“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose
by any other name would smell as sweet.”
(Romeo & Juliet, Act II sc 2)
Would it really, though? Consider, for example, the fearless ‘John’ and the Argonauts. Hmm. Not quite such an impressive band, after all, are they? Similarly, one might judge King ‘Roy’ the Lionheart to lack a certain amount of the requisite gravitas. And, one has to ask, would the whole “we will fight them on the beaches” speech have been so well received if delivered by our brave Prime Minister, ‘Wendel’ Churchill? Would ‘Hercules’ Potter have become an international publishing phenomenon? Or the plucky, Dickensian urchin, ‘Orville’ Twist, have tugged on quite so many heartstrings? Possibly not.
Generally speaking, it’s as unlikely that the 19th Century Lady Farquharson at the centre of one story would be named ‘Stacey’, as it is that the genial bricklayer starring in another tale might be called ‘Algernon’.
Unlikely - but not, I’ll grant you, impossible. However, on those occasions when an author does elect to name their characters so outlandishly, they usually do so with good reason. The very incongruity of the names not only contributes to the story, but may even begin to tell it before the first page has been turned...
A brickie called Algernon? Perhaps he was born to an aristocratic family, the proverbial silver spoon jammed firmly in his mouth. Sadly, however, his good fortune was soon to fail him and, one way or another (through his own fault, or that of others?), he fell from grace. By the time we meet him, therefore, he is busy making his own way in the world and proving that the value of a man is not measured by the size of his inheritance.
And Lady Stacey Farquharson? Could she have been a housemaid who got lucky – whose seduction by the heir to the title ended not in pregnancy, disgrace and dismissal, but in a marriage far above her station and beyond her wildest dreams? Or might she perhaps have been a time traveller from the 21st century, who somehow (how, exactly?) found herself adrift in a strange time and place – a place where, even as she struggled to adapt to her incredible situation, she found herself falling in love with and then marrying the Lord of the Manor?
A ‘fitting’ name may suggest a great number of things about a person or a character, but the ‘wrong’ name can often suggest even more. Either way, the choice should be made with great care.
Are you currently having some difficulty in choosing a name for your new character/infant/pet/alternative life-form, fictional or otherwise? If so, then you may find the following sites helpful:
http://www.babynames.com/character_names.php
http://www.babynamewizard.com/
http://www.lowchensaustralia.com/names.htm
http://www.behindthename.com/
http://www.statistics.gov.uk/CCI/SearchRes.asp?term=names
British writer, director, producer and actor. Artistic Director of Shadow Road Productions (www.shadowroad.com), and creator of Secret Storytellers (www.secretstorytellers.co.uk). Festival Director of mixed arts mental health awareness festival UNBROKEN (www.unbrokenfest.com), and professional member of Stage Directors UK & the Society of Authors.
Sunday, 27 January 2008
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
12 comments:
Hi, Enjoy the article, I'm Manisha, I really want to say sincerely that this is amazing content that you have shared. thanks for this. it's really very helpful for me.
Live Current Affairs
Live Sarkari Naukri
How to get a Government Job easily
Facebook Video Download Online
Sarkari Yojana - PM Modi Yojana
Nice Post
Your Dream is Here
Cracksdown Software Free Downlaod
Do-High-Quality-Backlinks-For-Google-Top-Ranking
Provide-All-Professional-Graphic-Designer-Services
Professional-Wordpress-Website-Design-And-Development
Increase-DA-70-High-Authourity-With-Seo-Dofollow-Backlinks
Great content really loved the way it is presented
Heater Replacement Tax Credit - Free Boiler Grants
In the event that you presently get working evaporator substitution tax break or other qualifying benefits then you will be in line for a Free Boiler Grant which may work with your supplanting your old wasteful and costly kettle. The ECO conspire helps householders who get Working Tax Credits, and it is substitution Universal Credit, to supply financing for a substitution kettle inside the home.
Mortgage holders and individual inhabitants might be qualified for subsidizing under the Government-upheld conspire which gives evaporator financing to those in receipt of 1 of the passing advantages, including Working heater substitution tax reduction. On the off chance that this is relevant to you or somebody who for all time lives in your family you will get help to instigate a novel heater which can help lessen your energy charges altogether.
Ark Insulation
emma-king-farlow.blogspot.com/2008/01/whats-in-name.html
MaxiMove LTD are a family run removal company offering home removals and same-day collection and delivery services at a competitive price. It's our goal to listen to our customers and put their requirements first and to provide you with an efficient, reliable and personalised service ensuring your moving day runs smoothly.
Man and van near me
Man and van near me
I recently discovered your blog and have found every piece I've read to be quite beneficial. My issue is that I receive a lot of traffic but very few comments!
Checkout Take Care Wishes Messages for Showg Care
Very helpful information Techytent
That is very interesting information Karim Benzema French player
cable internet providers toronto Choosing the right internet service provider can be a daunting task. But by considering your needs and doing some research, you can find the perfect provider for your home or business. We hope our list of the best cable providers in Toronto has helped make your decision a little easier.
recruitment consultants in pakistan for Saudi Arabia for getting a job.
Post a Comment