Henry Oliver: belief

Transcript context

…Which is a metaphor used in the play itself. I think it’s a double meaning, and we’re supposed to wonder if she is not, in fact, a highly effective seducer. We’re supposed to wonder, but Shakespeare is giving her the opportunity to rephrase it all. I don’t think Shakespeare, at this point, is using “prayed” and “kneeled” to mean anything other than what is literally being said. I think she is an image of virtue. This is what the Duke said: “If you can’t take your virtue forth like a light, there’s no point having it.” That’s what she’s done the whole play. “The vile conclusion I now begin with grief and shame to utter: He would not, but by gift of my chaste body to his concupiscible intemperate lust, release my brother; and, after much debatement, my sisterly remorse confutes mine honour, and I did yield to him.” That is a reference to the argument that they were having when he backed her into a corner, and she had to admit that there was an inconsistency in her position. I think that’s act 2, scene 2. She had to yield the premise of his argument. I don’t think there’s any sense in which Shakespeare has done anything other than lead us to believe that— What follows, though, is the word “but.” “But the next morning . . . he sends a warrant for my poor brother’s head.” So, she’s implying she did her part of the trade. Again, I admit it’s not clear.…

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