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Does it matter whose son I am? After all, it is what brushes off against us after birth that makes us what we are. That was what she had seen as she watched me growing. She had watched his giving and my taking. She too had to make her contribution.

Explanation and Analysis:

While on the Western Front during World War I (1914-1918), Alec imagines his parents Frederick and Alicia back home in Ireland. Recalling how Alicia claimed that Frederick was not Alec’s biological father shortly before Alec enlisted in the arm...

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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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