Sunday 6 May 2018

Sunday Snap – The quotable post box


We were in Glasgow for last week's Sunday Snap of the Victorian Prime Minister. I asked who the famous politician was and the answer is

William Ewart Gladstone

Topping the polls with the right answer were Kara, Soma, Cheryl and Anne.

This week we are off to Stratford upon Avon. Upon hearing the news that the Royal Mail had covered a post box with quotes from some of William Shakespeare's plays we hotfooted it to Warwickshire. This simple act combines three of my favourite things – the town of Stratford itself, William Shakespeare and post boxes. The reason for adorning a post box with quotes was last week it was the Stratford Literary Festival which took place in the week of the 454th anniversary of his birth and the 402nd anniversary of his death.

Of all the quotes on the post box one in particular has sparked a bit of discussion,

“Parting is such sweet sorrow,
That I shall say good night till it be the morrow.”

The reason for this is that in the play a letter is written however it doesn't arrive on time and leads to tragic consequences – not exactly a good advert for the postal system! To be fair to the Royal Mail this was one of Shakespeare's Italian plays and is set in Verona. While the Royal Mail was established by Henry VIII in 1516 it wasn't until the 19th century that a codified postal system was created in Italy. In the play the message is given to a Friar by the teenage girl. She wants to tell her betrothed that she has taken a potion which will give the effect of her dying but instead she will temporarily be in a deep sleep. As the message is never delivered he believes she is dead and goes to find her body. He then takes poison himself and dies. Upon waking to find her lover dead she stabs herself and dies. The play is one of Shakespeare's most famous for its balcony scene between the two star-crossed lovers who come from rival factions. This week's question is

Which play did the quote come from?

We were joined last week by Sara and a peachy parrot tulip and Canna leaves in Seattle. Sophie found wood buildings against the rocks. There's been a trip to Osborne House for Kara plus a dip in the pool for the boys. Anne was looking beyond the steps. Our sketcher and painter Soma found her artwork featured online. Cheryl has found her son stepping up to things. There's been a trip to Gretna for Susan. Finally, Tracy reminds us to smell the flowers.

If you want to join in with this week's Sunday Snap then add your link to the linky below. Any theme is allowed. It doesn't have to be published today as you have until 23.55 on Friday 11th May 2018 to join in. Grab my badge below for your blog post. Just make sure it is your photo and you hold the copyright for it.
Sunday Snap

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5 comments:

  1. Such a wonderful way to celebrate the words of William Shakespeare

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  2. Ahhh that would be Romeo & Juliet :)

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  3. I knew the answer was Romeo and Juliet just from the quote, I feel a bit clever now, hehe. I love Stratford on Avon too and decorating a post box with quotes is a good idea.
    Thanks for hosting x

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