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Notes to Shakespeare, Volume III — Volume III, The Tragedies
Notes to Shakespeare, Volume III — Volume III, The Tragedies

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of Notes to Shakespeare, Volume III — Volume III, The Tragedies is here in full — 418 sentences across 84 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Notes to Shakespeare, Volume III — Volume III, The Tragedies
Context Illustration Reading 1/83 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
I.vi.36 (317,6) Ransoming him, or pitying] i.e. _remitting his ransom_.
I.vi.61 (318,8) swords advanc'd] That is, swords lifted high.
I.vi.83 (319,9) Please you to march,/And four shall quickly draw out my command,/Which men are best inclin'd] I cannot but suspect this passage of corruption.
Why should they _march_, that _four_ might select those that were _best inclin'd_?
How would their inclinations be known?
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Notes to Shakespeare, Volume III — Volume III, The Tragedies

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of Notes to Shakespeare, Volume III — Volume III, The Tragedies is here in full — 418 sentences across 84 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/83 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
I.vi.36 (317,6) Ransoming him, or pitying] i.e. _remitting his ransom_.
Line 2
I.vi.61 (318,8) swords advanc'd] That is, swords lifted high.
Line 3
I.vi.83 (319,9) Please you to march,/And four shall quickly draw out my command,/Which men are best inclin'd] I cannot but suspect this passage of corruption.
Line 4
Why should they _march_, that _four_ might select those that were _best inclin'd_?
Line 5
How would their inclinations be known?

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, and audio.

corruption noun US /kərˈʌpʃən/

lack of integrity or honesty (especially susceptibility to bribery); use of a position of trust for dishonest gain

From this reading “I.vi.83 (319,9) Please you to march,/And four shall quickly draw out my command,/Which men are best inclin'd] I cannot but suspect this passage of corruption.”

draw verb US /drɔː/

cause to move by pulling

From this reading “I.vi.83 (319,9) Please you to march,/And four shall quickly draw out my command,/Which men are best inclin'd] I cannot but suspect this passage of corruption.”

inclinations noun US /ˌɪnkləˈneɪʃənz/

plural of “inclination” — an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others

From this reading “How would their inclinations be known?”

pitying verb US /ˈpɪtiɪŋ/

-ing form of “pity” — share the suffering of

From this reading “I.vi.36 (317,6) Ransoming him, or pitying] i.e. _remitting his ransom_.”

ransom noun US /ˈrænsəm/

money demanded for the return of a captured person

select adjective US /səˈlekt/

of superior grade

From this reading “Why should they _march_, that _four_ might select those that were _best inclin'd_?”

suspect verb US /səˈspekt/

imagine to be the case or true or probable

From this reading “I.vi.83 (319,9) Please you to march,/And four shall quickly draw out my command,/Which men are best inclin'd] I cannot but suspect this passage of corruption.”

swords noun US /sɔːrdz/

plural of “sword” — a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard

From this reading “I.vi.61 (318,8) swords advanc'd] That is, swords lifted high.”

All words in this reading · 59

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

317,6

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I.vi.36 (317,6) Ransoming him, or pitying] i.e. _remitting his ransom_.

318,8

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I.vi.61 (318,8) swords advanc'd] That is, swords lifted high.

319,9

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I.vi.83 (319,9) Please you to march,/And four shall quickly draw out my command,/Which men are best inclin'd] I cannot but suspect this passage of corruption.

36

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I.vi.36 (317,6) Ransoming him, or pitying] i.e. _remitting his ransom_.

61

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I.vi.61 (318,8) swords advanc'd] That is, swords lifted high.

83

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I.vi.83 (319,9) Please you to march,/And four shall quickly draw out my command,/Which men are best inclin'd] I cannot but suspect this passage of corruption.

advanc'd

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I.vi.61 (318,8) swords advanc'd] That is, swords lifted high.

AndconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading I.vi.83 (319,9) Please you to march,/And four shall quickly draw out my command,/Which men are best inclin'd] I cannot but suspect this passage of corruption.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading I.vi.83 (319,9) Please you to march,/And four shall quickly draw out my command,/Which men are best inclin'd] I cannot but suspect this passage of corruption.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading How would their inclinations be known?

bestnounUS /best/

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading I.vi.83 (319,9) Please you to march,/And four shall quickly draw out my command,/Which men are best inclin'd] I cannot but suspect this passage of corruption.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading I.vi.83 (319,9) Please you to march,/And four shall quickly draw out my command,/Which men are best inclin'd] I cannot but suspect this passage of corruption.

cannot

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I.vi.83 (319,9) Please you to march,/And four shall quickly draw out my command,/Which men are best inclin'd] I cannot but suspect this passage of corruption.

commandnounUS /kəˈmænd/

an authoritative direction or instruction to do something

From this reading I.vi.83 (319,9) Please you to march,/And four shall quickly draw out my command,/Which men are best inclin'd] I cannot but suspect this passage of corruption.

corruptionnounUS /kərˈʌpʃən/

lack of integrity or honesty (especially susceptibility to bribery); use of a position of trust for dishonest gain

From this reading I.vi.83 (319,9) Please you to march,/And four shall quickly draw out my command,/Which men are best inclin'd] I cannot but suspect this passage of corruption.

drawverbUS /drɔː/

cause to move by pulling

From this reading I.vi.83 (319,9) Please you to march,/And four shall quickly draw out my command,/Which men are best inclin'd] I cannot but suspect this passage of corruption.

enounUS /iː/

a fat-soluble vitamin that is essential for normal reproduction; an important antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals in the body

From this reading I.vi.36 (317,6) Ransoming him, or pitying] i.e. _remitting his ransom_.

fournounUS /fɔːr/

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading I.vi.83 (319,9) Please you to march,/And four shall quickly draw out my command,/Which men are best inclin'd] I cannot but suspect this passage of corruption.

highadjectiveUS /haɪ/

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading I.vi.61 (318,8) swords advanc'd] That is, swords lifted high.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading I.vi.36 (317,6) Ransoming him, or pitying] i.e. _remitting his ransom_.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading I.vi.36 (317,6) Ransoming him, or pitying] i.e. _remitting his ransom_.

How

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading How would their inclinations be known?

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading I.vi.36 (317,6) Ransoming him, or pitying] i.e. _remitting his ransom_.

inclin'd

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I.vi.83 (319,9) Please you to march,/And four shall quickly draw out my command,/Which men are best inclin'd] I cannot but suspect this passage of corruption.

inclinationsnounUS /ˌɪnkləˈneɪʃənz/

plural of “inclination” — an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others

From this reading How would their inclinations be known?

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading I.vi.61 (318,8) swords advanc'd] That is, swords lifted high.

knownadjectiveUS /noʊn/

apprehended with certainty

From this reading How would their inclinations be known?

liftedadjectiveUS /ˈlɪftəd/

held up in the air

From this reading I.vi.61 (318,8) swords advanc'd] That is, swords lifted high.

marchverbUS /mɑːrtʃ/

march in a procession

From this reading I.vi.83 (319,9) Please you to march,/And four shall quickly draw out my command,/Which men are best inclin'd] I cannot but suspect this passage of corruption.

mennounUS /men/

the force of workers available

From this reading I.vi.83 (319,9) Please you to march,/And four shall quickly draw out my command,/Which men are best inclin'd] I cannot but suspect this passage of corruption.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Why should they _march_, that _four_ might select those that were _best inclin'd_?

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I.vi.83 (319,9) Please you to march,/And four shall quickly draw out my command,/Which men are best inclin'd] I cannot but suspect this passage of corruption.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I.vi.83 (319,9) Please you to march,/And four shall quickly draw out my command,/Which men are best inclin'd] I cannot but suspect this passage of corruption.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading I.vi.36 (317,6) Ransoming him, or pitying] i.e. _remitting his ransom_.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading I.vi.83 (319,9) Please you to march,/And four shall quickly draw out my command,/Which men are best inclin'd] I cannot but suspect this passage of corruption.

passagenounUS /ˈpæsədʒ/

the act of passing from one state or place to the next

From this reading I.vi.83 (319,9) Please you to march,/And four shall quickly draw out my command,/Which men are best inclin'd] I cannot but suspect this passage of corruption.

pityingverbUS /ˈpɪtiɪŋ/

-ing form of “pity” — share the suffering of

From this reading I.vi.36 (317,6) Ransoming him, or pitying] i.e. _remitting his ransom_.

PleaseverbUS /pliːz/

give pleasure to or be pleasing to

From this reading I.vi.83 (319,9) Please you to march,/And four shall quickly draw out my command,/Which men are best inclin'd] I cannot but suspect this passage of corruption.

quicklyadverbUS /ˈkwɪkli/

with speed

From this reading I.vi.83 (319,9) Please you to march,/And four shall quickly draw out my command,/Which men are best inclin'd] I cannot but suspect this passage of corruption.

ransomnounUS /ˈrænsəm/

money demanded for the return of a captured person

From this reading I.vi.36 (317,6) Ransoming him, or pitying] i.e. _remitting his ransom_.

Ransoming

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I.vi.36 (317,6) Ransoming him, or pitying] i.e. _remitting his ransom_.

remitting

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I.vi.36 (317,6) Ransoming him, or pitying] i.e. _remitting his ransom_.

selectadjectiveUS /səˈlekt/

of superior grade

From this reading Why should they _march_, that _four_ might select those that were _best inclin'd_?

shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading I.vi.83 (319,9) Please you to march,/And four shall quickly draw out my command,/Which men are best inclin'd] I cannot but suspect this passage of corruption.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Why should they _march_, that _four_ might select those that were _best inclin'd_?

suspectverbUS /səˈspekt/

imagine to be the case or true or probable

From this reading I.vi.83 (319,9) Please you to march,/And four shall quickly draw out my command,/Which men are best inclin'd] I cannot but suspect this passage of corruption.

swordsnounUS /sɔːrdz/

plural of “sword” — a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard

From this reading I.vi.61 (318,8) swords advanc'd] That is, swords lifted high.

ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I.vi.61 (318,8) swords advanc'd] That is, swords lifted high.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading How would their inclinations be known?

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Why should they _march_, that _four_ might select those that were _best inclin'd_?

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading I.vi.83 (319,9) Please you to march,/And four shall quickly draw out my command,/Which men are best inclin'd] I cannot but suspect this passage of corruption.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading Why should they _march_, that _four_ might select those that were _best inclin'd_?

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading I.vi.83 (319,9) Please you to march,/And four shall quickly draw out my command,/Which men are best inclin'd] I cannot but suspect this passage of corruption.

vinounUS /vaɪ/

the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one

From this reading I.vi.36 (317,6) Ransoming him, or pitying] i.e. _remitting his ransom_.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Why should they _march_, that _four_ might select those that were _best inclin'd_?

WhichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading I.vi.83 (319,9) Please you to march,/And four shall quickly draw out my command,/Which men are best inclin'd] I cannot but suspect this passage of corruption.

WhynounUS /waɪ/

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading Why should they _march_, that _four_ might select those that were _best inclin'd_?

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading How would their inclinations be known?

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading I.vi.83 (319,9) Please you to march,/And four shall quickly draw out my command,/Which men are best inclin'd] I cannot but suspect this passage of corruption.

Chapter 2 of Notes to Shakespeare, Volume III — Volume III, The Tragedies by Samuel Johnson holds 418 sentences, grouped into 84 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 2 of Notes to Shakespeare, Volume III — Volume III, The Tragedies contain?

Chapter 2 holds 418 sentences of Notes to Shakespeare, Volume III — Volume III, The Tragedies, unabridged, divided into 84 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 2 of Notes to Shakespeare, Volume III — Volume III, The Tragedies by Samuel Johnson exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 418 sentences, grouped into 84 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 2 of Notes to Shakespeare, Volume III — Volume III, The Tragedies?

Work through the 84 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 84 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 2 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 2 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading Notes to Shakespeare, Volume III — Volume III, The Tragedies

Common questions about reading Notes to Shakespeare, Volume III — Volume III, The Tragedies by Samuel Johnson on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Notes to Shakespeare, Volume III — Volume III, The Tragedies?

Yes. All 3804 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #15566 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Notes to Shakespeare, Volume III — Volume III, The Tragedies is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #15566, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Notes to Shakespeare, Volume III — Volume III, The Tragedies take to read?

About 317 minutes of reading across 761 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Notes to Shakespeare, Volume III — Volume III, The Tragedies section by section

How to work through Notes to Shakespeare, Volume III — Volume III, The Tragedies section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

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  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in Notes to Shakespeare, Volume III — Volume III, The Tragedies

Words and structures a reader meets early in Notes to Shakespeare, Volume III — Volume III, The Tragedies, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Edited
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Notes to Shakespeare, Volume III — Volume III, The Tragedies; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Introduction
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Notes to Shakespeare, Volume III — Volume III, The Tragedies; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Arthur
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Notes to Shakespeare, Volume III — Volume III, The Tragedies; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Sherbo
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Notes to Shakespeare, Volume III — Volume III, The Tragedies; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.