Haml Con Sel Six
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[edit] Ham Con Sel Six
[edit] The Concordance to the Sixth Selection of the text of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark
Click on this hyperlink to go to the Sixth_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.
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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 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.
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[edit] Links to Text Selections and Concordances
Below is a simple wiki-style table of the links to the text selections and the corresponding concordances.
[edit] Annotations to the Sixth Selection of the Text of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark
[edit] 10001
How now! - An emphatic expression, such as "Hear now." I will the king hear this piece of work? - I wish the king would witness this play. (The significance of the interrogatory mark is not clear.)
[edit] 10002
[edit] 10003
[edit] 10004
[edit] 10005
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[edit] 10015
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[edit] 10017
Horatio, thou art e'en as just a man as e'er my conversation coped withal. - </I>Horatio, you are as fair and just a man ever I spoke to.
[edit] 10018
[edit] 10019
[edit] 10020
[edit] 10021
[edit] 10022
[edit] 10023
For what advancement may I hope from thee that no revenue hast but thy good spirits, to feed and clothe thee? - For what advantage can I gain through you, for you have no income, nothing but your optimism to afford you your food and clothing.
[edit] 10024
[edit] 10025
Why should the poor be flatter'd? - Why would I flatter you?
[edit] 10026
No, let the candied tongue lick absurd pomp, And crook the pregnant hinges of the knee Where thrift may follow fawning. - Paraphrase: Let ass-kissers kiss the fool king's ass, and bend their knees where prosperity may follow fawning.
crook the pregnant hinges - bend in readiness, flex, stand at ready
thrift - prosperity
pomp - display, ceremoniousness, pageantry. (The allusion, of course, is to ass-licking).
[edit] 10027
And crook the pregnant hinges of the knee - And bend the thick and weighty hinges of the knee.
[edit] 10028
[edit] 10029
Since my dear soul was mistress of her choice And could of men distinguish, her election Hath seal'd thee for herself; - Since my spirit is in charge of my faculty for choosing, my will, and could perceive the faults, failures, virtues and vices of men, her determination is final, closed and sealed. election - determination
[edit] 10030
[edit] 10031
for thou hast been as one, in suffering all, that suffers nothing, a man that fortune's buffets and rewards Hast ta'en with equal thanks - For you have been as one, in suffering all that life has to offer, suffers not at all. You are a man that has taken the vissitudes of life, the good and the bad, with equal thanks. ta'en - taken
[edit] 10032
[edit] 10033
[edit] 10034
[edit] 10035
[edit] 10036
That they are not a pipe for fortune's finger to sound what stop she please. - They are not easily manipulated.
[edit] 10037
Give me that man that is not passion's slave, and I will wear him in my heart's core, ay, in my heart of heart, as I do thee. - Give me a friend that is not the slave of his desires, and I will hold my affection for him at the center of my being, in my heart of hearts, as I do you.
[edit] 10038
[edit] 10039
[edit] 10040
Something too much of this. - But enough of this
[edit] 10041
[edit] 10042
[edit] 10043
[edit] 10044
I prithee - Literally, I pray thee, I beg you, please... that act afoot - that act (the one referring to the circumstances of his father's death) being played
[edit] 10045
comment of thy soul - To make observations with one's deepest powers, intuition, sixth sense comment - To make observations
[edit] 10046
occulted guilt - hidden guilt, secret guilt
[edit] 10047
unkennel - literally, run loose: reveal itself
[edit] 10048
[edit] 10049
[edit] 10050
Vulcan's stithy - In Greek mythology Vulcan is the god of the forge. A "stithy" is probably the same as forge as in "the smithy's stithy." Not unlike "toil and coil," and other words coined to rhyme in a convenient way. Give him heedful note; - heed him, pay attention to him
[edit] 10051
[edit] 10052
[edit] 10053
< I>In censure of his seeming</I> - In condemnation of his make-believe, his dissemblance.
[edit] 10054
[edit] 10055
Well, my lord: If he steal aught the whilst this play is playing, and 'scape detecting, I will pay the theft - The meaning of "aught," both "anything" and "out" makes this sentence a double entendre. What Horatio appears to be saying is, if the king steals away from the scene being played, and thereby escapes detection, he will hold himself, and no one else, responsible.
[edit] 10056
[edit] 10057
[edit] 10058
[edit] 10059
[edit] 10060
[edit] 10061
[edit] 10062
[edit] 10063
[edit] 10064
[edit] 10065
How fares our cousin Hamlet? - How does cousin Hamlet? How are you doing, Hamlet?
[edit] 10066
[edit] 10067
Excellent, i' faith; of the chameleon's dish - Again, Hamlet plays on the king's query, which is, in general, how is he doing? However, the word fare also means eat. Thus, the second, unused meaning is: How is our cousin, Hamlet, eating? Hamlet responds by saying he is eating of the chameleon's food, that is, by eating at King Claudius' table, he is eating nothing, as for centuries people thought that chameleons lived on nothing but air.
[edit] 10068
I eat the air, promise-crammed: you cannot feed capons so - Bitterly, he continues, that he has had nothing more substantial than promises upon which to dine. Then, he concludes his bitter speech by stating that you can't even feed castrated chickens (capons) such fare.
[edit] 10069
[edit] 10070
I have nothing with this answer, Hamlet; these words are not mine - King Claudius refuses to accept Hamlet's answer. Paraphrase - I will have nothing to do with your answer. Hamlet, I do not accept your response.
[edit] 10071
[edit] 10072
[edit] 10073
No, nor mine now. - However, Hamlet refuses to take them back.
[edit] 10074
[edit] 10075
[edit] 10076
[edit] 10077
accounted a good actor. - considered a good actor.
[edit] 10078
[edit] 10079
[edit] 10080
[edit] 10081
[edit] 10082
[edit] 10083
[edit] 10084
brute part - cruel involvement, ugly role
[edit] 10085
[edit] 10086
[edit] 10087
[edit] 10088
[edit] 10089
[edit] 10090
[edit] 10091
metal - The play on the word, metal, here referring to Ophelia, is ambiguous. Metal could refer to a cup or chalice, a dirk or bodkin (knife or sword), even the quality of person's character. He is of good mettle. He is brave and true. It may also be slang for a bejeweled women, a reference to metal bangles or even a golden crown.
[edit] 10092
[edit] 10093
[edit] 10094
[edit] 10095
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[edit] 10097
[edit] 10098
[edit] 10099
[edit] 10100
[edit] 10101
[edit] 10102
[edit] 10103
[edit] 10104
country matters - a farm joke, perhaps. With what follows, a thinly-veiled reference to coitus. See [A HREF="shakespeare_indexer_two_hundred_thirtytwo.html#anchor201423" Line 10108]
[edit] 10105
[edit] 10106
[edit] 10107
[edit] 10108
Hamlet appears to mean, "What a great thought - to lie between the legs of a maid." Ophelia hears him to say, "That is a thought which rests between maid's legs."
Another instance of double and triple meanings.
[edit] 10109
[edit] 10110
[edit] 10111
[edit] 10112
[edit] 10113
[edit] 10114
[edit] 10115
[edit] 10116
[edit] 10117
[edit] 10118
[edit] 10119
[edit] 10120
jig-maker - dancemaster, piper
[edit] 10121
[edit] 10122
[edit] 10123
[edit] 10124
[edit] 10125
[edit] 10126
[edit] 10127
suit of sables - mourning cloak
[edit] 10128
[edit] 10129
[edit] 10130
[edit] 10131
or else shall he suffer not thinking on - He won't be worth thinking about.
[edit] 10132
with the hobby-horse, whose epitaph is 'For, O, for, O, the hobby-horse is forgot.' - "O" may be an abbreviated from of "old." Therefore, For, O, means For the benefit of, in memory of, old times. As in for old lang syne. However, I am open to all suggestions.
[edit] 10133
[edit] 10134
hautboy - A musician, called after a popular musical instrument of the day the oboe, perhaps from the length of the instrument. Pronounced oat-bow-ie.
The dumb show is a very important part of the play-within-the-play, the pantomime that begins it. It may confuse the reader as superfluous when the speaking actors arrive at their parts which were presaged by the mute display of the play's essentials. Or as Ophelia states below: "Belike this show imports the argument of the play."
[edit] 10135
[edit] 10136
[edit] 10137
[edit] 10138
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[edit] 10140
[edit] 10141
[edit] 10142
[edit] 10143
[edit] 10144
[edit] 10145
[edit] 10146
[edit] 10147
[edit] 10148
[edit] 10149
miching mallecho - hangman's boy, delinquent
[edit] 10150
[edit] 10151
imports - shows the meaning, essence, in this case, the argument.
[edit] 10152
[edit] 10153
[edit] 10154
[edit] 10155
[edit] 10156
[edit] 10157
[edit] 10158
[edit] 10159
[edit] 10160
[edit] 10161
[edit] 10162
You are naught, you are naught: I'll mark the play.- I despise you, Hamlet. I'll watch the play.
[edit] 10163
[edit] 10164
For us, and for our tragedy, here stooping to your clemency, we beg your hearing patiently. - We beg your indulgence, your mercy, and pray you watch our production patiently.
[edit] 10165
[edit] 10166
[edit] 10167
[edit] 10168
[edit] 10169
Is this a prologue, or the posy of a ring? - posy - flower or poetry. ring - used ambiguously to mean a ring of flowers, as in one flower in a ring of flowers, or to mean a ring of people, the players. Thus, the posy of a ring might mean the poetry of the players' group, or one flower of oration out of many.
[edit] 10170
[edit] 10171
'Tis brief, my lord - What's the difference? It's but a few words.
[edit] 10172
[edit] 10173
[edit] 10174
[edit] 10175
[edit] 10176
Phoebus- Pheobus is the Latin form of Greek Phoibos 'Shining-one', a by-name used in classical mythology for the god Apollo.
[edit] 10177
Tellus - Terra or Tellus was a primeval Roman goddess, mother of Fama.
[edit] 10178
borrow'd sheen - light reflected from the sun.
[edit] 10179
[edit] 10180
Hymen is an alternate name for the Greek god Hymenaios.
[edit] 10181
[edit] 10182
[edit] 10183
[edit] 10184
[edit] 10185
[edit] 10186
[edit] 10187
Yet, though I distrust, discomfort you, my lord, it nothing must - Yet though I distrust you, Hamlet, nothing must discomfort you...
[edit] 10188
[edit] 10189
[edit] 10190
In neither aught, or in extremity. - In either case, or in the direst instance.
[edit] 10191
proof - evidence 10191
[edit] 10192
And as my love is sized, my fear is so - As great as is my love, my fear is equally large.
[edit] 10193
[edit] 10194
[edit] 10195
[edit] 10196
[edit] 10197
My operant powers their functions leave to do - That which animates and gives me strength, now departs - I am dying Operant - Operative; that which produces effects.
[edit] 10198
And thou shalt live in this fair world behind, honour'd, beloved; and haply one as kind for husband shalt thou-- You shall survive me, honored and beloved, and perhaps one as kind as me, you shall take for a husband... haply - perhaps
[edit] 10199
[edit] 10200
[edit] 10201
[edit] 10202
[edit] 10203
Such love must needs be treason in my breast - The Player King's protestations must cause the Player Queen to betray herself (of course, said in approximation of Queen Gertrude and King Hamlet).
[edit] 10204
[edit] 10205
[edit] 10206
[edit] 10207
[Aside] Wormwood, wormwood. - An expression of acute bitterness or chagrin.
wormwood - A bitter herb, used in some times and places to expell worms. Somewhat poisonous.
[edit] 10208
[edit] 10209
[edit] 10210
The instances that second marriage move are base respects of thrift, but none of love: instances - occurrences, circumstances base - ignoble, churlish thrift - prosperity
[edit] 10211
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[edit] 10213
[edit] 10214
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[edit] 10218
[edit] 10219
Most necessary 'tis that we forget to pay ourselves what to ourselves is debt: what to ourselves in passion we propose, the passion ending, doth the purpose lose. Parapharase: It is essential that we discount our own contrivances and plots, for that which we conceive in a passion of anger, love, etc, will soon fail and fall to the wayside, our purpose lost in ordinary forgetfulness. Others must bear the burden of motivating us, and keep us in the way of virtue and productivity.
[edit] 10220
[edit] 10221
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[edit] 10223
[edit] 10224
[edit] 10225
Enactures - To act or perform something on stage or in real life. 10225
[edit] 10226
[edit] 10227
[edit] 10228
This world is not for aye - This world is not for long.
[edit] 10229
[edit] 10230
For 'tis a question left us yet to prove - For it is a question left us to answer in the future.
[edit] 10231
[edit] 10232
The great man down, you mark his favourite flies - When the great man falls, watch while his favorite, his closest friend, flees from him.
[edit] 10233
[edit] 10234
[edit] 10235
For who not needs shall never lack a friend, and who in want a hollow friend doth try, directly seasons him his enemy. Paraphrase: Those lacking nothing, shall always enjoy the company of friends, while those who ask of their hollow friendships anything of substance, must cause that friendship to end, replaced by the flavor of enmity. seasons - changes the flavor to... | makes it taste of,
[edit] 10236
[edit] 10237
[edit] 10238
But, orderly to end where I begun, - But in order to end where I have begun,
[edit] 10239
Our wills and fates do so contrary run that our devices still are overthrown - Paraphrase: Our will, that which we propose or intend to do on purpose, with forethought, runs contrary to our fate. This stands to reason, for the will must nearly always preoccupy itself with averting that which is less desirable in favor of that which is more desirable, and so much of life and death is disagreeable, that fate must work to undo us, whatever our will.
[edit] 10240
[edit] 10241
[edit] 10242
So think thou wilt no second husband wed; but die thy thoughts when thy first lord is dead. Paraphrase: You must believe that you will not wed again, but thoughts of remarriage should die with your first husband.
[edit] 10243
[edit] 10244
[edit] 10245
[edit] 10246
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[edit] 10248
[edit] 10249
Each opposite that blanks the face of joy meet what I would have well and it destroy! - Paraphrase: Everything opposite to the joys of life should encounter my wishes and destroy them! (This said with incredulity, bitter sarcasm).
[edit] 10250
[edit] 10251
Both here and hence pursue me lasting strife, if, once a widow, ever I be wife! - If ever I remarry, pursue me with all God's troubles, now and in eternity.
[edit] 10252
[edit] 10253
[edit] 10254
If she should break it now! - Paraphrase: She's going to crack and confess! (Hamlet speaks with reference to his mother, Queen Gertrude.)
[edit] 10255
[edit] 10256
[edit] 10257
...and fain I would beguile the tedious day with sleep - Paraphrase: ...and gladly I would the tedious day be done with and spend my time pleasantly in sleep and blissful dreams. fain - Gladly; willingly. beguile - To spend time pleasantly
[edit] 10258
[edit] 10259
[edit] 10260
[edit] 10261
[edit] 10262
mischance between us twain - unhappiness and misfortune between us two.
[edit] 10263
[edit] 10264
[edit] 10265
[edit] 10266
[edit] 10267
The lady protests too much, methinks - One of Shakespeare's most famous among thousands of great lines. Paraphrase: I think the lady says too much. She's gone overboard, as far as I'm concerned.
[edit] 10268
[edit] 10269
[edit] 10270
[edit] 10271
Have you heard the argument? Is there no offence in 't? - Paraphrase: Have you understood the plot? Does it not offend you?
[edit] 10272
[edit] 10273
[edit] 10274
[edit] 10275
[edit] 10276
[edit] 10277
[edit] 10278
The Mouse-trap. Marry, how? Tropically. This play is the image of a murder done in Vienna: Gonzago is the duke's name; his wife, Baptista: you shall see anon; 'tis a knavish piece of work: but what o' that? your majesty and we that have free souls, it touches us not: let the galled jade wince, our withers are unwrung. Paraphrase: The Mouse Trap. (With emphasis, Marry) How? It's hot, very hot. This play depicts a murder done in Vienna. Gonzago is the duke's name; his wife Baptista: you shall see some time soon; it is a damnable piece of work; but what of it? (Claudius and Gertrude) and we can choose as we like, it affects us not all. Let the embittered dissipate cringe in pain, we remain at ease, despite the allusiveness of the work.
[edit] 10279
[edit] 10280
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[edit] 10288
You are as good as a chorus, my lord - Said sarcastically with reference to Hamlet, who has introduced the young man.
[edit] 10289
[edit] 10290
I could interpret between you and your love, if I could see the puppets
dallying. Paraphrase: I could tell your love-life, if I could
see you meeting with your boyfriend.
Note: A significant jibe, playing on the two meanings of the word puppet.
puppets - 1] A type of doll that can be moved in a number
of ways, eg one operated by strings or sticks attached to its limbs, or
one designed to fit over the hand and operated by the fingers and thumb.
2] A person, company, country, etc, who is being controlled or manipulated
by someone or something else. Thesaurus: figurehead, mouthpiece, dupe, instrument,
servant.
dallying- flirting, sporting
[edit] 10291
[edit] 10292
You are keen, my lord, you are keen. - You are sharp, Lord Hamlet! Said with bitter sarcasm.
[edit] 10293
[edit] 10294
[edit] 10295
It would cost you a groaning to take off my edge - The allusion is to the noises made during sexual intercourse. However, other meanings of the word are moan, cry, wail, sigh, lament, sob, whimper, bleat.
[edit] 10296
[edit] 10297
[edit] 10298
[edit] 10299
Just as you must take your husbands, for better and worse. Begin, murderer; pox, leave thy damnable faces, and begin. Come: 'the croaking raven doth bellow for revenge. Paraphrase: (to the players) Then, you must marry again. Begin your crime, murderer. Don't look at me with those faces. Begin again the play! Come on, the croaking raven cries for revenge.
[edit] 10300
[edit] 10301
[edit] 10302
[edit] 10303
[edit] 10304
Confederate season - the right time; nighttime, the midnight hour else - Or if not ...
[edit] 10305
[edit] 10306
Hecate, Hekate or Hekat was orginially a goddess of the wilderness and childbirth originating from Thrace. Due to popular cult following as a mother goddess her persona was integrated into Greek and Egyptian culture where she ultimately achieved her more modern connotations as a goddess of sorcery and her role as the Queen of Ghosts.
[edit] 10307
dire property - Dreadful; terrible quality
[edit] 10308
wholesome life usurp - take away his life usurp - take by violence, rob
[edit] 10309
[edit] 10310
[edit] 10311
He poisons him i' the garden for's estate - Paraphrase: He poisons him in the garden to obtain his estate, his land and properties.
[edit] 10312
[edit] 10313
[edit] 10314
[edit] 10315
[edit] 10316
[edit] 10317
[edit] 10318
What, frighted with false fire! - What, are you afraid because of this idle display?
[edit] 10319
[edit] 10320
[edit] 10321
[edit] 10322
Give o'er the play! - Paraphrase: Stop the play!
[edit] 10323
[edit] 10324
[edit] 10325
[edit] 10326
[edit] 10327
[edit] 10328
[edit] 10329
Why, let the stricken deer go weep, the hart ungalled play; for some must watch, while some must sleep: So runs the world away.
Paraphrase: It matters not that a deer is shot through. Some must stand guard, while others take their rest, that is the way of the world.
hart - male of the deer species, usually called a buck or stag
[edit] 10330
[edit] 10331
[edit] 10332
[edit] 10333
[edit] 10334
turn Turk - become wild or unmanageable; usually used with reference to a person; here used with reference to fate and fortune
[edit] 10335
Provincial roses on my razed shoes, get me a fellowship in a cry of players, sir? - Paraphrase: I shall take a couple of country girls on my arm, and join a band of actors. razed - scraped cry of players - band of actors
[edit] 10336
[edit] 10337
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[edit] 10339
[edit] 10340
[edit] 10341
Damon - In Greek mythology, the legend of Damon and Pythias (or Phintias) symbolizes trust and loyalty in a true friendship.
[edit] 10342
This realm dismantled was of Jove himself; and now reigns here a very, very--pajock.
</I>Paraphrase: My late father was like Jove, his reign was ended and
realm dismantled, and now, in his place sits my uncle, truly a toad.
pajock - toad</P
[edit] 10343
Jove - Jupiter, The Roman equivalent of Zeus, and among the Nordics, Thor. The most powerful male god.
[edit] 10344
Pa-jock, n. A peacock. [Obs.] --Shak.
[edit] 10345
[edit] 10346
[edit] 10347
[edit] 10348
O good Horatio, I'll take the ghost's word for a thousand pound. Didst
perceive? - Paraphrase: I'll believe the ghost, and wager (bet) a hundred
thousand dollars that its story was true. Didn't you see and hear it?
[edit] 10349
[edit] 10350
[edit] 10351
[edit] 10352
[edit] 10353
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[edit] 10356
[edit] 10357
recorders - a flute-like instrument
[edit] 10358
[edit] 10359
Why then, belike, he likes it not, perdy - Paraphrase: It appears that he dislikes the play, isn't that a pretty state of affairs.
[edit] 10360
[edit] 10361
[edit] 10362
[edit] 10363
vouchsafe - condescend to grant (me a word)
[edit] 10364
[edit] 10365
Sir, a whole history - make it a whole history, for that matter.
[edit] 10366
[edit] 10367
[edit] 10368
[edit] 10369
[edit] 10370
[edit] 10371
Is in his retirement marvellous distempered. - King Claudius has become remarkably ill-tempered, though he should be resting. marvellous - remarkably, greatly distempered - bad tempered, out of sorts
[edit] 10372
[edit] 10373
[edit] 10374
[edit] 10375
choler - Anger or irritability.
[edit] 10376
[edit] 10377
Your wisdom should show itself more richer to signify this to his doctor;
for, for me to put him to his purgation would perhaps plunge him into far
more choler - Paraphrase: You might demonstrate better you intelligence
by telling this to his doctor. Should I be the one to encourage him to the
use of medicine (purgatives) would quite probably cause him more discomfort.
[edit] 10378
[edit] 10379
[edit] 10380
[edit] 10381
[edit] 10382
Good my lord, put your discourse into some frame and start not so wildly from my affair - My good lord, please frame your words carefully, and refrain from an ill-considered and excited outburst where this present matter I am about to present is concerned.
wildly - Frantically excited, distraught, disordered.
[edit] 10383
[edit] 10384
[edit] 10385
I am tame, sir: pronounce - I am calm, sir: Give me your news.
Tame - calm, predictable, under control Antonym: wild
[edit] 10386
[edit] 10387
[edit] 10388
[edit] 10389
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[edit] 10391
[edit] 10392
Nay, good my lord, this courtesy is not of the right breed. If it shall
please you to make me a wholesome answer, I will do your mother's
commandment: if not, your pardon and my return shall be the end of my business.
Paraphrase: No, my lord, your response, though it seem courteous enough,
is not that which I am seeking. If you wish to give me an honourable answer,
I will do as your mother instructed. If not, please excuse me, and I shall
return to your mother and that shall be the end of it.
wholesome - respectable, decent, honourable, prudent,
considered
[edit] 10393
[edit] 10394
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[edit] 10399
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[edit] 10401
[edit] 10402
Make you a wholesome answer; my wit's diseased: but, sir, such answer as I can make, you shall command; or, rather, as you say, my mother: therefore no more, but to the matter: my mother, you say,-- Paraphrase: No, You give me an honorable answer; my intellect is disordered; but insofar as I may comprehend and make an answer, I shall do as you ask; or, rather, as you say my mother asks. Enough, tell me of my mother, what does she want?
wit - Common sense, intelligence, intellect, reason, discernment,
[edit] 10403
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Then thus she says; your behavior hath struck her into amazement and admiration
amazement - bewilderment, incomprehension, perplexity, stupefaction, shock, dismay
admiration - wonder
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Impart - Tell me, divulge
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closet - private quarters
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We shall obey, were she ten times our mother. Have you any further trade with us? - I will obey her, even if she were my mother, not once, but ten times. (Clearly, Hamlet does not like his mother insofar as she is that to him. He might like like her for other personal traits, but not those maternal ones associated with parenting her son.) Do you have anything more to say?
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So I do still, by these pickers and stealers - Paraphrase: I do still, right along with these other thieves.
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Good my lord, what is your cause of distemper? you do, surely, bar the door upon your own liberty, if you deny your griefs to your friend. - Paraphrase: My good lord, what is the cause of your illness, your troubled state of mind? You must know that you put yourself at risk by keeping your problems secret. You would be much better off admitting of your problems to your friends.
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Sir, I lack advancement. - My material condition shows no signs of improving, or, it may be taken to mean that he fears he has lost the right to succeed to the crown. This sentiment is posed elsewhere, as well.
However, the ambiguity is certainly intended, as Shakespeare repeatedly uses Hamlets "illness," to pose ambiguous statements, double entendres, statements with more than one, sometimes three meanings.
advancement - 1] growth, improvement, progress, betterment, headway, development, gain 2] promotion in rank or improvement in status.
[edit] 10429
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How can that be, when you have the voice of the king himself for your succession in Denmark? - How can that be since you have been assured that you will follow in your uncle's footsteps as King of Denmark.
[edit] 10431
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While the grass grows - The proverb referred to is While the grass grows, the steed starves. This citation throws another light on Hamlet, one of personal ambition.
[edit] 10434
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[edit] 10436
O, the recorders! let me see one. To withdraw with you:--why do you go about to recover the wind of me, as if you would drive me into a toil? - O, the flutes! Let me see one. If only I could flee with you musicians. (To Guildenstern) Why to you go around investigating my doings, as if you wished to drive me into a turmoil?
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Tis as easy as lying: govern these ventages with your lingers and thumb, give it breath with your mouth, and it will discourse most eloquent music. Look you, these are the stops. - It is as easy as repose; cover these openings with your fingers and thumb, and blow into it. It will respond with expressive and revealing music. Here, look. These are the stops.
eloquent - expressive, revealing, stirring, silver-tongued; moving
[edit] 10457
[edit] 10458
[edit] 10459
[edit] 10460
[edit] 10461
But these cannot I command to any utterance of harmony; I have not the skill. - But these sounds I cannot contrive into a harmonic composition. I am not so skilled as to be able to do so.
[edit] 10462
[edit] 10463
[edit] 10464
Why, look you now, how unworthy a thing you make of
me! You would play upon me; you would seem to know
my stops; you would pluck out the heart of my
mystery; you would sound me from my lowest note to
the top of my compass: and there is much music,
excellent voice, in this little organ; yet cannot
you make it speak. 'Sblood, do you think I am
easier to be played on than a pipe? Call me what
instrument you will, though you can fret me, yet you
cannot play upon me.
Paraphrase: Look here. How ignoble you make me feel and appear. You want
to manipulate me; you act like you know the keys and strings of my psyche;
you act like you're trying to pluck out the mystery of my heart; you would
take from me my lowest thoughts or the dream of my life: and there is much
that I dream about, and an excellent faculty to this little organ which
is my soul and body; but you cannot play on it. For the love of God, man!
Do you think I am easier to be played upon than a pipe? Call me what instrument
you will; even if you could carve me with frets, you cannot play me.
unworthy - ignoble, dishonourable, unsuitable
'Sblood - Used as an oath. [Shortening of God's blood.]
fret - The fretted instruments are the guitar, mandolin, violin,
etc, the stringed instruments. The frets are the stops which, through contact
with the strings, shorten or lengthen them to produce various musical tones.
The second meaning of the word, to worry, is very much intended.
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Then I will come to my mother by and by. They fool me of my bent. I will come by and by. - Paraphrase: I will come to my mother is a little while. They are trying to trick me out of my plan for revenge.
fool - To persuade them by deception to do something or not to do it.
bent - inclination, leaning, tendency, proclivity. In this case, plan.
[edit] 10493
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[edit] Credits
Definitons courtesy of AOL Dictionary Mirriam-Webster, Dictionary.com Allwords.comMorewords.com William Shakespeare Elizabethan Dictionary Bartleby's
