May it please the court

Skippy   Tue Mar 23, 2010 5:58 pm GMT
Is this a question or a hope?

One of my professors said you say "may it please the court" and then wait for them to say yes as just a formality. But "May it please the court" does not 'feel' like a question to me, at least because the few times I've had to observe actual court hearings, the justices don't respond.

So... question or subjunctive or some other use?
Uriel   Wed Mar 24, 2010 1:33 am GMT
I would call it a rhetorical formality, not a question so much as a ritualized phrasing.
Clarke   Wed Mar 24, 2010 6:59 am GMT
It is the expression of a wish, rather than a question: "May it [i.e. that which is to follow] please the court".

Cf. "May you burn in hell", "May you live in interesting times".

While some older grammars would describe this as a subjunctive usage, on the model of other languages, it might be better described as a modal construction.
ple   Wed Mar 24, 2010 8:17 am GMT
<<I would call it a rhetorical formality, not a question so much as a ritualized phrasing.>>


That's irrelevant to the grammar.
Skippy   Wed Mar 24, 2010 3:42 pm GMT
Thanks ya'll!