Polonius Artz

Polonius, chief counselor to King Claudius is the father of Ophelia and Laertes. He is described as being a "busy body, a bumbling old fool, rude and a devout father."

He gives his son Laertes leave to go to Paris and then sends a servent to spy on him. He tells his daughter to avoid Hamlet because it will interfere with his relationship with King Claudius and later claims it was because she was beneath Hamlet's social status.

                                           Polonius & Ophelia

He spies on Hamlet while he is with his mother, Queen Gertrude and is accidently killed by Hamlet who thought he was killing King Claudius, whom by the way had killed King Hamlet. Ophelia looses her mind and kills herself while her brother, seeking revenge challenges Hamlet to a duel.

 

Polonius may have been written to be a jest. To poke fun at William Cecil, 1st Baron of Burleigh, Lord Burleigh who was the chief advisor to Queen Elizabeth.

                                                    William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley
                                                   attributed to Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger

When Hamlet was to be performed at Oxford University the name Polonius was changed to Corambis because the name Polonius was too close in spelling to the founder of Oxford, Robert Polenius. They did not wish to inflcit insult.

Or, it could have been Corambis all along until the author of the play learned of the grave insult the diplomat from Poland had angered Queen Elizabeth with and in a moment of revenge changed the name of the despicable character to Polonius which is Latin for Poland.

This week we present Polonius Artz.

Yellow Vase Artz

I was searching for centerpiece ideas for a Gala I am chair of when a photo of a yellow vase with daisies popped up and I thought it was cheery.

                                           Elizabeth Anne Designs

This became my inspiration for this week, yellow vases. I found quite a few paintings and after receiving persmission from each artist they will be presented this week for your viewing pleaure.

I found the ever popular Still Life - Vase with Fifteen Sunflowers, 1888-Vincent van Gogh

and Still Life: Vase with Irises Against a Yellow Background, May 1890 Vincent Van Gogh.

This week enjoy a cheerful collection of Yellow Vase Artz

Castle Pendragon Artz

 

Castle Pendragon. It conjures up visions of Uther Pendragon father of King Arthur, Morgana his step sister, Merlin, knights and all things chivalrous.

This week I became inspired when I learned that Castle Pendragon was once held by my 23 Great Grand Uncle Andrew de Harcla, Earl of Carlisle for King Edward II.

The castle came to Sir Andrew after its owner Robert de Clifford was killed in battle and his heir Roger de Clifford was accused of treason and executed. A year later Sir Andrew would also be executed for treason. 18 years later the castle would be burned and nearly destroyed by invading Scots. 19 years later it was rebuilt and again 221 years later burned. It was rebuilt in 1660 by Lady Anne Clifford but after her death in 1676 it once again fell to ruin.

                               Lady Anne Clifford

Legend says that Castle Pendragon was built by Uther Pendragon father of King Arthur. It is also whispered that Uther and his knights were all murdered at the castle by poison dispensed into the well by Saxons. Tales are told late at night that the ghost of Uther Pendragon can be seen upon a pale horse galloping out of the castle grounds away across the vale.

This week we present Castle Pendragon Artz.