Notes to Shakespeare, Volume III: The Tragedies eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 303 pages of information about Notes to Shakespeare, Volume III.

Notes to Shakespeare, Volume III: The Tragedies eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 303 pages of information about Notes to Shakespeare, Volume III.

III.iii.42 (327,2) keep his house] i.e. keep within doors for fear of duns.

III.iv (328,3) Enter Varro, Titus, Hortense, Lucius] Lucius is here again for the servant of Lucius.

III.iv.12 (328,4) a prodigal’s course/Is like the sun’s] That is, like him in blaze and splendour.

  Soles occidere et redire possunt. Catul.

III.iv.25 (329,5) I am weary of this charge] That is, of this commission, of this employment.

III.iv.32 (329,6) Else, surely, his had equall’d] Should it not be, else, surely, mine had equall’d.

III.iv.67 (330,7) Enter Servilius] It may be observed that Shakespeare has unskilfully filled his Greek story with Roman names.

III.v.14 (333,6)

  He is a man, setting his fate aside,
  Of comely virtues: 
  Nor did he soil the fact with cowardise;
  (An honour in him which buys out his fault)]

I have printed these lines after the original copy, except that, for an honour, it is there, and honour.  All the latter editions deviate unwarrantably from the original, and give the lines thus: 

  He is a man, setting his fault aside,
  Of virtuous honour, which buys out his fault;
  Nor did he soil
, &c.

III.v.22 (333,3)

  He did behave, his anger ere ’twas spent,
  As if he had but prov’d an argument]

The original copy reads not behave but behoove.  I do not well understand the passage in either reading.  Shall we try a daring conjecture?

  —­with such sober and unnoted passion
  He did behold his adversary shent,
  As if he had but prov’d an argument
.

He looked with such calmness on his slain adversary.  I do not suppose that this is right, but put it down for want of better. (1773)

III.v.24 (334,4) You undergo too strict a paradox] You undertake a paradox too hard.

III.v.32 (334,5) and make his wrongs His outsides:  to wear them like an argument, carelessly.  We outside wear; hang like his] The present reading is better.

III.v.46 (335,6) What make we/Abroad?] What do we, or what have we to do in the field.

III.v.46 (335,7)

                            what make we
  Abroad? why then, women are more valiant,
  That stay at home, if bearing carry it;
  The ass, more than the lion; and the fellow,
  Loaden with irons, wiser than the judge,
  If wisdom be in suffering]

Here is another arbitrary regulation, the original reads thus,

              what make we

Abroad, why then women are more valiant
That stay at home, if bearing carry it: 
And the ass more captain than the lion,
The fellow, loaden with irons, wiser than the judge,
If wisdom
, &c.

I think it may be better adjusted thus: 

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Notes to Shakespeare, Volume III: The Tragedies from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.