Curiously disappointing. I had pretty high hopes for this one, and it didn't really live up. This play was an aberration in my Shakespeare reading/viewing this far - it was neither a comedy nor a tragedy, and I think that's why I was so let down. I love the big, tragic, Shakespearean finish, with people dropping like flies int the final act. All I got here was a tame Queen and stupid Cloten. What's worse, I wasn't that bothered about them dying, and I was even less bothered about Imogen and Posthumus getting back together. I mean seriously. He's not exactly husband of the year.

I read somewhere that this play is sort of a mishmash of Shakespearean plot devices which are used again to better effect in his other plays. For instance, the jealous husband and plotting weasel. I think Iago was far more convincing and sinister than Iachimo. It seemed like all Posthumus was jumping to believe all of Iachimo's lies, and went directly from defending Imogen's honor to long-distance homicidal rage. I just didn't buy it. Or, maybe it's just as unbelievable in Othello, but I like it better and choose to suspend my disbelief more. I don't know.

I literally don't even know what to say about the scene with Jupiter. I actually listened to this play as an audiobook, and the scene was sung. I had no idea what was going on, but I thought it would at least probably be over soon. But no. The truly awful minstrel-style song in parts went on for something like 13 minutes. I confess I had to fast forward, for fear of being driven completely off my rocker.

There are definitely some good parts. The good thing about Cloten is that every scene which does not include him takes on a air of special amazing-ness. He's really that irritating. I liked the secret princes, I liked poor Pisanio, and I like when Imogen tells off Cloten. I particularly enjoyed the Roman camp. If only there could have been some killin' at the end, all would have been forgiven. I wanted the Queen's potion to actually kill Imogen, for Posthumus to learn the truth and jump out a window out of grief and guilt just after he puts a dagger in the heart of Iachimo. Next up, I'm thinking a showdown between Belarius and the King, possibly involving one of the boys who learns to late that he's killed his real father, etc. That would be a proper ending, I think.