Ravishing Restoration Romp and Tantilising Tennis

I intended to wake up much later this morning. But did that happen? No. I wake up at quarter past six. How ridiculous. The one morning of the week I don't need to get up early. So, having woken up early I attempted to doze for a bit a longer. This didn't really work. I then decided I would check out what happened in the tennis yesterday absolutely convinced that Nalbandian would have beaten Nadal. To my surprise the match was still playing with Nalbandian a set and a break up. So, I've just been making various minor adjustments to my blogs whilst keeping a check on the live score - yes, that is how sad I am, watching live scores on the internet. I don't actually have any means to watch tennis, until it gets round to the British part of the 'season'. Anyway, somehow, Rafa managed to claw back the second set and then go on to win the third 6-0. How does he do it? He really is an amazing sportsman. He's the player I would most love to watch, even more so than Federer I think. His energy is just phenomenal. Actually, I watched the England-France rugby last weekend. It was great to see England look vaguely like a team. I just hope that they can build on that. And, nearly forgot, I watched the Liverpool vs. Man U highlights. It was so satisfying to see Liverpool kick their asses. Torres and Gerrard are awesome. I'd pretty much lost my interest in football until I watched that match, well I've never entirely lost interest in football, but it was greatly irritating me. The match reminded me what I love about football. And this year, I am determined to get a ticket to watch Liverpool play. I've been saying I would like to see them since I was ten. I think it's about time! I would love to see a rugby match too. A cricket match would be pretty good. A tennis match would just be bloody wonderful.

Anyway, moving on from my sports rant, if you're wondering what the hell my title is about then I shall now explain. This week for my Renaissance to Restoration module I've been reading The Frolicks, a small, relatively unknown Restoration play by a woman called Elizabeth Polwhele. AND, this is the best part, I've been reading Wycheley's The Country Wife. I finished them both yesterday and I have to admit that I love these types of plays. The Country Wife especially. There is something so irrestistible about it. I suppose it's slightly odd considering the plot consists of a lot of womanising. But, when you have a main character called Horner, it's so hard not to love. I found myself on the verge of laughing out loud at several points of the play. I think the fact that Horner manages to convince virtually all the men around him that he's a eunuch and then procedes to play around with four women right under their noses is enough to result in a few giggles. And, of course, the classic case of double entendre and sexual innuendo: the china scene. I won't explain what happens, 'cause it's worth having a look at this and I wouldn't want to give the whole scene away. But, I'm pretty sure you have an idea of what goes on with the word china. Aside from the extremely humourous side to the play there are pretty dark elements too. If it's seen as a portrayal and /or critique of Restoration society then it reveals some quite sinister truths. There's the relationship of the country and the city, the role of women within marriage, the role of women within the city, and so on and so forth. Altogether a fantastic play (doesn't beat Shakespeare but who does?).

I have to confess to wanting to see the film The Young Victoria. I just cannot get enough of period dramas. The fact that Emily Blunt is a relatively attractive actress playing a non-attractive queen doesn't really bother me. I saw a trailer for it last weekend when I'd gone to see Benjamin Button. I can't believe Paul Bettany's in it. I didn't even recognise him, just picked up on his voice. He's in the most random range of films.

Anyway, I think I'll leave it there after rabbiting on for a while. I'm going to try and write a letter to one of my friends in the hope it gets to her by Saturday otherwise she will go back to uni next term and find a very outdated letter waiting for her.

Adios, for now...