Human faults are innumerable, and Shakespeare’s phrases have the extraordinary talent of highlighting the convolutions of our condition. Take, for example, the phrase “Not as black as he’s painted.” It goes back to “King Lear” (3.2) where the distressed King Lear plaintively roams the heath in a fierce storm.
Synonyms:
- Less culpable
- Not entirely guilty
- Not so bad after all
Similar Terms and Phrases:
- Misrepresented
- Wrongly accused
- Innocent as far as one knows
Humorous Quote:
“Don’t believe everything you hear. Even salt looks like sugar.” - Anonymous
Proverbs:
- Every coin has two sides.
- Judge not, lest ye be judged.
Literary References:
- King Lear by William Shakespeare: Revisit the turmoil of Lear’s plight and feel the raw fretfulness of justice in tempestuous winds.
- Captain Brassbound’s Conversion by George Bernard Shaw: Dive into Shaw’s knack for dissecting societal conventions and see how misrepresented characters fight for their true narrative.
- Fanny’s First Play by George Bernard Shaw: Shaw’s comedic ruminations on roles people are cast into perhaps underlines one individual’s plight of being “painted black.”
Films:
- “To Kill a Mockingbird” (1962): Observe how Atticus Finch defends an almost irredeemably “black-painted” Tom Robinson.
- “Shawshank Redemption” (1994): Witness the epic journey of Andy Dufresne, a man wrongfully imprisoned who proves not as black as painted by society.
Inspiring Quote:
“Being misunderstood can be the greatest advantage. You can watch fear and confusion in your enemies’ eyes.” - Anonymous
### Which of these phrases is synonymous with 'Not as black as he's painted'?
- [x] Wrongly accused
- [ ] Black sheep of the family
- [ ] Devil's advocate
- [ ] Crying over spilled milk
> **Explanation:** "Wrongly accused" means someone who isn't as guilty as perceived, fitting the Shakespearean import quite well.
### Pick the Shakespearean play from where 'Not as black as he's painted' traces its literary heritage.
- [ ] Hamlet
- [ ] Othello
- [ ] The Merchant of Venice
- [x] King Lear
> **Explanation:** The phrase is drawn from "King Lear" (3.2), showcasing one of Shakespeare's masterpieces blaming fate and questioning perception.
### True or False: George Bernard Shaw used the phrase 'Not as black as he's painted' in both 'Captain Brassbound’s Conversion' and 'Fanny’s First Play'.
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** Shaw indeed intriguingly reused this phrase, turning it into a token sculpting his provocative theatrical narratives.
### What genre does the saying “Not as black as he's painted” most resonate with?
- [ ] Sci-Fi
- [ ] Romantic Comedy
- [x] Drama
- [ ] Mystery
> **Explanation:** Drama resonates most with this saying's exploration into the darkness of misunderstandings and character reconstruction.
### Which modern-day idiom carries a similar idea of general innocence trapped under a dark metaphor?
- [ ] With great power comes great responsibility
- [x] Judging a book by its cover
- [ ] A leopard can't change its spots
- [ ] Breaking the ice
> **Explanation:** "Judging a book by its cover" similarly revolves around recognizing that appearances can often be deceiving.
### What common phrase can be associated as an antonym to ‘Not as black as he's painted’?
- [ ] Every cloud has a silver lining
- [x] Wolves in sheep's clothing
- [ ] The early bird catches the worm
- [ ] Laughter is the best medicine
> **Explanation:** “Wolves in sheep's clothing" implies deception opposite to being unfairly vilified; wolves succeeded whereas sheep were misunderstood.
May words continue to weave warm webs around your thoughts, clear misconceptions, and whisper wisdom through every turn of phrase.
📝 Authentically Yours,
L. M. Literary
✒️ Published: 2023-10-02
