64 troth faith
68 aim aright guess correctly
69 lie with have sex with
72 honesty chastity, virtue
72 dower widow's portion (of her husband's estate)
73 that loss the loss of it (honesty)
76 inclination attitude, disposition
77 sadness seriousness
82 knits her brows frowns
83 bluntest most unceremonious, plainspoken
84 argue her demonstrate her to be
86 challenge call for, lay claim to
88 love lover
93 state majesty, royal status
97 mean humble
99 cavil quibble over details
104 other some some others, i.e. illegitimate children 107 ghostly holy, spiritual
107 ghostly father priest
107 done his shrift heard confession (plays on the sense of "had sex") 108 shriver confessor, priest/sexually active man
108 for shift out of strategy, a trick/to get at women's undergarments (puns on shrift)
109 muse wonder/speculate
114 ten ... lasts proverbial: "a wonder lasts but nine days"
116 in extremes excessive, much greater
119 taken captured
123 question ... apprehension ask about his arrest
124 use treat (Gloucester shifts the sense to "employ sexually") 126 wasted consumed with disease (particularly syphilis, which eats at the bones) 126 marrow bone marrow/semen
127 branch i.e. offspring, child (also with phallic connotations) 128 cross thwart, hinder
128 golden time i.e. kingship, the crown
130 The ... buried i.e. once Edward is dead
132 unlooked for unwanted/unforeseeable
132 issue children, offspring
133 rooms places, positions
134 cold premeditation discouraging prospect
136 promontory headland jutting into the sea
138 were equal with could reach as far as
139 chides chastises
139 sunders separates
140 lade drain, empty
141 wish wish for
142 means obstacle
143 cut ... off murder those in my way 144 Flattering me deluding myself
145 o'erweens is arrogant, presumptuous
150 deck adorn
150 gay ornaments bright, ostentatious attire
151 witch bewitch, seduce
153 accomplish get hold of
154 forswore rejected
155 for so that deal in have dealings with (plays on the sense of "have sex according to") 158 envious spiteful, malicious
162 chaos shapeless mass
162 unlicked bear-whelp bear cubs were thought to be licked into shape by their mothers 163 impression ... dam shape like that of the mother 165 monstrous unnatural, deformed
165 fault mistake
167 check rebuke
167 o'erbear dominate
168 person appearance
170 t'account to consider
171 trunk body
172 impaled surrounded, enclosed
174 home my target
176 rents tears apart
180 catch seize
186 frame fashion, adapt
187 mermaid the siren of classical mythology was said to sing sweetly in order to draw sailors onto rocks where they would drown
188 basilisk mythical reptile whose gaze had the power to kill 189 Nestor Greek leader who fought at Troy; famed for his wisdom and eloquence 190 Ulysses King of Ithaca and hero of Homer's Odyssey; noted for his cunning 191 Sinon in Virgil's Aeneid, the man who pretended to desert the Greeks and persuaded King Priam of Troy to admit the wooden horse into the city, as a result of which Troy was destroyed 193 Proteus the sea god Neptune's herdsman who had the ability to change shape at will 194 set ... school teach Machiavelli a few things
194 Machevil an intriguer, an unscrupulous schemer (from Niccolo Machiavelli's The Prince, a sixteenth-century treatise perceived as advocating ruthless political cunning) Act 3 Scene 3
3.3 Location: the royal court, France
2 state rank
5 strike her sail humble herself (literally, lower a ship's sail in deference to a vessel of greater importance) 7 Albion's England's
8 mischance misfortune
10 like seat unto a place befitting
15 be ... thyself always behave in a manner that befits your position 20 France i.e. the King of France
25 of from
26 forlorn destitute, abandoned person
37 heavy burdensome/sorrowful
38 storm i.e. of grief, passion
40 stay wait, delay
41 stay plays on the sense of "support"
41 succour help
42 waiteth on attends, accompanies descends i.e. from the throne, or dais on which it sits 55 vouchsafe permit, consent
59 in on
63 fame report late recently heedful attentive 69 tyrants usurpers
74 Look beware
75 draw ... thy do not bring on yourself
76 sway the rule wield power
78 Injurious slanderous, offensive
82 disannuls cancels, ignores
82 John of Gaunt father of Henry the Fourth, great-grandfather of Henry VI; he features in Richard II
83 Which who
85 mirror i.e. image, model
89 haps happens, chances
89 smooth plausible, glib
93 tell recount
94 threescore ... years i.e. the sixty-two years between 1399, when Henry IV deposed Richard II, and 1461, when Edward IV deposed Henry VI 94 silly meager, trifling
95 prescription a claim founded on long use (legal term) 97 thirty-and-six years a period that corresponds more fittingly to Warwick's age (he was born in 1428) rather than his allegiance, as he had joined the Yorkists in 1455
98 bewray betray, reveal
99 fence protect
100 buckler defend
102 injurious doom wrongful judgment, sentence
103 Aubrey Vere he and his father, the Earl of Oxford, were executed for treason by Edward IV in 1462
104 more than so furthermore
105 downfall decline
105 mellowed ripened
112 use engage in
112 conference discussion
112 aloof aside
114 even justly, fully
117 pawn pledge, stake
117 credit reputation
118 gracious esteemed, popular
119 more that more so because
120 dissembling duplicity, pretense
121 for truth truly
121 measure extent
124 beseem befit
126 external visible; some editors prefer Octavo's "eternal"
129 envy malice
129 disdain (Bona's possible) loathing, scorn
130 quit end
132 grant consent
132 mine the decision I make--i.e. I will agree with whatever you think fit 134 desert merits
137 articles terms, conditions
137 drawn drawn up
138 Touching regarding
138 jointure marriage settlement provided for the wife by the husband 139 counterpoised matched, equaled
143 device plot, strategy
148 success fortune/outcome (plays on the sense of "succession to the throne") 150 late recently
152 estate status
155 quondam former
160 hence go from here
162 conveyance trickery, cunning
162 Post messenger
171 as as if
174 unhoped unexpected
177 soothe smooth over
177 forgery deception
180 scorn insult
185 clear from innocent of
189 untimely prematurely
189 untimely ... death Warwick's father, the Earl of Salisbury, was executed after being captured fighting for the Yorkists at the battle of Wakefield 190 th'abuse ... niece Ho
linshed's Chronicles, one of Shakespeare's key sources, reports that Edward tried to "deflower" Warwick's daughter or niece 191 impale him encircle his head
192 put force
193 guerdoned rewarded
194 my desert what I deserve
198 servitor servant
203 joy rejoice
204 unfeigned sincere, honest
205 vouchsafe to furnish will consent to equip
206 bands troops
211 fall from abandon, turn against
212 matching marrying
224 post haste
226 masquers performers of masques (courtly entertainments involving dancing and elaborate costume; often put on to celebrate aristocratic marriages) 228 passed happened
228 fear frighten
228 withal with it
230 willow garland token of a forsaken lover
231 weeds garments
234 ere't be before
235 reward payment
238 bid challenge (to)
239 occasion opportunity/events
240 supply reinforcements
245 eldest daughter historically Warwick's second daughter, Anne, who was betrothed to Edward, although he died before they married 246 bands bonds
247 motion suggestion
256 waft convey (by water)
263 stale fool, mockery (of)
Act 4 Scene 1
4.1 Location: the royal court, London
5 stay wait (spoken in irony)
8 mind intend
10 malcontent dissatisfied, discontented
12 Which who
13 abuse insult
16 will wishes (plays on the sense of "sexual desire") 23 yoke are joined, coupled like oxen under a yoke (plays on the sense of "sexually united") 24 mislike displeasure
32 gave in charge ordered
35 invention scheme, plan
40 true loyal, trustworthy
44 fence defense
45 only alone
48 have ... Hungerford marry the rich heiress, Mary, daughter of Lord Hungerford; historically, it was Hastings' son who married her 53 heir ... bride the wealthy Lord Scales' daughter, Elizabeth, was married to Lord Anthony Rivers, the new queen's brother 55 bury forget
57 new wife's son Sir Thomas Grey, married to the heir of Lord Harrington and Bonville
58 speed get on, fare/succeed
63 broker marriage broker, agent
64 mind intend
65 tarry stay
71 meaner humbler people, those of lower rank
73 dislikes disapproval
73 would wish to
74 danger hurt/apprehension
75 fawn ... frowns i.e. try to ingratiate yourself, win them round 77 friend supporter/lover
89 Go to expression of impatience
90 guess reconstruct from memory
96 brave daring, insolent, defiant
103 in place present
104 done over with, no longer worn
106 Amazon member of a legendary race of female warriors 107 injuries insults
109 discharged dismissed
118 Belike probably
119 sit you fast sit tight, hold on to your throne
121 want lack
129 needful necessary
131 prepare preparation
133 straight straightaway
135 twain two
139 hollow insincere
142 in suspect under suspicion
146 withstand resist
149 power army
Act 4 Scene 2
4.2 Location: England (historically, near Warwick)
1 hitherto thus far
4 suddenly immediately
8 rest remain
9 pawned pledged
11 proceedings course of action
13 in night's coverture under cover of darkness
14 carelessly without concern/without proper military precautions 15 lurking idling
16 but only
17 surprise ambush, seize
18 the ... easy venturing into Edward's camp is simple/there is little hazard 21 Ulysses ... steeds in Homer's Iliad, Ulysses and Diomede sneak under cover of night into the camp of the Thracian leader, Rhesus, and steal his horses, an oracle having predicted that Troy would not fall to the Greeks as long as the horses of Rhesus grazed on the plains of Troy 21 stout bold
21 sleight cunning
21 fatal fated, part of destiny/causing death
23 At unawares suddenly, unexpectedly
28 sort manner
Act 4 Scene 3
4.3 Location: King Edward's camp (historically, near Warwick)
1 my masters gentlemen
1 stand post, position
2 this this time
2 set sat
13 about around
14 keeps lodges, sleeps
16 worship dignified ease
18 estate situation
18 he i.e. Edward
19 doubted feared
20 halberds long-handled weapons with axelike heads
20 shut up prevent, bar passage progress 21 wherefore why
25 But only, merely
25 gown dressing gown or nightgown/loose upper garment for men 28 What who
34 embassade ambassadorial mission
35 degraded lowered in rank
44 down fall
46 complices accomplices
48 fortune's ... wheel fortune was traditionally depicted as a blind woman turning a wheel that raised humans up and cast them down 48 state sovereignty
49 compass range, circumference
50 for i.e. in
60 abide endure
61 boots not is useless
Act 4 Scene 4
4.4 Location: London
1 makes ... change is the reason for your sudden change in mood 4 pitched planned, designated
8 falsehood disloyalty, treachery
9 surprised at captured
11 to i.e. to the custody of
11 Bishop i.e. Archbishop
12 Fell fierce, cruel
12 by that therefore
16 hinder delay, prevent
19 bridle reign in, restrain
19 passion intense feeling, grief
19 blood-sucking sighs each sigh was thought to drain a drop of blood from the heart 23 blast blight, wither
25 where ... become what has become of/where is Warwick 28 down fall
29 tyrant's usurper's
31 sanctuary churches and associated Church-owned buildings provided sanctuary from arrest; the historical sources Shakespeare drew on say that Elizabeth went to Westminster 32 right title to the throne
33 secure protected
33 fraud trickery, treachery
Act 4 Scene 5
4.5 Location: Yorkshire, at hunting grounds belonging to the Archbishop of York
2 Leave off cease
3 chiefest largest, most dense
3 park private hunting ground
4 case circumstances
6 hath good usage is well treated
7 but only
8 disport entertain, amuse
9 advertised informed, alerted
11 colour pretext
11 game hunting
14 game prey, quarry
17 close concealed
21 Lynn King's Lynn, a town on the Norfolk coast
24 requite reward forwardness eagerness, zeal 28 ado fuss, time-wasting
Act 4 Scene 6
4.6 Location: the Tower of London
4.6 Lieutenant the second-in-command at the Tower of London 5 enlargement release
5 due fees wealthy prisoners could pay for special food or service 6 challenge require, ask
11 For that because
13 Conceive begin to experience
13 moody melancholy, somber
14 notes ... harmony filling the house with song, singing in a manner that is harmonious with their domestic environment 18 author creator, originator
20 low humbly
22 thwar
ting stars bad fortune
26 still always
26 famed for renowned as being
28 spying spying out/foreseeing
29 temper ... stars allow themselves to conform to their fate, mold their dispositions to their fate 31 in place present
32 sway power, influence
34 Adjudged awarded
34 olive branch a symbol of peace
34 laurel crown a symbol of victory
36 yield grant
36 free consent willing agreement
37 only alone
37 Protector one who governs in the absence of the monarch 40 dissension dissent, disagreement
43 devotion prayer, religious commitment
43 latter last, remaining
47 repose myself depend, rely
49 yoke join
50 supply fill
56 What else? i.e. "yes, of course"
57 Clarence ... part if the Lancastrian claim were set aside, Edward attainted for treason, and his unborn child disregarded, then Clarence would have a significant claim to the throne 57 want lack
62 doubtful apprehensive
67 Henry ... Richmond Henry Tudor, the future Henry VII, whose kingship put an end to the Wars of the Roses 69 divining foreseeing, prophetic
70 pretty fine, handsome
78 brother i.e. the Archbishop of York
81 conveyed carried away in secrecy
82 attended awaited
86 charge duty, orders/prisoner
88 salve healing ointment
88 betide occur
Act 4 Scene 7
4.7 Location: outside the city gates of York
3 interchange exchange
4 waned weakened, diminished
8 Ravenspurgh former Yorkshire port on the River Humber 8 haven harbor
10 made fast tightly secured
12 well foretold clearly warned
13 abodements omens, premonitions
13 affright frighten
15 repair make their way, return
15 above i.e. on the upper staging level or gallery, conventionally used to represent city walls 15 brethren members of the town corporation 23 challenge demand, require
25 got ... nose got his nose in
30 stout valiant
31 fain be glad
32 So ... him so long as he is not held accountable Aldermen members of the town council 36 But except
39 deign are willing
45 forget disregard
57 pretend claim, profess
58 wherefore stand you why do you dwell, insist on nice overly precise, particular 60 meaning intention
61 scrupulous wit quibbling reason, cautious intellect 63 out of hand immediately
64 bruit news, announcement
68 champion defender
69 Sound i.e. trumpets sound
71 SOLDIER some editors suppose that this speech heading has been inserted erroneously and that Montgomery should read the proclamation 73 gainsays denies
73 gauntlet armored glove, traditionally thrown down as a means of challenging one's enemy to single combat; to pick it up was to accept a challenge to a duel 76 brave noble
78 harbour make our lodging
79 car chariot (of the sun god)
82 wot know
83 froward willful, obstinate, perverse
83 beseems suits, befits
86 the day victory in battle
Act 4 Scene 8
4.8 Location: London, at the Bishop of London's palace
1 Belgia the Netherlands
2 hasty rash, quick-tempered
2 blunt harsh, uncivilized, rough