QUOTES FROM THE BARD

PLAY: As You Like It
ACT/SCENE: 5.4
SPEAKER: Touchstone
CONTEXT:
JAQUES
Good my lord, bid him welcome. This is the
motley-minded gentleman that I have so often met in the
forest. He hath been a courtier, he swears.
TOUCHSTONE
If any man doubt that, let him put me to my purgation.
I have trod a measure. I have flattered a lady. I have
been politic with my friend, smooth with mine enemy. I
have undone three tailors. I have had four quarrels, and
like to have fought one.
JAQUES
And how was that ta’en up?
TOUCHSTONE
Faith, we met and found the quarrel was upon the
seventh cause.
JAQUES
How “seventh cause?”—Good my lord, like this fellow.

DUTCH:
Als iemand dit in twijfel trekt, laat hem een gerechtelijken
zuiveringseed van mij vergen

MORE:
Motley-minded=As confused as the jester’s costume
Purgation=Clearing from imputation of guilt, exculpation. Used in theology (Purgatory and declaration of innocence oath) and as a legal term of proving of innocence
Trod a measure=Taken part in a dance
Politic=Diplomatic
Undone=Ruined, bankrupted
Quarrels=Serious disputes
Like=Came near to
Compleat:
Motley=Een grove gemengelde
Purgation (the clearing one’s self of a crime)=Zuivering van een misdaad
Measure (music)=Zang-maat. To beat the measure=De maat slaan
Politick (or cunning)=Slim, schrander, doorsleepen
Undone=Ontdaan, losgemaakt

Topics: order/society, status, innocence, dispute