Should relinquish be relinquished here?

No. Relinquished would be past tense, indicating that he already devoted his life to science at that time. But since the sentence is in a present subjunctive mood, the verb is always in the singular and present tense form.

Refreshing, to come across someone who recognises the subjunctive.

Yeah, that's cool.

Is that better or worse than someone who recognizes thee and thou? Millions of native speakers recognize it by daily using it, or not, depending on their preference.

But what's so special about a dying part of the English language? Every so called "subjunctive" form has an alternate form to use.

Those who don't recognise it, who haven't been taught that it exists, come up with questions.

Children accept it: in the pantomime Jack and the Beastalk, the Giant says

"Fee, fie, fo, fum,
I smell the blood of an Englishman
Be he alive or be he dead
I'll grind his bones to make my bread!"

You've raised an interesting point, McTag. Children aren't confused by it, even little children who are easily confused by other very simple things. They aren't confused because it is one of the natural rules of the English language.



Notice that it isn't English native speaking children who come up with such questions.

But the sad part is that when these grammar/language issues are raised, those same English native speaking children are then fed all manner of nonsense about the English language.

Luckily, the nonsense doesn't take for the brighter ones. In fact, the nonsense doesn't take even for the gullible ones when they are operating naturally in language.

Failed to understand "Fee, fie, fo, fum." Does it mean "bah, bah, bah"?

I never once thought to ask that question, Ori. I think it's just to help make the rhyme. It has no meaning AFAIK.

Yes, it has no real meaning. Just alliteration, for dramatic effect. It is said by the giant, before he has been seen. Just a disembodied voice.
The words are intoned loudly and slowly, as if they are in time with the approaching giant's heavy, slow tread.
This adds to the scariness of the panto. Children love being scared, if they also feel safe.