Ceres Words

We did a lot more work today on what it was we were actually saying to each other and how we wanted it to come across. I already knew what I was saying because of my earlier research, however today helped me to realise and explore the way I should say it.

CERES

Hail, many-coloured messenger, that ne'er

Dost disobey the wife of Jupiter;

Who with thy saffron wings upon my flowers

Diffusest honey drops, refreshing showers;

And with each end of thy blue bow dost crown

My bosky acres and my unshrubbed down,

Rich scarf to my proud earth. Why hath thy queen

Summoned me hither to this short-grassed green?

When Ceres is saying this, I am walking down from the audience. Gently touching their heads, or letting them kiss my hands. Anything to show that I am a higher status character and that they should all worship me. I then make my way down to Iris, where I walk around her and basically just compliment her over and over again. The spirits all seem to be in love with each other and are really close.

CERES

     Tell me, heavenly bow,

If Venus or her son, as thou dost know,

Do now attend the queen? Since they did plot

The means that dusky Dis my daughter got,

Her and her blind boy’s scandaled company

I have forsworn.

When I say these lines, I have to appear very annoyed. Ceres is so angry with Venus, because it is her fault that her daughter, Persephone, was taken away from her. When I say these lines, I have to appear really annoyed and act like I don't really care, but I want to know what they've been up to.

CERES

    Highest queen of state,

Great Juno, comes. I know her by her gait.

I have to switch very suddenly from being very annoyed and upset about Venus and from starting to not listen to Iris, to suddenly seeing Juno and being blown away by her beauty and grace, we have to be in awe of her.

CERES

(sings)

 Earth’s increase, foison plenty,

 Barns and garners never empty,

 Vines and clustering bunches growing,

 Plants with goodly burden bowing—

 Spring come to you at the farthest

 In the very end of harvest.

 Scarcity and want shall shun you.

 Ceres' blessing so is on you.

When I say these lines, I have to appear very flirty and mischievous. I walk around Ferdinand and Miranda and become very sexual with them. This gives me an individual characterisation to work with, which makes characterising Ceres much easier. I have to walk around them and put my fingers through their hair, touch them on the nose, shimmy and stroke their shoulders etc. 

I really enjoy doing this because it gives my character it's own life and allows me to experiment with it a bit. I found rehearsals today interesting and fun because it was easier to connect with my character, now that I know the intention behind her words.