Corin Redgrave 1939-2010
Another member of the Redgrave dynasty has died today, and the acting world has lost an amazing man. Corin Redgrave had been battling cancer for the last 10 years but has left behind a legacy of acting beyond compare and political activism. From stage to screen he was a force to be reckoned with. Though perhaps best known for his performance as Andie McDowell's Scottish husband in Four Weddings and a Funeral, for me, he will always be old Jolyon from The Forsyte Saga. His death scene at Robin Hill with Irene is heartwrentching. I think it only fitting to reprint the words Rupert Graves uttered as young Jolyon at his father's passing:
Fear no more the heat of the sun,
Nor the furious winter's rages;
Thou thy worldly task hast done,
Home art gone, and taken thy wages.
Golden lads and girls all must,
As chimney sweepers, come to dust.
Fear no more the frown of the great;
Thou art past the tyrant's stroke.
Care no more to clothe and eat;
To thee the reed is as the oak.
The sceptre, learning, physic, must
All follow this and come to dust.
Fear no more the lightning flash,
Nor the all-dreaded thunder-stone;
Fear not slander, censure rash;
Thou hast finished joy and moan;
All lovers young, all lovers must
Consign to thee and come to dust.
Nor the furious winter's rages;
Thou thy worldly task hast done,
Home art gone, and taken thy wages.
Golden lads and girls all must,
As chimney sweepers, come to dust.
Fear no more the frown of the great;
Thou art past the tyrant's stroke.
Care no more to clothe and eat;
To thee the reed is as the oak.
The sceptre, learning, physic, must
All follow this and come to dust.
Fear no more the lightning flash,
Nor the all-dreaded thunder-stone;
Fear not slander, censure rash;
Thou hast finished joy and moan;
All lovers young, all lovers must
Consign to thee and come to dust.
-Cymbeline, Sc. 2, Act 4
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