By a name I know not how to tell thee who I am: My name, dear saint, is hateful to myself, Because it is an enemy to thee; Had I it written, I would tear the word. How does that translate to Modern day time?

Question

anonymous · Answer

Hmm... I am not sure of the background here but my guess is...

It sound like a guy who loves a girl from another country and they are at war with eachother.

Or

Maybe the man's name is the Devil

anonymous · Answer

I think its saying that she/he cant tell a person who she is in one word. That she is more then just her name but the name she has isn't a name the saint would want to hear, If she said it, it would of been a disaster.

anonymous · Answer

like if she was African American and the saint and the people around him were racist. African American is sort of a name but the person is much more then that and if she said that that was who she is, that's all they would see and the saint would of been upset.

anonymous · Answer

This is from Romeo and Juliet.  She askes who he is because he is standing in the shadows.  He does not want to tell her who he is, because they are sworn enemies.  'I dont want to tell you who I am because it is my name that offends /bothers you.