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HelpLet's talk about Thisbe
There are no rules here, let's just talk about the name Thisbe. How do you pronounce it? Do you associate it with the story of Pyramus and Thisbe? If so, is it a good or bad association? If you could change the ending of Pyramus and Thisbe's story, what would your original ending be? What are your thought on the name Thisbe? You can even make up your own conversation starter if you want to, just have it be about the name Thisbe. Have fun!!
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The greek pronunciation is actually TEEZ-beh, but you are right, in english THIZ-bee.
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Yeah - I'm not super into TEEZ-beh. Or FEH-beh, for Phoebe!
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yeah, TEEZ-beh's cool, but FEE-beh's not. :D
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Th as in thistle. is as in is. be as in be. First syllable emphasised.
I've only ever seen it in the context of Pyramus and Thisbe, which was trite and shallow until Shakespeare jazzed it up. There's not much point in giving those two a happy ending! The story exists, like an early Just-So Story, to make an important lesson memorable; in this case, the message is: Don't jump to conclusions. Since they both did, with fatal results, they are memorable all right but not worth commemorating. I wouldn't use either name for a human, though Thisbe could be OK on a cat.
I've only ever seen it in the context of Pyramus and Thisbe, which was trite and shallow until Shakespeare jazzed it up. There's not much point in giving those two a happy ending! The story exists, like an early Just-So Story, to make an important lesson memorable; in this case, the message is: Don't jump to conclusions. Since they both did, with fatal results, they are memorable all right but not worth commemorating. I wouldn't use either name for a human, though Thisbe could be OK on a cat.
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Thisbe sees a lion with blood dripping from its jaws. She panics and runs away, dropping her veil as she goes. The lion chews it and wanders off. Pyramus arrives, to find a blood-stained veil and no Thisbe. Later, when she comes back, she finds him dead, and commits suicide herself.
So, she assumed (1) the lion was still hungry and she would be its next meal. She ran away without stopping to think: (2) lions can outrun people; (3) this one had just had a meal; if she'd stayed still and silent, it wouldn't have bothered with her. But, she attracted its attention by running, or perhaps it just played with the veil, feeling relaxed and happy and full. QED
So, she assumed (1) the lion was still hungry and she would be its next meal. She ran away without stopping to think: (2) lions can outrun people; (3) this one had just had a meal; if she'd stayed still and silent, it wouldn't have bothered with her. But, she attracted its attention by running, or perhaps it just played with the veil, feeling relaxed and happy and full. QED
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Oh. That makes sense. But if i saw a lioness, I would not take time to stop and think, I would be so scared that I would run away too!!! Haven't you heard of fight or flight mode? :D not that I would see a lioness today...
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I think it was one of my favorite names when I was a teenager. It's fine, just doesn't appeal to me anymore. It sounds spritely but also a little clunky.
Pyramus used to be one of my favs, too, and I still sort of like that one.
Do you associate it with the story of Pyramus and Thisbe?
A Midsummer Night's Dream is my only association, so I guess. It's a neutral association because it's such a minor mention in the play, but the silliness of that probably does affect my perception of the name.
Pyramus used to be one of my favs, too, and I still sort of like that one.
Do you associate it with the story of Pyramus and Thisbe?
A Midsummer Night's Dream is my only association, so I guess. It's a neutral association because it's such a minor mention in the play, but the silliness of that probably does affect my perception of the name.
This message was edited 5/27/2023, 1:42 AM
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It's interesting. I kind of like it but it also reminds me of thistles. Explaining how I say it is hard but it is like the beginning of thistles. The th is soft and quiet and it ends in bee. I don't know if that is how it is supposed to be said or anything about the Pyramus and Thisbe story. The only time I've come across it is in a young adult book I read as a teenager where it was the name of the little sister - Along for the Ride - there is a Netflix movie based on it now.
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I like Thisbe a lot, except for association... Then again, people give their kids names like Romeo or Guinevere, and those stories don't have very happy endings either.
In my head, I pronounce it TIZ-bee (I know, it's not accurate Greek or English, but I first read the name as a kid [in a Shakespeare storybook, Midsummer Night's Dream] and that's how I thought it was pronounced, and I like that better than either of the actual pronunciations - though I like them, too.)
In my head, I pronounce it TIZ-bee (I know, it's not accurate Greek or English, but I first read the name as a kid [in a Shakespeare storybook, Midsummer Night's Dream] and that's how I thought it was pronounced, and I like that better than either of the actual pronunciations - though I like them, too.)
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Thanks!!! Thisbe is my favorite name right now :)
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I wasn't familiar with the myth till I looked it up. Not the worst association, but not a happy one either, and maybe too obscure a myth in the first place to matter anyway.
The name itself I'd say THIZZ-bee. I don't like it. It sounds like baby-talk for Frisbee.
The name itself I'd say THIZZ-bee. I don't like it. It sounds like baby-talk for Frisbee.
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I'd say it like that too. It sounds like a kitten's name or hamster.
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It is NOT baby talk for Frisbee. That is NOT true. Please don't yuck my yum, even though this isn't food. :D
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you asked for opinions ...
I know very well it's not actually baby talk for a Frisbee; I just said it sounded like it. I know it's an actual name from mythology.
Don't ask for opinions if all you want is flattery.
I know very well it's not actually baby talk for a Frisbee; I just said it sounded like it. I know it's an actual name from mythology.
Don't ask for opinions if all you want is flattery.
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I did not ask for opinions. I was just saying that I personally did not think of baby-talk for frisbee when I heard that name. Sorry, I'm autistic so I take things very literally. I thought you were saying it was actually baby talk for frisbee. I'm terribly sorry.
This message was edited 5/27/2023, 6:16 AM
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I agree. Babies are more likely to use the sounds in the opposite way - use f for th because it’s easier to pronounce.
As for the name Thisbe, it’s ok. The multiple pronunciations could be an issue. I wasn’t aware of the myth, and it’s not the best association. If I were to change the ending I would take out the suicide outcome and have them live happily ever after.
On another note, I love mulberry pie, how about you?
As for the name Thisbe, it’s ok. The multiple pronunciations could be an issue. I wasn’t aware of the myth, and it’s not the best association. If I were to change the ending I would take out the suicide outcome and have them live happily ever after.
On another note, I love mulberry pie, how about you?
This message was edited 5/26/2023, 3:30 PM
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Yes!!! Happily ever after, indeed!!!
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The Greek pronunciation is actually TEEZ-beh; how do you feel about that pronunciation? But you're right, the English pronunciation is THIZ-bee.
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I don't like it, pronounce it Thiz be
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The Greek pronunciation is actually TEEZ-beh; how do you feel about that pronunciation? But you're right, the English pronunciation is THIZ-bee.
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Don't really like that pronunciation either, tezba would be an easier spelling
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