Sunday, September 19, 2010

Daisies and Lillies

I found a few interesting quotes...

Lines 3183-3185

Margarete
Loves me - not - loves me - not
(Elated she picks the last petal)
He loves me!

I thought it was interesting that a game from our childhood dates this far back and can be found in Faust.

Lines 3336-3337

Mephistopheles
That's good my friend! I've often envied you
the twins that feed among the lilies.

I have no idea what these lines mean, but they jumped out at me :) It's during the conversation when Mephistopheles and Faust are in the cave.

1 comment:

  1. I have the Arndt translation, which translates those lines (3336-3337) as:

    Mephistopheles:
    Well said! I've often envied you, my friend,
    That pair of twins beneath the roses pent.


    There is a translational note at the bottom that says: An allusion to the Song of Songs 4.5, "Your two breasts are like two fawns, twins of a gazelle, that feed among the lilies." (Luther's German Bible substitutes "roses" for "lilies.")

    It's not that much clearer, but hopefully this offers a little insight!

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