Τρίτη 15 Μαΐου 2012


Περικλής, ο πρίγκιπας της Τύρου
του Ουίλλιαμ Σαίξπηρ

Το έργο χρονολογείται το 1607-1608 κι όμως τα μηνύματά του είναι τόσο επίκαιρα! (Δυστυχώς δεν βρήκα ελληνική μετάφραση!)

Η Μαρίνα καταλήγει με τη βία σ' ένα πορνείο στη Μυτιλήνη. Εκεί εκτός από τους άντρες της πόλης, την "ψωνίζει" και ο άρχοντας της πόλης, ο Λυσίμαχος. Με θάρρος και παρρησία η Μαρίνα στέκεται μπροστά τους και με την έμφυτη αθωότητά της αλλά και την παιδεία της υπερασπίζεται τον εαυτό της και γλιτώνει τον εξευτελισμό του είναι της.

Lysimachus: Now, pretty one, how long have you been at this trade?
Marina: What trade, sir?
Lysimachus: Why, I cannot name't but I shall offend.
Marina: I cannot be offended with my trade. Please you to name it.  
Lysimachus: How long have you been of this profession?
Marina:E'er since I can remember.  
Lysimachus: Did you go to 't so young? Were you a gamester at
five or at seven?
Marina: Earlier too, sir, if now I be one.
Lysimachus: Why, the house you dwell in proclaims you to be a
creature of sale.
Marina: Do you know this house to be a place of such resort,
and will come into 't? I hear say you are of
honourable parts, and are the governor of this place.
Lysimachus: Why, hath your principal made known unto you who I am?
Marina: Who is my principal?
Lysimachus: Why, your herb-woman; she that sets seeds and roots
of shame and iniquity. O, you have heard something
of my power, and so stand aloof for more serious
wooing. But I protest to thee, pretty one, my
authority shall not see thee, or else look friendly
upon thee. Come, bring me to some private place:
come, come.
Marina: If you were born to honour, show it now;
If put upon you, make the judgment good
That thought you worthy of it.
Lysimachus: How's this? how's this? Some more; be sage.
Marina: For me,
That am a maid, though most ungentle fortune
Have placed me in this sty, where, since I came,
Diseases have been sold dearer than physic,
O, that the gods
Would set me free from this unhallow'd place,
Though they did change me to the meanest bird
That flies i' the purer air!
Lysimachus: I did not think  
Thou couldst have spoke so well; ne'er dream'd thou couldst.
Had I brought hither a corrupted mind,
Thy speech had alter'd it. Hold, here's gold for thee:
Persever in that clear way thou goest,
And the gods strengthen thee!
Marina: The good gods preserve you!
Lysimachus: For me, be you thoughten
That I came with no ill intent; for to me
The very doors and windows savour vilely.
Fare thee well. Thou art a piece of virtue, and
I doubt not but thy training hath been noble.
Hold, here's more gold for thee.
A curse upon him, die he like a thief,
That robs thee of thy goodness! If thou dost
Hear from me, it shall be for thy good. 

Act IV, Scene 6, 2008-2058

* Φωτογραφία από την παράσταση "Περικλής" του Εθνικού θεάτρου