Robert de Boron and the Prose Merlin
There are so many wonderful things about the internet: there was a time when a scholar had to order through ILL and wait for weeks or months before he or she could set eyes on such works as Geoffrey of Monmouth's Vita Merlini or Robert de Boron's Prose Merlin . No more. from Prose Merlin Robert de Boron Full wrothe and angry was the Devell, whan that oure Lorde hadde ben in helle and had take oute Adam and Eve and other at his plesier. And whan the fendes sien that, they hadden right grete feer and gret merveile. Thei assembleden togedir and seiden: "What is he this thus us supprisith and distroyeth, in so moche that oure strengthes ne nought ellis that we have may nought withholde hym, nor again hym stonde in no diffence but that he doth all that hym lyketh? We ne trowed not that eny man myght be bore of woman but that he sholde ben oures; and he that thus us distroyeth, how is he born in whom we knewe non erthely delyte?" Than ansuerde anothir fende and seide
So, he said with his tongue in his cheek, the passive voice ought not be used? What of Orwell's advice that a long word ought not be used when instead a shorter word could be used? Passive, yes. Good advice, certainly.
ReplyDeleteOne of my "first day of class" handouts was Orwell's five rules of writing from that essay. I don't know whether it did any good, but I felt better anyway. At least I had warned them.
ReplyDeleteFred, what a great idea. I know what students in my classes will be receiving at the beginning of the next semester!
ReplyDeleteDear R/T,
ReplyDeleteIt would not do to consider the not inconsiderable prolegomenon one would espouse in the utilization of so considerable a source. The vitiation of the not inconsiderable strength of the English Language obviates the utilization and lateralization of lesser guides.
How's that for violating most of the five?
shalom,
Steven
Well done! You earn an "A" for obfuscation. Be aware, though, Steven, Orwell's spectre is preparing to visit you.
ReplyDeleteR/T,
ReplyDeleteGlad you found it useful.
Steven,
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like something Nixon's former chief of staff would say--Was his name Haig?