That this should feel the need of Death 1
The same as those that lived
Is such a Feat of Irony
As never was－achieved－
Not satisfied to ape the Great 5
In his simplicity
The small must die, as well as He－
Oh the Audacity－
The same as those that lived
Is such a Feat of Irony
As never was－achieved－
Not satisfied to ape the Great 5
In his simplicity
The small must die, as well as He－
Oh the Audacity－
(F.1189/J.1112)
[1] the need of Death:: the need for Holofernes, Nathaniel, Costard, Moth, and Armado, the small people to play the dead Nine Worthies to entertain the nobles; the need of the dead worthies in the play.
[2] The same as those that lived:: the need for them to entertain the lived nobles.
[3] a Feat of Irony:: how the nobles ironize the small people's show.
[4] As never was achieved:: the small people can never achieve to act like the Nine Worthies.
[5] to ape the Great:: Nine Worthies played by Holofernes (Judas Maccabaeus), Nathaniel (Alisander), Moth (Hercules), Armado (Hector), Costard (Pompey).
[6] his simplicity:: the nature of a small person or simpleton.
[7] The small must die, as well as He:: the small person like Costard, as well as the great like Pompey, are both mortal.
[8] audacity:: boldness as the Nine Worthies, or impudence as the small persons (e.g. Jaquenetta having the baby of Armado).
HOLOFERNES. Judas I am.
DUMAINE. A Judas?
HOLOFERNES. Not Iscariot sir. Judas I am, yclept Maccabaeus.
DUMAINE. Judas Maccabaeus clipped, is plain Judas.
. . .
BOYET. Therefore as he is, an Ass, let him go: And so adieu sweet Jude. Nay, why dost thou stay?
DUMAINE. For the latter end of his name.
BEROWNE. For the Ass to the Jude: give it him. Jud-as away.
─ Love's Labor's Lost by Shakespeare
In the deuterocanonical Book of Judith, the general Holofernes is beheaded by a Hebrew widow Judith. Jude hints at Judith. This dialogue demonstrates how one-way anagram works in Shakespeare.
