When reading/watching The Broken Jug, I felt sorry for Adam. He was an ugly, bald club-footed bachelor. His appearance is probably a significant part of the reason he wasn't able to find a wife. He tries to make light of the situation by writing a list of the perks of being a bachelor.
"That's the advantage of bachelorhood. What others, in restricted circumstances, are forced by need to share with wife and children, we bachelors enjoy to the full at our leisure, and share it with a friend."
It is obvious to me that he does not enjoy being single. It is probably, at least in part, because of this that he forces himself on Eve, breaks the jug, and then lies about it.
But in this play, the references to Judge Adam's appearance aren't cruel. That is, none of the humour in the play is derived from Adam's unfortunate appearance. Rather, his ugly exterior is just an extension of his ugly personality.
I think this is an important distinction. If the other characters made fun of Adam for being hideous, the villain could easily be turned into Eve. Adam wouldn't want to tell the truth about being at Eve's because the townspeople would laugh at his failed attempt at romance.
When his appearance is just part of his bad personality, it helps to vilify him. He becomes the exact opposite of sweet, innocent Eve. This added dimension of the characters really drew me into the play and also into a position to appreciate the hilarity of the situation further.
His monstrous facade, which is a device to further his malicious character, is also the main reason I feel pity for him in the end. Despite lying about tripping in the beginning of the play, he probably is exceptionally clumsy with club foot. He probably has a certain level of self esteem issues as well, and these could be the foundation for his poor actions. I am able to relate to Adam, and thus I see his humanity. He's not perfect. Like his namesake, he messed up, but he's only human. We can forgive him.
It is because of all of these reasons that the way Adam looks is important.
I didn't think about that while watching the play. I like the connection you made between his ugly outward appearance matching up with his ugly inward appearance.
ReplyDeleteLike Emily, I didn't think about it like that. From your post, I'd say this line would be the point I focused more on: "When his appearance is just part of his bad personality, it helps to vilify him." Otherwise, if Adam weren't lying and being bad, he'd look rather pathetic. In a sense, I, too, feel pity for him
ReplyDeleteHowever, I disagree in forgiving him. Adam may have been made "ugly" and single, but he was no honorable man. He hit on Eve, who was engaged to Ruprecht. He hit on Eve, who was his dead friend's daughter. I don't think my dad would be pleased if one of his friends hit on me. Plus, Adam, although clumsy with his club-foot, had the title of a Judge. This high position gave him the chance to make himself look great to everyone, especially women, by building his reputation. As for self-esteem and concerns with his appearance, there must be at least one decent woman out there would willing to be with him if he were honorable and strong-willed and honest. He might have to wait a bit, but it would eventually happen.
I really enjoyed reading your post about Adam's appearance. I hadn't thought of it that way. You are right that his ugly appearance is just an extension of his ugly personality.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I think that because the other characters don't mock for his ugly appearance and he STILL takes advantage of them makes him particularly unforgivable, even if I could forgive his rape of Eve. If every rapist used the excuse "I'm ugly so I rape others" and everybody just accepted that, we would have a lot of really bad people running around. I do feel pity for Adam being hideous, but he cannot use that as a crutch, especially when he is in a position of power over the other villagers. My pity for him is extremely limited.