Worst Line in ROTK - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Theron Bugtussle · 01-06-2004, 08:11 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>mark12_30 quoting Tolkien: A wild light came into Frodo's eyes. "Stand away! Don't touch me!" he cried. "It is mine, I say. Be off!" His hand strayed to his sword-hilt.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>I don't think it would be correct to say that Frodo's "Be off!" means "Go away." In context, it is more like the "Stand away!" expression included in the actual quote. Which I take to mean, "Don't touch me! Step back out of sword reach, but definitely far enough so that I am sure your grubbing hands cannot reach my ring--my Precious!"

01-06-2004, 08:11 PM	#31
Theron Bugtussle Wight Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Blowing the froth off a couple in this quaint little pub in Michel Delving. Posts: 147	<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR><B>mark12_30</B> quoting Tolkien: <I>A wild light came into Frodo's eyes. "Stand away! Don't touch me!" he cried. "It is mine, I say. Be off!" His hand strayed to his sword-hilt.</I><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>I don't think it would be correct to say that Frodo's "Be off!" means "Go away." In context, it is more like the "Stand away!" expression included in the actual quote. <P>Which I take to mean, "Don't touch me! Step back out of sword reach, but definitely far enough so that I am sure your grubbing hands cannot reach my ring--my Precious!" __________________ For I was talking aloud to myself. A habit of the old: they choose the wisest person present to speak to; the long explanations needed by the young are wearying. -Gandalf, The Two Towers