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COLONEL
You might have commanded them but I own them. And because I own them I have an understanding of them that you don’t have and never will. Hero knows his worth to the penny, and, well, the poor thing is honest. Meaning he won’t run off not now not never. He told me one day: “Master,” he said, “running off, well, that would be the same as stealing,” he said.

SMITH
He came to War with you. He came willingly?

COLONEL
I asked him to join me and he did so without a second’s thought. To get him on board I had to sweeten the pot.
I promised him his Freedom.

SMITH
And you’ll keep your Word?

COLONEL
Things these days have grown so very complicated.

SMITH
You don’t intent to keep your word to him.

COLONEL
I didn’t say that.

Explanation and Analysis:

As Colonel and Smith argue their respective sides on the issue of slavery, Colonel decides to educate Smith about the value of enslaved workers. This passage highlights and contrasts two ways of judging a person’s value. The first—the enslaver’...

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Original

Romeo

(aside) She speaks.
O, speak again, bright angel! For thou art
As glorious to this night, being o’er my head,
As is a winged messenger of heaven
Unto the white, upturnèd, wondering eyes
Of mortals that fall back to gaze on him
When he bestrides the lazy-puffing clouds
And sails upon the bosom of the air.

Juliet

O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art though Romeo?
Deny they father and refuse they name.
Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,
And I’ll no longer be a Capulet.

Modern

Romeo

(to himself) She speaks. Speak again, bright angel! For tonight you are as glorious, there up above me, as a winged messenger of heaven who makes mortals fall onto their backs to gaze up with awestruck eyes as he strides across the lazy clouds and sails through the air.

Juliet

O Romeo, Romeo! Why must you be Romeo? Deny your father and give up your name. Or, if you won’t change your name, just swear your love to me and I’ll give up being a Capulet.

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