Gricean Self-Test
Answer to Q11
'tis not so deep as a well - Flouts the maxim of quantity as
it says something true by definition. Implicature:
It could be worse.
or so wide as a church door - Again flouts the maxim of quantity
as it says something true by definition. But as it effectively implicates
the same thing (It could be worse.) and in the same way, as the
first clause, it also flouts the maxim of quantity (again) and manner
by saying the same thing twice. Implicature:
By concentrating on being verbally dextrous rather than the gravity
of my injury I am acting in a brave way, as you requested.
but 'tis enough - Flouts the maxim of quantity by not stating
what 'it' is enough for.
But, given the context, the implicature is
clearly It is enough to kill me.
'twill serve - As with what we saw in 'tis not so deep as a
well or so wide as a church door, the next clause, 'twill serve
effectively implicates the same thing (It is enough to kill me.)
and in the same way (quantity, maxim), as the preceding clause ('twill
serve). So it also flouts the maxim of quantity (again) and manner
by saying the same thing twice. Implicature:
By concentrating on being verbally dextrous rather than the gravity
of my injury I am again demonstrating that I am acting in a brave way.
Ask for me tomorrow and you shall find me a grave man - Flouts
the maxim of manner through the ambiguity on grave man ('serious-minded
man' vs. 'man ready for the grave'). Implicature:
By concentrating on being verbally dextrous rather than the gravity
of my injury I am again acting in a brave way.
Mercutio continues in this vein for another seven lines, continuing to
exhibit macho behaviour through verbal dexterity.
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