The Comedy of Errors
Page 17
29 make ... hours intrude upon my important matters as though they were free to anyone 30 sport play
32 aspect disposition (plays on the sense of "planetary position") 33 fashion suit, adapt
33 demeanour attitude, behavior
34 sconce head (Dromio plays on the sense of "fortress") 35 So if
36 battering beating/attacking with a battering ram 36 An if
36 blows long puns on "longbow"
37 sconce protection/helmet
37 ensconce shelter
38 seek ... shoulders i.e. as my brains will have been beaten into my shoulders 43 wherefore for what reason
46 urging repeating
47 out of season unjustly
51 Marry by the Virgin Mary
51 something ... nothing i.e. beating which I did nothing to deserve 53 to give by giving
55 wants that lacks that which
56 In good time indeed
57 Basting moistening/beating
61 choleric angry (choler was the hot humor worsened by a dry diet) 62 dry severe
63 in good time appropriately
65 durst have denied would have dared deny
67 By what rule on what grounds
69 Father Time traditionally depicted as an elderly man, bald but for a forelock of hair 73 fine and recovery legal terms for the process of transferring ownership or inheritance of property 74 fine fee
74 periwig wig
75 hair puns on "heir"
76 such a niggard so begrudging
77 excrement outgrowth
79 scanted limited
83 hath ... hair is clever enough to lose his hair (ironic, since baldness was a symptom of syphilis; wit may play on sense of "penis") 86 plain dealers straightforward, frank
87 plainer dealer greater womanizer (playing on "to deal"--i.e. "to have sex") 88 jollity sexual pleasure
90 two plays on the notion of testicles
90 sound valid (Antipholus plays on the sense of "healthy") 92 Sure certain (Antipholus plays on the sense of "trustworthy") 93 thing falsing deceptive situation/unfaithful vagina 94 Certain reliable
97 tiring dressing his hair
97 they his hairs
98 porridge soup
103 substantial substantiated
105 mend amend
107 bald inane
108 wafts beckons
109 strange without recognition, distant
110 aspects looks
112 unurged unprompted
117 carved sliced the meat (plays on slang sense of "had sex with") 119 estranged from thyself so unlike yourself/so distant toward me, your other half 121 incorporate united in one body
122 better part soul/higher qualities
124 fall let fall
125 breaking gulf sea
128 As ... too as take yourself from me without taking myself away from me 129 dearly grievously
129 quick most tender spot
131 consecrate sanctified, dedicated
133 spurn strike
135 stained overly made-up, like a whore/figuratively tarnished by impure deeds/branded as a punishment for harlotry 136 false unfaithful
138 see ... it make sure that you do
139 possessed with seized by
139 adulterate blot the stain of adultery
140 blood is mingled blood was thought to mingle during sex 143 strumpeted made a whore
144 Keep ... league if you remain faithful
145 distained unstained
149 Who and I
149 scanned analyzed
150 Wants ... understand am unable to comprehend a single word 151 brother brother-in-law
152 wont accustomed
156 return report
157 buffet beat
158 for to be
160 course and drift purpose and meaning
160 compact agreement
166 inspiration divine or magical revelation
167 ill agrees it badly it suits
167 gravity dignity
168 counterfeit dissemble
168 grossly blatantly
169 Abetting encouraging/enabling
169 thwart ... mood cross me in my anger
170 Be ... exempt even if it is my fault that you have distanced yourself from me 171 wrong ... contempt do not increase that injury by treating me with further disdain 174 stronger state superior condition
175 communicate share
176 possess takes, draws
176 dross rubbish
177 brier a wild and thorny rose that grows rapidly 177 idle worthless
178 with intrusion invasively
179 confusion destruction
180 moves ... theme appeals to me as her subject matter 183 error misapprehension
184 sure uncertainty undoubted mystery
185 entertain accept, play along with
185 offered fallacy delusion I am presented with
186 spread lay the table
187 for as
187 beads rosary
187 cross me make the sign of the Christian cross 189 owls sometimes associated with witchcraft and evil 189 sprites spirits
192 prat'st thou do you babble
193 sot fool
194 transformed metamorphosed (by magic)
198 ape fool/merely an imitator of humanity
199 aught anything
200 rides controls
200 grass open pasture (i.e. freedom)
204 put ... weep i.e. cry like a child
205 laugh ... scorn mock my grief
206 keep guard
207 above i.e. in private/literally, upon the upper level of the stage, hence potentially unable to see those below 208 shrive absolve
210 forth away from home
213 well-advised in my right mind
215 persever carry on
216 at ... go take on all new experiences
Act 3 Scene 1
2 shrewish bad-tempered
2 keep not hours am late
4 carcanet jeweled necklace
6 face me down impudently contradict me that
8 charged entrusted/accused him of possessing
12 hand handiwork, mark of your hand (plays on sense of "handwriting") 18 at that pass in that predicament
20 sad solemn
20 cheer fare, hospitality
21 answer live up to
22 I ... dear I value your warm welcome more highly than the delicacies at your table 23 either ... dish even the warmest welcome is not tantamount to one good dish 23 flesh meat
25 churl peasant
27 small cheer little/humble food
28 sparing moderate
29 cates delicacies/provisions
29 mean frugal/humble
29 part spirit
31 soft wait a moment
32 Ginn probably a form of Jenny
33 Mome idiot
33 malt-horse oaf (large horse used by breweries)
33 capon eunuch (literally, castrated cockerel)
33 coxcomb fool
33 patch clown, rogue
34 hatch lower part of a door (puns on "set a hatch before the door"--i.e. "keep quiet") 35 conjure for wenches pimp for prostitutes/summon women by spells 35 store large quantity
36 one ... many even one woman is more than enough
37 stays waits
38 from back to
39 Ho an expression to call attention
43 owe own
45 office position
46 mickle great
47 If ... ass i.e. if you had gone through what I have today you would have wished you weren't me 49 coil disturbance
53 Have at let me attack
53 set ... staff? make myself at home (with phallic connotations) 54 When ... tell? i.e. never
56 minion servant/hussy
60 blow verbal blow/knock at the door
61 baggage good-for-nothing woman, harlot
64 knock may play on sense of "have sex"
66 What ... town? What do
I care for your threats when you can be punished for them?
66 stocks public instrument of punishment in which the arms or legs were confined 67 keeps keeps up, continues
68 boys fellows
71 If ... sore i.e. you and the knave are the same person 72 fain gladly
73 part depart
75 in the wind afoot, strange going on
76 thin i.e. and you felt the cold wind
77 cake plays on sense of "woman"
77 stand plays on sense of "have an erection"
78 buck male deer/cuckold
78 bought and sold betrayed and exploited
79 ope open
80 Break any breaking if you break anything
81 break a word speak
82 break ... behind does not fart
83 want'st breaking need a beating
83 hind peasant/female deer
85 fowls ... fin i.e. never
86 crow crowbar
89 sirrah addressed to Dromio of Syracuse
89 pluck a crow "clear up the matter" (proverbial) 92 Herein in this matter
93 compass of suspect scope of suspicion
95 Once this in short
97 Plead ... unknown suggest there is a valid reason for her odd behavior 98 excuse explain
99 made shut
101 the Tiger an inn
102 about round about
104 strong hand physical force
104 offer try
105 stirring passage busy activity
106 vulgar comment public conjecture
106 of on
107 supposed presumed to be true
107 rout rabble
108 ungalled unharmed
108 estimation reputation
111 upon succession for generations
112 housed dwelling
112 gets possession is believed/gets a foothold
114 despite of mirth in spite of the lack of joy
114 merry cheerful
116 wild wanton/frivolous/lively
116 gentle kind/yielding
118 protest declare
118 without desert undeservedly
119 withal with, about
121 this this time
122 Porpentine Porcupine, the name of a house
123 there's the house that is her house/where she lives 126 doors plays on slang sense of "vagina"
126 entertain receive (sexually)
127 knock plays on sense of "have sex"
Act 3 Scene 2
3 love-springs shoots of love
4 building its construction
7 like elsewhere love someone else
8 Muffle conceal/blindfold
8 false unfaithful
8 blindness disguise, concealment
10 orator spokesman
11 become disloyalty give a pleasing appearance to your infidelity 12 Apparel ... harbinger clothe vice as though it heralds virtue 13 fair honorable, attractive
14 carriage demeanor
15 secret-false secretly disloyal
16 What ... attaint? What foolish thief would brag of his own corruption?
18 board table, mealtimes
19 bastard fame illegitimate honor (if it is)
22 compact of credit made of trust
23 others ... sleeve lovers are embraced and given love, the wife is left merely with the threads, or edges of affection 24 motion orbit
24 move affect/influence
27 vain deceptive
29 what ... else what other name you have
30 wonder marvel
30 of on
31 Less ... wonder you seem no less wise and gracious than the wonder of the world (here, sometimes interpreted as Queen Elizabeth I) 32 earth human, mortal flesh
34 earthy-gross conceit flawed human understanding
36 folded hidden
39 new anew
43 homage duty
44 decline incline
45 train seduce, entice
45 sweet ... note in Greek mythology, the beautiful song of mermaids lured sailors to their death 47 dote idolize, become infatuated with
50 supposition i.e. belief that her hair is a bed 51 that who
51 die plays on the sense of "orgasm"
52 Let ... sink if love is frivolous or fickle and cannot sustain itself then let it die 54 mated bewildered by love (plays on sense of "matched") 56 beams sunrays/invisible beams thought to be emitted by the eyes 58 wink close one's eyes
66 My ... claim my heaven on earth and my only hope of heaven 68 Call ... thee i.e. call yourself sister for I am attached to you as you would have me be to her 73 good will approval
80 besides myself myself also/out of my senses
86 have possess sexually
89 a beast may pun on "abased" (i.e. in a sexually servile position) 93 reverent worthy, commanding
94 'sir-reverence' "save your reverence," an apology for having said or done something offensive; also a euphemism for "dung"
95 lean slender
98 wench servant
99 grease puns on "grace"
101 tallow animal fat used for candles and soap
101 Poland winter i.e. a long time
102 week may pun on "wick"
104 complexion physical appearance
105 Swart swarthy, dark-complexioned
106 sweats sweats so much that
106 go over polish/be up to his
109 in grain ingrained
113 ell forty-five inches
117 find out discover/locate
121 bogs marshes/anus
123 barrenness ... hand i.e. her palms are dry, callused, and hard 126 armed and reverted probably alludes to syphilitic sores and hair loss 129 chalky cliffs white cliffs of Dover/teeth
131 salt rheum English Channel/watery discharge from the eyes or nose 133 hot ... breath as if she had been eating garlic or spicy food 137 rubies, carbuncles, sapphires precious stones/sores and pimples 137 declining ... aspect looking down (possibly implying a large or hooked nose) 138 armadoes ... ballast fleets of large ships to be loaded 140 Belgia Belgium
140 Netherlands also known as the Low Countries, so alludes here to nether regions, genitalia 142 drudge servant
142 diviner witch
143 assured betrothed
143 privy private
144 of on
147 curtal dog dog with a docked tail
148 turn i'th'wheel tread a wheel to turn a spit
149 hie hasten
149 presently immediately
149 post hasten
149 road harbor
150 An if if
150 from shore out to sea
151 harbour remain
152 bark put forth ship set sail
155 trudge leave
158 witches a term applied to both sexes
160 my my very
162 sovereign excellent
165 to of
169 lo look
170 ta'en you caught up with you
171 stay delay
173 What please whatever pleases
174 bespoke ordered
183 vain foolish
185 shifts stratagems
187 stay wait
Act 4 Scene 1
1 Pentecost Whitsunday, seven weeks (or fifty days) after Easter Sunday 3 had would
5 present satisfaction immediate payment
6 attach arrest
7 Even just exactly
8 growing owed
12 Pleaseth if it please
13 discharge settle
16 rope's end i.e. for flogging
21 I ... rope slightly ambiguous; perhaps "pound" plays on "beatings," or Dromio simply drawls that he would as gladly buy a rope as he would receive a thousand pounds 22 holp up helped
25 Belike perhaps
25 love friendship
25 too long longer
27 Saving with respect to
28 utmost final
29 chargeful fashion excellent workmanship
30 ducat
s gold coins
31 debted indebted
33 stays but waits only
34 present ready
38 Disburse pay out
39 Perchance perhaps
41 I ... enough I do not come in time
48 dalliance idle talk
49 to to go to
50 chid rebuked
51 shrew scolding woman/mischievous man
52 dispatch hurry up
56 by some token with some evidence (that I come on your authority) 57 humour ... breath exhaust the joke
59 brook tolerate
60 whe'er whether
60 answer pay
68 stands upon affects
68 credit reputation/financial standing
69 suit request
71 touches injures
74 that for that which
76 fee public officers were entitled to a private fee for their actions 78 apparently openly
81 you ... dear this jest will cost you as much
82 answer amount to
83 law my legal rights
84 notorious shame public humiliation
87 fraughtage cargo
89 balsamum aromatic resin
89 aqua-vitae alcoholic spirit
90 in her trim in fine condition
93 peevish prattling, bleating
93 sheep fool (plays on ship in the following line) 95 hire waftage buy our passage
98 rope's end flogging
101 list listen to
101 heed attention
102 straight immediately
110 Dowsabel generic term for a sweetheart, from French douce et belle ("gentle and beautiful"); here ironically applied to Nell 111 compass embrace/circumnavigate
113 minds wishes
Act 4 Scene 2
2 austerely seriously, sincerely
4 or either
5 observation plays on sense of "astronomical measurement"
6 meteors ... face emotional conflict discernible in his appearance 6 tilting in contest
7 no any
8 spite sorrow/humiliation
10 true ... were he spoke the truth (for he is behaving like a stranger) and yet he lied (as he is my husband) 15 honest genuine/noble
17 speak him fair encourage him
19 hold me still remain silent/patient
20 his its
21 sere withered
22 shapeless unshapely, ugly
24 Stigmatical in making physically deformed
26 wailed grieved for
28 would ... worse wish others saw him as less desirable 29 Far ... away to divert attention from the young in her nest, the lapwing calls from elsewhere 35 Tartar limbo hellish prison/pagan hell
36 everlasting fabric from which police uniform was made/eternal 37 buttoned ... steel probably alludes to steel buttons of a police uniform 38 fairy supernatural spirit
38 rough cruel
39 fellow ... buff sergeant or other official in a uniform made of durable ox-hide leather 40 back-friend false friend
40 shoulder-clapper arresting officer
40 countermands prohibits
64 stealing creeping/robbing
65 in stands in
65 theft a thief
66 turn ... hour turn back time so that he can run away 69 pressed down burdened/depressed
69 conceit imaginings
70 comfort ... injury i.e. because she can try to imagine all is well yet fears it is not Act 4 Scene 3
1 salute greet
4 tender offer
10 wiles delusions
11 Lapland was notorious for witches
13 have ... new-apparelled i.e. have you managed to rid yourself of the sergeant (the old, or biblical Adam dressed himself for the first time after the Fall) 16 Adam ... Paradise conceivably a topical joke referring to an Adam who ran an inn called Paradise 17 calf's ... Prodigal in the Bible, the skin of the fatted calf that was killed for the return of the prodigal son; here, the leather of the sergeant's uniform 21 plain case law case/clothing