Welcome back for the final installation of our first round. Before we introduce the competitors, here are the victors and losers from Round 1.2:
Coriolanus enjoyed an early lead, but ultimately lost 25-20 to Titus Andronicus; these Roman heavyweights pitched a violent and well-matched battle, to be sure, but the man who sacrificed a few dozen sons advances. Antony takes a handy victory over Jack Cade, 27-9; Cade might have gotten a few licks in, but Antony knows nothing better than how to handle an unruly mob of peasants. Prospero‘s magic gives him the edge over the Duke of York in a 21-15 victory; the Duke put up a good fight — maybe it will be down to his son to avenge his honor? In Round 1.2’s closest battle, Lady Macbeth just barely ekes it out over Aaron the Moor, 19-18. The fiendish queen uses ruthless wiles to put down the unapologetic evildoer and advances to the Round of 16.
Here’s the bracket as it stands after the first 8 matches (click to expand):
Who else will advance to the Round of 16? Time to decide: Entering the ring today, we have: a true battle of ferocious wits, Shylock vs. Beatrice; the prowess of the Moor of Venice against the agile mind and fearless arm of a Plantagenet, Othello vs. Philip the Bastard; self-sacrificing faith against self-preserving cowardice, Cordelia vs. Jack Falstaff; and a courtier’s well-trained rapier against a mountain man’s brute strength and natural skill, Tybalt vs. Guiderius. Need a refresher on who any of these characters are or what they might bring to a battle? Revisit their bios.
Match 13: Shylock vs Beatrice
Match 14: Othello vs Philip the Bastard
Match 15: Cordelia vs Jack Falstaff
Match 16: Tybalt vs Guiderius
These polls will be open until early next week; don’t forget to vote on Round 1.3, also still open.