Indian Culture
The main thing I learned about Indian culture from this reading concerns the use of language. What surprised me was how similar the references are to that of a Shakespeare play. This works was clearly written at a time when the people of India couldn’t have had any international influence and, therefore, it is astonishing that such a parallel can be drawn. At the beginning of Act III, for example, King Dushyanta has a lengthy monologue. In it he says:
“Here may the zephyr, fragrant with the scent
Of lotuses, and laden with the spray
Caught from the waters of the rippling stream,
Fold in its close embrace my fevered limbs.”
The reference to basic element of water, and the extended metaphor, is very reminiscent of Shakespeare’s writing. I was surprised about this as India is a long way from England, both in distance and in cultural similarities. Moreover, although some of the poetic techniques have doubtless been lost in translation, there is still evidence of metrical rhythm within the prose. Again, I find it surprising that techniques and elements I had previously considered to be English were also used, a very long time ago, in a very different part of the world.
Main Characters:
Dushyanta: Hugh Grant.
This character has vast monologues. The role needs to be played by a confident man who is capable of carrying off the humour as well as the serious elements.
Sakuntala: Angelina Joli
Although Joli is arguably a little old for this part, it needs an intelligent actress to portray this woman effectively. The heroine of this play is traditional, though to perform the story now she would need to also be witty.
