“ If This Be Magic” : The Unlikely Art of Shakespeare in Translation ".FT “ I would I were thy bird, ” 羅密歐對茱麗葉說，想像自己是她的寵物討拍，未料引起全班哄堂大笑，情緒失控。 (Owen介紹)) 此外，茱麗葉接下來答羅密歐的註解也很可以談： 參考 The Oxford Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet (OXFORD WORLD CLASSICS) p.218 line 229: Sweet, so would I, Yet I should kill thee with much cherishing.

 

Owen Hsieh

金融時報書評版有一篇介紹莎士比亞作品譯為外文是否忠於原著問題專書 “ If This Be Magic” : The Unlikely Art of Shakespeare in Translation ".

莎翁作品文本因為飽含節奏 韻律和豐富語境，自成一格，備受讚譽，但在翻譯成各國語言時，是否忠於原貌，一直是譯者面臨的挑戰。

文章指出該書作者 Daniel Hahn 本身是教學經驗豐富的老師，回憶有次面對一班13歲的希臘學生，講授 “ 羅密歐與茱麗葉 ” 時的經歷：

“ I would I were thy bird, ” 羅密歐對茱麗葉說，想像自己是她的寵物討拍，未料引起全班哄堂大笑，情緒失控。原來希臘文單字 “ pouli ” 是雙關語，是 “鳥”，在俚語中也指涉男人性器官，譯者未注意這隱晦的俚語指涉，就容易節外生枝。

余光中曾有詩句 “ 台北的天空很希臘 ”，想不到 “ 羅密歐與茱麗葉 ” 中帶顏色的鳥事指涉，台灣也很希臘，完全相同不走味。

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AI Overview

In Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet (Act 2, Scene 2), Romeo’s line "I would I were thy bird" means he wishes to be Juliet's cherished pet bird. This expresses a desire to be held, loved, and kept closely by her, allowing him to be near her constantly and receive her affection directly, as a "wanton" (spoiled child) keeps a pet bird on a string. 

Key Contextual Details

• The Context: Juliet has just wished she could keep Romeo near her, like a pet on a "silken thread," loving-jealous of his liberty.
• The Meaning: Romeo, overhearing her, immediately accepts this metaphor, desiring to be the subject of her affection and care.
• Symbolism: It symbolizes a desperate desire for intimate closeness, total surrender to her love, and the ability to be held by her, notes.
• Follow-up Line: Juliet replies, "Sweet, so would I. Yet I should kill thee with much cherishing", meaning she would love him to death, highlighting the intense, all-consuming, and potentially dangerous nature of their love.