Category Archives: Retelling

David Bruce: John Ford’s THE QUEEN: A Retelling — Act 1, Scene 2

Posted on September 15, 2019 by

— 1.2 — Velasco and Lodovico talked together. “Please don’t try to persuade me,” Velasco said. “You’ll lose your honor,” Lodovico said. “I’d rather lose my honor than my faith,” Velasco replied. Both honor and faith are important. This society … Continue reading →

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David Bruce: John Ford’s THE QUEEN: A Retelling — Cast of Characters and Act 1, Scene 1

Posted on September 14, 2019 by

CAST OF CHARACTERS Female Characters Queen of Aragon. Salassa, a widow. Velasco falls in love with her. Shaparoon, her friend. Somewhat of a bawd. Not a “countess,” but more of a “cunt-tess.” Shaparoon’s name is reminiscent of “chaperone.” Let it … Continue reading →

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David Bruce: John Ford’s ‘TIS PITY SHE’S A WHORE: A Retelling — Act 5, Scene 6 (Conclusion)

Posted on September 13, 2019 by

— 5.6 — The Cardinal, Florio, Donado, Soranzo, the disguised Richardetto, Vasques, and some attendants stood in a banqueting room in Soranzo’s house. Vasques and Soranzo were apart from the others, and so they could talk privately and quietly together. … Continue reading →

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David Bruce: John Ford’s ‘TIS PITY SHE’S A WHORE: A Retelling — Act 5, Scenes 4-5

Posted on September 13, 2019 by

— 5.4 — Soranzo and Vasques, holding masks, conferred with each other and some bandits in a hall in Soranzo’s home. Soranzo asked the bandits, “You will not fail or shrink in the attempt?” “I will vouch that they will … Continue reading →

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David Bruce: John Ford’s ‘TIS PITY SHE’S A WHORE: A Retelling — Act 5, Scenes 1-3

Posted on September 12, 2019 by

— 5.1 — Annabella appeared at a window above the street in front of Soranzo’s house. Alone, Annabella said to herself, “Pleasures, farewell, and farewell to all the spiritually unprofitable minutes wherein false joys have spun a weary life! Now … Continue reading →

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David Bruce: John Ford’s ‘TIS PITY SHE’S A WHORE: A Retelling — Act 4, Scene 3

Posted on September 10, 2019 by

— 4.3 — In a chamber in Soranzo’s house, he and his wife, Annabella, were arguing. In fact, with his jacket unbuttoned, he was dragging Annabella on the floor because he had found out she was pregnant and the baby … Continue reading →

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David Bruce: John Ford’s ‘TIS PITY SHE’S A WHORE: A Retelling — Act 4, Scenes 1-2

Posted on September 9, 2019 by

— 4.1 — A wedding banquet was set out in a room in Florio’s house. Talking together in the room were Friar Bonaventura, Giovanni, Annabella, Philotis, Soranzo, Donado, Florio, Richardetto, Putana, and Vasques. Friar Bonaventura said, “Now that these holy … Continue reading →

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