Hamlet

by William Shakespeare

  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 alway
s 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