Meaning & Analysis
A direct reference to one’s biological relatives, most commonly a child or close family member—someone who shares your own body and lineage.
Insights
Kinship and Inheritance
The phrase signifies the deep, inalienable bond of blood relations, carrying implications of shared identity, responsibility, and loyalty.
Unconditional Attachment
It often evokes the natural affection, obligation, or pain associated with family, emphasizing ties that persist regardless of circumstance.
Historical Symbolism
Rooted in ancient concepts of kinship, the proverb draws on the symbolic power of 'flesh' and 'blood' as the literal means of life and continuity. In early modern literature, it reinforces both emotional attachment and the tragedies of familial conflict.
Literary and Cultural Resonance
Appearing in Shakespeare and numerous Renaissance works, the phrase dramatizes dilemmas of loyalty, betrayal, and identity. Its recurrence in English drama and law attests to its centrality in notions of inheritance and familial duty.
Psychological Dimensions
The proverb reflects the psychological weight of family connections: pride, guilt, responsibility, and the pain of familial discord all attach uniquely to 'one’s own flesh and blood.'
Rhetorical Devices
Synecdoche
'Flesh and blood' stands for the whole person, specifically a relative, using part-for-whole substitution to emphasize the organic nature of kinship.
Repetition
The phrase’s rhythmic pairing ('flesh and blood') adds emphasis and memorability, creating a sense of completeness and totality.
Metaphor
Employs bodily imagery as a metaphor for the invisible, enduring bonds of family.
Transcription
Quotations
To her owne childe, to her owne fleshe and bloud.
Think'st thou I loue my sonne? is he my flesh? Is he my bloud, my life?
A shoo-maker sell his flesh and blood.
She's thine owne flesh, blood, and bone.
Your maides .. would haue me turne Hannibal, and eate my owne fish, and blood.
I should be unnatureall To my owne flesh, and blood, would I not thank him.
Then was this mariage .. Especially 'gain' mine owne flesh, and blood.
Shakespeare Citations
If thou be Launcelot, thou art mine own flesh and blood.
I say my daughter is my flesh and my blood.
She being none of your flesh and blood, your flesh and blood has not offended the King, and so your flesh and blood is not to be punish'd by him.
Cross References
Related Proverbs
Original Scan
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