to match the suitor's wish. Many of these speak to Carol's strong sense of independence (also evinced in her catalog of "the pros of widowhood," mentioned in my other post). Some of them are just plain weird: don't steal her parrot and don't make her imitate a religious ascetic. My question, why the weird stuff? What is the connection between retaining the freedom to see plays and gamble and not having to run through London naked or dress like St. John the Baptist? What do these "list" passages say about Carol's character, especially when considering the play in its entirety?

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