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I need help understanding というもの in the sentence 貴方一人を御し得ないようでは私の器も知れるというもの.

I am reading Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works and one of the servants "Caster", is going to use her blade to take control of another servant. Since he is a traitor she is not sure if it would be the best move and she is hesitating on whether or not to use the blade. He told her that he could betray her, but since the conditions are in her favour, as long as Caster has the upper hand he will not do so.

Her response:

「令呪とは、裏切り者を罰する為にある、でしょう?
……いいわ。貴方一人を御し得ないようでは私の器も知れるというもの。
もとより貴方の“宝具”には興味があった事だし、思惑にはまってあげましょう」

My understanding:

  • Verb-ますstem + 得ない = Cannot Verb.
  • 貴方一人を御し得ない =I cannot control only you
  • ようでは = If [with negative result]

My translation:

Command seals are there in order to punish traitors, right?
Ok. If I can't control you alone, you will know my (tool, device which in this context is a) blade. From the beginning I had an interest in your "Noble Phantasm", I will go on with your intention."

Fan Translation:

"The Command Spell is there to punish the betrayer, right?
…All right. I shall prove to the world that I am great enough to take you in.
I am interested in your Noble Phantasm, so I will follow your plan."

How does というもの add on to the nuance of the sentence?

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2 Answers 2

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It's some ancient accent invented (or adapted?) by the author, you will never hear any real person say that. "というもの" here is close to "だもの" or "ですもの" or "ということだけ", which emphasizes that the person is very confident about what he / she said.

But "器" in this sentence doesn't mean "device", in the common phrase "器が知れる" it means one's power / caliber / capacity to control and lead others.

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    @Splikie The fan translation is a little bit too folksy but in general quite great. The only part not so perfect is the last sentence "I will follow your plan". "思惑にはまってあげましょう" shows that caster knows it may be a trap ("はまる" is almost a verb used exclusively on traps or trap-like events) but she doesn't care, she thought she can handle it.
    – zakyggaps
    Commented Feb 19, 2016 at 12:45
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    The line does sound pompous and 中二病-like, but I don't think it was invented by the author. Many characters in fiction speak in this way.
    – naruto
    Commented Feb 19, 2016 at 12:57
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    @Splikie "私の器も知れるというもの" is a negative phrase, it means "that's my limit of .." or "... is no better than that". For example "高が知れる" doesn't mean "knowing the height" but "It's just that high / of no importance".
    – zakyggaps
    Commented Feb 19, 2016 at 13:02
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    @Splikie That's right. I'm sorry for my poor English skills.
    – zakyggaps
    Commented Feb 19, 2016 at 13:08
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    The というもの here doesn't mean だもの, ですもの or ということだけ. It means 「というもの 。」 こういう使い方です→ weblio.jp/content/… あるいは、これが参考になるかも→ japanese.stackexchange.com/questions/28872/…
    – chocolate
    Commented Feb 20, 2016 at 0:25
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That …というもの(だ) means that it's natural for everyone to consider it that way. I'd translate it to "Without being able to control you alone, that should be the limit of my capability".

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