Why, thy godhead laid apart, Warr'st thou with a woman's heart? Did you ever hear such railing? Whiles the eye of man did woo me, That could do no vengeance to me. Meaning me a beast. If the scorn of your bright eyne Have power to raise such love in mine, Alack, in me what strange effect Would they work in mild aspect! Whiles you chid me, I did love; How then might your prayers?

Question

Soren

Social Studies

18 October, 23:45

Why, thy godhead laid apart, Warr'st thou with a woman's heart? Did you ever hear such railing? Whiles the eye of man did woo me, That could do no vengeance to me. Meaning me a beast. If the scorn of your bright eyne Have power to raise such love in mine, Alack, in me what strange effect Would they work in mild aspect! Whiles you chid me, I did love; How then might your prayers?

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Answers (1)

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Harold West · Answer 1

Spoken by Rosalind in disguise as Ganymede, she was reading the letter sent by the shepherdess Phoebe brought by the rejected suitor Silvius.

Explanation:

The lines are spoken by Rosalind disguised as Ganymede as she was reading the letter sent by Phoebe. The lines are from Act IV scene ii of William Shakespeare's romantic comedy play "As You Like It".

Phoebe, a young shepherdess, had fallen in love with a young man Ganymede who in reality was Rosalind in disguise. She had rejected the love of Silvius and had 'surrendered' herself to Ganymede. The letter is her request to be loved or rejected, either way letting Ganymede know her real feelings. Using strong language / words to make him look bad, Phoebe details how she had encountered many suitors but none of them had hurt her like Ganymede had. She also implored on him (Ganymede) to think if his 'scornful' looks had made her still love him, how much more love will she feel for him if those looks can change their stance.