'given to' long homespun anecdotes

[JBPARK]

And though Day-Lewis’ Lincoln is a surpassingly gentle, soft-spoken man, given to long homespun anecdotes and bone-dry witticisms, there are scenes in which Lincoln more than justifies his reputation among many of his contemporaries as a steel-willed autocrat seeking to usurp the powers of the legislative branch.
<Slate.com Lincoln movie review http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/movies/2012/11/lincoln_directed_by_steven_spielberg_starring_daniel_day_lewis_reviewed.html>

Dear veterans,

What does "given to" mean exactly in the above quote from a move review article?

 

[Yankee_NLPer]

given to long homespun anecdotes and bone-dry witticisms

It means Mr. Lincoln had a habit or tendency to tell stories and jokes.

 

[JBPARK]

So the subject of "given to" is Mr. Lincoln if I understand it correctly?

 

[Imber Ranae]

"given" is a participle in agreement with "Mr. Lincoln". It's not part of the verb.

 

[Yankee_NLPer]

Yes, Mr. Lincoln... or President Lincoln is the subject.

I am eager to see this movie

 

[Yankee_NLPer]

I should not have gotten involved in this discussion because I don't diagram sentences.. I prefer to explain sentences.

Daniel Day-Lewis is an actor and his portrayal of Lincoln is a surpassingly gentle, soft-spoken man, given to long homespun anecdotes and bone-dry witticisms...

Does that help you?