Thought for the Day - June 1

Subject: Thought for the Day - June 1
From: GUEST,Peter T.
Date: 01 Jun 00 - 09:22 AM

I am away for the next week on holiday, probably on Music Island (see new thread).... so other thoughts are welcome --

"Be not afeard: the isle is full of noises, Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not...."
(Shakespeare, The Tempest)

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - June 1
From: catspaw49
Date: 01 Jun 00 - 09:28 AM

Flatulence is within the senses of the beholder then?

Spaw

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - June 1
From: GUEST,Mrr
Date: 01 Jun 00 - 09:58 AM

Well, Spaw, if you're beholding it, there is no flatulence, right?

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - June 1
From: Peg
Date: 01 Jun 00 - 11:42 AM

The line "sweet airs" makes me think of another phrase commonly used by Shakspeare: "sweet breath." I like the use of the word "sweet" to denote pleasant smells. In those days having sweet breath was no mean feat: and often perfumed substances and herbs were used to mask bad body odors or rotting teeth. People of means did not bathe regularly but would spend a fortune on powders, colognes and rare spices to create an aura of pleasant fragarance around them...

To stave off plague, people in Shakspeare's day carried pomanders (literally "pomme ambre" or apple made of ambergris), some literally made with apples stuck with cloves, etc and rolled in mixtures of rose petals, musk, civet, rosemary, myrrh and other resins...the volatile essential oils of these materials actually do contain antiseptic properties, hence their usefulness in combating infection. Perfumers and apothecaries who worked with such ingredients daily were all but immune to the plague...but most people believed it was the sweet smell of perfumes which cleared the noxiousness from the disease-ridden air...

peg

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - June 1
From: catspaw49
Date: 01 Jun 00 - 12:14 PM

As in......."Pocketful of posies."

Spaw

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - June 1
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 Jun 00 - 12:47 PM

Thanks, Peg. I went through a *medieval* phase when I was about 11 years old. Everyone got an apple stuck with cloves from me for Christmas presents that year! I also went through a stage which remains, making sachets for everyone's bureau drawers.

Peter, have a great holiday! We will miss you. This Mudcat isle will remain full of noises, though, I am sure!**BG**

luvyakat

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - June 1
From: Irish sergeant
Date: 01 Jun 00 - 07:19 PM

Music Island sounds most excellent, Pete. As for the discussion on aromas, I like the gentle and subtle scent of lilac myself. If you beholding it Spaw, not only do you not suffer flatulence but you'll likely explode. Neil

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - June 1
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 01 Jun 00 - 09:27 PM

I've always taken "sweet airs" as, in the first place, about referring to music. An elaboration of the noises of which the isle is full.

Of course Shakespeare loved puns and wordplay, so he'd have had nothing against the phrase having a double meaning, I imagine.

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - June 1
From: catspaw49
Date: 01 Jun 00 - 09:47 PM

So Neil, what you're saying is that "he who smelt it, dealt it" huh?.......Sadly for those around me, I have never been anal retentive, in any sense of the phrase.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - June 1
From: Mbo
Date: 01 Jun 00 - 09:52 PM

Believe it or not, the Japanese find it a symbol of respect, and the smell "the odor of humantiy"--a good thing.

--Mbo