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Hi everyone,
I'm having trouble understanding what the following two phrases in Edmund's soliloquy (I, ii, 113-131) means:
"My cue is villainous melancholy, with a sigh like Tom o' Bedlam" (line 129-130)
What does "a sigh like Tom o' Bedlam" mean? I know it is referring to the Bedlam Beggars, but how does "sigh" relate to "villainous melancholy"?
"Fa, sol, la, mi." (line 131)
Is this the notes of a musical scale? Or does it have some other meaning?
Thanks for any help ^^
Whatever I got the answer from the teacher...
Someone close this or something. [sarcasm] wow this forum has great enthusiasm and replying speed! [/sarcasm]
the above reply is a note of a musical scale
:lol: :D
"O, these eclipses do / portend these divisions!" says Edmund.
Divisions separate each 'note of a musical scale' as in Edmund’s murmured "fa, sol, la, mi". Or rather, are manifest in Gloucester's, "love cools, / friendship falls off, brothers divide". The latter division is occasioned through Edmund’s "villainous melancholy" of countenance and mad sigh.
A shrill note.
My cue is villainous melancholy, with a sigh like Tom o' Bedlam.
This is beautiful and it actually means, 'my cue' meaning snooker.
And Tom o'Bedlam was great snooker player in that era.
Believe it or not !
Fare'thee well