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Student’s Name

Professor’s Name

Course

Date

Drama

Part A

Verbal and physical comic devices in Act III, scene iv

Various comic devices have been utilized by Macdonald in scene iv, both verbal and

physical. The verbal devices used in the scene include parody and sexual innuendo. In the scene,

parody is displayed in the conversation where Romeo teases Juliet. “Thinkst thou to leave a

lovely corpse, my dear, when even now the crows have footed it in merry measure all about thine

eyes” (MacDonald 66). Sexual innuendo has also been employed in the conversation between

Romeo and Constance. “O that I were a fountain pen within thy hand, to spurt forth streams of

eloquent” (MacDonald 66). Another form of sexual innuendo is exhibited in Constance response

to Juliet claiming she had sought for years to penetrate Juliet’s source.

On the other hand, the physical comic devices deployed by McDonald include the display

of nastiness between Romeo and Tybalt. “Tybalt gives Romeo a macho slap on the ass and

laughs” (McDonald 60). The reaction occurred after Romeo had placed his hand on Tybalt's

bottom. The other form of physical comic device is displayed in the interaction between Romeo,

Juliet, and Constance where Romeo continually attempts to kiss Constance. Similarly, Juliet does

not release Constance hand when she takes it.

The comic devices utilized in the scene are significant in breaking the monotony and

lightening the mood of the drama. Such devices attract the reader’s attention thereby breaking
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the monotony. Besides, the devices, particularly parody, enhance a better understanding of the

scene. Parody has the ability to represent a student’s comprehension of a literature piece (Shelton

10). Therefore, the devices were successful in enhancing understanding of the scene.

Part B

Constance use of Desdemona and Juliet for the alchemical process of turning base metals into

gold

Alchemical literary refers to the act of transforming metal into gold. Alchemy is a

spiritual myth, which is believed to heal a human soul’s wound caused by separation, loneliness

or alienation. It entails transmuting an individual from an ignorance state to a state of wholeness

and enlightenment (Baring). The same concept of the alchemical process is applicable in the

play. The scene establishes the ability of Constance to turn tragedy into comedy (May).

Constance uses Desdemona and Juliet as a stepping stone to realizing her potential and maturity.

Desdemona is portrayed as a victim of trust and love. Besides, she is displayed as an

obedient wife to her husband where she obeys his commands as well as being devoted to him.

However, there are Desdemona’s characters that Constance adored while others were bad

qualities. Constance perceives Desdemona differently where she terms her as a strong-headed

individual. “But you’re just like Othello-gullible and violent” (MacDonald 86). Constance

compares Desdemona to own husband Othello who had no trust in her, which led to his downfall

despite being brave and respectful.

Besides, Desdemona denies the perception regarding her being a helpless victim. She

dismisses the allegation as baseless and terms it as bullshit (MacDonald 38). Such a stern

position makes Constance respect Desdemona and hails her as being magnificent and having the

greatness capability. It implies that Constance finds a few flaws in Desdemona despite being
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great. Desdemona promises to rectify her bad qualities and become a better person. Constance is

influenced by Desdemona’s declaration to change. She is inspired and seeks to find her strength

and confidence. Therefore, Desdemona's acknowledgment challenges Constance to improve her

character.

On the other hand, Juliet is portrayed as the personification of love. Similarly, some of Juliet’s

qualities are adored by Constance while others are bad qualities. She even refers to Juliet as “the

essence of first love” (MacDonald 64). Besides, Constance is inspired by Juliet’s perceptions

regarding first love and the strong love she had for her. However, Constance dislikes some of

Juliet’s qualities. She feels skeptical regarding Juliet’s idea of killing herself.

Still, Juliet’s bad qualities are displayed in various acts including her obsession with

sexual love. She also portrays an immature character when she tells Romeo that she would

inform her father regarding their conversation (MacDonald 56). Constance asks Juliet to reform

towards the end of the play and promise that she will positively perceive life. Therefore,

Constance is inspired to realize her maturity through her interaction with Juliet.

In fact, Constance reflects on her life, towards the end of the play, when she returns to the

office. “She tentatively touches herself as if to confirm her reality” (MacDonald 88). She has

transformed into a better person despite having esteem issues initially. The same assertion is

reflected in the feathered pen, which had transformed into solid gold. The confidence acquired

by Constance and the change of character to a better person is attributed to her experience with

Desdemona and Juliet.

As a whole, Desdemona and Juliet assisted in the realization of Constance strength,

confidence, and maturity. Therefore, the alchemical process in the play is portrayed in the ability

of Constance to transform into a better person through the experience she had with Juliet and
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Desdemona. In essence, the positive transformation of Constance life is accrued to the two

women she interacted with in the play.

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Works Cited

Baring, Anne. “Base Metal into Gold: The Process of the Soul's Transmutation.” Esoteric

Online, 2016, http://www.esotericonline.net/group/alchemy/forum/topics/base-metal-

into-gold-the-process-of-the-soul-s-transmutation

MacDonald, Ann-Marie. Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet). Grove Press, 1998.

May, Robert. “Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet) by Ann-Marie MacDonald.”

Canadian Literature: A Micropedia, n.d.,

http://post.queensu.ca/~mayr/canadian/goodnight3.html

Shelton, Ashley N. "The Power of Parody and Satire in the 21st Century English Classroom."

ScholarWorks, 2014.