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Rose Bowl Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

What does the author mean by "envious night?

This is from "Tale of Genji"

The presents were then shown to him. "Ah," thought he, "could they be
the souvenirs sent by the once lost love," as he murmured--
"Oh, could I find some wizard sprite,
To bear my words to her I love,
Beyond the shades of envious night,
To where she dwells in realms above!"
  

Top answer

Hard to say, toilet. I take it as simple personification. The night is envious of his good fortune: the gifts, the requited love.

  • Hard to say, toilet.
  • I take it as simple personification.
  • The night is envious of his good fortune: the gifts, the requited love.
  • If the night is jealous, it may pose some threat to the subject's emmisary, who must pass through on his way to deliver the words.
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2 Answers
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Hard to say, toilet.
I take it as simple personification. The night is envious of his good fortune: the gifts, the requited love.

If the night is jealous, it may pose some threat to the subject's emmisary, who must pass through on his way to deliver the words.
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Thank you, I appreciated your insight on this.

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