Paul Ruprecht

Fores

Analysis of the translation of Titus Andronicus Quarto 1 (1594)

The translation of the quarto 1 (1594) on http://www.uv.es/fores/OffTitQcolores.00.es.html, at least judging by the 100 lines I looked at in 4.1, seems to me to be an excellent translation, and very well done. Following are several things I question, or at least have questions about, with the original and the translation for comparison, and my comments in blue, with the questioned part highlighted in Yellow.

Buen tio Marcus mira qué veloz se mueve, [1338

Good Vnckle M arcus see how swift shee comes,

Why would “comes” be translated as “mueve”?

TITUS.
Te ama demasiado, niño, para hacerte daño. [1341]

PUER.
Sí, cuando mi padre vivía en Roma me amaba. [1342]

She loues thee boy too well to doe thee harme.

1550

Puer.

I when my Father was in Rome she did.

Although it is unclear, I believe that “did” refers back to “doe thee harme” and not “loves thee.” Therefore a more correct translation might be “ Sí, cuando mi padre vivía en Roma me hacía daño.”

sí los alza al cielo pidiendo venganza. [1375]

Or else to heauen, she heaues them for reuenge.

This is a small difference of meaning, between a definitive “Yes” and a “maybe” (or else).

PUER.
Ni en el dormitorio de su madre deben estar seguros [1424]
estos bajos esclavos del yugo de Roma. [1425]

M ARCUS
¡Así, se es mi niño! Tu padre a menudo [1426]
hizo eso por éste país desagradecido. [1427]

PUER.
Sí, tio, así lo haré si vivo. [1428]

Their mothers bed-chamber should not be safe,

For these base bond-men to the yoake of Rome.

Marcus

I thats my boy, thy father hath full oft,

For his vngratefull Countrie done the like.

1660

Puer.

And Vnkle so will I, and if I liue.

And sweare with me as with the wofull feere,

And father of that chast dishonoured Dame,

Lord Iunius Brutus sweare for Lucrece rape,

1640

That we will prosecute by good aduice

Mortall reuenge vpon these Traiterous Gothes,

And see their blood or die with this reproch.

T itus.

Tis sure enough, and you knew how,

But if you hunt these Beare whelpes then beware,

1645

The Dam will wake and if she winde yee once,

Shee's with the Lion deepely still in league,

And luls him whilst shee plaieth on her backe.

And when he sleepes, will shee doe what she list.

You are a young huntsman Marcus, let alone,

1650

And come I will goe get a leafe of brasse,

And with a gad of steele will write these words,

And lay it by: the angry northern wind

Will blow these sands like Sibels leaues abroad,

And wheres our lesson then, boy what say you?

1655

Puer.

I say my Lord that if I were a man,

In this instance, 15 lines that appear in Shakespeare’s original were cut out of the translation. Why?