PLAY REVIEW
The Three Rats (Ang Tatlong Ulupong)Written by: Wilfrido Ma.
Guerrero
I-SYNOPSISThe play opens on Nathan serving Glenda her wife
coffee. Nathan asks her wife what happened on her business trip on
Baguio and tell her that he dismiss their maid Cora because of her
insolence Nathan also tells her that Menchu delivered the towels
with embroidery. Glenda asks Nathan why he is all dress. Nathan
tells her that he is trying it in for their seventh month marriage
anniversary. Glenda then asks Nathan if theres somebody who comes
that afternoon, he anxiously said that no one comes. Glenda
clarifies her question and asks if the mean she sent to fix their
TV set come. Nathan says that theres nothing wrong with their
TV.While Nathan is arranging the tray Glenda put out a bottle of
cyanide potassium. Nathan turns and sees it and asks what she is
doing. Glenda tell him that that is a a cyanide potassium and known
to be used by people who are committing murder or suicide. Nathan
tells her that she must throws it away since it is dangerous by she
insists and pour it on one of the cup that her best friend Adriana
gave to them as wedding present. Glenda then tells him that if he
wants he can throw the cup with the cyanide. Nathan says that it
has sentimental value. On the other hand, Glenda tells her they
must not be attaching to a mere sentimental value.Glenda receives a
phone call from Adriana asking if she can drop over to them and she
permits. Adriana then comes and asks Glenda about her trip. All
three of them had a chit chats. Glenda then reminisce their school
days together and recalls that Adriana is once calls Baby Face not
just because of her beauty but also because of her attitude.
Adriana tells Glenda that if she needed money for gambling. Glenda
writes down on a check and tells her that she must settle down.
Adrianna tells her she will if she finds the right man. Glenda then
gave Adrianna a glass of whiskey and insisted her to drinkGlenda
ten remembers the murder of Mila Revilla. She is murders by her
husband because she has another man. They talks about faithfulness,
love, adultery and murder. Adriana asks for coffee and Nathan
forgets to bring out a new cups. Adriana insisted that the used cup
on the table may do. Nathan then remembers that it was the one with
cyanide. Nathan tries to stop Glenda on what she is thinking but he
fails. Glenda then takes the pot and making it seem accidental
spills some coffee on Adrianas clothes. Glenda tells her to wipe it
off. Nathan insist that he will get the towel but Glenda stops her
saying that Adriana knows where to go.Nathan then asks Glenda what
shes trying to do. At first, Glenda denies it but afterwards
questions him on his relationship with Adriana. Nathan asks for
forgiveness, tells her to take his life instead of Adriana coz he
is the one to blame and pleads to her to stop but she insists and
tells him its too late. Adriana then returns to the sala and asks
whats wrong with Nathan, Glenda answers that he is not feeling
okay. Adriana take the cup and take a sip. Afterwards, she felt
giddiness on her head. Glenda asks her whats wrong; telling her it
must be the effect of whisky. She insists that she must tell her
something but Glenda stops her. Moments after, We sees Adriana
laying lifelessly on the sofa, Nathan sobbing hysterically and
Glenda talking to the police at the telephone asks them to go their
house for they will sees three rats.
II- ANALYSIS/ COMMENTARIESA. THEMES1. DeceptionIt can never come
into play if there is an open communication between the couple. The
intrusion of Adriana who happened to be Glendas childhood friend is
never Nathans or Adrianas doing only; but also Glendas. She knew
and suspected that something is up between her husband and her
friend. However, he just made his absence long enough for Adrian
and Nita to do what they are doing. She caught them not on the act
but in the verbal battle as she tries to explore their reasons.
Glendas belief is justified when she tried to interpolate questions
to Nathan and Adriana.Deceit is in every corner of the house.
Nathan deceives Glenda for sleeping with her husbands best friend.
Glenda deceives Nathan for having her believe that things are all
right between them; and he plays innocent in the affairs of her
husband
2. JusticeJustice must be served. Glenda put justice into her
own hands but it could best be served if given to the erring party
by the rightful authority. The evils of putting justice in our
hands are jammed pack in the ending of the play. This actuation has
caused her to face the consequence.
3. RevengeRevenge is the wage of deceit depicting a Filipino
national identity through realism. There are different kinds of
revenge revenge to get even, revenge for anger, revenge to hurt and
sometimes it is done to an individual, to a group of people. Glenda
plot a revenge to get even with Adriana and Nathan. She was succumb
to the idea of inflicting pain to others to feel relieved from
anger and hurt.
B. INNER CONFLICTS
The conflicts on the play are one; Nathan is in conflict with
the dismissed maid. The sudden disposal of the maid before Glenda
arrives poses a question especially that the maid has had an
impeccable character. She has been serving the couple ever since
they started living together. It is just questionable why on that
day, she was dismissed. Two, Glenda is in conflict with Adrian.
Their conflict does not only begin when Nathan betrays Glendas
trust. The conflict started when the two girls were in grade
school. Adrianas tendency of borrowing things from Glenda started
when they were young. Adriana borrowed the shirt of Glenda, failed
to return it, and assumed that was hers. The same set thrives when
they get older. Adriana, in her addiction to gambling, is borrowing
money from Glenda. This does not only end there, but he tries to
borrow also Glendas husband. The depiction of deception is likely
to happen when the parties involve share a common emotional
attachment. They are best friends and that makes it even harder for
Glenda to accept.Last is the conflict between Glenda and Nathan.
Nathan could have just left Adriana, but it is very clear that he
defended Adriana much to the extent of begging Glenda to kill him
and spare Adriana.
C. EPHIPHANY/ REALIZATIONS OF THE MAIN CHARACTERS
Glenda
Glenda realized that her husband and her best friend was
betraying her. They were sleeping together behind her back.
NathanOn the plot of the play, he admits that he have a
relationship with Adriana. He pleaded and asks for forgiveness but
Glenda decline.
AdrianaOn the last part of the play, we sees that she wants to
tell Glenda something and I think it is about her relationships
with Nathan. Maybe she will ask for forgiveness but it was too
late.
D. MESSAGE AND IMPLICATIONS
Upon marriage, both husband and wife vows to remain faithful to
each other. Couple must live this till death. It is a vow made in
the presence of God. Deceit in marriage is destructing, Not only
does deceit destroy the erred party but to the erring party as
well.In a marital conflict when deceit is involved, the party that
has been erred would be hypocrites not to feel angst upon the party
who has caused him pain. Deceit leads to doubt; and doubt clouds
the minds which ultimately hinder understanding. When there is
misunderstanding, it is unlikely to let the spouse go without
getting the prize of being unfaithful.Justice must be served but
not with your own hands. No matter how hurt you are there are still
laws to abide. The justice system is present to serve it citizen
and rest assure that lady justice is able to see whos guilty whos
not.
Reviewed by:
Mhel Rose Camille G. Grande BALM 3-A
References:http://aboutphilippines.ph/filer/Wilfrido-Ma-Guerrero_THREE-RATS.pdf
https://prezi.com/r0tclqp28ynf/the-three-rats-ang-tatlong-ulupong/
http://wwww.viloria.net/2003/06/three-rats-wilfrido-maria-guerrero-1948.htm2
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