Post by Ravendust on Oct 26, 2006 8:44:13 GMT -5
Underdeveloped Character: Don John
Recently I have made quite a fool of myself. I was at war with the Prince of Aragon, my brother. My goal was simply thus: To conquer the kingdom of Aragon and rule it for myself. I stumbled upon this foolhardy idea sometime ago. Conrade, my truest servant and friend, suggested to me subtly that because I was not legitimate, and thus could not be given the throne, I should take it by force.
I did not know then how difficult it would be to rally an army and to go to war. I did not know that I would be disgraced as I was. My men are all dead or fled; there is no hope of rallying another battalion again. I am most always kept under my brother's watchful eye now; he has been so kind as to forgive me of my misdeeds.
We arrived in Messina shortly after my defeat; we were to stay with my brother’s friend, Leonato. Curiously enough, later that same day I was told by Borachio, yet another of my followers that managed to avoid death and still remain by my side, that the prince’s pet, Claudio was in love with Leonato’s daughter Hero.
He told me that the prince intended to woo the girl in Claudio’s name, thus winning her over for the boy. That young upstart, how I loathe him, carries all of the glory for my overthrow. After assuring myself of Conrade and Borachio’s loyalty to me, we journeyed in high spirits to the household of Leonato for the reveling that very evening.
We approached Claudio when he was alone, and addressed him as Benedick. He readily accepted the role, possibly hoping to gather some great secret from myself addressed to the man whose identity he had borrowed. His willingness to accept the role nearly sickened me, was this boy really under the impression that he would learn something of valuable importance that would raise him ever farther in my brother’s graces? Idly chatting I revealed to Claudio that Don Pedro was wooing Hero for himself, that Borachio and I had heard him proclaim his love for her. Thus we left young, proper Claudio, confused and angry with the news that he had received from us. I found shortly after that my ploy had only worked for a few moments after that- when my brother had called Claudio over and given him his prize.
Walking alone with Borachio he told me of a plan that he himself had formulated that would most certainly cross the wedding. Margaret, Hero’s lady in waiting, holds him in her favor, and he planned to use this to his advantage.
The very eve before the wedding I drew both my brother and Claudio aside and gravely told them of how I could prove Hero’s disloyalty. I told them that I spoke of this out of love for them, and showed them to Hero’s window, where Borachio and Margaret played the role of Claudio and Hero. Both were upset indeed, and I was pleased with the outcome.
Both of my servants were apprehended that same evening and I knew that I had no choice but to flee from Messina. They had sworn their loyalties to me, but I knew that under pressure their loyalties would sway.
Needless to say I was shortly apprehended and brought back to my brother’s side. I was angry, and they were jovial. Two weddings had occurred in my brief absence- that of Claudio and Hero, and that of Benedick and Beatrice. My punishment was to be held off for a little while at least, and I was led to a cell, where I would sit and await my judgment.
Don Pedro, my brother, doesn't hold me so dearly to him any longer, if indeed he ever did. And yet, I am glad. For now he no longer looks down upon me, nor does he take my role in his life so lightly. He has seen what I am capable of, and he fears my power.
I sit in my cell, my dark hair cascading in messy ringlets over my shoulders and my eyes cast downward, staring at the stone-slab floor with little emotion. I await now my judgment. The door opens slowly, protesting loudly against its hinges and I look up at the group of guards that enter slowly and solemnly. So this is my fate.
I walk now, with little trouble, down the long pathway that should lead inevitably to my doom. I am not the pig, fattened and ever curious; I am not being led blindly to the slaughterhouse. I walk freely and with little qualm, un-lead, to my abattoir. I fear nothing, for I am Don John.
Edit:I didn't really have time to fix it earlier- so I did it now...
Recently I have made quite a fool of myself. I was at war with the Prince of Aragon, my brother. My goal was simply thus: To conquer the kingdom of Aragon and rule it for myself. I stumbled upon this foolhardy idea sometime ago. Conrade, my truest servant and friend, suggested to me subtly that because I was not legitimate, and thus could not be given the throne, I should take it by force.
I did not know then how difficult it would be to rally an army and to go to war. I did not know that I would be disgraced as I was. My men are all dead or fled; there is no hope of rallying another battalion again. I am most always kept under my brother's watchful eye now; he has been so kind as to forgive me of my misdeeds.
We arrived in Messina shortly after my defeat; we were to stay with my brother’s friend, Leonato. Curiously enough, later that same day I was told by Borachio, yet another of my followers that managed to avoid death and still remain by my side, that the prince’s pet, Claudio was in love with Leonato’s daughter Hero.
He told me that the prince intended to woo the girl in Claudio’s name, thus winning her over for the boy. That young upstart, how I loathe him, carries all of the glory for my overthrow. After assuring myself of Conrade and Borachio’s loyalty to me, we journeyed in high spirits to the household of Leonato for the reveling that very evening.
We approached Claudio when he was alone, and addressed him as Benedick. He readily accepted the role, possibly hoping to gather some great secret from myself addressed to the man whose identity he had borrowed. His willingness to accept the role nearly sickened me, was this boy really under the impression that he would learn something of valuable importance that would raise him ever farther in my brother’s graces? Idly chatting I revealed to Claudio that Don Pedro was wooing Hero for himself, that Borachio and I had heard him proclaim his love for her. Thus we left young, proper Claudio, confused and angry with the news that he had received from us. I found shortly after that my ploy had only worked for a few moments after that- when my brother had called Claudio over and given him his prize.
Walking alone with Borachio he told me of a plan that he himself had formulated that would most certainly cross the wedding. Margaret, Hero’s lady in waiting, holds him in her favor, and he planned to use this to his advantage.
The very eve before the wedding I drew both my brother and Claudio aside and gravely told them of how I could prove Hero’s disloyalty. I told them that I spoke of this out of love for them, and showed them to Hero’s window, where Borachio and Margaret played the role of Claudio and Hero. Both were upset indeed, and I was pleased with the outcome.
Both of my servants were apprehended that same evening and I knew that I had no choice but to flee from Messina. They had sworn their loyalties to me, but I knew that under pressure their loyalties would sway.
Needless to say I was shortly apprehended and brought back to my brother’s side. I was angry, and they were jovial. Two weddings had occurred in my brief absence- that of Claudio and Hero, and that of Benedick and Beatrice. My punishment was to be held off for a little while at least, and I was led to a cell, where I would sit and await my judgment.
Don Pedro, my brother, doesn't hold me so dearly to him any longer, if indeed he ever did. And yet, I am glad. For now he no longer looks down upon me, nor does he take my role in his life so lightly. He has seen what I am capable of, and he fears my power.
I sit in my cell, my dark hair cascading in messy ringlets over my shoulders and my eyes cast downward, staring at the stone-slab floor with little emotion. I await now my judgment. The door opens slowly, protesting loudly against its hinges and I look up at the group of guards that enter slowly and solemnly. So this is my fate.
I walk now, with little trouble, down the long pathway that should lead inevitably to my doom. I am not the pig, fattened and ever curious; I am not being led blindly to the slaughterhouse. I walk freely and with little qualm, un-lead, to my abattoir. I fear nothing, for I am Don John.
Edit:I didn't really have time to fix it earlier- so I did it now...
