Page 30 of Hamlet

n that indicated only a slight break between words, thus a symbol of closeness and connection between the two countries 45 amities friendship

46 'As'es phrases beginning with "as" (puns on "asses")

46 charge importance/burden (continuing the play on "asses") 50 shriving-time time for confession and absolution from sin 52 ordinant in control

53 signet signet ring which acted as a seal

54 model ... seal exactly the same as the seal used to secure the commission 55 writ letter/written command

56 Subscribed signed (in Claudius' name)

56 th'impression the seal

57 changeling substitution, i.e. false letter (literally a fairy child substituted for a human one) 58 to ... sequent followed this

61 make love to court, entreat

62 defeat destruction

63 insinuation ingratiating behavior/intrusive involvement 64 baser of lower social status/inferior

65 pass sword thrust

65 fell fierce

65 points swords

66 opposites opponents, enemies

68 Does ... upon do you not think that it is now incumbent upon me 70 th'election i.e. the designation as king

71 angle fishing-hook and line

71 proper own

72 cozenage deception (puns on "cousinage"--i.e. kinship)

73 quit requite, repay

74 canker spreading ulcer

74 come In spread to, generate

77 issue outcome

79 no ... 'one' is only as brief as the time it takes to say "one"

82 by ... his i.e. in my situation (having a murdered father) I recognize his also 84 bravery extravagance, ostentatious display

88 water-fly i.e. buzzing insect

90 gracious blessed, fortunate

91 let ... mess even if you are an animal yourself, provided that you own a lot of livestock you shall eat at the king's table (mess) 92 crib animal's food receptacle

93 chough jackdaw (i.e. chatterer)/chuff (i.e. rustic, churl) 94 if ... leisure i.e. if the two of you have finished talking 97 bonnet hat (usually worn indoors when in company)

100 indifferent moderately

101 complexion constitution

106 remember probably "remember your courtesy," a way of asking someone to put on their hat 107 for mine ease a polite way of resisting Hamlet's request 111 Rapier long, pointed, double-edged sword (the flexible epee of modern fencing had not yet been invented) 112 well very well, never mind

113 Barbary horses valued North African horses, noted for their speed 114 imponed wagered (impawned; or an affected coinage from the Latin imponere, meaning "to pile or lay on") 115 poniards daggers

115 assigns accessories

115 as such as

115 girdle sword belt

115 hangers loops on sword belts, from which the sword was hung; often richly ornamented 116 carriages an affected word for hangers

116 dear to fancy pleasing to the fancy/delightfully tasteful 117 responsive ... hilts well-matched to the sword handle 117 delicate finely made

118 liberal conceit elaborate design

119 call you do you mean by

121 germane relevant

122 cannon ... sides "carriage" is the word for the wheeled support on which a cannon is mounted 127 laid wagered

127 in ... nine famously incomprehensible and much-debated wager; Claudius bets that, in a series of twelve rounds, Laertes' total number of hits will not exceed Hamlet's by three or more, but it is unclear what is meant by "twelve for nine," where "he" may be Claudius or Laertes 127 passes rounds

128 him i.e. Laertes

130 vouchsafe the answer be pleased to accept the challenge (Hamlet interprets answer more literally as "reply") 132 opposition ... trial presenting of yourself as an opponent in a contest 135 breathing time time for exercise

138 odd occasional/extra three

139 re-deliver you report back what you say

140 after what flourish according to whatever lavish gesture or manner of speaking you choose 142 commend entrust (part of a standard phrase, but Hamlet responds to the sense of "recommend, praise") 145 for's turn to do it for him

146 lapwing bird proverbial for youthful precocity as it left the nest soon after being hatched; shell ... head may suggest that Osric has just put his hat on 147 comply ... dug pay courteous compliments to his mother's (or nurse's) nipple 148 bevy company/group of birds

149 drossy worthless, impure

149 tune i.e. fashionable speech/general style

150 habit of encounter custom of social inter action/fashionable dress 150 yeasty frothy

150 collection i.e. of fashionable words and manners 151 carries them through enables them to successfully pass off/enables them to hold their own among 151 fond foolish

152 winnowed selective (literally refers to the blowing away of chaff from grain) 152 and ... out yet test them by blowing on them and the bubbles will burst/test their opinions and they are lost for words 156 at the odds given the odds that have been laid

160 gain-giving misgiving, foreboding

163 repair coming

164 augury prophecy (literally, making predictions based on an interpretation of the behavior of birds) 164 there's ... sparrow i.e. God's hand is in every slightest thing--alluding to Matthew 10:29

165 it i.e. his own death

167 readiness i.e. to meet death

167 has aught of really owns, can take with him

168 betimes early

168.1 gauntlets protective gloves used for fencing 172 presence assembly/royal company

175 nature natural feeling/filial loyalty

175 exception disapproval, objection

182 faction party

185 disclaiming from disavowal, denial of

185 purposed intentional

186 generous noble-minded/magnanimous

187 That I have as to think that I have

191 my ... honour where my honor is concerned

192 will want, will have

194 voice (authoritative) endorsement

194 peace reconciliation

195 name ungored reputation uninjured

199 frankly freely, with no ill will

202 foil background material used to set off the luster of a jewel (shifting the sense away from "sword") 204 Stick fiery off stand out and sparkle brilliantly

210 laid the odds backed

212 he is bettered Laertes is considered to be better

212 odds the advantage (Laertes is handicapped by having to score three hits over Hamlet) 214 likes pleases

214 have ... length are all of the same length

216 stoups cups

218 quit ... exchange repays Laertes (for winning the first two bouts) by scoring a hit in the third bout 219 ordnance cannon

220 better breath increased energy and vigor

221 union valuable pearl

224 kettle kettledrum

243 fat may suggest greasy/sweaty, but primary sense is corpulent, overweight 244 napkin handkerchief

245 carouses to toasts

256 pass thrust

257 make ... me toy with me/indulge me

257 wanton spoiled child

260 scuffling fighting at close quarters

260.1 change exchange, probably via the maneuver known as "left-hand seizure" (see Introduction, p. xv) 266 woodcock proverbially stupid, easily caught birds

266 springe snare

278 practice plot

287 Drink off drink up, drain

287 union pearl (plays on the sense of "marriage")

290 tempered mixed

296 chance mischance/event

297 mutes silent onlookers/actors without speaking parts 297 act event/theatrical performance

298 fell cruel

299 strict rigorously just/unrelenting, stern

299 arrest taking into custody/halting (of my words)

301 causes grievances, grounds for revenge

302 unsatisfied uninformed/those who wish to know

304 antique Roman one of the ancient Romans, who viewed suicide as a noble alternative to an unworthy life 311 felicity happiness, bliss

318 o'er-crows triumphs over (an image from cockfighting) 320 th'election i.e. the selection of the next king of Denmark 321 voice vote/support

322 occurrents events

323 solicited prompted this

323 O ... o! a dying groan is represented thus in several plays of the period 326.1 Colours battle flags

328 would wish to

330 quarry pile of dead game after a hunt

330 quarry ... havoc mound of bodies proclaims total slaughter and destruction 331 toward imminent/being prepared

331 cell small dwelling

334 dismal ominous/calamitous/depressing

336 The ears i.e. Claudius' ears

343 jump precisely

343 question dispute/affair

346 stage platform

346 view general view

350 accidental judgements punishments happening by chance 350 casual occurring by chance

351 put on instigated/arranged

351 forced cause deliberate contrivance/false grounds

352 upshot conclusion, outcome

354 deliver report

358 of memory old/traditional/unforgotten

359 vantage advantage, favorable opportunity

361 voice speaking voice/vote

361 draw on encourage, rally the support of

362 this same i.e. the displaying of the bodies and explanation of events 362 presently immediately

363 wild bewildered/agitated

364 On on top of/as a result of

367 put on put to the test (as king)

368 passage journey into death

370 Speak i.e. let them speak

372 Becomes the field suits the battlefield

372 shows much amiss is very out of place

Second Quarto Passages That Do Not Appear in the Folio

1 e'en even, i.e. exactly

2 sort fit

4 question cause (of dispute)

5 mote speck, irritating particle

6 palmy triumphant, flourishing

7 ere before

7 Julius Julius Caesar, murdered by conspirators in 44 BC

8 sheeted shrouded

9 squeak ghosts were traditionally supposed to have thin high-pitched voices 10 As editors have speculated that a preceding line is missing 10 stars ... fire i.e. comets, signs of ill omen 11 Disasters unfavorable aspects (astrological term)

11 moist star i.e. the moon, which controls the tides 12 Neptune Roman god of the sea

12 stands depends

13 to doomsday as if it were Judgment Day (when, according to the Bible, the moon would grow dark) 14 even ... precurse exactly the same foreshadowing

15 As harbingers like forerunners

15 still always

16 omen calamity

18 climatures regions

20 petition entreaty

21 will plays on the sense of "legal document" (which Polonius fixed his seal on) 21 hard reluctant

22 east and west i.e. everywhere

23 traduced ... of dishonored and censured by

24 clepe call

24 with swinish phrase by calling us pigs

25 addition name, reputation

25 takes removes

26 though ... height even though they are outstanding

27 pith ... attribute very essence of our distinguished reputation 29 for because of

29 mole blemish

30 As for example

32 o'ergrowth ... complexion excessive growth of some natural trait 33 pales fences, safeguards

34 too much o'erleavens spoils (as too much leaven ruins dough) 35 plausive pleasing, praiseworthy

37 nature's livery uniform designating one's servitude to nature 38 virtues else other virtues

39 undergo sustain

40 general censure public opinion/view of the man as a whole 41 the ... scandal unclear; the general sense is "even a tiny portion (dram) of polluting matter can bring a noble substance into disrepute" (or perhaps "... corrupt a noble substance to its own shameful nature") 41 eale ale

44 toys wild thoughts

44 desperation the hopelessness or spiritual despair preceding suicide 46 fathoms a fathom is approximately six feet

51 anchor's cheer the provisions or lifestyle of an anchorite (i.e. hermit) 51 scope limit

52 Sense senses, feeling (in the following line the sense shifts to "reason") 53 motion the power of movement/emotions and impulses

54 apoplexed paralyzed

54 err err in this manner/err to this degree

55 ecstasy madness

55 thralled enslaved

56 quantity small amount

57 serve ... difference enable it to distinguish between the two men 59 sans without

61 mope be stupefied/wander aimlessly

62 sense ... devil destroys all sensitivity to devilish practices 64 use habit/undertaking

65 frock monk's clothing/man's coat/dress

65 livery uniform

66 aptly readily

68 use habit

69 [] a verb is missing here; editors often insert "master" or, more recently, "shame"

70 wondrous potency extraordinary power

74 sweep my way clear my path

75 marshal guide

76 enginer constructor of military engines (weaponry)/plotter 77 Hoist ... petard blown up by his own bomb

77 and't ... But unless luck is against me

78 delve ... mines i.e. countermine by digging deeper than and intercepting the enemy mines 80 crafts cunning plots

81 powers troops

87 main main part

89 addition exaggeration

92 farm rent

94 ranker higher

94 fee fee simple, i.e. sold outright, with no conditions 98 Will ... straw are not enough to fight out this trifling issue 99 th'imposthume abscess

102 buy i.e. be with

104 straight straightaway

105 inform against betray/bring a charge against

107 market profit

109 discourse powers of reasoning

110 Looking ... after able to look ahead and to assess what is past 112 fust molder

113 oblivion forgetfulness

113 craven cowardly

114 Of resulting from

114 precisely scrupulously

114 th'event outcome

117 to do i.e. yet to be done

118 Sith since

119 gross obvious/large/material, earthly

120 mass and charge size and cost

121 delicate fine/skilled/elegant

121 tender youthful

123 Makes mouths makes faces, i.e. is scornful 123 invisible event unforseeable outcome

125 dare can do/can threaten

126 Rightly ... great i.e. true greatness

127 stir i.e. take up arms

127 great argument a noble cause

128 greatly ... straw to find great cause for contention over a trifle 131 Excitements incitements, provocations

131 blood anger/passion

134 fantasy and trick illusory and deceptive whim

134 fame reputation, honor

135 plot plot of land

136 Whereon ... cause which is not big enough to hold the soldiers who are to fight for it 137 continent (sufficiently large) container; plays on the sense of "land"

143 organ instrument, agent (of Hamlet's death)

144 falls right fits well

147 your ... parts all of your other qualitites

150 unworthiest siege least importance

152 ribbon i.e. mere adornment/crowning accomplishment 153 becomes suits

155 sables garments trimmed with sable fur

155 weeds clothing/mourning garments

156 health well-being/prosperity

157 scrimers fencers (from the French escrimeur) 158 motion skilled and trained movements

158 eye quick perception

162 is ... still remains always at the same degree of goodness 163 pleurisy excess/chest inflammation

164 too much excess

164 That that which

164 would wish to

167 tongues ... accidents i.e. tongues to dissuade one, hands to prevent one and chance events to get in the way 168 spendthrift i.e. wasteful; each sigh was thought to drain a drop of blood from the heart 169 hurts by easing harms the heart at the same time as it eases the immediate emotional pain of the sufferer 169 quick tender central part

170 absolute perfect, accomplished

171 differences fine qualities

171 soft society pleasant company/sociable manners

171 great showing fine appearance

172 feelingly to the purpose, with just perception

172 card or calendar map or guide

173 the ... see one who contains any quality a gentleman would wish to see 175 definement definition (Hamlet begins to mock Osric's affected language) 175 perdition loss

175 you i.e. your account of him

175 to ... inventorially to list his qualities, to itemize him 176 but ... sail merely swing unsteadily off course in comparison to his speedy sailing (i.e. Laertes outstrips attempts to define his virtues) 177 in ... extolment to praise him truthfully

178 of great article highly accomplished, with many qualities to list in an inventory 178 infusion essence (literally, what has been infused into him) 178 dearth rarity/costliness

179 make ... diction speak truly

179 his mirror the only person truly like him is his reflection in a mirror 179 who whoever

180 trace follow/imitate

180 his umbrage is his shadow

181 infallibly absolutely truly

182 The concernancy, sir? Why is all this relevant?

183 rawer breath crude words that cannot do him justice 185 in another tongue i.e. when someone speaks your own elaborate language 185 do't get there in the end

187 nomination naming

192 approve me commend me, be to my credit

195 I ... himself I do not dare to admit that I know just how excellent a man Laertes is lest I should seem to be comparing myself favorably with him: to know a man well one must first know oneself 197 for i.e. with

197 in ... meed in the estimation of those in his pay (i.e. servants/fencing-masters), he is unparalleled/in the estimation of others, he's unmatched by any man of comparable worth and honor 199 edified ... margent instructed by the explanatory notes in the margin 201 that if

203 if ... ready my readiness waits on his convenience 207 In happy time at an opportune moment

208 use ... entertainment give a courteous reception







William Shakespeare, Hamlet
(Series: # )

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