Now, by two headed Janus Nature hath framed strange fellows in her time: Some that will evermore peep through their eyes, And laugh like parrots at a bag-piper; And other of vinegar aspect That they’ll not show their teeth in way of smile, Through Nestor swear the jest be laughable (1). What had speaker said just before these lines? Who is salarino and salenio?
Answers
Explanation:
This quote is said by Solanio to Antonio in Act I scene 1, and is part of the conversation that they have with Salerio where these two friends of Antonio try to ascertain what is wrong with their friend and why he appears to be so gloomy. Solanio has just asked Antonio if he is out of sorts because he is in love, and Antonio has just denied this, and so Solania says these lines as a playful way of trying to poke gentle fun at Antonio whilst also giving him a chance to open up if he wants to take that opportunity. Solanio thus refers to various different ways of expressing emotion, and the reference to the Roman god Janus is a particularly apt one given that he had two heads, with one bearing a smile and the other a frown. Solanio reflects that there are so many people in the world and they all express emotion differently. Some will laugh out loud at the slightest provocation, and others will hardly smile at something that everybody else would find hilarious.