question!

[Taka]

This is from the movie The Last Samurai:

This is Katsumoto's sword. He would have wanted you to have it...that the strength of the Samurai be with you always.

What is "that" there above? I think it leads a noun-clause, but I don't know the function of it; which word(s) or phrase does it modify?

Or is there an implied word before "that", such as "hoping"? If there is, is such usage quite common in English?

 

[Tdol]

I'd say it means 'so that the strength of the Samurai might be with you always'. It's not a common style- it's deliberately rhetorical. ;-)

 

[Taka]

I'd say it means 'so that the strength of the Samurai might be with you always'. It's not a common style- it's deliberately rhetorical. ;-)

Ah! "so that"! I didn't come up with that idea.

Thank you very much, tdol!

 

[Tdol]

You're welcome.;-)

 

[MikeNewYork]

I'd say it means 'so that the strength of the Samurai might be with you always'. It's not a common style- it's deliberately rhetorical. ;-)

Ah! "so that"! I didn't come up with that idea.

Thank you very much, tdol!

I agree that "so that" is a reasonable explanation. The use of "that" in your construction is often used for desires of the speaker. You will hear it in older toasts: That your fields produce much wheat.