4chan archive /lit/ (index)
2012-09-23 10:54 3002830 Anonymous (write.jpg 500x375 198kB)
Soo. I've a question. Is there a term for this device? "If we shadows have offended, Think but this, and all is mended, That you have but slumber’d here While these visions did appear. And this weak and idle theme, No more yielding but a dream, Gentles, do not reprehend: if you pardon, we will mend: And, as I am an honest Puck, If we have unearned luck Now to ‘scape the serpent’s tongue, We will make amends ere long; Else the Puck a liar call; So, good night unto you all. Give me your hands, if we be friends, And Robin shall restore amends.” " But first, I pray you, of your courtesy, 728 You'll not ascribe it to vulgarity 729 Though I speak plainly of this matter here, 730 Retailing you their words and means of cheer; 731 Nor though I use their very terms, nor lie. 732 For this thing do you know as well as I: 733 When one repeats a tale told by a man, 734 He must report, as nearly as he can, 735 Every least word, if he remember it, 736 However rude it be, or how unfit; 737 Or else he may be telling what's untrue, 738 Embellishing and fictionizing too. 739 He may not spare, although it were his brother; 740 He must as well say one word as another. 741 Christ spoke right broadly out, in holy writ, 742 And, you know well, there's nothing low in it. 743 And Plato says, to those able to read: 744 The word should be the cousin to the deed. 745 Also, I pray that you'll forgive it me 746 If I have not set folk, in their degree 747 Here in this tale, by rank as they should stand. 748 My wits are not the best, you'll understand." It's kind of like a shield they hold up to themselves against those who could be offended by their work.

14 min later 3002865 βPictorishawk
Disclaiming personal accountability? Ass-covering?

20 min later 3002874 Anonymous
>>3002865 I realize that's what they're doing, but I was wondering if the actual device had a name. I was telling a friend about it and didn't want to have to pull out both texts to cite examples because I was being unclear.

28 min later 3002888 Anonymous
Disclaimer. Mark Twain's was better. >PERSONS attempting to find a motive in this narrative will be prosecuted; persons attempting to find a moral in it will be banished; persons attempting to find a plot in it will be shot.

36 min later 3002907 Anonymous
>>3002888 That makes sense. The faces of disclaimers sure have changed drastically. Thanks, that was really getting to me.

42 min later 3002921 Anonymous
Well. Thanks for the help guys. I feel pretty retarded for not realizing that sooner. Have a nice day, or night, depending on your current geographic residence.

43 min later 3002926 Anonymous
>>3002921 * help, guys.

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