Sir Walter Scott records these lines, in Canto VI, Stanza 17 of "Marmion" (1808), an epic poem about the Battle of Flodden Field in 1513.
The meaning is, basically, that lies beget more lies, and that masking lies with more lies creates an ever-more-complex arrangement of falsehoods.
(see related question)
Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive
Sir Walter Scott
Robert Burns
Sir Walter Scott wrote this in his poem, "Marmion," first published in 1808.The actual line is: Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.
Sir Walter Scott wrote this line in his poem "Marmion," about the Battle of Flodden Field in 1513. The actual line is "Oh what tangled webs we weave, when first we practice to deceive."
"Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive..." is a quote from Sir Walter Scott's "Marmion". This line can be found in Canto VI, Stanza 17.
I think you mean tangled, which means twisted or mixed together. Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive. The fishing lines were too tangled and we had to cut them loose.
Shakespeare. Most think it was Shakespeare but it was actually Sir Walter Scott in "Mamion"
Answer:This means when you intend to, deceive(lie, cheat, etc.), you entangle yourself in complicated situations- trying to cover your a$$, when your deception is exposed.
: Oh! what a tangled web we weave : When first we practice to deceive! Sir Walter Scott, Marmion, Canto vi. Stanza 17.The quote is, surprisingly, not from Shakespeare but from Sir Walter Scott , in Canto VI, Stanza 17 of "Marmion" (1808) an epic poem about the Battle of Flodden Field in 1513.The meaning is, basically, that lies beget more lies, and that masking lies with more lies creates an ever-more-complex arrangement of falsehoods.
The cast of Oh What a Tangled Web We Weave - 2011 includes: Mike Santi as Kevin
"Marmion", published in 1808 by Sir Walter Scott, produced lines that have become proverbial. Canto VI. Stanza 17 of the poem reads: Yet Clare's sharp questions must I shun Must separate Constance from the nun Oh! what a tangled web we weave When first we practice to deceive! A Palmer too! No wonder why I felt rebuked beneath his eye. Scott's novels and poetry are still read, and many of his works remain classics of both English-language literature and of Scottish literature. Famous titles include Ivanhoe, Rob Roy, The Lady of the Lake, Waverley, The Heart of Midlothian and The Bride of Lammermoor. As a side note, the novel of Ivanhoe introduces us to Robin Hood, as it was also the basis of the Comedy-Drama film; "A Knights Tale".