Santiago, Vernardita I.

September 18, 2007

BMC IV-1 Ms. Nerissa Gabelo
2004-10150

A Critical Analysis on “THE DESERTED CRONE”

“Blood is thicker than water”.

Do you believe in this phrase? For many of us, we consider our family and loved
ones as our reflection and one of our treasures in life. They might be incomparable loved
ones that we cannot afford to lose and maybe we cannot afford to leave. But after
reading one of the greatest Noh play entitled “The Deserted Crone”, it gave me an
impression that sometimes, what we see, feel and experience in life with our relatives
isn’t enough for our undying respect, love and care for them. The story is quite simple
yet had a very strong impact especially the role of the masks that are very visible in the
play. I find it a little bit dull yet an interesting one. Dull because of the continuous
exchange of dialogues by the character and interesting because of the mysteries hidden
not only with the characters but in the whole story that made me curious about the real
thing in the play. For me, it would be better if the old woman appeared on her hometown
in Sarashina and there, she would expressed not only her feelings but also her
predicaments and experiences after her nephew abandoned her in the place she doesn’t
even know. In this, she would give a strong and brave stand on her side to show what
she truly feels with regards of the situation. It’s also better if the traveler got the initiative
to search for the family of the old woman so that even she’s gone, he could give justice
and be able to help her. With that set-up, Wada No Hikonaga will realize what have he
done with her aunt and it will open his mind and heart with the true meaning of love and
respect. I commend Zeami in using tress and flowers as symbols of sadness and
emptiness felt by the old woman weeping and waiting for a long time. Both played a vital
role in showing the audience how lonely to be alone in life. If I would end the story, I’d
like to end it in the Mount Obasute with the traveler, the old woman and Hikonaga
present in the scene. There, they will exchange short but powerful lines to open each
others mind and feelings towards each other. So that, it would be clear to all characters
and the audience what is the real story behind the play.

As a whole, acceptance and forgiveness are the things present in the play. I
really appreciated it not only because of the simplicity but the lessons it offered.
 Santiago, Vernardita I. September 18, 2007
BMC IV-1 Ms. Nerissa Gabelo
2004-10150

A Critical Analysis on “THE PRICE OF WINE”

In every aspect of play, drama or even novel, comedy is one of the hardest things
to do. Making many people to laugh is very difficult especially when you have to put the
most humor out of it in order to entertain. “The Price of Wine” is a trying hard comedy
play for me because I can’t catch the sense of their lines in their actions with the sounds
of drums and gong with every dialogues they make. Maybe it’s because I only read it but
not actually seen the play. However, I appreciate the lessons presented in the story
especially when it comes to judging the people around you.
True, it’s hard to trust people most of the time especially in the case of a woman.
In the story, it’s kind of exaggerating the situation of Li Feng with the emperor (of course
she doesn’t know it at first). My favorite part in the play is when the two characters
played tricks on each other, it really catches my attention. But, I think it would be more
interesting if Cheng Teh teases Li Feng more to drag her full attention so that the conflict
is more intense. It would be give more excitement if the brother of Li Feng appears in the
story so that the main characters will be force to reveal the truth about their personality
(especially Cheng Teh) with a touch of humor with it. They say that “Looks can be
deceiving” and this phrase is very obvious in the play. Thus, it is an effective way of
making a play a comedic one and at the same time entertaining the people with lessons
in it. In contrast, I would like to end the story in a hanging and challenging situation that
the audience will guess what would happen in the end. It’s not that good but quite
effective if Li Feng sees the truth behind Cheng Teh’s personality and because of that,
Cheng Teh will give her choices on what kind of punishment she will receive after
treating an emperor as a soldier and being offended many times (of course it’s his turn to
play tricks with Li Feng).
I would also add some instrument such as piano when they exchange dialogues
with intense actions rather than with the use of gongs. The small and big drums are
effective but it should be in minimal use because I think it would destruct the attention of
the audiences especially when the story is in its climax and turning point. In general, the
price of wine is a ‘must-see’ play and a ‘must-read’ story because there are many
realizations and also one will learn the cultures and traditions of their country with a twist
of comedy.