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t_n_p
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Homework Statement
Firstly, I'd like to point out that this question is a little left of field...but here it is anyway.
Here is what Puck has to say at the end of A Midsummer Nights Dream
If we shadows have offended,
Think but this, and all is mended,
That you have but slumber’d here
While these visions did appear.
And this weak and idle theme,
No more yielding but a dream,
Gentles, do not reprehend:
if you pardon, we will mend:
And, as I am an honest Puck,
If we have unearned luck
Now to ’scape the serpent’s tongue,
We will make amends ere long;
Else the Puck a liar call;
So, good night unto you all.
Give me your hands, if we be friends,
And Robin shall restore amends.
Pick any word in the first few lines and do the following: Let’s say your choice is the
word “shadows”. This word has seven letters. The seventh word following “shadows”
is “all”. This word has three letters. The third word following “all” is “That”. This
word has four letters, etc. proceed until you come across the word “restore” in the last
line, from where you cannot move any further. Why is it that no matter which word
you choose, you always end up with the same word, “restore”. In fact, even if you had
started anywhere else in A Midsummer Nights Dream you would have wound up with
the same word. Is this a secret message left by Shakespeare, is it coincidence, or is there
another easy explanation?
The attempt at a solution
I really don't have any ideas. At first I thought it may be Shakespeare's style of writing, but after some research it seems iambic pentameter doesn't have a lot to do with it. Anybody think there is any mathematical basis in this question?
Firstly, I'd like to point out that this question is a little left of field...but here it is anyway.
Here is what Puck has to say at the end of A Midsummer Nights Dream
If we shadows have offended,
Think but this, and all is mended,
That you have but slumber’d here
While these visions did appear.
And this weak and idle theme,
No more yielding but a dream,
Gentles, do not reprehend:
if you pardon, we will mend:
And, as I am an honest Puck,
If we have unearned luck
Now to ’scape the serpent’s tongue,
We will make amends ere long;
Else the Puck a liar call;
So, good night unto you all.
Give me your hands, if we be friends,
And Robin shall restore amends.
Pick any word in the first few lines and do the following: Let’s say your choice is the
word “shadows”. This word has seven letters. The seventh word following “shadows”
is “all”. This word has three letters. The third word following “all” is “That”. This
word has four letters, etc. proceed until you come across the word “restore” in the last
line, from where you cannot move any further. Why is it that no matter which word
you choose, you always end up with the same word, “restore”. In fact, even if you had
started anywhere else in A Midsummer Nights Dream you would have wound up with
the same word. Is this a secret message left by Shakespeare, is it coincidence, or is there
another easy explanation?
The attempt at a solution
I really don't have any ideas. At first I thought it may be Shakespeare's style of writing, but after some research it seems iambic pentameter doesn't have a lot to do with it. Anybody think there is any mathematical basis in this question?