safaa
what is { My heart Is true as steel } ? William Shakespeare
Apr 3, 2010 9:00 PM
Answers · 2
2
You draw me, you hard-hearted adamant; But yet you draw not iron, for my heart Is true as steel: leave you your power to draw, And I shall have no power to follow you. The word "adamant" has always referred to extremely hard materials, typically diamond. In the Middle Ages, the word also referred to a magnet through a confused translation of the Latin "adamare," to love or be attached to. Shakespeare cleverly uses both meanings, describing Demetrius as both hard-hearted and a magnet. A magnet will attract (draw) both iron and steel. Steel is stronger and easier to sharpen than iron. In addition, in Shakespeare's day, it was difficult and expensive to make steel. Helena says that Demetrius is not drawing common iron, but rather a quality steel. Her heart is true (faithful) and dependable as a device made of fine steel.
April 4, 2010
1
Hi Safaa, this quote is from A Midsummer Night's Dream: Act 2, Scene 1. Demetrius tells Helena that he doesn't don’t love her and to stop following him around and that it is Hermia who stops his heart from beating. Demetrius is going crazy in the middle of the woods because he can’t find Hermia. He tells Helena to go away. Helena tells Demetrius that he attracts her like an iron magnet. She compares her heart to steel and tells him that if he lets go of his power to attract her, she then won’t have any power to follow him.
April 3, 2010
Still haven’t found your answers?
Write down your questions and let the native speakers help you!