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Replies | Post Reply | Shakespeare Queries & Replies From Everyone Else 4.2.97: Top | Help


Sorry to you, Herr Poppycock...

but the problem is your confusion of the word assumption
with the word interpretation. Of course on Mars, if you'll
consult the well-known lexicon, the words mean the same thing
or any thing you like. Here on earth, an interpretation derives
from the language whereas an assumption imposes a meaning.

"Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?" has a meaning in English.
Among the finite interpretations possible are that the writer feels
quite loving towards the recipient. Notice, I interpret a recipient.
That's based on the rest of the sonnets, the sonnet conventions in
English, the dedication, the tone, the choice of words, the internal
consistency of the sentiment and the "structure of feeling," to use
Raymond Williams' vivid phrase.

Of course, if you claim that it's written by a Venusian about Venusian
digestive practices because anything can mean anything, which
is to say, nothing, communication breaks down and all that
remains is to follow the link to a self-serving home page.

Got it?

(You may ASSUME a meaning here. Hint: read the first three letters
of the capitalized word, and interpret the writer's opinion of
the recipient.)

Posted by Professor Mike on April 15, 1997 at 15:24:33
In Reply to "Sorry, but you are wrong (as usual)." posted by Bruce Spielbauer on April 15, 1997 at 04:58:29


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Replies | Post Reply | Shakespeare Queries & Replies From Everyone Else 4.2.97: Top | Help