Page 25 of Hamlet

pany

6. Directed by Buzz Goodbody (1975). Joe Cocks Studio Collection (c) Shakespeare Birthplace Trust 7. Directed by Ron Daniels (1989). Joe Cocks Studio Collection (c) Shakespeare Birthplace Trust

8. Directed by Michael Boyd (2004). Manuel Harlan (c) Royal Shakespeare Company 9. Directed by Ron Daniels (1989). Joe Cocks Studio Collection (c) Shakespeare Birthplace Trust 10. Directed by Michael Boyd (2004). Manuel Harlan (c) Royal Shakespeare Company 11. Reconstructed Elizabethan Playhouse (c) Charcoalblue





List of parts

KING called Claudius in his first entry direction, but never named in the dialogue, so a theater audience would not know what he is called Act 1 Scene 1

1.1 Location: the gun terrace of the royal castle at Elsinore, Denmark

2 me Francisco asserts that, as the sentry on guard, he is the one who should be making the challenge 2 unfold reveal/identify

6 carefully ... hour responsibly at your appointed time

14 rivals partners

16 ground country

17 liegemen ... Dane sworn servants of the Danish king

18 Give God give

27 fantasy imagination

29 Touching concerning

29 of by

30 along to come along

31 watch remain awake during/keep guard through

33 approve corroborate the reliability of

36 assail attack

41 Last ... all this very night past

42 yond yonder, that

42 pole Pole Star (i.e. North Star)

43 t'illume to illuminate

47 figure appearance/likeness

48 scholar i.e. one knowledgeable enough to know how to address a ghost; a ghost was thought to be unable to speak until spoken to 49 Mark it observe it closely

50 harrows wounds/distresses

51 would wants to

53 usurp'st wrongfully occupies (both the night and the form of the dead king) 55 Denmark the King of Denmark

56 sometimes formerly

56 charge order

63 on't of it

65 sensible perceptible to the senses

65 avouch assurance

70 Norway King of Norway

71 parle negotiation

72 steeled pole-axe halberd or similar long-handled weapon (tempered with steel) carried by the bodyguard of a king 76 In ... not i.e. I don't know exactly what to think

76 work occupy myself, engage

77 gross and scope general drift

78 eruption disturbance, turmoil

79 Good now a polite entreaty for attention

81 toils causes to toil

81 subject subjects

82 cast casting, manufacturing

82 brazen brass

83 mart trading

84 impress conscription

85 Does ... week i.e. they work seven days a week including Sundays 86 toward impending/afoot

90 whisper rumor

93 Thereto ... pride refers to Fortinbras, not Hamlet, the Danish king 93 pricked spurred

93 emulate ambitious, rivalrous

96 sealed compact formally certified agreement

99 seized on legally possessed of

100 moiety competent sufficient portion

101 gaged pledged

101 had returned would have gone

103 cov'nant i.e. the sealed compact

104 carriage ... designed carrying out of the clause that had been drawn up in it 106 unimproved untested/undisciplined/uncensured

106 mettle temperament, spirit

107 skirts outlying parts

108 sharked up gathered up indiscriminately, as a shark does fish/seized upon like a predator 108 list troop

108 resolutes resolved people/desperadoes

109 For ... enterprise i.e. men who will serve in return for food/men who will serve to feed the enterprise 110 a stomach courage/an appetite

111 state governing powers

113 compulsative compulsory

116 head origin

117 post-haste great speed

117 rummage turmoil, bustle

118 soft wait a moment

118 Lo look

119 cross it challenge it/make the sign of the cross at it/cross its path (believed to expose one to evil influence) 119 blast wither/destroy

126 haply perhaps

127 uphoarded hoarded up

128 Extorted wrongfully obtained

131 partisan long-handled spear

132 stand stop, remain

147 Th'extravagant and erring the wandering and straying (out of bounds) 147 hies hastens

148 confine specific region/place of confinement

149 probation proof

151 gainst in anticipation of/just before

152 our Saviour i.e. Jesus Christ

153 bird of dawning i.e. the cock

155 wholesome healthy (damp night air was usually viewed as noxious) 155 strike destroy with evil influence

156 talks whispers spells (some editors prefer Quarto's "takes," enchants/steals) 156 charm cast spells

157 hallowed holy

157 gracious full of divine grace

159 russet reddish brown (from the coarse cloth of that color)

Act 1 Scene 2

1.2 Location: the royal castle at Elsinore

2 green fresh

4 contracted knit together

5 discretion good judgment, reason

8 sometime former

9 jointress widow with rights to property that she formerly owned with her husband 11 one ... eye one eye looking cheerfully to the future and the other downcast and tearful 13 dole sorrow

14 barred ignored/excluded

17 that you know what you should know, that/what you already know

18 supposal estimate

21 Colleagued joined, allied

21 dream ... advantage illusion of his superior position/dream of what he might gain 23 Importing concerning

29 impotent powerless, frail

29 bedrid bedridden

31 His i.e. Fortinbras'

31 gait proceeding

31 in ... subject since the full number of troops mustered is drawn from his (the king's) subjects 37 To for

38 dilated articles detailed, fully expressed terms

39 haste ... duty speedy departure, rather than words, convey your dutifulness 41 nothing not at all

43 suit formal request

44 Dane Danish king

45 lose your voice waste your words

46 That ... asking that I shall not give you rather than have you ask for it 47 native closely related

48 instrumental serviceable

51 Dread my lord my revered lord

52 leave and favour kind permission

57 bow them submit themselves

57 leave and pardon indulgent permission

62 graces qualities/virtues

63 cousin a general term for a relative

64 A ... kind i.e. after his marriage to Gertrude, Claudius has become more closely (too closely) related to Hamlet, but the relationship is lacking in natural feeling 64 kind natural/familial/affectionate

67 nightly colour dark mourning clothes/gloomy demeanor

69 veiled lids lowered eyes

71 common universal; in his reply, Hamlet engineers a dig at Gertrude by playing on the senses of "vulgar/whorish"

75 particular specific, personal

78 customary habitual to me/socially conventional

79 suspiration sighing

81 'haviour ... visage facial expression

82 moods outward expressions of mood

83 denote depict

85 passeth surpasses, exceeds

92 obsequious relating to obsequies (commemorative rites for the dead) 92 persever persevere

93 condolement grieving

95 incorrect disobedient

96 impatient unwilling to endure (suffering)

99 any ... sense the most ordinary thing we may experience

100 peevish stubborn, willful

101 Fie expression of disgust or indignation

104 still always

107 unprevailing unavailing, pointless

109 most immediate i.e. heir

112 For as for

113 Wittenberg city in Germany, home to a well-known Protestant university 114 retrograde contrary

115 bend you incline yourself

123 gentle kind/noble

123 accord consent

124 grace whereof thanksgiving for which

125 jocund health merry toast

125 Denmark i.e. himself, king of Denmark

126 tell report/count out (i.e. a celebratory cannon shot will be fired for each toast) 127 rouse (drinking of a) full draught of liquor

127 bruit proclaim/celebrate

128 Rea-speaking echoing, repeating

130 resolve dissolve

131 Everlasting i.e. God

132 canon law, decree

134 uses habits, customary practices

136 rank and gross coarsely profuse in growth

137 merely completely

139 to compared to

140 Hyperion Greek god of the sun, and one of the Titans

140 satyr mythological creature, part man and part goat (often associated with lechery) 141 beteem permit

147 or ere before

149 Niobe for boasting that she had more children than the goddess Leto, Niobe's offspring were killed; she grieved until she was turned into a stone, from which tears continued to stream 150 wants ... reason lacks the faculty of reason

153 Hercules famously strong Greek hero who completed twelve arduous labors 154 unrighteous wicked/insincere

155 flushing redness

155 galled sore, irritated

156 post rush (literally, ride swiftly)

164 change ... you exchange the name of servant for that of friend/exchange the name of servant with you (and become yours)/mutually exchange the name of friend with you 165 make you from are you doing away from

167 even evening (also used in the afternoon)

169 truant lazy, negligent

175 ere before

179 hard close

180 Thrift economy

180 baked meats meat pies, pastries

182 dearest closest, greatest

190 yesternight last night

194 Season your admiration control your astonishment

195 attent attentive

195 deliver report

201 waste desolate expanse (puns on "waist")

203 at all points in every respect

203 cap-a-pie from head to foot

205 Goes walks/passes along

206 oppressed and fear-surprised overcome and taken prisoner by fear 207 truncheon staff carried as a symbol of military authority

207 distilled dissolved

208 act action/influence

210 dreadful full of dread and fear

215 These ... like my two hands are not more alike than the ghost was like your father 217 platform terrace on which guns were mounted

221 address ... speak prepare itself for action as if it were about to speak 238 beaver visor of a helmet

240 countenance facial expression

248 tell count

251 grizzly gray

253 sable silvered black mixed with silver hairs

255 warrant assure

260 tenable capable of being held

260 still plays on the sense of "silent"

263 requite reward

269 doubt suspect/fear

Act 1 Scene 3

1.3 Location: within the castle

2 as whenever

3 convoy is assistant transport (for letters) is available

7 toy in blood amorous whim

8 primy in its prime/early/wonderful/sexually excited

9 Froward perverse/obstinate/willful/ungovernable

10 suppliance fulfillment/pastime

11 but so than that

13 crescent growing

14 thews bodily proportions, muscles

14 temple i.e. body (the temple of the soul)

16 withal with it

17 soil nor cautel stain nor deceit

18 will intent/(sexual) desire

19 weighed being considered

21 unvalued i.e. without rank

22 Carve choose (from the image of serving oneself meat; with sexual connotations) 23 sanctity inviolability/worthiness of religious respect

25 yielding consent

28 peculiar ... force particular circumstances of rank and power

30 main voice general agreement

30 withal along with

32 credent credulous, trusting

32 list listen to

33 chaste treasure i.e. virginity (treasure was slang for "vagina") 34 unmastered importunity unrestrained persistence

36 keep ... affection i.e. do not advance headlong into the dangerous territory your affection might lead you into 36 rear back portion of an army, which moves last

37 shot maintains the military image, with suggestions of phallic attack 38 chariest most modest/cautious/frugal

39 If she i.e. if she does no more than

39 moon symbol of chastity

40 scapes escapes

40 calumnious strokes slanderous blows

41 canker canker-worm, a grub that destroys plants

41 galls wounds, destroys

41 infants ... spring i.e. young plants

42 buttons be disclosed buds be open

44 blastments blights/withering

46 to against

49 ungracious ungodly

51 puffed swollen with pride and vanity

53 recks heeds

53 rede advice

54 fear me not do not worry about me

55 stay delay

56 double blessing i.e. a second chance to say goodbye to and receive the blessing of Polonius 57 Occasion opportunity

57 leave leave-taking, farewell

60 stayed waited

62 See thou character make sure that you inscribe

63 unproportioned immoderate/unruly

63 his its

64 familiar friendly, sociable

65 adoption tried worthiness to be adopted as friends having been tested 66 Grapple fasten firmly

67 dull thy palm i.e. by shaking hands too often

68 unfledged still unfeathered (i.e. new, untried)

70 Bear't that th'opposed manage it so that your opponent

72 censure judgment/opinion

73 habit clothing

74 fancy elaborate, fanciful style

77 Are ... that are of a most distinguished and noble pre-eminence in their choice garments 80 husbandry economy

83 false dishonest, disloyal

84 season ripen

84 this i.e. his advice

86 tend await

93 touching concerning

94 Marry by the Virgin Mary

94 bethought thought of

97 audience hearing, reception

98 put on conveyed to/impressed upon

101 behoves befits, is appropriate for

103 tenders offers (Polonius subsequently shifts the sense to "offers of money") 105 green inexperienced/gullible

106 Unsifted untested

111 sterling true currency

111 Tender ... dearly take greater care of your self/value yourself more highly/offer yourself at a higher rate 112 crack ... of make broken-winded, i.e. wear out

113 Running the image is of urging a horse

113 tender ... fool show yourself up to be a fool/show me to be a fool/present me with an illegitimate baby 114 importuned entreated persistently

116 fashion shifts the sense from Ophelia's "manner" to "mere form/passing fancy"

116 Go to expression of dismissive impatience

117 countenance authority/confirmation

119 springes snares

119 woodcocks birds which were easily caught, hence regarded as stupid, gullible 120 prodigal prodigally, liberally

122 light and heat are extinguished in such passionate declarations even as they are being uttered 122 extinct ... a-making i.e. both

124 For this time for the time being

125 scanter more sparing

126 entreatments discussions/military negotiations

127 command to parley call from the enemy for the negotiation of terms (i.e. Ophelia is not obliged to meet with and possibly discuss surrender to Hamlet simply because he requests it) 130 in few in short

131 brokers negotiators/go-betweens/pimps

132 investments clothes

133 mere implorators out-and-out pleaders

133 suits requests/courtship (plays on the sense of "clothing") 134 bawds procurers, pimps

135 beguile deceive

135 for all once for all/in sum

137 moment moment of

139 Come your ways come along

Act 1 Scene 4

1.4 Location: the gun terrace of the royal castle at Elsinore

1 shrewdly sharply, keenly

2 eager biting

4 lacks of is just before

7.1 flourish trumpet fanfare accompanying a person in authority 7 held his wont has been accustomed

9 wake stay up/revel

9 takes his rouse carouses

10 Keeps wassail revels/drinks heartily

10 the ... reels drunkenly dances the upspring, a German dance

11 Rhenish German wine from the area around the River Rhine

12 kettledrum type of drum often associated with the Danes

12 bray ... pledge i.e. raucously celebrate the king's fulfillment of his earlier promise to drain a full draught of liquor 17 manner custom

18 More ... observance better being broken than observed

20 ministers of grace God's messengers, angels

21 Be thou whether you are

21 health benevolence/salvation

21 goblin demon

24 questionable shape form that invites question

28 canonized consecrated, buried according to Christian rite (three syllables, stress on second) 28 hearsed entombed

29 cerements grave clothes

29 sepulchre tomb

30 inurned enclosed/buried

31 ponderous weighty

32 cast vomit

33 complete steel full armor

34 glimpses ... moon earth by moonlight, literally "flashes of moonlight"

35 hideous frightening, full of horror

35 fools of nature ignorant mortals/playthings of nature

36 horridly dreadfully/with horror

36 disposition ordinary temperaments/mental composure

38 Wherefore? Why?

40 impartment communication

43 wafts waves, beckons

49 a pin's fee the (tiny) worth of a pin

53 flood sea

55 beetles o'er overhangs (like frowning eyebrows)

57 deprive ... reason remove your reason from its position of control 64 artery thought not to convey blood, but the ethereal fluid known as "vital spirits"

65 Nemean lion supposedly invincible beast strangled by Hercules as one of his twelve labors 65 nerve sinew, tendon

67 lets hinders

69 waxes grows

71 Have after let's follow

71 issue outcome

73 it i.e. the issue

Act 1 Scene 5

2 Mark listen, pay attention to

9 unfold reveal