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Haml Con Sel Four

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[edit] Ham Con Sel Four

[edit] The Concordance to the Fourth Selection of the Text of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark

Click on this hyperlink to go to the fourth selection from Hamlet, Prince of Denmark or, you may go either to the Hamlet Concordance Pageor the Hamlet(play) pages by clicking here on these hyperlinks.

Other useful pages:

Click here to go to a Test questions page where you may post your test questions.

Click here to go to an indexing page.

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Click here to go to a "digital scholarship Wiki"

Click here to go to the Acts and Scenes page index. This will make making plot summaries easy!


If you would like to look at another play, click here Shakespeare Table of Contents

[edit] About Making Notations

When you find something notable in the text (a Middle English word that needs defining, a sentence that needs paraphrasing, etc), simply scan the existing notations until you find one that most close matches the selection you want to note. Sometimes it will be a word definition within a phrase that needs clarifying, othertimes it will be a lengthy but incomprehensible (to modern ears) speech. When you have found a close approximation (there is a also an illustrative list on the Shakespeare Concordances page, with in-depth explanations), just "plug it in" by copy-pasting the example to the line number of your note, and then after inserting the cursor at the proper points, type in your replacement text. Delete the letters and words that remain from the example, and you will have a definition, paraphrase, etc, consistently formatted with work done before you. After doing this a couple of times, you will "pick up" the system, and use it as easily as you might use any formatting rules.

[edit] Investigating unknown terms, et cetera:

1. Go to the Concordance page and select the play you wish to annotate.

2. Then, open the section which corresponds to the line number in the text you are reading and want to annotate.

3. Using the e-dictionaries listed at the bottom of the page, as well as other reference material, create the definition or paraphrase following the pattern outlined on the main concordance page.

4. Paste that into the edit box which opens with every line number, or you may keep the entire concordance page open in "edit," and work down through the wiki-text notation to find the correct line-numbers. Don't forget to check the links occasionally to make sure they are lining up.

5. Save as frequently as you are feel comfortable. Some computers never shut down, while others are prone to blackouts and crashes, and much hard work may be lost as a result.


After making your annotation alongside the proper line number, click on your back button to return to the page and point where you were reading. If you have no back button displayed, go to the top of the page, and choose the proper selection of text from the text and concordance table.

Remember, building a great concordance is as easy as reading a line and then writing down the definitions of unknown words, paraphrases and other illuminating material in the corresponding note place.

Good luck! And remember, you are working on the world's first and only collective concordance!

[edit] John DeGrazia, Web Author and Programmer



Table of Selections, Concordances and Tests for Hamlet, Prince of Denmark

[edit] Key

First Asterisk   Second Asterisk   Selection + Number   Third, and Last Asterisk
 Off-site         Wiki editable     Text Selection       Tests, Quizzes
Concordance         Concordance        (Off-site)           (Off-site)
  Page                 Page


[edit] Links to Text Selections and Concordances

Below is a simple table of the links to the text selections and the corresponding concordances.

Sel_1

Sel_2

Sel_3

Sel_4

Sel_5

Sel_6

Sel_7

Sel_8

Sel_9

Sel_10

Sel_11

Con_1

Con_2

Con_3

Con_4

Con_5

Con_6

Con_7

Con_8

Con_9

Con_10

Con_11

[edit] Annotations to the Fourth Selection of the Text of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark

[edit] 10001

10001

[edit] 10002

expostulate - To discuss; to examine

10002

[edit] 10003

10003

[edit] 10004

10004

[edit] 10005

10005

[edit] 10006

10006

[edit] 10007

And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes - and both my penchant for lofty expression is exhausted and I am tired of standing here...

tediousness - tiresome, expecially because of length or dullness

boring, dullness owing to length or slowness

flourishes - rhetorical figures and lofty expressions, gestures

10007

[edit] 10008

10008

[edit] 10009

Mad call I it; for, to define true madness, what is't but to be nothing else but mad - a rose is a rose, and mad is mad, however it is important that Hamlet not have ulterior motives for appearing mad.

10009

[edit] 10010

10010

[edit] 10011

10011

[edit] 10012

10012

[edit] 10013

More matter, with less art - Paraphrase -Facts, please, and less of the rhetoric you promised to forego.

10013

[edit] 10014

10014

[edit] 10015

10015

[edit] 10016

That he is mad, 'tis true: 'tis true 'tis pity; and pity 'tis 'tis true - Paraphrase - That he is mad, it is true: It is true, and that's a pity, and it's a pity that it is true.

10016

[edit] 10017

Paraphrase - That may be a foolish figure of speech.

10017

[edit] 10018

farewell it - speak no more of it

10018

[edit] 10019

Mad let us grant him, then: and now remains that we find out the cause of this effect - Paraphrase - Let's just say he's mad, and it remains to us to discover the cause of his malady.

10019

[edit] 10020

10020

[edit] 10021

10021

[edit] 10022

10022

[edit] 10023

Perpend - To attend; to be attentive.

10023

[edit] 10024

10024

[edit] 10025

10025

[edit] 10026

now gather, and surmise -

gather - concentrate and focus

surmise - infer; to suppose, conjecture, suspect; guess.

10026

[edit] 10027

10027

[edit] 10028

10028

[edit] 10029

beautified - graced, blessed

10029

[edit] 10030

10030

[edit] 10031

vile - Morally base or impure; depraved by sin; hateful; in the sight of God and men; sinful; wicked; bad.

10031

[edit] 10032

10032

[edit] 10033

10033

[edit] 10034

10034

[edit] 10035

10035

[edit] 10036

10036

[edit] 10037

stay awhile; I will be faithful. - don't speak; I will recite what I read accurately.


10037

[edit] 10038

10038

[edit] 10039

10039

[edit] 10040

10040

[edit] 10041

10041

[edit] 10042

10042

[edit] 10043

O dear Ophelia, I am ill at these numbers;I have not art to reckon my groans- Paraphrase - I cannot tell you how many times my aching heart has groaned in agony.


10043

[edit] 10044

10044

[edit] 10045

Adieu - Goodbye


10045

[edit] 10046

10046

[edit] 10047

This machine is to him, HAMLET- Paraphrase - My spirit lives within my breast - HAMLET

machine - soul, magical spirit;


10047

[edit] 10048

10048

[edit] 10049

hath his solicitings - have his entreaties; urgent and persistent requests


10049

[edit] 10050

As they fell out by time, by means and place - As they occurred, however they happened, and where they transpired.


10050

[edit] 10051

All given to mine ear - All revealed to me, by my daughter, Ophelia


10051

[edit] 10052

10052

[edit] 10053

10053

[edit] 10054

10054

[edit] 10055

10055

[edit] 10056

10056

[edit] 10057

10057

[edit] 10058

10058

[edit] 10059

10059

[edit] 10060

I would fain prove so - I desire to turn out to be such an honorable man

fain - wish or desire


10060

[edit] 10061

10061

[edit] 10062

10062

[edit] 10063

10063

[edit] 10064

10064

[edit] 10065

10065

[edit] 10066

10066

[edit] 10067

10067

[edit] 10068

10068

[edit] 10069

10069

[edit] 10070

out of thy star - outside of your social circle, beyond you in rank


10070

[edit] 10071

precepts - moral lessons, principles,rule of personal conduct


10071

[edit] 10072

lock herself from his resort - not allow him access to her personal space."

resort - endeavors, that which he would attempt, especially at the ultimate, wit's end, or the last gasp. "He will resort to anything to achieve his ends.


10072

[edit] 10073

tokens - gifts


10073

[edit] 10074

10074

[edit] 10075

10075

[edit] 10076

10076

[edit] 10077

watch - to be or continue without sleep


10077

[edit] 10078

declension -A falling off towards a worse state; a downward tendency; deterioration; decay; as, the declension of virtue, of science, of a state, etc.


10078

[edit] 10079

10079

[edit] 10080

10080

[edit] 10081

10081

[edit] 10082

10082

[edit] 10083

10083

[edit] 10084

10084

[edit] 10085

10085

[edit] 10086

10086

[edit] 10087

10087

[edit] 10088

10088

[edit] 10089

10089

[edit] 10090

10090

[edit] 10091

10091

[edit] 10092

10092

[edit] 10093

Take this from this, if this be otherwise: If circumstances lead me, I will find where truth is hid, though it were hid indeed within the centre. Paraphrase: Take these words from this head, if things are not as they seem and as I say they are, if facts warrant it, I will find the real truth, though it be exceedingly well hid, at the very center of the earth.


10093

[edit] 10094

10094

[edit] 10095

10095

[edit] 10096

10096

[edit] 10097

10097

[edit] 10098

How may we try it further? - How may we investigate it further?


try - investigate, test your hypothesis


10098

[edit] 10099

10099

[edit] 10100

10100

[edit] 10101

10101

[edit] 10102

10102

[edit] 10103

10103

[edit] 10104

10104

[edit] 10105

10105

[edit] 10106

arras - Tapestry; a rich figured fabric; especially, a screen or hangings of heavy cloth with interwoven figures


10106

[edit] 10107

10107

[edit] 10108

10108

[edit] 10109

10109

[edit] 10110

carters - A man who drives a cart; a teamster


10110

[edit] 10111

10111

[edit] 10112

10112

[edit] 10113

10113

[edit] 10114

10114

[edit] 10115

10115

[edit] 10116

10116

[edit] 10117

board - To approach; to accost; to address


10117

[edit] 10118

10118

[edit] 10119

10119

[edit] 10120

O, give me leave - With your permission, allow me to...


10120

[edit] 10121

10121

[edit] 10122

10122

[edit] 10123

10123

[edit] 10124

10124

[edit] 10125

10125

[edit] 10126

10126

[edit] 10127

Excellent well; you are a fishmonger- Said with barbed sarcasm.


10127

[edit] 10128

10128

[edit] 10129

10129

[edit] 10130

10130

[edit] 10131

Then I would you were so honest a man - Paraphrase: Then, you should be so honest!


10131

[edit] 10132

10132

[edit] 10133

10133

[edit] 10134

10134

[edit] 10135

10135

[edit] 10136

10136

[edit] 10137

10137

[edit] 10138

10138

[edit] 10139

10139

[edit] 10140

10140

[edit] 10141

10141

[edit] 10142

10142

[edit] 10143

10143

[edit] 10144

10144

[edit] 10145

10145

[edit] 10146

10146

[edit] 10147

10147

[edit] 10148

10148

[edit] 10149

10149

[edit] 10150

10150

[edit] 10151

10151

[edit] 10152

10152

[edit] 10153

10153

[edit] 10154

10154

[edit] 10155

10155

[edit] 10156

10156

[edit] 10157

10157

[edit] 10158

10158

[edit] 10159

10159

[edit] 10160

10160

[edit] 10161

10161

[edit] 10162

10162

[edit] 10163

10163

[edit] 10164

10164

[edit] 10165

10165

[edit] 10166

10166

[edit] 10167

10167

[edit] 10168

10168

[edit] 10169

10169

[edit] 10170

10170

[edit] 10171

10171

[edit] 10172

10172

[edit] 10173

10173

[edit] 10174

10174

[edit] 10175

10175

[edit] 10176

10176

[edit] 10177

10177

[edit] 10178

10178

[edit] 10179

10179

[edit] 10180

10180

[edit] 10181

pregnant - Weighty or significant; full of meaning: a conversation occasionally punctuated by pregnant pauses. b. Of great or potentially great import, implication,...


10181

[edit] 10182

10182

[edit] 10183

10183

[edit] 10184

10184

[edit] 10185

10185

[edit] 10186

10186

[edit] 10187

10187

[edit] 10188

10188

[edit] 10189

withal - with in addition; with also


10189

[edit] 10190

10190

[edit] 10191

10191

[edit] 10192

10192

[edit] 10193

10193

[edit] 10194

10194

[edit] 10195

10195

[edit] 10196

10196

[edit] 10197

10197

[edit] 10198

10198

[edit] 10199

10199

[edit] 10200

10200

[edit] 10201

10201

[edit] 10202

10202

[edit] 10203

10203

[edit] 10204

10204

[edit] 10205

10205

[edit] 10206

10206

[edit] 10207

10207

[edit] 10208

10208

[edit] 10209

As the indifferent children of the earth - like the ordinary children of the world

indifferent - ordinary, mediocre, so-so, common, conventional, usual, dull, average, fair


10209

[edit] 10210

10210

[edit] 10211

10211

[edit] 10212

On fortune's cap we are not the very button - Our lot and luck are not the best


10212

[edit] 10213

10213

[edit] 10214

10214

[edit] 10215

10215

[edit] 10216

10216

[edit] 10217

10217

[edit] 10218

10218

[edit] 10219

10219

[edit] 10220

10220

[edit] 10221

10221

[edit] 10222

10222

[edit] 10223

10223

[edit] 10224

10224

[edit] 10225

10225

[edit] 10226

10226

[edit] 10227

10227

[edit] 10228

10228

[edit] 10229

10229

[edit] 10230

10230

[edit] 10231

10231

[edit] 10232

10232

[edit] 10233

10233

[edit] 10234

10234

[edit] 10235

10235

[edit] 10236

10236

[edit] 10237

10237

[edit] 10238

10238

[edit] 10239

Goodly - Pleasant; agreeable; desirable


10239

[edit] 10240

10240

[edit] 10241

10241

[edit] 10242

10242

[edit] 10243

10243

[edit] 10244

10244

[edit] 10245

10245

[edit] 10246

10246

[edit] 10247

10247

[edit] 10248

10248

[edit] 10249

10249

[edit] 10250

10250

[edit] 10251

bounded - bound, confined to


10251

[edit] 10252

10252

[edit] 10253

10253

[edit] 10254

10254

[edit] 10255

Which dreams indeed are ambition, for the very substance of the ambitious is merely the shadow of a dream Paraphrase: Said dreams constitute ambition, for the lives of the ambitious are merely shadows of their dreams of ambition.


10255

[edit] 10256

10256

[edit] 10257

10257

[edit] 10258

10258

[edit] 10259

10259

[edit] 10260

10260

[edit] 10261

10261

[edit] 10262

10262

[edit] 10263

10263

[edit] 10264

10264

[edit] 10265

by my fay - Faith; as in, by my faith


10265

[edit] 10266

10266

[edit] 10267

10267

[edit] 10268

10268

[edit] 10269

I will not sort you - I will not group you.

group- n.or v. a label or other identification, as in, what sort are you?


10269

[edit] 10270

10270

[edit] 10271

10271

[edit] 10272

10272

[edit] 10273

10273

[edit] 10274

10274

[edit] 10275

10275

[edit] 10276

10276

[edit] 10277

10277

[edit] 10278

10278

[edit] 10279

10279

[edit] 10280

come, come - draw near; to approach the speaker


10280

[edit] 10281

10281

[edit] 10282

10282

[edit] 10283

10283

[edit] 10284

10284

[edit] 10285

10285

[edit] 10286

modesties have not craft enough to colour- - there's no art so cunning as to conceal...

modesties - Natural delicacy or shame: purity of thought and manners; due regard for propriety in speech or action

craft - art, cunning,

colour - obscure, deny, conceal


10286

[edit] 10287

10287

[edit] 10288

10288

[edit] 10289

10289

[edit] 10290

10290

[edit] 10291

But let me conjure you - To call on or summon by a sacred name or in solemn manner; to implore earnestly


10291

[edit] 10292

consonancy - Friendship; concord.


10292

[edit] 10293

10293

[edit] 10294

10294

[edit] 10295

10295

[edit] 10296

10296

[edit] 10297

10297

[edit] 10298

10298

[edit] 10299

10299

[edit] 10300

I have an eye of you.- To fix the eye on; to look on; to view; to observe; particularly, to observe or watch narrowly, or with fixed attention; to hold in view.


10300

[edit] 10301

10301

[edit] 10302

10302

[edit] 10303

10303

[edit] 10304

10304

[edit] 10305

so shall my anticipation prevent your discovery, and your secrecy to the king and queen moult no feather -Paraphrase: thus my foresight shall keep you hid, and your presence will be kept a secret from the king and queen.

anticipation -The act of anticipating, taking up, placing, or considering something beforehand, or before the proper time in natural order.

moult no feather - will not be compromised, will be all in place (from the process by which birds lose old feathers, and these are replaced by new).


10305

[edit] 10306

10306

[edit] 10307

10307

[edit] 10308

10308

[edit] 10309

10309

[edit] 10310

10310

[edit] 10311

10311

[edit] 10312

10312

[edit] 10313

fretted - ornamented


10313

[edit] 10314

10314

[edit] 10315

foul and pestilent congregation of vapours -

foul - Hateful; detestable; shameful; odious; wretched

pestilent - disease ridden

congregation - A collection or mass of separate things, but also a company of religious persons forming a subdivision of a monastic order;

vapours - Something unsubstantial, fleeting, or transitory; unreal fancy; vain imagination


10315

[edit] 10316

10316

[edit] 10317

10317

[edit] 10318

10318

[edit] 10319

10319

[edit] 10320

10320

[edit] 10321

quintessence - An extract from anything, containing its rarest virtue; therefore, quintessence of dust is a contradiction in terms, a contrast of verbal meanings.


10321

[edit] 10322

10322

[edit] 10323

10323

[edit] 10324

10324

[edit] 10325

10325

[edit] 10326

10326

[edit] 10327

10327

[edit] 10328

10328

[edit] 10329

10329

[edit] 10330

lenten entertainment - lean fare

lenten - Spare; meager; plain; somber; unostentatious; not abundant or showy

entertainment - Hospitality; hospitable provision for the wants of a guest; especially

[edit] 10331

coted them on the way - passed by them on the way here

Coted - passed


10330

[edit] 10331

10331

[edit] 10332

10332

[edit] 10333

10333

[edit] 10334

his majesty shall have tribute of me - Paraphrase: I will pay the King my respects.

tribute- that which is due or deserved; as, a tribute of affection.


10334

[edit] 10335

10335

[edit] 10336

10336

[edit] 10337

sigh gratis - long without reciprocation

gratis - For nothing; without fee or recompense


10337

[edit] 10338

10338

[edit] 10339

tickled o' the sere - itching from being dry (sere), or withered


10339

[edit] 10340

blank verse - unrhymed verse (usually in iambic pentameter)


10340

[edit] 10341

10341

[edit] 10342

10342

[edit] 10343

10343

[edit] 10344

tragedians - Those specializing in performing dramatic poems, composed in elevated style, representing a signal action performed by some person or persons, and having a fatal issue; or, that species of drama which represents the sad or terrible phases of character and life.

The characters depicted in tragedy are almost always taken from the noble or heroic classes so as to make their downfalls, trials and tribulations seem even starker and more dramatic.


10344

[edit] 10345

10345

[edit] 10346

10346

[edit] 10347

10347

[edit] 10348

10348

[edit] 10349

inhibition - A stopping or checking of an already present action


10349

[edit] 10350

innovation - a change in customs

The sentence may be taken to mean that the company of players has been forced to take the road by having had their customary places of performance and audience denied them, such as might have been the case where the party of the Puritans had taken power in various towns of England.


10350

[edit] 10351

10351

[edit] 10352

10352

[edit] 10353

10353

[edit] 10354

10354

[edit] 10355

10355

[edit] 10356

10356

[edit] 10357

10357

[edit] 10358

10358

[edit] 10359

wonted place - customary; accustomed; habituated; used place


10359

[edit] 10360

an aery of children, little eyases... - an eagle's nest of children, little eaglets...


10360

[edit] 10361

cry out on the top of question - jeer and queer the theme or scene, as we would call it.

cry out - used in the sense of to cry something down: To be critical of it; to scorn it

top of question - topic, subject, theme

To argue the question - to perform a play

10361

[edit] 10362

tyrannically clapped - cruelly punished, punished by being struck with an open hand


10362

[edit] 10363

10363

[edit] 10364

10364

[edit] 10365

10365

[edit] 10366

The meaning of this speech is not entirely clear, however, it appears that the children used in the performances (as songsters?), and using children has become customary and expected, is disruptive and the players are confused and the plays misplayed through their interruptive songs and cries. The children are then punished, causing more disturbance, and the actors are growing leery of producing the works of the playwrites who use this device, or write parts for children, however popular such entertainment might be. And it might be imagined that the whole thing is very entertaining to the onlookers: the children's vocal efforts, the jeers and the punishments that follow, the slaps and tears, all calculated to create an emotive and entertaining spectacle.

10366

[edit] 10367

10367

[edit] 10368

escoted - To pay the reckoning for; supported; maintained

quality - (of being actors) condition of being (actors)


10368

[edit] 10369

10369

[edit] 10370

This method of acting and writing evidently pits the child-players against their elders, and Hamlet queries if it is not wrong for the writers to make the children into enemies with that which them will someday , i.e., the adult actors or players.


10370

[edit] 10371

10371

[edit] 10372

10372

[edit] 10373

10373

[edit] 10374

10374

[edit] 10375

10375

[edit] 10376

tarre - to incite, to set them on


10376

[edit] 10377

no money bid for argument - No one would pay for the production of a play


10377

[edit] 10378

argument - The subject matter of a discourse, writing, or artistic representation; theme or topic; also, an abstract or summary, as of the contents of a book, chapter, poem, or play


10378

[edit] 10379

the poet and the player went to cuffs in the question. - The playwrite and actor exchanged blows, or boxed.


10379

[edit] 10380

10380

[edit] 10381

10381

[edit] 10382

10382

[edit] 10383

throwing about of brains - physical conflict


10383

[edit] 10384

10384

[edit] 10385

10385

[edit] 10386

10386

[edit] 10387

10387

[edit] 10388

10388

[edit] 10389

10389

[edit] 10390

make mows - meows,catcalls, also to make a sad face and thrust out one's lower lip.


10390

[edit] 10391

10391

[edit] 10392

picture in little - miniature portrait


10392

[edit] 10393

10393

[edit] 10394

Though the comparison of the habits of the players and playwrites with the art-buying public is not very certain, the observations are both made in the sense of pointing up the oddness of human nature, and this Hamlet states in this line; 'Sblood, there is something in this more than natural, if philosophy could find it out.


10394

[edit] 10395

10395

[edit] 10396

10396

[edit] 10397

10397

[edit] 10398

10398

[edit] 10399

10399

[edit] 10400

the appurtenance of welcome is fashion and ceremony - Paraphrase: a part of welcome is proper conduct and ceremony

appurtenance - That which belongs to something else; an adjunct; an appendage; an accessory; something annexed to another thing more worthy

fashion - (n.) Mode of action; method of conduct; manner; custom; sort; way. (n.) Polite, fashionable, or genteel life; social position; good breeding; as, men of fashion. Acting in such a manner as befits, good breeding, etc


10400

[edit] 10401

garb - External appearance, as expressive of the feelings or character; looks; fashion or manner, as of speech.


10401

[edit] 10402

my extent to the players - Paraphrase: my hospitatlity to the actors

extent: hospitality


10402

[edit] 10403

fairly - Clearly; openly; frankly; civilly; honestly; favorably; auspiciously; agreeably


10403

[edit] 10404

This line concludes a pun on the word "entertainment," as it has the meaning of hospitable reception, as well as that which engages the attention agreeably, amuses or diverts, in public or private.


10404

[edit] 10405

10405

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10406

[edit] 10407

10407

[edit] 10408

10408

[edit] 10409

I am but mad north-north-west: when the wind is southerly I know a hawk from a handsaw. - Hamlet admits his lunacy, but qualifies, stating that he isn't crazy all of the time, just when the "wind blows from the North."


10409

[edit] 10410

10410

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10411

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10412

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10413

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10414

[edit] 10415

Paraphrase: Listen, both of you, stand on either side of me and listen.


10415

[edit] 10416

that great baby you see there... - Hamlet is referring to Lord Polonius. It is is said in either anger or madness, or both, for the insult will be revealed in the next line. He is saying that Polonius is senile.


10416

[edit] 10417

swaddling-clouts - swaddling cloths, a cloth used to wrap an infant, usually in a restraining fashion, such as to prevent either its legs or legs and arms from moving. The practice has been discontinued in this century.


10417

[edit] 10418

10418

[edit] 10419

10419

[edit] 10420

an old man is twice a child. - A reference to senility


10420

[edit] 10421

10421

[edit] 10422

I will prophesy... As stated above, Shakespeare, through his players, points out that anticipation is against the natural order of things. Thus, Hamlet's madness manifests itself in an uncanny and unerring ability to see the future, and what others are about to do.


10422

[edit] 10423

10423

[edit] 10424

10424

[edit] 10425

10425

[edit] 10426

10426

[edit] 10427

10427

[edit] 10428

10428

[edit] 10429

Roscius - a famous ancient Roman actor; hence; any great actor


10429

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10430

[edit] 10431

10431

[edit] 10432

10432

[edit] 10433

Buz, buz - My, what a stir; here's a commotion.


10433

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10434

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10435

[edit] 10436

10436

[edit] 10437

Then came each actor on his ass,-- A triple pun. 1; The tame or domestic ass is patient, slow, and sure-footed, and has become the type of obstinacy and stupidity. 2; A dull, heavy, stupid fellow; a dolt. 3; The human posterior, the gluteus maximus muscles, the part presented for defecation, or sometimes in coitus.


10437

[edit] 10438

10438

[edit] 10439

10439

[edit] 10440

10440

[edit] 10441

10441

[edit] 10442

10442

[edit] 10443

Seneca - Click here to go to an excellent article in Wikipedia concerning Seneca, the Younger, the Seneca to whom Lord Polonius refers.


10443

[edit] 10444

Plautus - Click here to go to an excellent article in Wikipedia concerning Plautus.


10444

[edit] 10445

For the law of writ and the liberty, these are the only men - Polonius speaks like a true and dedicated pedant, instructing Hamlet even as he fends him off from his daughter.

law of writ - the written law, as opposed to the common law. The common law is usually taken to mean those things held to be law by all the people, the people in common, traditional law, verbal law. For example, laws making theft and murder crimes would be considered common law, not dependent upon any written statutes, codes or ordinances.

the liberty - the liberty probably refers to the Magna Carta, where King John spelled out those rights that could not be alienated from the English nobles. Whether Denmark also had a law of writ and liberty like England's is not known. It is possible that Shakespeare has taken poetic license in assuming it did.

10445

[edit] 10446

10446

[edit] 10447

O Jephthah, judge of Israel,what a treasure hadst thou - The allusion to Jephthah is carefully chosen. It was said that he had promised God the first thing that walked through his doors in exchange for a military victory. Unfortuately, his virgin daughter was that thing. See Wikipedia article linked above.


10447

[edit] 10448

10448

[edit] 10449

10449

[edit] 10450

10450

[edit] 10451

10451

[edit] 10452

10452

[edit] 10453

passing well - Exceedingly; excessively; surpassingly well


10453

[edit] 10454

10454

[edit] 10455

10455

[edit] 10456

10456

[edit] 10457

10457

[edit] 10458

10458

[edit] 10459

10459

[edit] 10460

10460

[edit] 10461

10461

[edit] 10462

Nay, that follows not. - That doesn't make sense. That doesn't come as a logical consequence; follow logically


10462

[edit] 10463

10463

[edit] 10464

10464

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10465

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10466

[edit] 10467

As by lot, God wot - As with fate, God only knows. Hamlet appears to know the story of Jephtha, and the tragic fate of his daughter. His reading is that the moral of the story is that God's knowing is all that's important in the relationship that Polonius has with his daughter, and not the man's love for the girl.

lot - The part, or fate, which falls to one, as it were, by chance, or without his planning.

wot - knows


10467

[edit] 10468

10468

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10469

[edit] 10470

row of the pious chanson - the first line of a song of religious devotion. Presumably, to be sung as part of the entertainment.


10470

[edit] 10471

10471

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10472

[edit] 10473

You are welcome, masters; - The players are dignified with the title of master, not as in master and slave, but as in the master of some craft or another. Professionalism was still unknown in those days, since the arts and trades were generally unregulated, and science and medicine was still to arise from the intellectual darkness of the Middle Ages. Builders, architects, craftsmen, industrialists: all were masters in the fullest expression of their calling. Lawyers and clerics might be the only callings not so deemed. A cleric might be called Reverend, and a lawyer, Honorable, assuming they fulfilled all their obligations in pursuit of their calling. It is also presumed that the lawyer, so-called Honorable, would do duty as a judge at some and divers times in his career.


10473

[edit] 10474

10474

[edit] 10475

10475

[edit] 10476

beard me - To take by the beard; to seize, pluck, or pull the beard of (a man), in anger or contempt, thus: to insult or assault with the intent of provoking.

Hamlet jocundly teases the player about his newly grown beard, and then queries if perhaps he hasn't come to Elsinore with the intent of provoking him to a quarrel. This would be in line with the previous conversation concerning the arguments between actors and playwrites, the disputes over the children-players, and Hamlet's manic-depressive behavior, in general.


10476

[edit] 10477

10477

[edit] 10478

10478

[edit] 10479

chopine - a high shoe or clog

Again, Hamlet teases and insults the actors-actresses.


10479

[edit] 10480

uncurrent gold - Not passing in common payment for having been clipped. To clip the coin, the clipper might pound it out to keep it the same size. The process of thinning the coin would cause telltale cracks to form. A raised ring of a certain diameter, characteristic of sound money, could easily be restamped on the coin.

cracked within the ring - a pun on the word ring as defined above, and the arena, wherein the the play might be staged.


10480

[edit] 10481

e'en - A contraction for even.


10481

[edit] 10482

We'll e'en to't like French falconers - We will even to it like French falconers = We'll go to it like French falconers


10482

[edit] 10483

we'll have a speech straight - We'll have a speech straight away.


10483

[edit] 10484

a passionate speech - a speech full of fire. An emotional rendition.


10484

[edit] 10485

10485

[edit] 10486

10486

[edit] 10487

10487

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10488

[edit] 10489

10489

[edit] 10490

pleased not the million; - It was for a rarified taste, a work called by the French, an ouvre d'estime, an esteemed or respected work of art.

10490

[edit] 10491

caviare to the general - not appreciated by the general public, who by implication are vulgarians.

caviare - raw, salted sturgeon eggs. An expensive delicacy with a "fishy" taste, and thus not enjoyed by those unable to afford to learn to and practice eating it.

10491

[edit] 10492

10492

[edit] 10493

cried in the top of mine - agreed with mine: followed mine - O.F.


10493

[edit] 10494

well digested in the scenes - well arranged and integrated in the production of the various scenes.


10494

[edit] 10495

modesty - formality; propriety; properness; correctitude

cunning - showing inventiveness and skill


10495

[edit] 10496

sallets - stirring passages, perhaps ribaldries


10496

[edit] 10497

savoury - pleasing to the sense of taste, sweet, tasteful


10497

[edit] 10498

indict the author of affectation -

indict - to proclaim; to accuse; to censure

affectation - An attempt to assume or exhibit what is not natural or real; false display; artificial show


10498

[edit] 10499

as wholesome as sweet wholesome - 1. conducive to or characteristic of physical or moral well-being. 2. sound or exhibiting soundness in body or mind. sweet - pleasing to the mind or feeling.

Hence, his revenge was sweet, not a particularly rare sentiment.


10499

[edit] 10500

10500

[edit] Credits

Definitons courtesy of AOL Dictionary Mirriam-WebsterDictionary.comAllwords.comMorewords.comBrewer'sBartleby's

Retrieved from "http://shakespeare.wikia.com/wiki/Haml_Con_Sel_Four"