Trying To Get A Friar To Violate His Vow Of Silence Crossword Clue

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Post on Feb 09, 2025

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Decoding the Enigma: "Trying to Get a Friar to Violate His Vow of Silence" Crossword Clue

This crossword clue, "Trying to Get a Friar to Violate His Vow of Silence," presents a delightful challenge, demanding more than a simple vocabulary search. It requires a deeper understanding of wordplay, specifically employing cryptic crossword techniques. Let's dissect this intricate puzzle, exploring the different layers of meaning and ultimately revealing the answer.

Understanding Cryptic Crosswords:

Cryptic crosswords aren't your average word puzzles. They incorporate wordplay, double meanings, and misdirection to create a more engaging and intellectually stimulating experience. Clues often contain two parts: a definition and a wordplay element. The wordplay hints at the answer, often using puns, anagrams, or hidden words.

Deconstructing the Clue:

The clue, "Trying to Get a Friar to Violate His Vow of Silence," employs a sophisticated combination of techniques. Let's break it down:

• "Trying to Get a Friar": This phrase acts as a cryptic instruction. It doesn't literally mean attempting to persuade a friar to speak. Instead, it suggests a process of influencing or forcing the friar to break his silence.

• "To Violate His Vow of Silence": This is the core of the wordplay. The vow of silence is a central aspect of many monastic orders, including Franciscan friars. Violating this vow means breaking the silence, causing the friar to speak.

The Intersection of Definition and Wordplay:

The key lies in identifying a word that embodies both the "trying to get" aspect and the "violating the vow of silence" aspect. The clue doesn't necessarily require a forceful or aggressive action. The attempt to break the silence can be subtle or persistent.

Possible Solutions and Their Reasoning:

Several words could potentially fit, depending on the wordplay and the overall crossword grid constraints. Let's examine some possibilities and why they might or might not work:

• PERSUADE: This option is plausible. One could "try to persuade" a friar to speak, thus breaking his silence. However, it might be considered too straightforward for a cryptic crossword.

• COAX: Similar to persuade, coaxing implies a gentler approach to getting the friar to talk. It fits the "trying to get" aspect, but the connection to "violating his vow" might be too indirect for some cryptic crossword solvers.

• TEMPT: This is a strong contender. Tempting suggests a deliberate attempt to lure the friar into speaking, subtly violating his vow of silence. It incorporates both the "trying to get" and the "violating" aspects well.

• EXTRACT: This word offers a more forceful approach. One might try to "extract" information from a silent friar, implicitly breaking his vow. It strongly implies a violation.

The Most Likely Answer: A Deeper Dive into Wordplay

While several words seem plausible, a common cryptic crossword technique involves anagrams or hidden words. In this case, an anagram might be involved. "Trying to get" suggests some action to obtain something (to extract a response). The act of "extracting" information could be the key.

If we rearrange the letters of "Trying to get," a different word emerges which is directly related to communication, "Getting to try".

Therefore, this clue is likely referring to the word: INTERROGATE

"Interrogate" encapsulates the act of trying to elicit a response from someone, in this case, breaking the vow of silence. It implies a more forceful attempt than simply persuading or coaxing. The word itself resonates with the act of questioning, which directly contradicts the vow of silence.

Conclusion:

The crossword clue, "Trying to Get a Friar to Violate His Vow of Silence," is a masterclass in cryptic construction. It seamlessly blends definition and wordplay, forcing the solver to think beyond literal meanings and engage with the underlying logic. While several solutions may initially seem plausible, a careful examination of wordplay techniques, particularly the possibility of anagrams and hidden words within the clue, points to "INTERROGATE" as the most likely and satisfying solution. This answer fully satisfies the requirement to break the friar's silence. Ultimately, deciphering this type of clue highlights the creativity and intellectual stimulation that make cryptic crosswords so compelling.