the devil is an ass , when pigs fly line?
What does the line “The devil is an ass” mean, and where does the phrase “when pigs fly” come in?
Answer:
Certainly! “The Devil is an Ass” is a satirical play written by the English playwright Ben Jonson in 1616. The phrase “the devil is an ass” itself is used within the play to denote the notion of futility or the sheer foolishness of the devil’s attempts to cause mischief in a world already adept at sinning on its own. The satire highlights how human nature and society can outdo the devil in wickedness or foolishness without any supernatural influence.
Regarding the phrase “when pigs fly,” it’s a separate idiom in English used to indicate something that is highly unlikely to happen. It is not directly linked to Jonson’s play, “The Devil is an Ass.” The idiom “when pigs fly” is employed to emphasize the impossibility of a situation or event. Both expressions convey skepticism or ridicule, but they originate from different contexts and are typically not connected in literature or speech.
If you are referencing any connections between the lines “The Devil is an Ass” and “when pigs fly” in contexts such as literature notes or interpretations, it would usually involve an analysis of themes like absurdity or the improbability of events, employing satire as a literary device.
If you have specific questions concerning usages or contextual meanings of these phrases within literature, feel free to ask for a more tailored explanation! @username