Be John what he may, I am not afraid of him.
这是一种古体形式,为省略了whether的让步状语从句,该从句用动词原形be作谓语。
Whether John be what he may (be), I am not afraid of him. 在这个让步从句中,John为主语,be为虚拟语气系动词,what he may (be) 为名词性关系分句作表语,may后的be省略了,或者理解为重读的may本身就替代了may be.
假设你的一个朋友对你说,你现在可不敢惹约翰啊,据说他现在是老板的红人。然后你回答说这个句子。意思是:不管(无论)约翰是不是他可能是的那种人(即老板的红人),我是不怕他的。
然后这个句子省略引导让步状语从句的连词whether,把虚拟语气谓语动词Be倒装于主语之前,就得到了你的句子。
Be John what he may, I am not afraid of him.
= Whether John be what he may , I am not afraid of him.
= Whether John is what he may, I am not afraid of him.
再看一个类似句子:
Each country,be it big or small, enjoys the equal rights.
= Each country,whether it be big or small, enjoys the equal rights.
= Each country,whether it may be big or small, enjoys the equal rights.
= Each country,whether it is big or small, enjoys the equal rights.
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