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WILLIAM LILY (1468?-1522/3)

A Short introduction of grammar : compiled and set forth for the bringing up of all those that intend to attain to the knowledge of the Latin tongue

1674

RCIN 1055427

Articles are borrowed of the pronoun, and be thus declined: Singulariter, nominativo, hic, haec, hoc William Shakespeare, The Merry Wives of Windsor, Act 4, Scene 1, lines 28 – 9 Lily’s Grammar was used in classrooms from 1515 to 1758. Though this copy is from after Shakespeare died, it is the same text as that from which he would have been taught. It was very influential on Shakespeare: not only does he quote the book verbatim in The Merry Wives of Windsor when young William Page is quizzed on his Latin; he also quotes the standard teacher’s questions and pupils’ responses for learning by rote, which can be seen in this copy’s manuscript annotations.
  • annotation: Questions and responses in English and Latin throughout [Passim]


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