Background:
In John of Gaunt's dying speech in Shakespeare's Richard II he appears to
rhapsodise over the many qualities of England - `this other Eden'. `this
earth of majesty', `this precious stone' and so on. While this may be taken
at face value, more is being conveyed than simple praise for the country's
virtues.
Gaunt is alluding to the destruction of the old ways brought about by the
Plantagenet wars. His description of `this sceptered isle' is not only
imagery of England as a jewel set in the sea. England's kings wear sceptres
and the land and its people are `sceptered', that is, subject to the throne.
Also, the reference to the country as `this seat of Mars [the god of war] and
`this fortress' suggest that the throne is a military prize, rules by the
strongest, not necessarily the best.
From Shakespeare's Richard II, 1593.
This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle,
This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars,
This other Eden, demi-paradise,
This fortress built by Nature for herself
Against infection and the hand of war,
This happy breed of men, this little world,
This precious stone set in the silver sea,
Which serves it in the office of a wall,
Or as a moat defensive to a house,
Against the envy of less happier lands,
This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England,
- www.phrases.org.uk [edited]
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The verses often remind me of the idea I held when I was young, that other
peoples didn't love their own countries as much as we Chinese love our great
motherland. I remember at a patriotic moment, possibly after a flag-raising
ceremony, telling a group of highschool classmates what I thought and not
everyone roared in agreement. Wet behind the ears, I was such a nerd. So simple
and sometimes naive :-)
