Ellen Terry's Beatrice by Helen Gray Cone
"Ellen Terry's Beatrice" by Helen Gray Cone is a sonnet that captures the essence of Ellen Terry's portrayal of Beatrice from Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing." The poem uses vivid imagery and metaphor to convey Beatrice's complex character. It describes her as a playful and elusive presence, akin to a spring wind that teases with its mirth and tenderness. The poem likens her to a falcon, suggesting her spirited and independent nature, yet also highlights her grace and allure. The imagery of a dancing star reflected in Sicilian waters underscores her vibrant and captivating spirit.
By Helen Gray Cone · First published 1885 · Genre: Biography, Theater, Literary Criticism · 164 words
First lines
OBERON
A wind of spring that whirls the feignéd snows / Of blossom-petals in the face, and flees: / Elusive, made of mirthful mockeries, / Yet tender with the prescience of the rose; / A strain desired, that through the memory goes, / Too subtle-slender for the voice to seize; / A flame dissembled, only lit to tease, / Whose touch were half a kiss, if one but knows.
She shows by Leonato's dove-like daughter / A falcon, by a prince to be possessed, / Gay-graced with bells that ever chiming are; / In azure of the bright Sicilian water, / A billow that has rapt into its breast / The swayed reflection of a dancing star!
Similar titles
- The Shakespeare Memorial by G. K. Chesterton
- Sir Henry Irving by Virna Sheard
- Shakespeare And The Old Dramatists by Samuel Taylor Coleridge
- After Writing My Dramatic Review by Theophile Gautier
- Byron And Walpole by Samuel Taylor Coleridge
- The Art Of Shakspere As Revealed By Himself by George Macdonald
Genres
- Biography — Focuses on Ellen Terry's life and her landmark portrayal of Beatrice, providing historical and personal context.
- Theater — Highlights stage performance and dramatic artistry, central to interpreting the iconic role.
- Literary Criticism — Examines the nuances of character interpretation and textual analysis of Shakespearean themes.
- Drama — Incorporates narrative and character studies reflective of stage plays and dramatic literature.
Tags
theatrical biography · stage performance · actress portrayal · classic drama · literary criticism · character analysis · performance art · theater history · drama studies · historical theater · Shakespearean drama · acting technique
What this Textopian page supports
Ellen Terry's Beatrice is listed on Textopian as a poem by Helen Gray Cone, dated 1885 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Helen Gray Cone
- Date: 1885 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Biography, Theater, Literary Criticism, Drama, Poetry
- Length: 164 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Ellen Terry's Beatrice by Helen Gray Cone
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph