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    Shakespeare quote - meaning?

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    Shakespeare quote - meaning?

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    Hi

    I'm wondering about the meaning/interpretation of a Shakespeare quote:

    Love is a smoke made with the fume of sighs;
    Being purged, a fire sparkling in lovers' eyes;
    Being vexed, a sea nourished with lovers' tears;
    What is it else? A madness most discreet,
    A choking gall, and a preserving sweet.

    Especially why the verbs "purged" and "vexed" are used in this context doesn't really make sense to me..
    Authoralcion (598568) 25 Jun 12, 13:55
    Comment
    When the smoke clears, love is a fire burning in your lover’s eyes. If you frustrate love, you get an ocean made out of lovers' tears.
    http://nfs.sparknotes.com/romeojuliet/page_22.html
    #1AuthorCM2DD (236324) 25 Jun 12, 13:57
    Comment
    Love is a smoke... Love is blind? One is unable to see where love will take them?

    fume of sighs could indicate excessive disappointment or frustration (or whatever else causes you to sigh).

    CM2DD got the two middle lines.

    What is it else? A madness most discreet, A choking gall, and a preserving sweet.
    secret insanity, choking poison, lasting enjoyment. Or something.
    #2Author Flatternscheu (AE) (868718) 25 Jun 12, 14:03
    Comment
    The first line, I think, means that if you're in love -- and the object of your desires has not responded (maybe because he/she doesn't realize) -- then you can't think straight (true!).
    #3Author escoville (237761) 25 Jun 12, 14:34
    Comment
    I think that in those days, lovers were said to sigh whether or not their love was unrequited.
    #4AuthorCM2DD (236324) 25 Jun 12, 14:38
    Comment
    I think that in those days, lovers were said to sigh whether or not their love was unrequited.

    I'm sure that's true, but I was trying to make a logical connexion between lines 1 and 2. And I can (from experience) understand the metaphor of the smoke clearing.
    #5Author escoville (237761) 25 Jun 12, 14:44
    Comment
    "Liebe ist Rauch, von Seufzerdampf entfacht,
    Geschürt, Brand, im verliebten Aug erwacht,
    Gequält, ein Meer, das Liebestränen mehren.
    Was ist sie sonst? Die klügste Raserei,
    Würgende Galle, süße Spezerei."

    So lautet diese Aussage Romeos in Erich Frieds Übersetzung von "Romeo und Julia"
    #6Author MiMo (236780) 25 Jun 12, 14:53
    Comment
    #5 Oh yes, I see what you mean.
    #7AuthorCM2DD (236324) 25 Jun 12, 14:56
    Comment
    OT - just wondering if that was the inspiration for "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes"
    #8Authormikefm (760309) 25 Jun 12, 15:58
     
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