Posted by mariela on March 10, 192003 at 15:42:05:
In reviewing my comments I noticed I failed to add my observations on THE SHEPHERDS:
Page 2: (as of page 293) reminds me of the “Our Father”
The fact that once Lucifer enters the music stops – a clear indication that any joy felt among the shepherds will be stopped and that evil is about to enter the stage.
The fact that Lucifer is not that powerful or all knowing because he can only consult the Scriptures and man, to whom he blames for his downfall, to find out when the Messiah is coming
The gifts offered to baby Jesus seemed to be offerings towards creating a new home – maybe a church – typically given at a marriage ceremony
Pardon my ignorance, but I am not sure if it snows or not in Mexico. The indication that it was cold and snowing seems to be an adaptation of the European celebration of Christmas during December. Few regional references seem to be made: the most predominant is that of the offering of tamales and maybe the use of the names Jim and Andrew.
I found it odd/interesting that food/meat of some sort was referred by “kid” as in when they say, “The kid is done, T is time to sup”.
The way Gila is criticized yet needed to sustain the shepherds is very interesting. She is told that she is not a well-behaved or ideal woman, yet without her the shepherd’s journey would have failed. Immediately after this is sensed there is a passage regarding Gerardo and the marriage of his daughter. What reference or purpose does this have?
Also, is the way the Virgin is addressed – Maid Immaculate – another implication that woman’s purpose is to serve . . . to carry out man’s duty? Finally it is interesting to note that the men must seem to respect her because she is the 2nd or 3rd to come forth before the Babe!
Regarding the order in which each comes forth, is this determined by age or rank? Does the fact that Meliso addresses the Virgin directly indicate anything about who he is?
It is not until page 8 and for the last time that the baby is addressed by name – Jesus.
Page 9 (p. 307) “Glory to God, the angel said, And Peace to 11 Jan” . . . is this a typo or is this date of some importance?
Bato’s conversation with Parrado seems to represent that money = access to information about and to God/Heaven/Salvation
I can see how Eugene’s may see the Hermit representing the Purgatorial Soul: Lucifer is not as humble as the Hermit when asking for shelter. I’d like to discuss this point further.
What is the purpose in Bartolo’s unwillingness to go see the Babe? Is this a comment or lesson about faith, duty, and respect?
Is Cucharon’s stupidity at all played on purpose? This is a very humorous and essential role in order to prove that man can be invincible in the face of evil if only he is as
insistent as evil can be and usually is.
Although the play is clearly filled with song and dance references, I thought it odd that no instruments used during the run of the play were detailed.
Lessons intended by the play: deception will lead you to evil, we have the choice/free will, marriage is about duty, prophesy does come true (thus the importance of believing in the Bible), good over evil on earth made possible if you have and seek good in your
life, “pride is an ill councellor, only true sovereign is God and that there are many ways to demonstrate one’s love – here it seems to focus on giving of things, but I got the sense that it represented the giving of oneself.