“O, when mine eyes did see Olivia first,
Methought she purged the air of pestilence!
That instant was I turn’d into a hart;
And my desires, like fell and cruel hounds,
E’er since pursue me.”
(Twelfth Night, act 1, sc. 1)
Comments. A curious and original air-purifying effect of love at first sight. There are several line in Shakespeare’s plays dealing with the subject of love at first sight. Suggesting the fundamental irrationality of love, or rather, that the rationality of love escapes the usual scientific or pseudo-scientific tools with which ‘studies’ are conducted. In fact, when, to make his point, someone says “…studies show…” etc. it’s time to be particularly skeptical both about the studies and their results.
Still, if, when, or how any reader of this entry may fall in love, he may keep at hand the list of love greetings assembled by that most rational of Renaissance philosophers, Erasmus of Rotterdam. Greetings when he meets the object of his affections. The original listing is in Latin with the translation in parenthesis.
Blandior Salutatio inter Amantes (Tender Salutations between Lovers)
Salve (Hello)
** mea Corneliola (my little Cornelia)
** mea vita (my life)
** mea lux (my light)
** meum delicium (my delight)
** meum suavium (my little mouth)
** mel merum (sugar)
** mea voluptas unica (my only sweetness)
** meum corculum (my little heart)
** mea spes (my hope)
** meum solatium (my comfort)
** meum decus (my beauty)
I have no explanation for the selection of Cornelia as the root name from which to derive the diminutive.
Tips for Use. Change ‘Olivia’ to the name of the lady that made a similar effect on you.
If you like this website why not subscribe (see last menu item to the right)? You will get automatically any new blog as well as any other information and novelty that will be forthcoming.
In the Play. Duke Orsino reflects on his first encounter with Olivia, with whom he is in (unreciprocated) love. ‘Hart’ is a ’male deer’, not necessarily a flattering comparison, I should think
Image source: http://www.christianpost.com/news/love-at-first-sight-69413/