Both Uses of
obscure
in
The Merchant of Venice
- ...in the obscure grave.
Scene 2.7 (definition 1) *obscure = dark
- In law, what plea so tainted and corrupt
But, being season'd with a gracious voice,
Obscures the show of evil?
Scene 3.2 (definition 2) *obscures = hides
Definitions:
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(1) (obscure as in: was obscure, but now bright) dark or dingy; or inconspicuous (not very noticeable)editor's notes: This meaning of obscure is more commonly seen in classic literature than in modern writing.
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(2) (obscure as in: it obscured my view) to block from view or make less visible or understandableeditor's notes: Although this meaning of obscure typically refers to seeing or understanding, it can also refer to situation where something makes something else harder to detect or as when a noise makes another noise difficult to hear. Similarly it can reference something overshadowing something else, as in "Her memory of her dog's death was obscured by her brother's death the next day."