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 re
garded 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
Hamlet Page 25