No edit summary Tag: rte-source |
Tag: sourceedit |
||
| Line 278: | Line 278: | ||
'''It's another great day and another great victory''' |
'''It's another great day and another great victory''' |
||
| − | ''(Ivan celebrates over killing two very established, or great, gentlemen, thus making his victory and his day great)'' |
+ | ''(Ivan celebrates over killing two very established, or great, gentlemen, thus making his victory and his day great.)'' |
''''Cause no great can beat me!''' |
''''Cause no great can beat me!''' |
||
Revision as of 23:04, 12 July 2016
Ivan the Terrible:
Look alive, crème de la Kremlin's arriving!
(The very first two words of the battle gives an eerie foreshadowing of Ivan's plan to win. He says to "look alive" as a subtle warning to Alexander that he may not be anymore. The French term crème de la crème means best of the best. Ivan refers to himself as the best from the Kremlin, a Russian citadel which housed him and the successive leaders of Russia. Ivan tells Alexander that he is coming and to brighten up for their battle.)
Try to serve Ivan: no surviving!
(Ivan tells Alexander that if he tries to serve, or harshly beat him in this rap battle that he will fail and perish. Ivan also makes a pun on the homophones "serve Ivan" and "surviving.")
You're a land rover; I'm a land expander!
(Ivan calls Alexander a land rover, comparing him to the large form of vehicle. The lands that Ivan took over remained part of the Russian empire, whilst Alexander's empire fell apart after his death, hence him being a rover, i.e. an explorer and traveller rather than a proper expander. This may also reference the belief that Alexander sought out fights and didn't concentrate on solidifying his control over the lands he took.)
Here to hand you your first loss, Alexander!
(Alexander was supposedly unbeaten during his life. Ivan says that he will be the first person to defeat Alexander, but this time in a rap battle format.)
I'll school you like Aristotle!
(Alexander was tutored by the philosopher Aristotle in his youth. While schooling normally refers to teaching, it is also a slang word for applying discipline, which Ivan says he will do to Alexander.)
Smack you harder than you hit that bottle!
(Hitting the bottle is a euphemism for heavy drinking, and Alexander was well-known for his bouts of drunkenness. Ivan says that he will beat Alexander so hard his alcoholic exploits will pale in comparison.)
You're nothing but an overrated lush; I'll crush ya!
("Lush" is a slang term for someone who drinks excessively. Ivan tells Alexander that his achievements are glorified and are not as significant as they might seem, and goes on to say he will easily defeat Alexander.)
I'm the first Tsar of all of Russia!
(Ivan the Terrible was the first person to be given the title "Tsar of all Russias" and uses this as a brag to demonstrate his power and experience.)
You're an asshole with an anastole!
(Ivan calls Alexander an asshole, showing his view of Alex to be one of contempt. He references Alexander's hairstyle, an anastole, which is a Greek hairstyle where the hair is brushed so as to appear wreath-like. This style is particularly attributed to Alexander the Great.)
I'm heaven sent, divine and holy!
(Tsars in Russia were considered to be deliverers of God's will, so Ivan boasts that he is considered a figure so intricately tied to God himself.)
So don't even try to approach the God,
(Due to his mental instability, Ivan began to develop a complex in which he would consider himself some form of deity. He tells Alexander that he shouldn't come near him for reasons explains in the following line.)
Or you'll get a huge sack like Novgorod
(In historical contexts, to sack a particular place is to raid and pillage it. The Massacre of Novgarod is considered one of the most brutal attacks in the history of Ivan's secret police and vicious law enforcers, the Oprichnina. Using a pun on the word 'sack', meaning both to invade and steal, and also 'ballsack' or testicles, Ivan claims he will kick Alexander in his gonads so hard that they will violently swell.)
Alexander the Great:
Hey, fella! Swell diss,
(Alexander, likely sarcastically, compliments Ivan on his verse.)
But now you got the Panhellenist from Pella hella pissed!
(Alexander tells Ivan that his opponent's verse has only served to enrage him. Panhellenism is the concept of all Greeks in a political union, an idea Alexander was an advocate for. Pella was the wealthy capital of Macedon from whence Alexander the Great hailed.)
Stepping up's foolish as well as useless!
(Alexander informs Ivan that 'stepping up' to him, or facing him is both unwise and pointless as Alexander deems his ability as a rapper and leader to be superior.)
Little Vasilyevich, let me spell out the list:
(Ivan the Terrible's actual name is Ivan Vasilyevich. Alexander attempts to trivialize his opponent by referring to him as 'little'. Ivan's last name may have also been used due to the last syllable sounding similar to 'bitch'. Alexander then indicates the beginning of a list of locations he conquered.)
I brought foes to their knees in Phoenicia!
(Phoenicia was a civilisation based in the coastline of what is present day Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, and Syria. This was one of the many territories Alexander took over during his reign. He also elicits the might with which he did so by claiming he brought his enemies to their knees, meaning they were begging for mercy.)
Breezed through Gaza to Giza!
(The Gaza Strip is a territory on the Eastern coast of the Mediterranean sea that borders with Egypt, where the city of Giza is located. Alexander claims he faced no serious opposition whilst capturing these locations as he went through them on his warpath.)
Had the Balkans, Persia, Syria, Iraq,
(Alexander goes on to list even more places he took over during his time as King, including the Balkans, a large area in Southeast Europe encompassing several nations, as well as the countries of Syria, Iraq, and Persia. The last of which is now known as Iran.)
And Pakistan in my expansion pack,
(Alexander concludes his list of conquered territories with Pakistan, and defines these locations as his expansion pack. In video games, an expansion pack is additional, purchasable content designed to enhance the game with new features, such as explorable locations and enemies. This, in particular, might reference the popular Civilization strategy game series in which the player aims to form a powerful civilization, often through conquest. This series has had many expansion packs introduced over its long run. 'Expansion' is also the term used to describe the increase of land controlled by one person or power, as Alexander did when conquering these countries and areas.)
While you died in the middle of a game of chess!
(Ivan the Terrible died from a stroke during a game of chess with associate Bogdan Belsky. Alexander makes a comparison between him conquering so many well-defended nations in real life and Ivan perishing during a game where you attempt to overthrow the pretend Kings and Queens of your opponent, making his ability as a leader seem to far surpass his opponent's.)
You got vodka bars: flavorless!
(Vodka is an alcoholic drink often associated with Russia for its development and popularity there, at one point comprising 89% of the country's alcohol intake. Vodka is mostly colorless, odorless, and almost completely flavorless. Alexander insults his opponents lyrics by saying they lack flavor, or content.)
And what I'm 'bout to spit will be the craziest,
(Alexander prepares Ivan for the impending part of his verse which he believes will be "crazy", i.e. extremely good due to its face pace and intricate rhymescheme and flow.)
So go fix me a drink so I can stay refreshed!
(As mentioned before in Ivan's verse, Alexander was fond of alcohol, so requests Ivan makes him a beverage so he can stay cool during his upcoming lines which he insinuates will be so energetic and exertive that they will exhaust him.)
Kudos! Greek for the glory I got
('Kudos' is praise for a specific achievement and is a word derived from Greek, Alexander's native language.)
From winning every single war that I fought!
(Alexander references his unended streak of victories and claims that he gained much glory and praise from his conquests and battles.)
So this will be straight forward: I'll take up this sword that I brought
(Alexander claims that because he is so adept in fighting that defeating Ivan will not prove a challenge. To demonstrate, he draws his sword from its scabbard.)
And slice you in half like the Gordian knot!
(The Gordian knot is an ancient legend in which Alexander the Great was presented with a knot for which untying was impossible, and in most versions of the legend, he cut it in half with his sword to solve this problem. Alexander says he will do to Ivan as he did to the knot and cut him into two.)
And I'll soar to the top like the eagle whose feather I would sport
(Alexander claims he will quickly seize the victory from Ivan with speed akin to that of an eagle flying upwards. His reason for mentioning the eagle is completed in the subsequent line.)
In the helmet that I wore
(Alexander references the decorative feathers he would wear atop his helmet in battle. This became custom as birds with attractive plumage are considered a symbol of royalty and prestige.)
As I swatted my many enemies; shattered 'em like a porcelain pot,
(Alexander claims he had copious foes, but none were a match for his strength and skill. He states that these enemies with defeated with such viciousness that they were comparable to a china pot being smashed. This might also be a reference to Ancient Greek pottery, in which vases and amphorae were decorated with images of famous conquests and battles among mythology and other such relevances to Ancient Greek life.)
And they'd be praying for the torture to stop,
(Alexander calls his savage attacks "torture" and states that those subject to such assaults would beg that he relent.)
But I would leave 'em contorted and they'd be screaming and roaring
(If someone is contorted, it means they have been mangled to the point of misshapenness. Alexander claims he beat his opponents so badly that they were deformed and wailing in pain by the end.)
Until their vocals cords were torn up and shot!
(Continuing the graphic description in the previous line, Alexander emphasizes the volume of his past foes' screaming by saying their throats were damaged by the excessive yelling.)
And I would holler "Bucephalus!", hop on my horsey, and trot!
(Bucephalus was the name of Alexander's horse. After a battle, Alexander says he would call up his steed and ride away having won yet another battle.)
I win, Ivan; I vanquish! I'm an immortal; you're not!
(Alexander claims that after his verse he has inarguably beaten Ivan. He states that he vanquishes all of his opponents, while also making a pun on Ivan's name and its similarity to the first two syllables of "I vanquish." He goes further to say that he, or his legacy, is immortal and will live on forever in history books and knowledge, whereas Ivan's horrific deeds have been and will continue to be forgotten with time's progression.)
Ivan the Terrible:
Enough! (Ugh.) I don't stand a chance against your skills!
(To trick Alexander, Ivan feigns surrender, admitting defeat against Alexander.)
на здоровье! A drink to your victory!
(Ivan offers the drink Alexander demanded earlier, following his "Kudos" with "на здоровье", a Russian greeting of "to good health". But Ivan's shifty eyes imply different intentions than celebrating Alexander's victory…)
Alexander the Great:
Yes, I will.
(Alexander accepts the drink.)
It seems no one can defeat me; I weep, it's all so easy!
(Alexander comments on his conquests, paying homage to a quote with origins from Twilight Zone and Die Hard, "And when Alexander saw the breadth of his domain, he wept for there were no more worlds to conquer." The original quote is likely based off a quotation from Psalm 146, "Alexander of Macedon, who, upon hearing that there were other worlds, wept that he had not yet conquered one." He then takes a drink and suddenly Alexander becomes visibly confused and distressed.)
Ivan the Terrible:
What's wrong?
(Ivan sarcastically asks Alexander if he's alright, despite knowing exactly what happened…)
Alexander the Great:
I feel a bit… queasy
(Alexander explains that after taking a drink he feels sick…)
Ivan the Terrible:
Ha! You've been poisoned!
(Ivan cheers for the murder of his enemy.)
Alexander the Great:
Oh, the pain is unbearable!
(The poison Ivan served Alexander starts painfully killing him.)
My stomach's riddled with holes!
(Alexander drops dead as the poison eats away at his insides.)
Ivan the Terrible:
(Ugh.) I'm terrible.
(Ivan commends himself, calling himself terrible, in a similar way someone would call themselves "bad" or "horrible," after killing his foe. This, of course, is a pun on his epithet, Ivan the Terrible.)
There's no great who could defeat this Russian!
(Ivan shouts his successes and challenges that no "Great" could defeat him, noting his Russian nationality as he does so.)
Frederick the Great:
(Psst!) What about a flute-busting Prussian?
(Frederick the Great enters, a shadow at first, to offer that perhaps he could defeat Ivan. Frederick the Great was a "Great" leader of Prussia who was prolific with the flute.)
(Old Fritz! Old Fritz! Old Fritz! Old Fritz! Old Fritz! Old Fritz! Old Fritz! Old Fritz!)
(Frederick builds up his verse with a flute solo as a series of voices chant his nickname, Old Fritz.)
I'm Frederick the Great! Out the gate, first servant of state!
(Frederick the Great was the self proclaimed First King of Prussia, thus fitting "first servant of state")
Oblique attack tactics ain't exactly straight!
(He was frequently leading his soldiers into battle, and also reportedly having homosexual affairs, that he admitted in a previous line making a pun)
I've got creative talents and battle malice!
(He was a very talented general, and often lead his armies personally in the field.)
Hard as steel on the field, genteel in the palace!
(He was famed for his tactics in the field, with bold strong attacks that many describe as a precursor to Blitzkrieg, but he was also famed for being very cultured.)
Russia's fucked up, but no wonder why!
(Frederick takes a jab at the failures of Ivan during his reign, such as mistreating nobility and the Massacre at Novgorod)
With your tundras and taigas and bears! Oh my!
I would pay a guy to tear out my eyes
If I had to look at your troll face every night!
(This is an insult to Ivan's appearance, where Frederick says that he would pay to have his eyes torn out just so that he does not have to look at Ivan's face)
Now, bring me my chair!
I'm weary from tearing you a new derrière from here to Red Square!
(Frederick is expressing that he beat Ivan so hard that his newly destroyed butthole, figuratively speaking, will be from where they're battling to Red Square, the site of the Kremlin, a major part of Moscow)
Fought a Seven Years' War; I ain't scared of a Tsar
(He led Prussia in the Seven Years War, pitting the small kingdom against not just Russia, but Sweden, Austria, France and others, and won. So he isn't afraid of just one Tsar when he already beat one long with so many others)
'Cause beating you only took me twelve bars!
(He is saying that he has won the rap while also comparing the duration of his verses to the aformentioned war. He is saying that Ivan is not putting up a fight the same way the other's fought in the Seven Years' War.)
Ivan the Terrible:
Oh, what a humiliating defeat!
(Ivan sarcastically admits that he has had a bad defeat.)
I know when I am beat, so, of course, take a seat!
(Ivan offers Frederick a seat because of Frederick's request during his verse, so Ivan can garotte him.)
Frederick the Great:
I'd keep ripping you to shreds, but I'll take a break instead
And just rest my little head.
Ivan the Terrible:
Why don't you drop dead, Fred?!
(Ivan prepares to kill Frederick by beheading him with a garrote wire. Drop Dead Fred is also a comedic movie made in 1991.)
(Hmm.) My expectations were a lot higher,
(Frederick suddenly dies on his own in the armchair just as he did in real life. Ivan is disappointed that a ruler and opponent as great as Frederick died in an non-notable way.)
But at least I saved the rubles on the garrote wire.
(Ivan is pleased that he can save his garrote wire for another time.)
It's another great day and another great victory
(Ivan celebrates over killing two very established, or great, gentlemen, thus making his victory and his day great.)
'Cause no great can beat me!
(Ivan had successfully murdered two leaders with the title "the Great", so he loudly proclaims his power.)
Pompey the Great:
What about me, Pompey? Yeah!
(Pompey attempts to enter the battle but is interrupted and beheaded by Catherine the Great. This is a reference to Pompey the Great's death wherein he was assassinated and beheaded before he could enter Egypt to give a speech.)
Catherine the Great:
Macedonians, Prussians, and Romans; those aren't worthy opponents.
(The previous three rappers, Alexander, Frederick and Pompey were Macedonian, Prussian and Roman respectively, and Catherine believes that they cannot defeat Ivan for a reason which she expains in the next line.)
It takes a Russian to take down a Russian! I'm Cat. I'm a cat; you're a rodent!
(She is saying that other nationalities, cannot win this rap, and only a true blooded Russian (as she is) can. Cat is a shortened version of her name Catherine. A cat would normally chase, kill and eat mice which is another comparison uses to say she'll beat Ivan.)
How are you the head of our state when the state of your head was such a crazy one?
(Ivan suffered from several severe mental and psycological problems, thus the state of his head was crazy making him unfit to lead a country.)
Such sick shit going through your brain that you stuck a spike through your own son! (Oooh!)
(Ivan once struck his son in the head with a staff, killing him.)
You're unbalanced, like I unbalanced the European powers with the wars I waged!
I brought the Russian empire straight out the olden days and right into the golden age!
I'm the boss bitch that you just can't meddle with!
This whole battle's like Alaska 'cause I settled it!
Ivan the Terrible:
(Mmm.) What a beautiful Queen to beat me in a battle.
(Ivan states Catherine is a 'beautiful' queen to go against him in the battle, once again attempting to trick his opponent.)
Accept this gift, Your Highness; I hear you enjoy the saddle!
(This time Ivan offers another item that killed his opponent such as he did to Alexander and Frederick. Ivan then tells Catherine that she enjoys the saddle, likely referring to the sex position side saddle, in which the female takes control, as Catherine was a female that took control of Russia. His plan is to have Catherine accept this gift and…"use it," as many Russians were given propaganda that Catherine the Great was killed while committing sexual acts with a horse. Unfortunately for Ivan, he didn't take one thing into account…)
Catherine the Great:
That horse story is a pile of shit,
(Catherine, against popular rumor, did not actually die during intercourse with a stallion, foiling Ivan's plan. She actually died a very uneventful death. She references another death rumor of hers: the rumor that she died on the toilet, a literal "pile of shit.")
Though I do keep 'em chomping at the bit!
But you're never gonna get it, nyet!
Couldn't spin in my chamber if this were Russian roulette!
(Catherine makes fun of Ivan, saying that he'll never spin, or more bluntly, have sex in her chamber, while making a joke towards Russian Rouette, a game where a revolver is loaded with one bullet in the chamber and players take turns pulling the trigger with the barrel on their temple.)
I'm picking up where Peter the Great left off!
Bringing sexy back to House Romanov!
(Catherine is saying that her beauty is finally making House Romanov, the house which Russian Nobility at this time belonged to.)
So don't call me Queen, I'm far more great!
Empress to Tsar 8, bitch! Checkmate!
(With a counterattack to Ivan's plan to kill her, Catherine declares checkmate as Empress moves to Tsar 8, or queen moves to king 8, the starting position of king on a chessboard, overthrowing the king or tsar. This would make Catherine the winner of the chess game, and the opponent Ivan died against, as Ivan died of a stroke in the middle of a chess game.)
