Student Podcast Series: British Literature Conversations
Writing by BethRitterguth on Monday, 4 of June , 2007 at 12:06 am
Student Author: Heather
Author Conversations
SCENE: We sit down at the yearly gathering which is referred to as the Dead Early Modern Writers Society. Many persons gather here to discuss their works again and again and eat a modest feast. Three men in particular sit down in the corner of the room to begin a conversation. These men are: Sir Thomas More, Edmund Spenser, and William Shakespeare. Each man sits trying to prove he is better than the other. The waitress had just taken their orders and they are waiting for their meals. They are beginning a very heated conversation.
Three men in unison: Thank you, Ma’am.
More: Is this Utopia or what?
Spenser: Must you bring up your stories like that; can we not enjoy the meal?
More: I did not come back from the grave and had my head reattached for nothing.
Shakespeare (agitated): Well alright then, what have you found now about the book you wrote almost 500 years ago?
More: My book Utopia is a timeless classic, as you all know. I find that it is still important in the world today. Although it was written in contrast to England, it is very true in the modern day United States.
Spenser: Of course you think it is. I must say though, that my book, particularly the story about the Redcrosse Knight is also important. Redcrosse is a true hero, and people today still love stories about hero. He overcame the evil sourcer, killed the monster Error, and was still reunited with his love.
Shakespeare: You call that a hero?
Spenser: Yes, what do you call a hero?
Shakespeare: Well if you’re using that definition. Then I supposed that I am a hero as well.
Spenser: Because you died in a brawl? Nowadays, that’s considered foolish.
Shakespeare: I didn’t say I considered myself a hero. I simply used your definition.
Spenser: You little…
More: Gentlemen, gentlemen. Please, we mustn’t make fools of ourselves. After all, we’re some of the oldest, and therefore, more respected authors in the room. This is exactly what I wrote about in my book. Were Raphael Hythloday is the hero that I wrote about.
Shakespeare (under his breath): Not this again.
More: Hythloday presented ideas for a Utopian society. He tried to save people from becoming robbers, and beggars. And he tried to save them from the ultimate punishment of death.
Spenser: You mean you tried this.
More: Well in essence, yes it was me. You two know the purpose was my internal battle between law and being a monk.
Shakespeare: Yes, yes. We’ve been hearing this for the last 400 years. Do you have anything new to tell us about?
More: Well excuse me Mr. Every High School Student in America Reads about Me.
Shakespeare: Yes, they read about me, I supposed that is because I’m the best. Did I not write stories about love and heroes? Othello for example, he’s a great hero. He’s powerful and eloquent. What everyone thinks of when they think about heroes.
Spenser: Who actually reads Othello, doesn’t everyone read Romeo and Juliet. And by read I mean rent the movie?
Shakespeare: Can I really help it if America’s youth think that I wrote Romeo as Leonardo DiCarpio? But at least people have heard of my heroes. What can you two say about your heroes?
More: My hero was an idealist. He tried to better society and stop war. He was interested in the very nature of humans, a true philosopher. That is what should be a hero. Not some pretty boy who fights in armor.
Spenser: My hero, Redcrosse fought against good and evil. He overcame temptation by Archimago. He battled monsters and traveled across the wilderness. He was a Knight and was very powerful.
Shakespeare: I still believe that a hero needs to be respected. You gave your hero, Hythloday a name that means foolish.
More: It’s the pure contradiction that makes him a hero. Everyone around him considers him to be a fool, yet he is a hero.
Category: BethRitterguth
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