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How John Falstaff dies?
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Jim F.
Feb 12, 2023, 11:07:36 PM2/12/23
to
PISTOL.
Falstaffe he is dead, and we must yearn therefore.
BARDOLPH.
Would I were with him, wheresomever he is, either in Heaven, or in Hell.
NELL QUICKLY.
Nay, sure, he's not in Hell: he's in *Arthur's Bosom*,
if ever man went to *Arthur's Bosom*: . . .
Some editions assume "Arthur's Bosom" should be "Abraham's bosom" and Shakespeare made a mistake; however, Shakespeare knew the term well.
In KING RICHARD III:
The Sons of Edward sleep in *Abraham's bosom*.
In KING RICHARD II:
Sweet peace conduct his sweet Soul
To the *Bosom of good old Abraham*.
Falstaff's death is the most complex crux in the 1623 folio.
Falstaffe he is dead, and we must yearn therefore.
BARDOLPH.
Would I were with him, wheresomever he is, either in Heaven, or in Hell.
NELL QUICKLY.
Nay, sure, he's not in Hell: he's in *Arthur's Bosom*,
if ever man went to *Arthur's Bosom*: . . .
Some editions assume "Arthur's Bosom" should be "Abraham's bosom" and Shakespeare made a mistake; however, Shakespeare knew the term well.
In KING RICHARD III:
The Sons of Edward sleep in *Abraham's bosom*.
In KING RICHARD II:
Sweet peace conduct his sweet Soul
To the *Bosom of good old Abraham*.
Falstaff's death is the most complex crux in the 1623 folio.
Jim F.
Feb 16, 2023, 7:39:25 PM2/16/23
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Arthur's bosom may try to shallow mistress Quickly, or the reverse, to seal an amazing plot. It depends on how to reason Quickly's words of Falstaff's death.
Shakespeare left no words of his intention. We can only assume the best explanation for his arrangements. The character John Falstaff is tricked thrice and tamed by two merry wives of Windsor, mistress Page and Ford.
1. He is dropped into Thames (to purify his sins).
2. He plays a fat woman called Aunt of Brainford (Gillian of Brainford in quarto).
3. He plays Herne the Hunter (Horne the Hunter in quarto).
Then he completes his mission in the drama world. He is ready to die.
Shakespeare left no words of his intention. We can only assume the best explanation for his arrangements. The character John Falstaff is tricked thrice and tamed by two merry wives of Windsor, mistress Page and Ford.
1. He is dropped into Thames (to purify his sins).
2. He plays a fat woman called Aunt of Brainford (Gillian of Brainford in quarto).
3. He plays Herne the Hunter (Horne the Hunter in quarto).
Then he completes his mission in the drama world. He is ready to die.
bookburn
Feb 17, 2023, 6:34:51 AM2/17/23
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Jim F.
Feb 17, 2023, 7:32:45 AM2/17/23
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If you exhaust ChatGPT, at this moment he will give seven theories of how Falstaff dies. Could be more in the future.
Jim F.
Feb 20, 2023, 9:13:36 PM2/20/23
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Falstaff dies not on the stage but words of mistress Quickly, who witnesses his last moment. The first clue starts from line 8 to 11, "for after . . . I knew there was but one way." What makes Falstaff to "smile upon his finger's end" [10] is the key.
MISTRESS QUICKLY.
[1] Nay, sure, he's not in Hell:
[2] he's in {Arthur}'s Bosom,
[3] if ever man went to {Arthur}'s Bosom:
[4] a made a finer end, and went away,
[5] and it had been any Christome Child:
[6] a parted even just between Twelve and One,
[7] even at the turning of the Tide:
[8] for after I saw him fumble with the Sheets,
[9] and play with Flowers,
[10] and smile upon his finger's end,
[11] I knew there was but one way:
[12] for his Nose was as sharp as a Pen,
[13] and a Table of green fields.
[14] "How now Sir {John}" (quoth I?) "what man? be a good cheer:"
[15] so a cried out, "God, God, God," three or four times:
[16] now I, to comfort him, bid him a should not think of God;
[17] I hoped there was no need to trouble himself
[18] with any such thoughts yet:
[19] so a bade me lay more Clothes on his feet:
[20] I put my hand into the Bed, and felt them,
[21] and they were as cold as any stone:
[22] then I felt to his knees, and so up-peered, and upward,
[23] and all was as cold as any stone.
The word groin (groyne) appears only once in the 1623 folio.
MISTRESS QUICKLY.
[1] Nay, sure, he's not in Hell:
[2] he's in {Arthur}'s Bosom,
[3] if ever man went to {Arthur}'s Bosom:
[4] a made a finer end, and went away,
[5] and it had been any Christome Child:
[6] a parted even just between Twelve and One,
[7] even at the turning of the Tide:
[8] for after I saw him fumble with the Sheets,
[9] and play with Flowers,
[10] and smile upon his finger's end,
[11] I knew there was but one way:
[12] for his Nose was as sharp as a Pen,
[13] and a Table of green fields.
[14] "How now Sir {John}" (quoth I?) "what man? be a good cheer:"
[15] so a cried out, "God, God, God," three or four times:
[16] now I, to comfort him, bid him a should not think of God;
[17] I hoped there was no need to trouble himself
[18] with any such thoughts yet:
[19] so a bade me lay more Clothes on his feet:
[20] I put my hand into the Bed, and felt them,
[21] and they were as cold as any stone:
[22] then I felt to his knees, and so up-peered, and upward,
[23] and all was as cold as any stone.
The word groin (groyne) appears only once in the 1623 folio.
Jim F.
Feb 25, 2023, 8:48:45 PM2/25/23
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The "upward" of feet and knees will be Falstaff's groin, the purpose of line 20 to 23.
Falstaff is hurt in the groin in Henry IV, Part 2.
QUICKLY.
Are you not hurt in the *Groin*?
methought he made a shrewd Thrust at your Belly.
FALSTAFF.
Have you turned him out of doors?
Jim F.
Mar 1, 2023, 10:45:51 AM3/1/23
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Falstaff's death is a well-designed riddle spread to several plays.
Epilogue of 1600 and 1623 Henry IV, Part 2:
1600 Quarto
One word more I beseech you, if you bee not too much
cloyd with fatte meate, our humble Author will continue the
tharine of Fraunce, where (for any thing I knowe) Falstaffe
shall die of a sweat, vnlesse already a be killd with your harde
opinions; for Olde-castle died Martyre, and this is not the man:
1623 Folio
[1] One word more, I beseech you:
[2] if you be not too much cloyed with Fat Meat,
[3] our humble *Author* will continue the Story
[4] (with Sir John in it) and make you *merry*, with fair Katherine of France:
[5] where (for anything I know) Falstaffe shall die of a *sweat*,
[6] unless already he be killed with your *hard Opinions*:
[7] For Old-Castle died a *Martyr*, and this is *not the man*.
The term "merry" and "Katherine of France" in line [4] are
not in the 1600 quarto, but added later in the 1623 folio.
Katherine of France is the wife of Henry V.
Line [4] riddles The Merry Wives of Windsor.
Line [5], Falstaff "shall die of a sweat," alludes that
He shall exhaust (die) of a sweat in The Merry Wives of Windsor.
Falstaff is tricked thrice in the play.
Epilogue of 1600 and 1623 Henry IV, Part 2:
1600 Quarto
One word more I beseech you, if you bee not too much
cloyd with fatte meate, our humble Author will continue the
tharine of Fraunce, where (for any thing I knowe) Falstaffe
shall die of a sweat, vnlesse already a be killd with your harde
opinions; for Olde-castle died Martyre, and this is not the man:
1623 Folio
[1] One word more, I beseech you:
[2] if you be not too much cloyed with Fat Meat,
[3] our humble *Author* will continue the Story
[4] (with Sir John in it) and make you *merry*, with fair Katherine of France:
[5] where (for anything I know) Falstaffe shall die of a *sweat*,
[6] unless already he be killed with your *hard Opinions*:
[7] For Old-Castle died a *Martyr*, and this is *not the man*.
The term "merry" and "Katherine of France" in line [4] are
not in the 1600 quarto, but added later in the 1623 folio.
Katherine of France is the wife of Henry V.
Line [4] riddles The Merry Wives of Windsor.
Line [5], Falstaff "shall die of a sweat," alludes that
He shall exhaust (die) of a sweat in The Merry Wives of Windsor.
Falstaff is tricked thrice in the play.
Jim F.
Mar 4, 2023, 8:52:39 PM3/4/23
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On Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at 10:13:36 AM UTC+8, Jim F. wrote:
Tracing how these four lines are connected in this dialogue may get an idea of Shakespeare's logic in planting a riddle:
• if ever man went to Arthur's Bosom [3],
• a Table of green fields [13],
• rheumatic, and talked of the Whore of Babylon [32],
• a Flea stick upon Bardolph's Nose [33].
[24] NYM. They say he cried out of Sack.
[25] QUICKLY. Ay, that a did.
[26] BARDOLPH. And of Women.
[27] QUICKLY. Nay, that a did not.
[28] BOY. Yes, that a did, and said they were Devils incarnate.
[29] QUICKLY. A could never abide Carnation, it was a Colour he never liked.
[30] BOY. A said once, the Devil would have him about Women.
[31] QUICKLY. A did in some sort (indeed) handle Women:
[32] but then he was rheumatic, and talked of the Whore of Babylon.
[33] BOY. Do you not remember a saw a Flea stick upon Bardolph's Nose,
[34] and a said it was a black Soul burning in Hell.
Jim F.
Mar 8, 2023, 7:07:51 AM3/8/23
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"Whore of Babylon" in line 32 indicates Doll Tear-sheet. Falstaff is hurt in the groin for protecting Doll Tear-sheet the whore, who then praises Falstaff greatly: "Thou art as valorous as Hector of Troy, worth five of Agamemnon, and ten times better than the nine Worthies." Doll Tear-sheet is as great as the Whore of Babylon for Falstaff.
And in her forehead was a name written
A mysterie, that *great Babylon*,
that *mother of whoredomes*,
and abominations of the earth. (Revelation 17:5)
And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee
a *wife* of whoredoms and *children* of whoredoms:
for the land hath committed great whoredom,
departing from the LORD. (Hosea 1:2)
Rheumatic has the usage of consisting of rheum or watery secretion. Falstaff is rheumatic, teary, for Doll Tear-sheet and their child in the drama world. Doll Tear-sheet is shrewd but not a liar. At the end of Henry IV, Part 2, she claims that she carries a child. Quickly's "Sir John were come" suggests that it's Falstaff's child.
DOLL TEAR-SHEET.
if the Child I now go with, do miscarry,
thou had'st better thou had'st strook thy Mother,
thou Paper-faced Villain.
QUICKLY.
O, that Sir John were come,
he would make this a bloody day to somebody.
But *I would* the Fruit of her Womb might miscarry.
OFFICER.
If it do, you shall have a dozen of Cushions *again*,
you have but eleven now.
This dialogue raises two issues: (1) Why Quickly would prefer a miscarriage? (2) Why a dozen of cushions again?
Jim F.
Mar 9, 2023, 8:12:27 PM3/9/23
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FALSTAFF.
Thou say'st true Lad:
and is not my Hostess of the Tavern a most sweet Wench?
PRINCE HENRY.
As is the *honey*, my old Lad of the Castle. (Henry IV, Part 1)
The word "honey" is printed as "hony" in the 1623 folio. Letter i, j, y are sometimes mixed in Shakespeare's work (Troyan, Tygers yawes). Hony is a perfect anagram of Iohn or John.
The name John Oldcastle, not just Oldcastle, is sealed in "hony, my old Lad of the Castle." Hony and the splitting of old and castle can apply to John Falstaffe, a honey-fal-staff in the Author's bosom, corresponding to "our humble Author will continue the story with Sir John in it" (Henry IV, Part 2).
"Fal" can be an obsolete form of fall (like fel), a descent from high state.
"Staff" has the usage of a magic rod (of words) as "I'll break my staff" in The Tempest.
The term Babylon appears twice in the 1623 folio. It can be found in various forms (Babylone, Babilone, Babilon, Babiloyne) before the 17th century. "Whore of Babylon" plays for whoreson-baby-lone, a forlorn bastard child. Child has the usage of an author's creation ("Those children nurst, deliver'd from thy brain," sonnet 77).
Falstaff tears for Whore of Babylon, for both Doll Tear-sheet the Whore, and their Baby doomed to be a lone bastard.
John W Kennedy
Mar 10, 2023, 4:51:35 PM3/10/23
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John were here,” in PDE.
> DOLL TEAR-SHEET.
> if the Child I now go with, do miscarry,
> thou had'st better thou had'st strook thy Mother,
> thou Paper-faced Villain.
>
> QUICKLY.
> O, that Sir John were come,
> he would make this a bloody day to somebody.
> But *I would* the Fruit of her Womb might miscarry.
>
> OFFICER.
> If it do, you shall have a dozen of Cushions *again*,
> you have but eleven now.
Quickly’s twelve cushions has been stolen by Doll to fake a pregnant belly.
> This dialogue raises two issues: (1) Why Quickly would prefer a miscarriage? (2) Why a dozen of cushions again?
John W. Kennedy
Algernon Burbage, Lord Roderick, Father Martin, Bishop Baldwin,
King Pellinore, Captain Bailey, Merlin -- A Kingdom for a Stage!
Jim F.
Mar 12, 2023, 5:29:46 AM3/12/23
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Like the whore of Babylon, fruit of the womb refers to Bible. It appears twice in Shakespeare's plays but without blessing: Joan of Arc's "Murther not then the Fruit within my Womb," and Quickly's "I would the Fruit of her Womb might miscarry."
*Elisabeth* shall bear thee a son,
and thou shalt call his name *John* (LUK 1:13) ...
Elisabeth heard the salutation of *Mary* (LUK 1:41) ...
blessed is the fruit of thy womb (LUK 1:42).
The unnamed officer in this interlude is named "Sincklo" in the 1600 quarto. John Sincklo (Sinklo) was an actor of the Pembroke's Men. Shakespeare wrote him into this play may due to his first name John, or a rare coincidence. He claims Doll's pregnancy is a fall-stuff of cushion.
Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD:
and the fruit of the womb is his reward. (PSA 127:3)
Quickly's line "I pray God the fruite of her wombe miscarry" in the 1600 quarto sounds serious. She betrays God. What's in Quickly's mind, or Shakespeare's mind precisely, to pray God for a miscarriage of an innocent child?
This interlude of Doll Tear-sheet's pregnancy, fake or not, could mean nothing (in mose editions) or something. Falstaff's death involves Arthur's bosom, a table of green fields, whore of Babylon, Doll Tear-sheet, Falstaff's sharp nose and "a flea stick upon Bardolph's nose."
Jim F.
Mar 12, 2023, 8:11:47 AM3/12/23
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Comments of various editions on Quickly's miscarriage curse:
(Cambridge) a blunder; she means "may not miscarry," but it could be taken literally as a threat of the revenge Falstaff would take in the event.
(Cambridge) She means "may not miscarry." Another attempt to frighten the beadles.
(Oxford) She means the opposite.
(RSC) either she hopes Doll will miscarry and the Beadle be punished or she's confused and means the opposite.
(Arden) a typical blunder for Quickly, if as seems likely, she means not miscarry.
(Folger) rephrasing it to "But I pray God the fruit of her womb ⟨might⟩ miscarry," based on the 1600 quarto's "But I pray God the fruite of her wombe miscarry."
(Cambridge) a blunder; she means "may not miscarry," but it could be taken literally as a threat of the revenge Falstaff would take in the event.
(Cambridge) She means "may not miscarry." Another attempt to frighten the beadles.
(Oxford) She means the opposite.
(RSC) either she hopes Doll will miscarry and the Beadle be punished or she's confused and means the opposite.
(Arden) a typical blunder for Quickly, if as seems likely, she means not miscarry.
(Folger) rephrasing it to "But I pray God the fruit of her womb ⟨might⟩ miscarry," based on the 1600 quarto's "But I pray God the fruite of her wombe miscarry."
Jim F.
Mar 15, 2023, 8:51:11 PM3/15/23
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Falstaff is rejected by Henry V his old friend, fails to "deliver" his Doll in prison, and misses his child. They are supposedly to be all the true loves he has in the drama world. Interlude of Doll Tear-sheet's pregnancy is one step to strengthen Falstaff's will to pursue his green fields.
Nose has various usages in Shakespeare's work. In Anthony and Cleopatra, nose alludes to the penis.
CHARMIAN.
Well, if you were but an inch of fortune better than I:
where would you choose it.
IRAS.
Not in my Husband's *nose*.
CHARMIAN.
Our *worser* thoughts Heavens mend.
In the dialogue of Falstaff's death, line 8 to 10 are Falstaff's womanish acts. Quickly's "one way" in line 11 is defined in line 12 and 13, that Falstaff's penis (Pen-is) is as sharp as a Pen before, and flat as a table of green fields after a transgender operation done by Quickly.
[8] for after I [Quickly] saw him fumble with the Sheets,
•green fields: a symbol of peace, freshness, unrestraint (for Falstaff's new life as a woman).
RSC changes line 12 and 13 to "for his nose was as sharp as a pen *on* a table of green fields." Some editions change "table" to babbled.
Falstaff playing "Aunt of Brainford" in Merry Wives kindles his incarnate black soul of becoming a woman.
FALSTAFF.
How my *transformation* hath been washed [in Thames], and cudgeled ...
HOST.
Sir John, was there *a wise woman* with thee?
FALSTAFF.
I, that there was (mine Host)
one that hath taught me more wit,
than ever I learned before in my life ...
To support this hidden plot, Shakespeare added "a Flea stick upon Bardolph's Nose" at the end. No audience can catch this line (or the whole dialogue of Falstaff's death) in a short time.
Nose has various usages in Shakespeare's work. In Anthony and Cleopatra, nose alludes to the penis.
CHARMIAN.
Well, if you were but an inch of fortune better than I:
where would you choose it.
IRAS.
Not in my Husband's *nose*.
CHARMIAN.
Our *worser* thoughts Heavens mend.
In the dialogue of Falstaff's death, line 8 to 10 are Falstaff's womanish acts. Quickly's "one way" in line 11 is defined in line 12 and 13, that Falstaff's penis (Pen-is) is as sharp as a Pen before, and flat as a table of green fields after a transgender operation done by Quickly.
[8] for after I [Quickly] saw him fumble with the Sheets,
[9] and play with Flowers,
[10] and smile upon his finger's end,
[11] I knew there was but *one way*:
[10] and smile upon his finger's end,
[12] for his Nose was as sharp as a Pen,
[13] and a Table of green fields.
•table: any flat surface; a board for pictures or words (picturing green fields).
[13] and a Table of green fields.
•green fields: a symbol of peace, freshness, unrestraint (for Falstaff's new life as a woman).
RSC changes line 12 and 13 to "for his nose was as sharp as a pen *on* a table of green fields." Some editions change "table" to babbled.
Falstaff playing "Aunt of Brainford" in Merry Wives kindles his incarnate black soul of becoming a woman.
FALSTAFF.
How my *transformation* hath been washed [in Thames], and cudgeled ...
HOST.
Sir John, was there *a wise woman* with thee?
FALSTAFF.
I, that there was (mine Host)
one that hath taught me more wit,
than ever I learned before in my life ...
To support this hidden plot, Shakespeare added "a Flea stick upon Bardolph's Nose" at the end. No audience can catch this line (or the whole dialogue of Falstaff's death) in a short time.
Jim F.
Mar 21, 2023, 11:49:34 PM3/21/23
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In Henry IV part 1, Bardolph's nose is set to be the emblem of death and hell fire for Falstaff. It shows that Falstaff's death is complex and well-planned.
FALSTAFF.
Do thou amend thy Face, and I'll amend thy Life:
Thou art our Admiral,
thou bear'st the *Lantern in the Poop*,
but 'tis in the *Nose* of thee;
thou art the Knight of the burning Lamp.
BARDOLPH.
Why, Sir John, my Face does you no harm.
FALSTAFF.
No, I'll be sworn: I make as *good use* of it,
as many a man does of a Death's-Head, or a Memento Mori.
I never see thy Face but I think upon *Hell fire* ...
BARDOLPH.
*I would my Face were in your Belly.*
Falstaff makes good use of Bardolph's face (nose) in his wanton life. Bardolph's reply, "I would my Face were in your Belly," suggests to put the emblem of Bardolph's face into Falstaff's nature; or Falstaff owns the nature of the face (nose) that burns Falstaff with hell fire.
At the end of Henry V, Bardolph is sentenced to death and to be executed, but before that, "his nose is executed." It's a death after castration, a hint on Falstaff's death after a transgender operation. Bardolph as Falstaff's shadow is like Poins as Prince Harry's ("I am your shadow").
FLUELLEN.
I think the Duke hath lost never a man, but one
that is *like to be executed* for robbing a Church, one
Bardolph, ... but his *nose is executed*, and his fire's out.
FALSTAFF.
Do thou amend thy Face, and I'll amend thy Life:
Thou art our Admiral,
thou bear'st the *Lantern in the Poop*,
but 'tis in the *Nose* of thee;
thou art the Knight of the burning Lamp.
BARDOLPH.
Why, Sir John, my Face does you no harm.
FALSTAFF.
No, I'll be sworn: I make as *good use* of it,
as many a man does of a Death's-Head, or a Memento Mori.
I never see thy Face but I think upon *Hell fire* ...
BARDOLPH.
*I would my Face were in your Belly.*
Falstaff makes good use of Bardolph's face (nose) in his wanton life. Bardolph's reply, "I would my Face were in your Belly," suggests to put the emblem of Bardolph's face into Falstaff's nature; or Falstaff owns the nature of the face (nose) that burns Falstaff with hell fire.
At the end of Henry V, Bardolph is sentenced to death and to be executed, but before that, "his nose is executed." It's a death after castration, a hint on Falstaff's death after a transgender operation. Bardolph as Falstaff's shadow is like Poins as Prince Harry's ("I am your shadow").
FLUELLEN.
I think the Duke hath lost never a man, but one
that is *like to be executed* for robbing a Church, one
Bardolph, ... but his *nose is executed*, and his fire's out.
Jim F.
Mar 28, 2023, 9:06:08 AM3/28/23
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The word flea and flay were mixedly used in Shakespeare's time, appeared several times in the 1623 folio (original spelling):
• KING LEAR. Shee'l *flea* thy Woluish visage. [flay]
• CORIOLANUS. Vagabond exile, *Fleaing*, pent to linger [flaying]
• COMINIUS. That doe's appeare as he were *Flead*? [flayed]
Shakespeare placed the line "a saw a Flea [flay] stick upon Bardolph's Nose [penis]" at the end of Falstaff's death to secure his design.
Why Shakespeare let Falstaff die a woman is an intriguing question, which can be reasoned by connecting related words like Arthur's bosom, sheets, flowers, fingers end, nose, pen, table, green fields, Babylon, miscarry, a dozen of cushions, etc.
• KING LEAR. Shee'l *flea* thy Woluish visage. [flay]
• CORIOLANUS. Vagabond exile, *Fleaing*, pent to linger [flaying]
• COMINIUS. That doe's appeare as he were *Flead*? [flayed]
Shakespeare placed the line "a saw a Flea [flay] stick upon Bardolph's Nose [penis]" at the end of Falstaff's death to secure his design.
Why Shakespeare let Falstaff die a woman is an intriguing question, which can be reasoned by connecting related words like Arthur's bosom, sheets, flowers, fingers end, nose, pen, table, green fields, Babylon, miscarry, a dozen of cushions, etc.
Jim F.
Mar 31, 2023, 10:41:55 PM3/31/23
to
Mistress Quickly would the child of Doll's womb might miscarry, for Bible says, "shall betray me ... it had been good for that man if he had not been born" (MAT 26:24). Judas was born. A dozen and eleven may lead to eleven apostles and one betrayer.
QUICKLY.
But I would the Fruit of her Womb might miscarry.
OFFICER.
If it do, you shall have a *dozen* of Cushions again,
you have but *eleven* now.
Come, I charge you both go with me: for *the man is dead*,
that you and *Pistol* beat among you.—Henry IV, Part 2
Why the name Pistol appears here is a crux. The play doesn't tell the identity of "the man is dead." Falstaff is hurt in the groin by Pistol in a brawl among Pistol, Quickly and Doll, and dies later a Martyr of his belief.
EPILOGUE.
For Old-Castle died a Martyr, and this [Falstaff] is not the man.—Henry IV, Part 2
Falstaff is not the man died a Martyr, but the woman.
The child of Tear-sheet and Falstaff is a traitor, alluding to a creation (child) of an author without the author's true name. Falstaff is the Author's wanton surrogate (a fall-staff) in the drama world. Falstaff's death returns the character to the real world to the Author's bosom (a martyr of woman to "Arthur's bosom" in the drama world).
QUICKLY.
But I would the Fruit of her Womb might miscarry.
OFFICER.
If it do, you shall have a *dozen* of Cushions again,
you have but *eleven* now.
Come, I charge you both go with me: for *the man is dead*,
that you and *Pistol* beat among you.—Henry IV, Part 2
Why the name Pistol appears here is a crux. The play doesn't tell the identity of "the man is dead." Falstaff is hurt in the groin by Pistol in a brawl among Pistol, Quickly and Doll, and dies later a Martyr of his belief.
EPILOGUE.
For Old-Castle died a Martyr, and this [Falstaff] is not the man.—Henry IV, Part 2
Falstaff is not the man died a Martyr, but the woman.
The child of Tear-sheet and Falstaff is a traitor, alluding to a creation (child) of an author without the author's true name. Falstaff is the Author's wanton surrogate (a fall-staff) in the drama world. Falstaff's death returns the character to the real world to the Author's bosom (a martyr of woman to "Arthur's bosom" in the drama world).
Jim F.
Apr 24, 2023, 10:14:55 AM4/24/23
to
[28] BOY. Yes, that a did, and said they were Devils *incarnate*.
[29] QUICKLY. A could never abide *Carnation*, it was a Colour he never liked.
Carnation is a variant of incarnation (OED). John Falstaff isn't the only author's incarnation. Similar design appears in Lady Macbeth.
Falstaff is purified by merry wives of Windsor before his death.
Lady Macbeth is purified in her sleepwalking before her death.
Falstaff transforms to a woman.
Lady Macbeth can be asexual ("unsex me").
Falstaff's last words: "God, God, God."
Lady Macbeth's last words: "To bed, to bed, to bed."
(Both can apply to writing.)
Falstaff's last act is writing on a table: "fumble with the Sheets [of paper], and play with Flowers [ornament of words] ... smile upon [manuscript at] his finger's end.
Lady Macbeth's last act is writing in her sleepwalking: "take forth paper, fold it, write upon it, read it, afterwards Seal it."
Some editions claims "unsex me" is figurative. Shakespeare cunningly made that physical, another complex hidden plot.
[29] QUICKLY. A could never abide *Carnation*, it was a Colour he never liked.
Carnation is a variant of incarnation (OED). John Falstaff isn't the only author's incarnation. Similar design appears in Lady Macbeth.
Falstaff is purified by merry wives of Windsor before his death.
Lady Macbeth is purified in her sleepwalking before her death.
Falstaff transforms to a woman.
Lady Macbeth can be asexual ("unsex me").
Falstaff's last words: "God, God, God."
Lady Macbeth's last words: "To bed, to bed, to bed."
(Both can apply to writing.)
Falstaff's last act is writing on a table: "fumble with the Sheets [of paper], and play with Flowers [ornament of words] ... smile upon [manuscript at] his finger's end.
Lady Macbeth's last act is writing in her sleepwalking: "take forth paper, fold it, write upon it, read it, afterwards Seal it."
Some editions claims "unsex me" is figurative. Shakespeare cunningly made that physical, another complex hidden plot.
Jim F.
Apr 29, 2023, 11:36:01 PM4/29/23
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>
> Falstaff is purified by merry wives of Windsor before his death.
> Lady Macbeth is purified in her sleepwalking before her death.
>
How Lady Macbeth dies? In her sleepwalking, her Doctor says sleepwalkers may die holily in beds, an odd comment suggesting her death involving sleep, walk, and holiness.
> Falstaff is purified by merry wives of Windsor before his death.
> Lady Macbeth is purified in her sleepwalking before her death.
>
DOCTOR.
This disease is beyond my practice:
yet I have known those which have
*walked* in their *sleep*,
who have *died holily* in their beds.
"Sleep" has the usage of an inactive, peaceful state; "walk" of to behave or direct one's conduct; "died holily" alludes that God took her.
The Doctor (Shakespeare actually) refers Lady Macbeth's death to Bible (Genesis 5:23–24): "And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: And Enoch *walked* with God: and he was not; for *God took* him."
Jim F.
May 2, 2023, 8:07:57 AM5/2/23
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MACBETH. What is that *noise*? [A Cry within of Women.]
SEYTON. It is the *cry of women*, my good Lord. ...
MACBETH. Wherefore was that cry?
SEYTON. The Queen (my Lord) is dead.
MACBETH. She should have died hereafter; ...
Unlike Desdemona or Cordelia, Lady Macbeth isn't dead on the stage. The "noise" and "cry of women" and "is dead" simulate a ruler's daughter who is dead and is not dead but sleeps in Bible:
And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue,
and seeth the *tumult*, and them that
*wept and wailed* greatly.
And when he was come in, he saith unto them,
Why make ye this ado, and weep?
the damsel *is not dead*, but *sleepeth*. (Mark 5:38–39)
"She should haue dy'de heereafter" is a tricky line.
Jim F.
May 4, 2023, 5:44:26 AM5/4/23
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"She should haue dy'de heereafter" can be interpreted in various ways, including Lady Macbeth is not dead now but should be in the future. This tricky line completes the design of Lady Macbeth's death that matches Bible's "the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth."
John Falstaff turns to a woman by castration. How can Lady Macbeth "unsex me"? Goneril, Regan, Tamora, Cymbeline's second wife are vicious in Shakespeare's plays. They are women. However, witchcraft is allowed in the play Macbeth, which broadens the usage of "unsex me."
BANQUO.
... you should be Women,
And yet your *Beards* forbid me to interpret
That you are so.
In Holinshed's Chronicles, the weird sisters have no beards: "The prophesy of three women supposing to be the weird sisters or fairies."
Shakespeare made the three witches asexual via beards. Lady Macbeth transforms to a witch by growing beards when she casts charms to summon spirits, and her beards disappear after that. The same may apply to the three witches, that they grow beards only for casting charms.
LADY MACBETH.
Come you *Spirits*,
That tend on mortal thoughts, *unsex me* here,
And fill me from the Crown to the Toe, top-full
Of direst Cruelty:
The growing of beards can be done in a film or on the stage, to let the audience connect the three witches with Lady Macbeth. The witches are beardless in all the Macbeth films today.
Jim F.
May 9, 2023, 10:28:12 AM5/9/23
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Enter Lady, with a Taper. ...
DOCTOR.
How came she by that *light*?
GENTLEWOMAN.
Why, it stood by her:
she hath light by her *continually*,
it's her command.
Shakespeare devised Lady Macbeth's death based on Bible, with walk, light (of God), died holily (God took her), to bed, sleep, and "she should have died hereafter."
Light can be a contraction of light of God. Emphasizing _light_ in Lady Macbeth's _walk_ in her sleep, suggests that she walks with God in her own way and own world, somewhere between the fictional and real world. For at the end after her death, or vanishing as witches in the play, she may return to the author's bosom like Falstaff.
"And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him" (Genesis 5:24).
"the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth" (Mark 5:39).
DOCTOR.
How came she by that *light*?
GENTLEWOMAN.
Why, it stood by her:
she hath light by her *continually*,
it's her command.
Shakespeare devised Lady Macbeth's death based on Bible, with walk, light (of God), died holily (God took her), to bed, sleep, and "she should have died hereafter."
Light can be a contraction of light of God. Emphasizing _light_ in Lady Macbeth's _walk_ in her sleep, suggests that she walks with God in her own way and own world, somewhere between the fictional and real world. For at the end after her death, or vanishing as witches in the play, she may return to the author's bosom like Falstaff.
"And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him" (Genesis 5:24).
"the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth" (Mark 5:39).
Jim F.
May 13, 2023, 7:41:01 AM5/13/23
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Westminster Abbey erected a Shakespeare statue in 1741. In 1743 Wilton House copied that but changed the inscription from _The Tempest_ to _Macbeth_, a monologue to mourn Lady Macbeth's *death*.
LIFE's but a walking SHADOW
a poor PLAYER
That struts & frets his hour
upon the STAGE
And then *is heard no more*!
William Shakespeare was famous in 1741 for sure. Characters are heard often on the stage (and in books) including Lady Macbeth. Who "is heard no more" that deserved the Herbert family to erect a Shakespeare statue and end it with "is heard no more"?
Jim F.
May 21, 2023, 7:39:56 AM5/21/23
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DOCTOR.
When was it she last walked?
GENTLEWOMAN.
Since his Majesty went into the Field,
I have seen her rise from her bed,
throw her Night-Gown upon her,
unlock her Closet, take forth paper,
yet all this while in a most fast sleep. ...
DOCTOR.
Hark, she speaks,
I will set down what comes from her,
to satisfy my remembrance the more strongly.
Some editions assume that Lady Macbeth is writing the "deed" she and her husband have done, which would be what she speaks in her sleepwalking.
What can be the purpose of the gentlewoman's description?
Why Shakespeare _detailed_ how Lady Macbeth writes?
Sleepwalking scene is Lady Macbeth's last presence on the stage. Besides Lady Macbeth, here exists other person(s) who can write or "set down" what's happening in this play--the play's author(s).
"Yes, that a [Falstaff] did, and said they were devils incarnate."
When was it she last walked?
GENTLEWOMAN.
Since his Majesty went into the Field,
I have seen her rise from her bed,
throw her Night-Gown upon her,
unlock her Closet, take forth paper,
fold it, write upon it, read it,
afterwards Seal it, and again return to bed;
yet all this while in a most fast sleep. ...
DOCTOR.
Hark, she speaks,
I will set down what comes from her,
to satisfy my remembrance the more strongly.
Some editions assume that Lady Macbeth is writing the "deed" she and her husband have done, which would be what she speaks in her sleepwalking.
What can be the purpose of the gentlewoman's description?
Why Shakespeare _detailed_ how Lady Macbeth writes?
Sleepwalking scene is Lady Macbeth's last presence on the stage. Besides Lady Macbeth, here exists other person(s) who can write or "set down" what's happening in this play--the play's author(s).
"Yes, that a [Falstaff] did, and said they were devils incarnate."
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