Shakespeare Lipogram: The Tempest
Sunday, December 21st, 2008When I told DeLisa I was finished with the Shakespeare Lipograms after summarizing five plays, each restricted to using only a single vowel (A, E, I, O, U), she asked “What about Y?”. I assured her that I would be unable to do it. Now, I will prove it.
Please take this with a grain of salt, but here is a summary of The Tempest, told from Prospero’s point of view, using “Y” as the only vowel. I promise that I mean no offense to Gypsys or Pygmys, but I am using “gyp” in the dictionary sense to mean one who has cheated another, and “pygmy” in the non-dictionary sense as one who is native to an island.
And as long as I get to make up what words mean, I will also use the word “syzygy” to mean a general sense of forgiveness and the restoration of order, as might be symbolized by the aligning of celestial objects. Okay?
So here it is, my summary of The Tempest, using “Y” as the only vowel.
Enjoy!
Nymph Myth
Sylph, wryly pry why. Pygmy’s by.
Nymph, spy. Sylph, try shy tryst.
Myth’s hymns try rhythm.
Gyps, cry. Psych! Syzygy.
Nymph, fly!
The Original Five Lipograms
As You Like It: Between the Trees
Cymbeline: British King
Hamlet: Forlorn Son
Measure for Measure: Just, but Unjust