to "take the assay" of each dish before it passed to his master; V. vi. 28. TEMPORIZE, Ccome to terms, com promise; V. ii. 125. TERRITORIES, (probably) feudal dependencies; I. i. 10. THEN, than; IV. ii. 42. THREATS, threatens; III. i. 347. TICKLING, cajoling, flattering; II. i. 573. TIDES; “high t.,” high days; III. i. 86. TIME'S ENEMIES, the enemies of the times, i. e. of the present state of affairs; IV. ii. 61. TITHE, take a tithe; III. i. 154. To, added to; I. i. 144. TOASTING-IRON, an iron used for toasting cheese; used contemptuously of a sword; IV. iii. 99. TOLL, take toll, raise a tax; III. i. 154. TONGUE, alluding to the serpent's tongue, in which the venom was supposed to be secreted; III. i. 258. TOOK IT ON HIS DEATH, SWore by the certainty of his death; I. i. 110. TOPFUL, full to the brim; III. iv. 180. TOTTERING, tattered; V. v. 7. TOYS, idle fancies, follies; I. i. 232. TRICK, characteristic expression; I. i. 85. TRUE; "my t. defense," i. e. "the defense of my honesty"; IV. iii. 84. UNDESERVED, not merited; IV. i. 108. UNHAIR'D (Theobald's emendation of "vn-heard," the reading of Folio 1), beardless; V. ii. 133. UNMATCHABLE, not able to be equaled; IV. iii. 52. UNOWED, Unowned, left without an owner; IV. iii. 147. UNREVEREND, disrespectful; I. i. 227. UNRULY, not submitting to rule; III. iv. 135. UNSURED, unstable, insecure; II. i. 471. UNTHREAD THE RUDE EYE, retrace the hazardous road (Theobald "untread"; but the metaphor is evidently derived from threading a needle); V. iv. 11. UNURGED, unsolicited, voluntary; V. ii. 10. UNVEX'D, not molested, not troubled; II. i. 253. UP, used with intensive force; IV. iii. 133. UPON, on the side of; I. i. 34; on account of; II. i. 597. VEX'D, disquieted; III. i. 17. VOLQUESSEN, the ancient country of the Velocasses, whose capital was Rouen; II. i. 527. VOLUNTARIES, volunteers; II. i. 67. WAFT wafted, borne over the sea; II. i. 73. WAIT UPON, attend; V. vii. 98. WALKS; "wildly w.," i. e. goes to confusion; IV. ii. 128. WALL-EYED, glaring-eyed ("having an eye in which the iris is discolored or wanting in color"); IV. iii. 49. WANT, lack; IV. i. 99. WANTON, one brought up in luxury, an effeminate boy; V. i. 70. WANTONNESS, sportiveness; IV. i. 16. WARN'D, Summoned; II. i. 201. WATCHFUL; "the w. minutes to the hour," the minutes which are watchful to the hour; IV. i. 46. WAY, line of descent; V. vi. 11. WEATHER, Storm, tempest; IV. ii. 109. WHAT! an ejaculation of impatience; I. i. 245. STUDY QUESTIONS By ANNE THROOP CRAIG GENERAL 1. Of what play is this a recast? Compare the two plays. 2. Comment upon the play as history; as a work of art. 3. Upon what does the entire action turn? 4. What aspect of the papal power is set forth in the play? 5. Historically, what was the character of John? How fully is it presented in the play? 6. How are historical facts ordered in the case of Constance? For what dramatic purpose? 7. Compare in other respects the handling of history with the development of incidents and portrayal of character, and explain the dramatic purpose in each instance. 8. What element in the play is probably due to popular feeling in Shakespeare's time? 9. Wherein is the beauty of Faulconbridge's fealty to John? 10. What is striking in the character of Faulconbridge? 11. How is Constance portrayed? 12. What is the historic character of Elinor? Is it expressed in the play? 13. Why did she urge John on to keep the throne, and exclude Arthur? Where does she indicate to John what constituted his only stronghold on the throne? 14. What marked event of King John's reign was omitted by the Poet from the course of the drama? What were probable causes of this omission? ACT I 15. What message from France comes to John in the first scene? 16. Describe the introduction of Faulconbridge. 17. What transpires with regard to him? 18. What are the claims of Arthur to the throne? 19. What title does John bestow upon Faulconbridge? 20. What does John plan upon hearing of the intent of the King of France? ACT II 21. What are the opening events of this act? 22. How did Richard Cœur de Lion die? How has Shakespeare used this incident? What persons does he combine for his dramatic purpose in this instance? 23. How do the English and French forces meet, and what is the outcome of their parley at first? 24. What is the response of the citizens of Angiers when asked to announce allegiance to one side or the other in the matter of English sovereignty? 25. What does Faulconbridge suggest as an expedient? 26. What effect does this have upon the citizens of Angiers, and what do they suggest? 27. How is their suggestion received? 28. What is the outcome of the proposal? 29. What are the Bastard's reflections in his soliloquy in the final passage? ACT III 30. How does Constance receive the news of the new terms of peace? How does this treaty affect her cause? 31. What is the human truth in the portrayal of Constance's grief?. 32. How does Philip of France seek to mollify her? How does she reply to his attempt? What reproofs has she for Lymoges? 33. What is the Bastard's constant taunt of Lymoges? Explain it. 34. What message arrives from the Pope? 35. How does John receive it, and with what result to himself? 36. What is Pandulph's advice to Philip of France following John's reply to the papal message? How do Austria and Lewis advise him? 37. How does Blanch try to influence the matter? 38. To what action does this disruption by the papal authority lead? 39. What is the outcome of the battle that follows? 40. Whom does the Bastard seek to avenge by killing Austria? 41. Who are taken prisoners by the English? 42. How does John's method of inducing Hubert to do away with Arthur, bespeak his character? 43. What has the Bastard been set to do against the Church in England? Why should such a course appeal to his nature as it is presented? What does it express of the English feeling? ACT IV 44. Describe the scene between Arthur and Hubert. 45. How do the Lords express their suspicions of John's wickedness with regard to Arthur, and their feeling on account of it? What feeling does this awaken in John? 46. What news concerning the movements of the Dauphin is brought to John at this juncture? 47. Why does it make more alarming to John the possible disaffection of the nobles and his people, owing to Arthur's death? 48. What aspect of the King's villainy does his interview with Hubert betray, when he tries to shift the blame of Arthur's death? What is his main cause of relief when he hears that Arthur still lives? 49. Describe Arthur's death. |