# Endnotes explained — On the Art of Writing

> Chapter companion for On the Art of Writing by Arthur Quiller-Couch.

## What happens

The endnotes provide references, translations, and contextual annotations for the main lecture, including a poignant note on the date of the lecture coinciding with news of Captain Scott's Antarctic expedition and Captain Oates's heroic death. They also include textual comparisons of biblical translations and citations of classical and literary sources.

## Themes in this chapter

### Precision and Clarity

The endnotes include a detailed comparison of biblical translations (Wyclif, Tyndale, Authorised Version) to illustrate precision in language and the genius of improvement.

### Literary Lineage and Tradition

References to Beowulf, classical authors (Quintilian), and medieval sources (Dr. Courthope) underscore the continuity of English literary tradition.

### Critique of Jargon

A note advises against abstract terms and recommends concrete language, e.g., 'Say "nay" and don't say "the answer is in the negative."'

## Character check-ins

### Captain Oates

Mentioned in the context of his heroic death during the Antarctic expedition, with a quoted message describing his final act.

### William Tyndale

His translation of 1 Corinthians 15 is compared with Wyclif's and the Authorised Version.

### Quintilian

Quoted on the decorum of oratory, noting that an oration may admit almost any word except indecent ones.

### Dr. Courthope

Referenced as a source for the history of English poetry.

### Beowulf

Quoted in translation, with Hrothgar's lament for Æschere.

### Sir Philip Sidney

Mentioned in a list of authors referenced in the endnotes.

## Key lines

> I am just going outside, and I may be some time.

Captain Oates's final words as he walked into the blizzard to his death.

_Quoted from the telegrams reporting the fate of Captain Scott's expedition._

> Death is swallowed up in victory. O Death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

The Authorised Version's rendering of 1 Corinthians 15:54-55, celebrating triumph over death.

_Used to illustrate the superiority of the Authorised Version's prose._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/on_the_art_of_writing_se/chapters/endnotes
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/on_the_art_of_writing_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/on_the_art_of_writing_se/chapters