In Shakespeare´s Twelfth Night there is a very special one. After having discussed a few scenes of this book, I´ve got to say that there was a metaphore that really caught my attention. Because the idea of perceiving our hearts as books that are divided into chapters depending on our intentions, mood, style, life experiences, is just great! In Act I, Scene V, we can see how Olivia and Viola talk about a message which they refer to as "text" and it is located in Orsino´s bosom. However, the answer provided by Olivia is what finally brings us to fully comprehend the whole metaphore: "in his bosom! In what chapter of his bosom?" as if his heart was a book to be read. So, I thought: Do I know another metaphore to talk about the different faces of our personalities?
For sure, we can find several, but I prefer this one. I prefer it because apart from being clever, there is something else: it is a book which is in process. Now we are in one chapter of our lives and our heart might be read by some people too, but we don´t know what we will "read" in the next one. It is uncertain, even for ourselves.
Twelfth Night
(Act 1. Scene 5)
[Exeunt MARIA and Attendants]
Now, sir, what is your text?
VIOLA Most sweet lady,
OLIVIA A comfortable doctrine, and much may be said
of it. Where lies your text?
VIOLA In Orsino’s bosom.
OLIVIA In his bosom! In what chapter of his bosom?
VIOLA To answer by the method, in the first of
his heart.
OLIVIA O, I have read it: it is heresy. Have you no more
to say?
VIOLA Good madam, let me see your face
Hi Nicolás!
ResponderEliminarAs you said, this metaphor is brilliant. I had heard of it during my whole life because people usually refer to the heart as a book with many chapters, but I did not know until now that it came from Shakespeare (more evidence that he was a genius). For me, it is the perfect way of describing what our heart (or soul) is. Just like a book, our heart can have a thick or thin cover, but the inside can surprise us if we take a look at it (that is why it is not good to judge people/books just because of the cover page). Also, every chapter can tell us a different story, as well as every stage of our life. But the most important thing you mentioned is that this book is in process, and it will be finished in the moment we died; therefore, we have to fulfill our book with as many adventures and experiences as we can. The more we live, the more interesting the book (aka us) became. ;)
It just came to my mind the Spanish version of Mariah Carey's song "Hero" (Héroe) that basically refers to the heart as a book (very good Mariah! Keep on using Shakespeare metaphors in your songs haha) :)