I am confused on one thing though, you answered one of my questions before saying 謳歌せし was classical and this one is too. But it seems rather odd that I heard these in conversations. Is this an attempt at irony, it seems rather weird to use it , if it is indeed "classical".
I use the term "classical Japanese" as the translation of 文語.
Literary language - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
As in the wiki page I linked above, classical Japanese has different verb conjugation systems from modern Japanese. "せ", which is the imperfective form(未然形) of す, is one of it. Although it's called "classical Japanese", it's still used in set phrases, proverbs, or stiff/formal speech. Further, confusingly, these classical Japanese still remains in some dialects. So, it's not always "stiff".
何とかしてこの大会に参加できないものかと、武士たちは常以上に身を揉むのだった
1) what is the ka inものか supposed to be mean
1)
The question particle. In this case, it shows that the preceding clause is an indirect question. Haven't you come across expressions such like 彼女が来るかどうか知らない? It's the same usage.
2)Where did "hope" come from . Doesent the と describe because of the first part the second is the result
For example I think my textbook used "Press this button and then ~~ will come out"
So as a result of A, B then occurs. So why in the translation does the latter part of the sentence come and then the first part.
This と is for quotation, not conditional. The conditional と can be attached ONLY with a verb, adjective or copula.
Thanks, Toritoribe. I'm still trying to grasp an understanding of all the ways 何とかして can be used when worded like this. If you don't mind me asking,
1. If i reworded 何とかしてこの大会に参加できないものかと、武士たちは常以上に身を揉むのだった as
何とかしてこの大会に参加できることが、武士たちは常以上に身を揉むのだった。
Would it mean the same?
It should be 何とかしてこの大会に参加できる
ように（と）、武士たちは常以上に身を揉むのだった。
2. If the action, 身を揉むの, was changed, and 常以上に was removed, would it be possible to make it worded so that "The warriors did _____, hoping they would not have to participate in the tournament. (望んでいるの or something else)
No. 何とかしてこの大会に参加できないものかと always means "they
want/hope to participate ~".
何とかして～ない（もの）か is not a simple negative. For instance, 明日何とか会えないか？ "Can't we meet tomorrow one way or another?" can express the speakers's wish/desire "I want to meet you tomorrow". It's similar to this usage.