Search from various English teachers...
zuotengdazuo
And my uncle was a man of honor. He would never have betrayed his vows
“Lord Snow is nothing if not arrogant,” said Ser Alliser. “He murdered Qhorin just as his fellow turncloaks did Lord Mormont. It would not surprise me to learn that it was all part of the same fell plot. Benjen Stark may well have a hand in all this as well. For all we know, he is sitting in Mance Rayder’s tent even now. You know these Starks, my lord.”“I do,” said Janos Slynt. “I know them too well.”Jon peeled off his glove and showed them his burned hand. “I burned my hand defending Lord Mormont from a wight. And my uncle was a man of honor. He _would never have_ betrayed his vows.”
“No more than you?” mocked Ser Alliser.”
(A Storm of Swords)Context: Nightswatch was an army to defend the realm against barbarians and paranormal creatures. Lord Mormont was the commander of the Night’s Watch. He was killed by his own men. Jon Snow (lord Snow) was a soldier serving in the Night’s Watch. His uncle Benjen Stark was a senior soldier of the Night’s Watch. They swore vows to defend the realm before joining the Night’s Watch. Two of his officers (Janos Slynt and Ser Alliser) accused Jon and his uncle of playing a part in the plot of killing their lord commander by defecting to their enemies (barbarians/wildlings). They thought they were renegades. Mance Rayder was the leader of the barbarians.
Question: How do you understand the underlined part? Is it an imaginary/unreal situation? I know it is talking about his uncle’s very nature.
Thank you for reading my thread and any help in advance.
Jun 18, 2018 1:22 PM
Answers · 1
I'm unable to see the underlined part, but I take it it's "He would never have betrayed his vows."
Betray his vows = break his promises.
June 18, 2018
Still haven’t found your answers?
Write down your questions and let the native speakers help you!
zuotengdazuo
Language Skills
Chinese (Mandarin), English, Japanese
Learning Language
English, Japanese
Articles You May Also Like

Same Word, Different Meaning: American, British, and South African English
9 likes · 7 Comments

How to Sound Confident in English (Even When You’re Nervous)
12 likes · 9 Comments

Marketing Vocabulary and Phrases for Business English Learners
7 likes · 2 Comments
More articles