[B-Greek] Definitions and educational value

Carl Conrad cwconrad2 at mac.com
Fri Feb 26 09:26:44 EST 2010


On Feb 26, 2010, at 8:41 AM, Carl Conrad wrote:
> On Feb 26, 2010, at 8:03 AM, Mark Lightman wrote:
> \
>> τριτον εγαψας
>> a third time you egrapsed
>> 
>> <I did not see anyone, American or other English
>> native speaker, to communicate
>> in Shakespearean English even as and exercise.>
>> 
>> I used to think this too, in my salad days, when
>> I was green in judgment.  Remember that much
>> of what I say is strange.  Therefore as a stranger
>> give it welcome.  As one guy said to me off-list:
>> "Your posts remind me of the tale told by the
>> proverbial IDIWTHS--they are full of sound and
>> fury but they signify nothing."  Another said:
>> "Lightman, your posts are too long.  More matter
>> and less art, please."  One guy said "When I 
>> read your e-missives that seem to go on and on
>> without making much of a point, I say 'Be not
>> so long to speak.  I long to die.'"  To which
>> I said, "Seems?  Nay, 'tis  I know not 'seems...'"
>> 
>> Stuff like that.  :)
> 
> Remember the lines from "Kiss Me, Kate"?
> 
> "Brush UP your Shakespeare -- Start QUOTing him now!"

Lyrics at: http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/kissmekate/brushupyourshakespeare.htm

It's really pretty funny. It was Shakespeare, was it not, who wrote:

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:  
A time for levity ... "


> 
> It hath been said, and I do myself believe 'tis true, that phraseology of
> the English Bible in the KJV and of Shakespearean plays affects the
> language spoken and written by English-speakers far beyond what
> they are conscious of. It is impossible to estimate properly the impact 
> of the classics of a nation's literature on the way its people speak and
> write. To speak, to write: 'tis a consummation devoutly to be wished.
> 
> Carl W. Conrad\



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