3
   

What does "split you" mean?

 
 
Reply Wed 22 Jul, 2015 11:27 am

Context:


Must I observe you? must I stand and crouch
Under your testy humour? By the gods
You shall digest the venom of your spleen,
Though it do split you; for, from this day forth,
I'll use you for my mirth, yea, for my laughter,
When you are waspish.[26]

More:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spleen
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Type: Question • Score: 3 • Views: 766 • Replies: 11
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View best answer, chosen by oristarA
dalehileman
 
  2  
Reply Wed 22 Jul, 2015 01:34 pm
@oristarA,
Good q Ori. Suppose digesting the venom slices you in half. Or maybe explodes inside you
0 Replies
 
InfraBlue
  Selected Answer
 
  2  
Reply Wed 22 Jul, 2015 01:50 pm
@oristarA,
It means to cause mental and or emotional pain; distress.

Here's the fuller quote:

BRUTUS

All this! ay, more: fret till your proud heart break;
Go show your slaves how choleric you are,
And make your bondmen tremble. Must I budge?
Must I observe you? must I stand and crouch
Under your testy humour? By the gods
You shall digest the venom of your spleen,
Though it do split you; for, from this day forth,
I'll use you for my mirth, yea, for my laughter,
When you are waspish.

Cholericness or iracibility was thought to have to do with the spleen, hence the word "splenetic."
0 Replies
 
oristarA
 
  1  
Reply Thu 23 Jul, 2015 12:49 am
Thank you both.
Does "Must I budge?" refer to "Do I have to make way for you?"?
InfraBlue
 
  1  
Reply Thu 23 Jul, 2015 02:06 am
@oristarA,
It means "to acquiesce, indulge."
oristarA
 
  1  
Reply Thu 23 Jul, 2015 03:06 am
@InfraBlue,
InfraBlue wrote:

It means "to acquiesce, indulge."


And "Must I observe you" refers to "Must I pay attention to you"?
McTag
 
  2  
Reply Thu 23 Jul, 2015 04:20 am
@oristarA,

Quote:
And "Must I observe you" refers to "Must I pay attention to you"?


It seems to mean something more like "Do I have to see this?". "Do I really have to put up with this?"
oristarA
 
  1  
Reply Thu 23 Jul, 2015 07:25 am
@McTag,
McTag wrote:


Quote:
And "Must I observe you" refers to "Must I pay attention to you"?


It seems to mean something more like "Do I have to see this?". "Do I really have to put up with this?"


Cool.
The nuance of "Under your testy humour" also evades from me. Does it mean "beneath your peeved influence that is so-called humor"?
McTag
 
  2  
Reply Fri 24 Jul, 2015 02:35 am
@oristarA,

Yes, a pretty good rendition.
0 Replies
 
selectmytutor
 
  2  
Reply Fri 24 Jul, 2015 04:14 am
@oristarA,
It indicates the emotional pain or stress.
0 Replies
 
oristarA
 
  1  
Reply Fri 24 Jul, 2015 08:32 am
Thank you guys.
Does "By the gods" refer to "God be your witness"?
0 Replies
 
dalehileman
 
  1  
Reply Fri 24 Jul, 2015 10:29 am
@oristarA,
A2k'ers like Blue, Mac, and Tutor do so much better at this than I--despite my snooty BS in Journ and a lifetime writing

Keep at it fellas
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