The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 21.0030  Thursday, 14 January 2010

[1] From:   Duncan Salkeld <
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     Date:   Tuesday, 12 Jan 2010 10:29:20 +0000
     Subj:   RE: SHK 21.0020 Falstaff in Arthur's Bosom

[2] From:   Alan Dessen <
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     Date:   Tuesday, 12 Jan 2010 09:02:17 -0500
     Subj:   Re: SHK 21.0020 Falstaff in Arthur's Bosom


[1]-----------------------------------------------------------------
From:       Duncan Salkeld <
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Date:       Tuesday, 12 Jan 2010 10:29:20 +0000
Subject: 21.0020 Falstaff in Arthur's Bosom
Comment:    RE: SHK 21.0020 Falstaff in Arthur's Bosom

Re: Henry V, 2.3.16-17 'a Table of greene fields'

There are problems with Theobald's long-accepted solution, "and a'babled 
of green fields". The Folio compositor capitalized the first letter of 
'Table', which does not suggest casual setting, and a final 'd' has to 
be conjured out of thin air. Theobald's emendation is ingenious but it's 
also inventive. Larry's playful defence of 'a table of green fields' is 
reminiscent of a note by Leslie Hotson (TLS article of April 6 1956, p. 
212). But if the name Greenfield had been intended, might one not expect 
capitals or, more aptly italics, on the words "greene" and "fields"?

I have no problem with Gabriel pointing to imperfections in my 2004 note 
on 'a table of green fields'. He does not, however, find fault in my 
SHAKSPER defence of the Folio, which is pleasing. My point is that one 
need no longer retain a long-standing but awkward emendation when the 
original line makes simple and reasonable (if oddly expressed) sense. 
Should anyone wish to see just how sharp Falstaff's nose was, here's a 
Table of greene fields (you need Java and it may take time to load):

http://www.bkgm.com/motif/go.html

Duncan Salkeld

[2]-----------------------------------------------------------------
From:       Alan Dessen <
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Date:       Tuesday, 12 Jan 2010 09:02:17 -0500
Subject: 21.0020 Falstaff in Arthur's Bosom
Comment:    Re: SHK 21.0020 Falstaff in Arthur's Bosom

Since no one else has mentioned the possibility, I will throw into the 
mix the suggestion made by Linda Charnes in a paper delivered at the 
2005 MLA (Modern Language Association) meeting. She suggested that 
"table" should be read as "tableau" so that (if my unreliable memory is 
to be trusted) when combined with "green fields" the passage expressed a 
nostalgia for England.

Alan Dessen

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