The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 21.0453 Thursday, 18 November 2010
From: Will Sharpe <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: November 17, 2010 2:39:35 PM EST
Subject: Titus Andronicus (Etymology Query)
Dear Shaksperians,
Does anybody know if the word 'virgin' is cognate with the tale of Virginius,
recorded in Livy as slaying his daughter Virginia to prevent her losing her chastity
to Appius' ravishment (see Titus, 5.3.36-8)? No editor of the play attempts or even
acknowledges this question, and OED offers no satisfactory etymological explanation.
I therefore realise this may a tough one to answer, but I thought I'd throw it out
there in the hope that someone knows, or, at least, that others might agree with me
in acknowledging that this is an interesting and obvious question for editions of
the play to address.
Hopefully,
Will Sharpe
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