Notes to Shakespeare, Volume III: The TragediesJohnson, Samuel
General
Notes to Shakespeare, Volume III: The Tragedies
Johnson, Samuel
Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 -- Criticism and interpretation
I.i.39 (313,8) and 'tis our fast intent] [This is an interpolation of
Mr. Lewis Theobald, for want of knowing the meaning of the old reading
in the quarto of 1608, and first folio of 1623; where we find it,
--and 'tis our _first_ intent.
WARBURTON.]
_Fast_ is the reading of the first folio, and, I think, the true
reading.
I.i.44 (314,9) We have this hour a constant will] _constant will_ seems
a confirmation of _fast_ intent.
I.i.62 (314,2) Beyond all manner of so much I love you] Beyond all
assignable quantity. I love you beyond limits, and cannot say it is _so
much_, for how much soever I should name, it would yet be more.
I.i.73 (315,4)
I find, she names my very deed of love,
Only she comes too short; that I profess]
_That_ seems to stand without relation, but is referred to _find_, the
first conjunction being inaccurately suppressed. I find _that_ she names
my deed, I find that I profess, &c.
I.i.76 (315,5) Which the most precious square of sense possesses]
[Warburton explained "square" as the "four nobler senses"] This is
acute; but perhaps _square_ means only _compass, comprehension_.
I.i.80 (315,6) More pond'rous than my tongue] [W: their tongue] I think
the present reading right.
I.i.84 (316,8) Now our joy] Here the true reading is picked out of two
copies. Butter's quarto reads,
--_But_ now our joy,
Although the last, not least in our dear love,
What can you say to win a third, &c.
The folio,
--Now our joy,
Although our last, _and_ least; to whose young love
The vines of France, and milk of Burgundy,
Strive to be int'ress'd. _What can you say?_
I.i.138 (318,5) The sway, revenue, execution of the rest] [W: of th'
hest] I do not see any great difficulty in the words, _execution of the
rest_, which are in both the old copies. The _execution of the rest_ is,
I suppose, _all the other business_. Dr. Warburton's own explanation of
his amendment confutes it; if _hest_ be a _regal comnand_, they were, by
the grant of Lear, to have rather the _hest_ than the execution.
1.1.149 (319,6)
Think'st thou, that duty shall have dread to speak,
When power to flattery bows? To plainness honour's bound,
When majesty stoops to folly. Reverse thy doom,
And in thy best consideration check
This hideous rashness: answer my life my judgment,
Thy youngest daughter does not love thee least]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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