Notes to Shakespeare, Volume III: The Tragedies by Samuel Johnson
page 61 of 398 (15%)
page 61 of 398 (15%)
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That_ palter _with us in a double sense_. Macbeth.
III.i.60 (362,4) laid falsly] _Falsly_ for _treacherously_. III.i.66 (362,5) Let them regard me, as I do not flatter, and/ Therein behold themselves] Let them look in the mirror which I hold up to them, a mirror which does not flatter, and see themselves. III.i.89 (363,6) minnows] a _minnow_ is one of the smallest river fish, called in some counties a _pink_. III.i.90 (364,6) 'Twas from the canon] Was contrary to the established role; it was a form of speech to which he has no right. III.i.98 (364,9) Then vail your ignorance] [W: "ignorance" means "impotence."] Hanmer's transposition deserves notice --_If they have power, Let them have cushions by you; if none, awake Your dang'rous lenity; if you are learned, Be not as commmon fools; if you are not, Then vail your ignorance. You are Plebeians_, &c. I neither think the transposition of one editor right, nor the interpretation of the other. The sense is plain enough without supposing _ignorance_ to have any remote or consequential sense. _If this man has power, let the_ ignorance _that gave it him_ vail _or bow down before him._ III.i.101 (365,1) You are Plebeians, |
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