They seek him here They seek him there Those Frenchies seek him everywhere Is he in heaven or is he in hell That damn elusive Pimpernel! -Percy The Scarlet Pimpernel is a fascinating expose of the inner workings during the French revolution. This realistic play illustrates the terror and victimization of aristocrats, and Royalists like myself. A man of courage and disguise, the Scarlet Pimpernel is an English noble who has very insightful ideas regarding government and society. He risks his life helping French aristocrats escape execution. What begins as a dream, may end as a nightmare. Is spoken by the plays character Marguerite. This Bougeoisie woman who falls in love with the Scarlet Pimpernel (otherwise known as Percy) makes reference to the irrational violence that has overrun the revolution. Her ex-suitor, Paul, works for Robespierre and has a chance to win a spot on the committee of National Security if he can catch the Scarlet Pimpernel. Paul goes to great lengths to track down the Pimpernel, including blackmailing Marguerite to spy on her friends in England.
The Jacobins in this play are portrayed honestly and their faults made obvious. Characters such as Robespierre and Paul are solemn, power hungry tyrants, sending many to the guillotine. Their malicious attitudes are shown thoughout the play, especially when Paul plans to have the Scarlet Pimpernel killed. He gives his word to Percy that Marguerite shall not be harmed, and moments later makes plans for the imprisonment and execution of Marguerite. It is refreshing and inspiring that the Royalists in the play (counter revolutionaries) who are innocent have some help and hope from the Scarlet Pimpernel during the horrible ordeal. A true hero, the Scarlet Pimpernel plans to rescue the heir to the throne of France.
The Essay on The play’s Hamlet
In Act II, Scene ii, Hamlet conceives the plan of staging a play called “The Murder of Gonzago” and inviting the king and the queen, besides the courtiers, to see it. His motive in staging this play is to seek a verification of the story of his father’s murder as narrated to him by the Ghost. In the soliloquy with which this scene closes, Hamlet bitterly scolds himself for his delay in executing ...
Percy never once argued for absolute power, the audience is given the impression that he desires France to have a constitutional monarchy similar to Englands. Other characters in this play are worked beautifully into the plot such as Marguerites brother, Armond, and the rest of the Scarlet Pimpernels men. A dramatic love story filled with sword fighting, the terror of execution, action, humor, and a detailed plot, The Scarlet Pimpernel should be seen by everyone..
