Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Dr. Seuss Got It from Shakespeare

The work: Troilus and Cressida. Do you recognize it?

Hector: O, like a book of sport thou'lt read me o'er;
But there's more in me than thou understand'st.
Why dost thou so oppress me with thine eye?

Achilles: Tell me, you heavens, in which part of his body
Shall  destroy him, whether there, or there or there?
That I may give the local wound a name
And make distinct the very breach whereout
Hector's great spirit flew. Answer me, heavens!

Hector: It would discredit the blest gods, proud man,
To answer such a question. Stand again.
Think'st thou to catch my life so pleasantly
As to prenominate in nice conjecture
Where thou wilt hit me dead?

Achilles: I tell thee, yea.

Hector: Wert thou the oracle to tell me so,
I'd not believe thee. Henceforth guard thee well;
For I'll not kill thee there, nor there, nor there;
But, by the forge that stithied Mars his helm,
I'll kill thee everywhere, yea, o'er and o'er.

_

Sound familiar?

(from Shakespeare's T&C, p. 120: here)

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