Mojo, The Bard, & Me

 Today’s Totally Random Lines

 

No, sooth, sir: my determinate voyage is mere extravogancy. But I perceive in you so excellent a touch of modesty, that you will not extort from me what I am willing to keep in; therefore it charges me in manners the rather to express myself.

 

Sebastian

Twelfth Night                 Act II, Scene i, Line 15

Antonio asks Sebastian where he’ll be going,
Let me yet know of you whither you are bound, 

and Today’s Lines are Sebastian’s  answer.
Pete’s version: Honestly, I’m not sure where I’m going, and you’re obviously not going to press me for information, so it behooves me to tell you a little bit about myself.

Lines like this, though beautifully written and well worth reading and spending time with, really make me wonder: did they actually talk like this in 1590’s London? My determinate voyage is mere extravagancy? Really? Perhaps I should try this one the next time Patrice asks me where I’m going as I’m heading out the door.

My determinate voyage is mere extravagancy, dear.

I’ll give you some extravagancy, buddy; now tell me, where the hell are you going?

Ahh, it’s just another one of Will’s lines that I wisht I’d be able to remember. But, alas..

Anyway, Sebastian goes on to get into a bit of his life story for Antonio (and the audience). This is the first time in the play we see him and Antonio, so Will is giving us an introduction to them.

The former is the twin brother of the main character, Viola, and he will go on to play a small but important part in the play. Antonio not so much; he’s a bit superfluous. Sorry Antonio.

What about me, Mr. Blagys. I’m not superfluous, am I? By the way, what does superfluous mean?

It means pretty much unnecessary, Mojo. And no, you are not in any way superfluous.