Nanna: Inside, there was a long rigmarole that went on and…
““Nanna: Inside, there was a long rigmarole that went on and on; it began with my hair, which had been cut off in the church, and said that he had gathered it together and made a neckband of it for himself; and my forehead was clearer than a cloudless sky. He compared my eyebrows to the black wood which is used to make combs, and he said that my cheeks were so white that they filled milk and cream with envy. He declared my teeth were like a row of pearls, and my lips like pomegranate blossoms; he composed a great preamble on my hands - he even praised my fingernails; and he said that my voice was like the canticle 'Gloria in eccelsis'; and when he came to my breasts, he waxed positively ecstatic - they displayed two apples as white and shining as the snow in sunlight. Finally he allowed himself to slip down to the fountain, saying that he had drunk from it all unworthily, and that it distilled nectar and manna, and that the curls of hair round it were made of silk.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A flamboyant description of a lover’s exaggerated compliments, using lavish metaphors to praise physical features and sensuality.
In simple terms: Over-the-top praise using flowery language.
Key Takeaway
Recognize when compliments become excessive.
Themes
flattery
exaggeration
romance
Mood
playful
ironic
Type
literary
satirical
When to use this quote
- courtship
- poetry
- personal admiration
- literary satire
Key Concepts
metaphor
hyperbole
sensual imagery
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you find elaborate compliments sincere or performative?
- How can praise be balanced with authenticity?
A Different Perspective
Such hyperbole can obscure genuine feeling and seem insincere.