ABSTRACT

In sum, such an academic pattern comprises 'The wise and fool, the artist [liberal arts student) and unread' (I.iii.24 ); 'Degrees in schools' (l.iii.l 04 ); 'in some degrees' (I.ii.68-9); glozing (Il.ii.165; or glossing, commenting on a text);4 tutor (Il.i.44; II.iii.28, 239); discipline[ d) (Il.iii.29, 41 ); learn (II.i.l8); mind (V.vii.17); erudition (Il.iii.240); instructed (Il.iii.248; V. vii.17); ignorance (Il.iii.14 ); folly and ignorance (Il.iii.27); 'wide unclasp

Act II scene i

Although Tristram Shandy exclaims, 'But with an ass, I can commune forever', Thersites finds Ajax an incommunicable 'scurvy-valiant ass' (ll.i.44). Indeed, Ajax has just had catalogued his incapacities: 'I think thy horse will sooner con an oration than thou learn a prayer without book' (II.i.17-18).6