What, never? -- well, hardly ever
Dec. 6th, 2023 03:07 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ysobelI was listening to HMS Pinafore yesterday -- and dealing with the associated memories from having done pit orchestra for the Gilbert & Sullivan group in college -- when I realized something.
The plot involves (among other things) a sailor "lad" falling in love with the captain's daughter, who returns the sentiment but is aware that the difference in social class means their union would be a scandal. She is being wooed by the First Lord of the Admiralty, who is of yet higher rank than her. Sir Joseph tells her that "love levels all ranks" -- meaning hers and his, so he has a "no not like that" moment when she uses that as a justification for being with the sailor.
Generally speaking, this is cast with the daughter and the sailor being young adults, the captain being middle aged, and Sir Joseph older still.
But. The big plot twist at the end means that *the captain and the sailor are necessarily the same age*.
I haven't done any research but it's likely this was deliberate on G&S's end, part of the many satirical elements. But it's just boggling me -- both the "discrepancy" itself and the fact that I never noticed until now.
The plot involves (among other things) a sailor "lad" falling in love with the captain's daughter, who returns the sentiment but is aware that the difference in social class means their union would be a scandal. She is being wooed by the First Lord of the Admiralty, who is of yet higher rank than her. Sir Joseph tells her that "love levels all ranks" -- meaning hers and his, so he has a "no not like that" moment when she uses that as a justification for being with the sailor.
Generally speaking, this is cast with the daughter and the sailor being young adults, the captain being middle aged, and Sir Joseph older still.
But. The big plot twist at the end means that *the captain and the sailor are necessarily the same age*.
I haven't done any research but it's likely this was deliberate on G&S's end, part of the many satirical elements. But it's just boggling me -- both the "discrepancy" itself and the fact that I never noticed until now.
no subject
Date: 2023-12-07 08:56 am (UTC)Then get ready for the other shoe to drop[*]:
Ralph Rackstraw and Captain Corcoran were switched in infancy by their wet-nurse.
Ralph Rackstraw ends up with Josephine Corcoran, Captain Corcoran's daughter.
Captain Corcoran ends up with Little Buttercup... the wet-nurse.
[* I had this same pair of belated realisations myself a while ago.]
no subject
Date: 2023-12-10 07:41 am (UTC)When I was in undergrad I was oblivious to a lot of this, but now, lo these many years later? Both the age gaps and the "if you don't marry me I'll kill myself" bit are giant marinara flags. Or would be if real. Being satire makes it a bit easier :)