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THE LIFE OF MARCUS BRUTUS - Plutarch, Shakespeare’s Plutarch, Vol. I (containing the main sources of Julius Caesar) [1579]Edition used:Shakespeare’s Plutarch, ed. C.F. Tucker Brooke (New York: Duffield and Company, 1909). Vol. I containing the main sources of Julius Caesar.
Part of: Shakespeare’s Plutarch, 2 vols.
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THE LIFE OF MARCUS BRUTUSP. 109, l. 12.presently: ‘at present.’ P. 110, l. 3. Ahala. The word is spelled ‘Hala’ in Amyot and the early editions of North. l. 10. Servilius. So, correctly, the editions of 1579, I6o3, etc. The folio of 1595 gives ‘Brutus’ by mistake. Amyot uses the pronoun ‘il,’ referring obviously to Servilius. P. 111, ll. 2, 3. whom Brutus studied most to follow of all theother Romans. An illogical idiom exceedingly popular with Elizabethan writers. l. 19. He: i.e. Brutus. P. 112, l. 23. Canidius. ‘Caninius’ in Amyot and early editions of North, with marginal note, ‘Ou Canidius,’ ‘Or Canidius.’ P. 113, l. 8. unto death: ‘to death’ 1595, etc. l. 9. respect of: ‘consideration for.’ Cf. N.E.D., s.v. Respect, sb. 13. P. 114, ll. 2–4. marginal note. Omitted 1595, etc. ll. 2, 3. not only the days before, but the self same day alsobefore the great battle. Translated over literally from Amyot's ‘non seulement tous les iours prccedẽts, mais aussi celuy mesme de deuant la grande battaillc’ P. 115, l. 8. a love letter: ‘une lettre amatoire & lascifue.’ l. 10. drunken sop: ‘yurogne.’ P. 116, marginal note. This is one of Amyot's notes, merely translated by North; the French reads: ‘C'estoit Iuba, mais il est certai que Brutus interceda aussi pour Deiotarus, Roy de Galatie, qui neãtmoins fut par Cesar priué d'une grãde partie de son pats. Et pourcc seroit plus à propos entendre ce lieu de luy.’ P. 118, ll. 6, 7. objections: ‘representations.’ Cf. N.E.D., s.v. 4. P. 119, l. 8. think ye that Brutus will not tarry till this bodydie. This is the proper rendering; cf. Life of Caesar, p. 94, 11. 21, 22, where the wording is, ‘Brutus will look for this skin.’ The Greek has Tίδῖ;οὐκ ἄν ὑμῖν δοκεῖ Βροῦτος áναμεναι τουτὶ τὀ σρκίον; l. 13. to have been next unto Caesar. So folio I 595, etc.; instead of ‘to’ folio 1579 reads ‘and’, which is possible, but not so smooth or so near the French, ‘s'il eust peu endurer de seconder Caesar quedlque espace de temps.’ ll. 18, 19. could evil away with: ‘portoit mal patiemment.’ P. 120, ll. 8, 9. But this holdeth no water: ‘mais ilz ne disent pas la verité.’ ll. 14, 15. two good whirts on the ear: ‘une couple de soufflets.’ ll. 2l, 22. that my fists may walk once again about thine ears. This is a not infrequent Elizabethan use of the word ‘walk’; cf. Thomas Lord Cromwell, I, ii. 29, ‘No hammers walking and my worke to do.’ P. 121, ll. 12, 13. as we have written more at large in Julius Caesar's life: viz. p. 93. l. 18. it stood them upon: ‘it concerned them.’ l. 20. by his only presence. We should say, ‘by the presence of him alone.’ P. 122, l. 2. grew strange together: ‘became estranged.’ l. 15. to die for the liberty: a Gallicism. Amyot has regularly enough ‘la liberté.’ The editor of the folio of 1603 attempted to improve matters by substituting ‘thy’ for ‘the,’ which, however, does not give the sense. P. 123, ll. 5–8, marginal note. One of Amyot's glosses. l. 18. acquaintance: ‘acquitance,’ folio 1595. A mere misprint. P. 124, ll. 1–6. Cicero is omitted from the conspiracy in Shakespeare's play, not because of his cowardice, as here, but
l. 10. Favonius. The word is regularly spelled ‘Faonius’ in Amyot and the old editions of North. Cf. note to P. 34, 1. 14 above. ll. 14, 15. for a sight of ignorant fools and asses: ‘pour des folz & des ignorans.’ P. 125, l. 5. the only name: ‘the name alone.’ P. 126, l. 10. well seen in: ‘well informed about.’ Cf. Dr. Faustus, 1. 168, ‘Inricht with tongues, well scene in minerals.’ P. 129, l. 27. Laena. The correct Greek form is Aaívas, but Shakespeare agrees with Amyot and North in adopting the Latinized spelling. P. 130, l. 2. rounded: ‘whispered,’ from M.E. ‘rounen.’ The ‘d’ is parasitic, as in 'sound.’ P. 131, ll. 16, 17. it was no tarrying for them till they were apprehended. An Elizabethan equivalent of Amyot's ‘qu'il ne falloit pas attendre iusques à ce que lon les saisist au corps.‘ The Greek has ὡς Χρὴμὴπεριμένεινσύλληψιν which is rendered in Latin, ‘non esse exspectandum donec caperentur.’ l. 23. companion. Amyot has ‘cõpagnons,’ which answers to Plutarch's τοὑςπερὶΚἀσσιον.North's reading may be a misprint, or it may refer like the Latin version to Cassius alone, ‘nam ... verbis uti non licebat, Cassium confirmavit.’ ‘Cassius,’ in 1. 26, ought strictly to be ‘Cassius and his companions’ (τοὑς περὶ Κάσστον ἑθ´ρρυνε). P. 132, l. 9. at o'side. Ed. I579 prints in one word, ‘atoside.’ Cf. note to p. 73, 1. 14. The editions of 1595 ff. have ‘aside.’ P. 133, l. 6. on a heap: a relic of the common Old English use in adverbial phrases. Cf. ‘among,’ ‘a-fishing’ (O.E. on gemonge, on fiscunge). l. 20. fact. The word is commonly used by Elizabethan writers in the sense of ‘deed,’ and generally, as here, with an unfavourable connotation. ll. 24, 25. to look to defend their liberty: ‘á tascher de recouurer la liberté’ l. 27. a wicked man, and that in nature favoured tyranny. A Gallicism. Amyot writes, ‘un homme insolẽt, & qui de sa nature fauorisoit á la monarchie.’ P. 1 37, l. 1. in hugger mugger: ‘in careless haste.’ The phrase is a very common piece of Elizabethan slang. Cf. N.E.D. for instances. P. 138, l. 10. midst. The folio of 1579 regularly spells the word ‘middest.’ P. 141, l. 24–27. and, for his own part, that he had never resolutely determined with himself to make war, or peace, butotherwise, that he was certainly minded never to be slave norsubject. The English is not quite clear, but there is no ambiguity about the French reading: ‘Et que de sa part il n'auoit iamais resoluement arresté en soymesme de faire ny la paix, ny la guerre, mais que sa resolution & sa deliberation arrestee estoit de iamais ne seruir.’ P. 142, l. 8. other. The proper pronominal form of the plural, corresponding to O.E. ōÐre. In North's time usage was fluctuating, and in the second edition (1595) of the Lives the form ‘others,’ after the analogy of plural nouns, has become the usual one. l. 9. making portsale of their service: ‘uendans leur seruice, ne plus ne moins qu'´ un encan.’ l. 12. Luke. Amyot, following the Greek, gives ‘Lucanie.’ P. 143, l. 4. all in all. So ed. 1593 ff. The folio of t579 omits the first ‘all.’ North's translations from Homer are very free. Amyot reads in the present case:
l. 8, 9. Amyot's translation of these lines runs:
l. 15. embarking at Eka in Luke. Amyot has simply ‘An partir de là,’translating the Greek ΑναΧθεὶςδ’ ὶΒ ἐκεῖθεν. P. 144, ll. 22, 23. Amyot reads:
P. 145, l. 10. forged. The folio 1595 has the misprint ‘forced,’ retained by one of the modern editors. The French word is ‘forgees.’ l. 2l. snew. An old preterite. P. 146, l. 26. Buthrotum. ‘Buthrotus’ in Amyot and North. P. 147, l. 12. without stroke striking: 'sans coup ferir.’ P. 149, l. 12. two hundred of the noblest men of Rome. There is great inconsistency as to the number. Compare the corresponding passages in Julius Caesar (IV. iii. 174–6) and in the Life of Antonius, Vol. II. p. 29. P. 150, l. 9. Cyzicus: ‘Cyzicum’ Amyot and North. l. 27. Piraeus. Amyot gives ‘Piræe,’ which North wrongly Anglicizes ‘Piraea.’ P. 151, 1. 4. departing. So the first edition, rightly; the second folio changes to ‘departed.’ Amyot's reading is, ‘estans partiz,’ translating the Greek “Ὀρμἠσαντες. ll. 20, 21. well-beloved of the people and his own: ‘bi᾽uoulu du peuple, aimé des si᾽s.’ P. 155, l. 18. of a fire: ‘on fire’ ed. 1595 ff. P. 156, l. 19. with their own hands. The first edition omits ‘with.’ P. 158, l. 24. sufficienter. Ed. 1595 ff. read 'sufficient,’ but the comparative is certainly right. Amyot has ‘plus suffisans’ and the Greek phrase is δι’ ἐηρμίανἀνδρῶν βελτὸνων. P. 159, l. 24. called them both Emperors. Amyot has the following note: ‘Imperatores, c'est à dire souuerains Capitaines.’ P. 161, ll. 5, 6. North takes great liberties with Homer's Αλλὰ πίθεσθ ‘ἄμΦῶ δε’ νεῶτέρῶ ἐστὸν εμεῖο Amyot's rendering is much closer:
l. 24—P. 162, l. 3. North's English is here rather obscure. Amyot's rendering runs: ‘à cause que peu de iours au parauãt, luy mesme auoit seulement admonesté de paroles en priué deux de ses amis attaincts & conuaincus de mesmes crimes, & en public les auoit absouls, & ne laissoit pas de les employer & de s'en seruir comme deuant.’ P. 163, l. 9. Captains, petty Captains, and Coloneh: ‘Capitaines, C᾽teniers & Chefz de b᾽des.’ The Greek has έκατοντάρΧαι και ΧιλίαρΧοι. l. 15. that he saw. Amyot has simply ‘aperceut.’ P. 165. ll. 24, 25. had not Antonitus'aid been: ‘had it not been for, etc.,’ a common construction. ‘Aid’ is probably used in sense of Latin auxilia, ‘troops.’ Amyot's wording is very similar: ‘n’ eust esté le secours d'Antonius.’ P. 166, ll. 18, 19. and be afraid. So ed. 1579; the second and later editions read wrongly ‘and to be afraid, ‘which does not answer to the French & craignent.’ P. 167, l. 5. day of the battle. ‘day of battle’ ed. 1595 ff. l. 12. at another time. ‘at’ is omitted in ed. l595 ff. Richard Clay &Sons Limited, [1]Cf. Antony and Cleopatra, I. v. 29, 30, 66–74. [1]Cf. Antony and Cleopatra, II. vi. 68–70. [1]Cf. Antony and Cleopatrab II. ii. 235, 6; III. vi. 6. [1]Cf. Julius Caesar, I. i. 36–55. [1]Cf. Julius Caesar, II. ii. 32, 33. [1]Cf. Julius Caesar, I. ii. 268, 9; Life of Antonius, Vol. II. p. 19. [2]Ibid. I. ii. 248–58; and ante, pp. 26, 81. [1]Cf. Julius Caesar, I. i. 71 [2]Ibid. I. ii. 3–9; Life of Antonius, Vol. II. pp. 18, 19. [1]Cf. Julius Caesar, I. ii. 219–246; Life of Antonius, Vol. II. p. 19. [2]Ibid. I. i. 68–73; Life of Brutus, p.121. [3]3 Ibid. I. ii. 289–91; Life of Antonius, Vol. II. p. 20. [1]Cf. Julius Caesar, I. iii. 140–44, II. i. 46; Lift of Brutus, pp. 120, 121. [2]Cf. Julius Caesar, I. ii. 191–200; Life of Brutas, p. 119; Life ofAntonius, Vol. II. p. 18. [1]Cf. Julius Caesar, I. iii. 10, 25–32. [2]Ibid. I. iii. 25; II. ii. 19. [3]Ibid. I. iii. 15–18. [4]Ibid. II. ii. 37–40. [5]Ibid. III. i. 1, 2. [1]Cf. Julius Caesar, II. ii. 1–3. [2]Ibid. II. ii. 76–82. [3]Ibid. II. ii. 5, 6. [4]Ibid. II. ii. 13, 14. [1]Cf. ]ulius Caesar, II. ii. 52–6. [2]Ibid. II. ii. 93–9. [1]Cf. Julius Caesar, II. iii; III. i. 3, 6–12. [1]Cf. Julius Caesar, V. i. 77, 8. [2]Cf. Julius Caesar, III. i. 25, 6; Life of Brutus, p. 164; Life of Antonius, Vol. II. pp. 20, 21. [1]Cf. Julius Caesar, III. i. 27–75. [2]Ibid. III. i. 76; V. i. 43, 4. [1]Cf. Julius Caesar, III. i. 204–10. [2]Ibid. III. i. 77; ii. 189–92. [3]Ibid. III. i. 115; ii. 193, 4. [4]Ibid. V. i. 53. Ibid. III. i. 82, 3. [5]Ibid. III. i. 82, 3. [1]Cf. Julius Caesar, III. ii. 134–164, 242–256; Life of Brutus, p. 137; Life of Antonius, Vol. II. pp. 23, 24. [2]Cf. Julius Caesar, III. ii. 258–64; Life of Brutus, p. 137, 8; Lifeof Antonius, Vol. II. p, 22. [1]Cf. Julius Caesar, III. iii.; Life of Brutus, pp. 138, 9. [1]Cf. Julius Caesar, V. iii. 41–6. [1]Cf. Julius Caesar, IV. iii. 274–84; Life of Brutus, p. 163. [2]Cf. Julius Caesar, V. v. 19, 20; Life of Brutus, p. 183; Antonyand Cleopatra, II. vi. 12, 13. |
