benigne adj.

  benigne 
TR3.1800 Ănd thóugh thăt hé bĕ cóme ŏf blóod rŏiál,
TR3.1801 Hy̆m líste ŏf príde ăt nó wĭght fór tŏ chácĕ;
TR3.1802 Bĕnígne hĕ wás tŏ éch ĭn génĕrál,
TR3.1803 Fŏr whích hĕ gát hy̆m thánk ĭn évery̆ plácĕ.
TR3.1804 Thŭs wóldĕ Lóve -- y̆hérĭed bé hĭs grácĕ! --
TR3.1805 Thăt Prídĕ, Énvy̆e, Íre, ănd Ávărícĕ
TR3.1806 Hĕ gán tŏ flé, ănd éverĭch óthĕr vícĕ.

Line Information

  • Differences among the manuscripts and editions:
  • English translation (Windeatt: 1998): And although he came of royal blood, he had no wish to harass anyone because of pride. He was well disposed to everyone, for which he won himself gratitude everywhere. So Love willed — praised be its grace! — that Troilus began to shun pride, envy, anger, avarice, and every other vice.
  • Japanese translation (Sasamoto: 2012): 彼は王家の血を引いていたけれども、どの人にも傲慢な態度で振舞うことを好まなかった。あらゆる人に優しかった。そのために至る所で感謝をうけた。かくして＜愛の神＞は――その恩寵を称えられよう！――高慢、妬み、怒り、貪欲から、そして他のあらゆる悪徳から逃れることを望まれた。
  • Chinese translation (Fang: 1956): 他虽出身贵族，却从不盛气凌人，他温厚待人，所以无处不受人爱戴。爱神，可尊敬的爱神，督促他避免骄矜、嫉妒、怨怒、与贪婪、和其他一切恶习败行。

Word Information

  • Etymology: OF
  • Addresser: Narrator
  • Addressee: N/A
  • Adjectives with which juxtaposed: N/A
  • Counterpart in its source (Fil): N/A
  • Noun(s) (NPs) modified: human beings (male: Troilus)
  • Attributive/ Predicative: predicative

Information in Previous Studies

  • OED: (Quoted) 2.Exhibiting or manifesting kindly feeling in look, gesture, or action; bland, gentle, mild. (s.v. benign, adj.)
  • MED: Not quoted
  • Commented in other previous works:
  • Windeatt (2003: 197): Benigne: gracious
  • Fisher (1989): N/A
  • Benson (1987): N/A
  • Davis et al. (1979): (Quoted) well-disposed (s.v. benigne, adj.)
  • Donaldson (1975): N/A
  • Baugh (1963): N/A

Possible Definitions

exhibiting or manifesting kindly feeling in look, gesture, or action; gracious, gentle

Comments from the Editor

The above quotation and the context before it describe how Troilus is positively influenced by love. This description echoes with the poet’s invocation to Venus at the beginning of Book III, as well as another description of Troilus in Book I (see 1072–1085).