Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[chinagary]

Dear Sir or Madam,
I do not quite understand the meaning of this sentence: "These and other deeds diversified the minds of all his nobility from him." Especially the word " nobility". Do this mean the noble class people?

thanks

[Philo Kevetch]

I am not familiar with the quote. Can you cite the source?

My 'guess' would be that 'nobility' does mean 'noble class of people' because 'minds' is plural.

Also, if my assumption is correct, "his" nobility would indicate a ruler (king, prince, etc.).

If I am reading correctly, the quote roughly means.....

"Recent and previous actions changed, in varying ways, what (or how?)the nobles think."

You have piqued my curiousity....please be kind enough to post the source of the quote.

Thanks, Philo

[chinagary]

It's a single sentence from the exercise part of a book. There is no source to find. Also, can we use "involved" instead of "diversified"?

[Lorikeet]

That's a very strange sentence to have as an exercise in a book.

[Philo Kevetch]

Lorikeet - Agreed.

Chinagray - I don't think "involved" would work.

As Lorikeet said, it's a strange sentence.

Will you please tell us where you are and the name of the book?

Unless you enjoy studying obscure literary passages, or someone can provide the source...??...maybe time to try another exercise?

[chinagary]

Dear Philo Kevetch and Lorikeet,
Thank you very much for your taking time to consider my question. This sentence is from an college English text book for Chinese students. It is a single sentence. We are asked to filling the blanks with the words given and "involved" and "diversified" are the two words left. The sentence is: These and other deeds ________ the minds of all his nobility from him.
I think I finally found the source. There is a sentence from "Tales From Shakespeare by Charles and Mary Lamb". The original is: "These and such-like deeds alienated the minds of all his chief
nobility from him. Such as could fled to join with Malcolm and
Macduff, who were now approaching with a powerful army which they
had raised in England; and the rest secretly wished success to
their arms, though, for fear of Macbeth, they could take no
active part. "
I don't know whether we can use "diversify" as the synonym of "alienate". Anyway, thank you for you effort.

Gary

[CP]

"These and such-like deeds alienated the minds of all his chief
nobility from him."

No, you can't substitute "diversify" for "alienate."

The sentence translates to:

"These deeds, and other deeds like them, alienated him from all the important nobles." His deeds turned the noblemen against him.
_________________
You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb