Echo, Shadow. Obloquy, Impression.
He rehearsed his lines backstage for the twelfth time in as many minutes. By now, Siddharth had drawn nervous of his own shadow and aware of the shadows that drifted by, like moving storyboards on the dark granite floor beneath his feet.
“Of such misery does she cut me off, commend me to your honourable wife. Tell her the process of Antonio's end. Say how I loved you, speak me fair in death, and, when the tale is told, bid her be judge whether Bassanio had not once a love.”
How much of a parallel they drew from each other’s lives, was difficult to say. Was it Siddharth, a hopeless depressive who could not name the source of his melancholy, borrowing from Antonio? Or was it Antonio, unable to muster the energy to defend himself against execution, surfacing through Siddharth?
“Repent but you that you shall lose your friend, and he repents not that he pays your debt. For if the Jew does cut but deep enough, I'll pay it presently with all my heart.”
Nearly a thousand pair of hands roared thunderously, claps and cheers from people who had just witnessed and loved his best performance ever. Passive and cold, he stood there like an adversary to his own soul. His throat felt dry, almost as if he had been swallowing his tears. Submissive yet convinced, he allowed himself to take in as much of the new-found adulation as he could. He let the nameless stares chase him; he let the harsh flickering flashes hurt him.
The player and the played, both faint manifestations of two intertwined destinies, bowed down gently even as the red satin end of the curtains drew closer, and apart.
Somehow, it seems i've read it elsewhere in your earlier writings!! may be its "THE MERCHANT OF VENICE"
What is most striking is the fact that how such a short piece of writing has the crescendo and the downfall!! Both Verbal and Visual!!
KUDOS!! Hope to read more!!!
Well, for one, I think you feel you must have read it before as I DO quote lines from the play. If otherwise, what can I say? I am hugely flattered.
Also, since Siddharth is an important character in one of my earlier works - hence the familiarity.
Thanks for the encouragement. I hope I don't let you down with the ones that follow.
Cheers!
The characters are the same but the premise is entirely different.
The character of Siddharth in my earlier piece plays Antonio to get over and erase.
Here, Siddharth is just an actor finding it difficult to identify himself and the character, when placed together. I know you are not convinced but there is a difference. Maybe, we shall keep this argument for later.
By the way, I am glad to know you loved both of them.