"[A]nd her Mind, at that time, might be likened to a Theatre, on which the Tragedy of a glittering Cross, and a Pair of Diamond Ear-rings, was acting, with much more Propriety than the envious Critic called Othello The Tragedy of the Handkerchief."

— Fielding, Sarah (1710-1768)


Place of Publication
London
Publisher
A. Millar
Date
1759
Metaphor
"[A]nd her Mind, at that time, might be likened to a Theatre, on which the Tragedy of a glittering Cross, and a Pair of Diamond Ear-rings, was acting, with much more Propriety than the envious Critic called Othello The Tragedy of the Handkerchief."
Metaphor in Context
Miss Lucum, as soon as possible, retired to the Apartment in which she was accustomed to find Rest; but no Rest was that Night to be found: Not Macbeth, but Di'monds, had murthered Sleep:

Diamonds, as adequate to the Purpose as any Ruffians whatsoever. The painful Vision of Lady Fanny's Jewels was, by Memory, faithfully presented to her View, baffled every Attempt to close her Eyes, and chased from her disturbed Mind all Possibility of Slumber or Repose. She could start with as much Terror and Anguish, as if she had seen all the Ghosts in Richard the Third; and her Mind, at that time, might be likened to a Theatre, on which the [Page 47] Tragedy of a glittering Cross, and a Pair of Diamond Ear-rings, was acting, with much more Propriety than the envious Critic called Othello The Tragedy of the Handkerchief.
(pp. 46-7)
Provenance
Searching "mind" and "theat" in HDIS (Prose Fiction)
Citation
2 entries in the ESTC (1759).

See The History of the Countess of Dellwyn. In Two Volumes: By the Author of David Simple. (London: Printed for A. Millar, 1759). <Link to ESTC>
Date of Entry
04/13/2006

The Mind is a Metaphor is authored by Brad Pasanek, Assistant Professor of English, University of Virginia.