Troilus and Cressida Group

Question:

dreamer59
dreamer59
Student
College - Sophomore

What does the following quotation from "Troilus and Cressida" mean:

"My mind is troubled, like a fountain stirred, And I myself see not the bottom of it."

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Posted by dreamer59 on Tuesday December 2, 2008 at 1:34 PM and tagged with meaning, quote, troilus and cressida.

Answers:


  1. robertwilliam

    eNotes Editor

    It's a metaphor, and it compares the mind to a fountain, like you might see in a park. If the fountain is "stirred" - i.e. swished around, or moved - the mud at the bottom of it clouds the water, preventing you from seeing the bottom of the fountain.

    And therefore, the human mind, when stirred up with thoughts swirling around, becomes clouded: and, to use another metaphor, it's very difficult to get to the bottom of things. As with the fountain, a confused mind makes it difficult to see things clearly.  

    Hope this helps!

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/troilus-cressida/summary

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    Posted by robertwilliam on Tuesday December 2, 2008 at 1:57 PM