PrepTest 154, Section 1, Question 20
That Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale (1610–1611) is modeled(45 more words not shown)
Which one of the following,(6 more words not shown)
- ALatin phrases that(15 more words not shown)
- BThe only English(20 more words not shown)
- CPaul Buchanan’s 1539(15 more words not shown)
- DShakespeare’s father’s community(17 more words not shown)
- EThere is strong(20 more words not shown)
Reading the argument
If Shakespeare didn't know Greek, a translation sounds plausible. But why a Latin translation?
Perhaps he read an English version. Perhaps someone told him the story. Let's accept for this question that The Winter's Tale was modeled on Alcestis. The remaining issue is how Shakespeare came to know the earlier play. Ruling out the Greek original as a likely source doesn't by itself identify Latin as the route.
The stem asks which choice least strengthens the argument. That means we should compare the help the choices give, not automatically pick a fact that supports the Latin explanation. Evidence that a suitable Latin translation existed, that Shakespeare could read Latin, or that he used such translations would help. A fact ruling out a plausible alternative could help too.
What we’re looking for
My first expectation is that four choices will help the Latin explanation and one won't. Let's read all five carefully and compare what they contribute.
Working the answers
- ACorrect
At first this can look helpful: Latin phrases appear in Shakespeare's plays, so perhaps he knew Latin. But these were phrases already widely used in England. Someone can use familiar phrases from a language without being able to read a whole play in it.
That's the weakness to notice when comparing A with D. A gives us borrowed phrases in circulation; D gives us a reason to think he actually studied Latin. A doesn't establish the reading ability that would make a Latin translation a likely source, so it offers the least help. We don't need to insist that it has absolutely no possible relevance.
- B
This challenges the English-translation possibility we considered. The only available English version departed drastically from the original in ways Shakespeare's play did not. That makes it less likely that this English version was his source and helps the Latin explanation by reducing the appeal of a competing route.
B doesn't prove Latin was the source. But a strengthener can support an explanation by making a plausible alternative less likely.
- C
This provides an available route with the right content: a Latin translation existed, was faithful to the original, and was widely available during the relevant period. That doesn't show Shakespeare definitely read it, but it makes the proposed source easier to explain. He wouldn't have needed an unavailable or badly altered translation.
- D
Probable attendance at a school with mandatory Latin provides a reason to think Shakespeare had studied the language. That is stronger evidence of potential reading ability than merely using familiar Latin phrases. It therefore supports the proposed use of a Latin translation.
- E
Evidence that Shakespeare relied on Latin translations of Greek plays for other works makes the same route plausible here. It establishes a relevant practice, rather than just general familiarity with a few words. Past use doesn't prove this particular source, but it meaningfully supports the explanation.
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