Hamlet
Text Circles Dramatis Personae Synopsis All Definitions

Share
All
text
First folio
Modern text
Definitions
Key line
Enter King, Queene, Polonius, Ophelia, Rosincrance, Enter the King and Queen, Polonius, Ophelia, Rosencrantz, Ham III.i.1.1
Guildenstern, and Lords.Guildenstern, and lords Ham III.i.1.2
King. KING 
And can you by no drift of circumstanceAnd can you by no drift of conferencedrift (n.)
direction, progress, course		Ham III.i.1
conference (n.)
conversation, talk, discourse
Get from him why he puts on this Confusion:Get from him why he puts on this confusion,confusion (n.)
disturbance, distraction, agitation [of the mind]		Ham III.i.2
Grating so harshly all his dayes of quietGrating so harshly all his days of quietgrate (v.)
harass, irritate, aggravate		Ham III.i.3
With turbulent and dangerous Lunacy.With turbulent and dangerous lunacy? Ham III.i.4
Rosin. ROSENCRANTZ 
He does confesse he feeles himselfe distracted,He does confess he feels himself distracted,distracted (adj.)
perplexed, confused, agitated		Ham III.i.5
But from what cause he will by no meanes speake.But from what cause 'a will by no means speak. Ham III.i.6
Guil. GUILDENSTERN 
Nor do we finde him forward to be sounded,Nor do we find him forward to be sounded,sound (v.)
sound out, question, examine		Ham III.i.7
forward (adj.)
ready, eager, inclined
But with a crafty Madnesse keepes aloofe:But with a crafty madness keeps aloofcrafty (adj.)
cunning, devious, wily		Ham III.i.8
When we would bring him on to some ConfessionWhen we would bring him on to some confession Ham III.i.9
Of his true state.Of his true state. Ham III.i.10.1
Qu. QUEEN 
Did he receiue you well?Did he receive you well? Ham III.i.10.2
Rosin. ROSENCRANTZ 
Most like a Gentleman.Most like a gentleman. Ham III.i.11
Guild. GUILDENSTERN 
But with much forcing of his disposition.But with much forcing of his disposition.disposition (n.)
inclination, mood, frame of mind		Ham III.i.12
Rosin. ROSENCRANTZ 
Niggard of question, but of our demandsNiggard of question, but of our demandsniggard (adj.)
grudging, reluctant, unwilling		Ham III.i.13
question (n.)
conversation, discourse, piece of talk
Most free in his reply.Most free in his reply. Ham III.i.14.1
Qu. QUEEN 
Did you assay himDid you assay himassay (v.)
challenge, tempt, win over		Ham III.i.14.2
to any pastime?To any pastime? Ham III.i.15
Rosin. ROSENCRANTZ 
Madam, it so fell out, that certaine PlayersMadam, it so fell out that certain players Ham III.i.16
We ore-wrought on the way: of these we told him,We o'erraught on the way. Of these we told him,overreach, over-reach (v.), past form overraught

old form: ore-wrought
overtake, come up with, pass by		Ham III.i.17
And there did seeme in him a kinde of ioyAnd there did seem in him a kind of joy Ham III.i.18
To heare of it: They are about the Court,To hear of it. They are here about the court, Ham III.i.19
And (as I thinke) they haue already orderAnd, as I think, they have already order Ham III.i.20
This night to play before him.This night to play before him. Ham III.i.21.1
Pol. POLONIUS 
'Tis most true:'Tis most true, Ham III.i.21.2
And he beseech'd me to intreate your MaiestiesAnd he beseeched me to entreat your majesties Ham III.i.22
To heare, and see the matter.To hear and see the matter. Ham III.i.23
King. KING 
With all my heart, and it doth much content meWith all my heart, and it doth much content mecontent (v.)
please, gratify, delight, satisfy		Ham III.i.24
To heare him so inclin'd.To hear him so inclined. Ham III.i.25
Good Gentlemen, / Giue him a further edge,Good gentlemen, give him a further edgeedge (n.)
stimulus, push, incentive		Ham III.i.26
and driue his purpose on / To these delights.And drive his purpose into these delights.purpose (n.)
intention, aim, plan		Ham III.i.27
Rosin. ROSENCRANTZ 
We shall my Lord. We shall, my lord. Ham III.i.28.1
Exeunt.Exeunt Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, and lords Ham III.i.28
King. KING 
Sweet Gertrude leaue vs too,Sweet Gertrude, leave us too. Ham III.i.28.2
For we haue closely sent for Hamlet hither,For we have closely sent for Hamlet hither,closely (adv.)
secretly, covertly, privately		Ham III.i.29
That he, as 'twere by accident, may thereThat he, as 'twere by accident, may here Ham III.i.30
Affront Ophelia.Affront Ophelia.affront (v.)
come face to face with, meet, confront		Ham III.i.31
Her Father, and my selfe (lawful espials)Her father and myself, lawful espials,espial (n.)
spy, watcher, observer		Ham III.i.32
lawful (adj.)
excusable, allowable, justifiable
Will so bestow our selues, that seeing vnseeneWe'll so bestow ourselves that, seeing unseen,bestow (v.)
place, locate, position		Ham III.i.33
We may of their encounter frankely iudge,We may of their encounter frankly judge, Ham III.i.34
And gather by him, as he is behaued,And gather by him, as he is behaved, Ham III.i.35
If't be th'affliction of his loue, or no.If't be th' affliction of his love or no Ham III.i.36
That thus he suffers for.That thus he suffers for. Ham III.i.37.1
Qu. QUEEN 
I shall obey you,I shall obey you. –  Ham III.i.37.2
And for your part Ophelia, I do wishAnd for your part, Ophelia, I do wish Ham III.i.38
That your good Beauties be the happy causeThat your good beauties be the happy cause Ham III.i.39
Of Hamlets wildenesse: so shall I hope your VertuesOf Hamlet's wildness. So shall I hope your virtueswildness (n.)

old form: wildenesse
madness, distraction, frenzy		Ham III.i.40
Will bring him to his wonted way againe,Will bring him to his wonted way again,wonted (adj.)
accustomed, usual, customary		Ham III.i.41
To both your Honors.To both your honours.honour (n.)
credit, good name, reputation		Ham III.i.42.1
Ophe. OPHELIA 
Madam, I wish it may.Madam, I wish it may. Ham III.i.42.2
Exit the Queen Ham III.i.42
Pol. POLONIUS 
Ophelia, walke you heere. Gracious so please yeOphelia, walk you here. – Gracious, so please you, Ham III.i.43
We will bestow our selues: Reade on this booke,We will bestow ourselves. (to Ophelia) Read on this book,bestow (v.)
place, locate, position		Ham III.i.44
That shew of such an exercise may colourThat show of such an exercise may colourexercise (n.)
religious practice, spiritual observance		Ham III.i.45
colour (v.)
explain, make plausible, excuse
Your lonelinesse. We are oft too blame in this,Your loneliness. We are oft to blame in this,oft (adv.)
often		Ham III.i.46
loneliness (n.)

old form: lonelinesse
being alone, solitariness
'Tis too much prou'd, that with Deuotions visage,'Tis too much proved, that with devotion's visageprove (v.)

old form: prou'd
find, establish, experience		Ham III.i.47
visage (n.)
outward appearance, aspect, air
And pious Action, we do surge o'reAnd pious action we do sugar o'eraction (n.)
performance, exercises, acts		Ham III.i.48
The diuell himselfe.The devil himself. Ham III.i.49.1
King. KING 
Oh 'tis true:O, 'tis too true. Ham III.i.49.2
How smart a lash that speech doth giue my Conscience?(aside) How smart a lash that speech doth give my conscience!smart (adj.)
biting, stinging, painful		Ham III.i.50
The Harlots Cheeke beautied with plaist'ring ArtThe harlot's cheek, beautied with plastering art,beauty (v.)
beautify, embellish, adorn		Ham III.i.51
Is not more vgly to the thing that helpes it,Is not more ugly to the thing that helps it Ham III.i.52
Then is my deede, to my most painted word.Than is my deed to my most painted word.painted (adj.)
feigned, counterfeit, disguised		Ham III.i.53
Oh heauie burthen!O, heavy burden!heavy (adj.)

old form: heauie
grave, serious, weighty		Ham III.i.54
Pol. POLONIUS 
I heare him comming, let's withdraw my Lord.I hear him coming. Let's withdraw, my lord. Ham III.i.55
Exeunt.Exeunt the King and Polonius Ham III.i.55
Enter Hamlet.Enter Hamlet Ham III.i.56.1
Ham. HAMLET 
To be, or not to be, that is the Question:To be, or not to be – that is the question;be (v.)
be alive, live		Ham III.i.56
Whether 'tis Nobler in the minde to sufferWhether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer Ham III.i.57
The Slings and Arrowes of outragious Fortune,The slings and arrows of outrageous fortuneoutrageous (adj.)

old form: outragious
temperamental, capricious, volatile		Ham III.i.58
Or to take Armes against a Sea of troubles,Or to take arms against a sea of troubles Ham III.i.59
And by opposing end them: to dye, to sleepeAnd by opposing end them. To die, to sleep –  Ham III.i.60
No more; and by a sleepe, to say we endNo more – and by a sleep to say we end Ham III.i.61
The Heart-ake, and the thousand Naturall shockesThe heartache and the thousand natural shocks Ham III.i.62
That Flesh is heyre too? 'Tis a consummationThat flesh is heir to. 'Tis a consummationconsummation (n.)
fitting end, crowning fulfilment [of life]		Ham III.i.63
Deuoutly to be wish'd. To dye to sleepe,Devoutly to be wished. To die, to sleep –  Ham III.i.64
To sleepe, perchance to Dreame; I, there's the rub,To sleep – perchance to dream. Ay, there's the rub.perchance (adv.)
perhaps, maybe		Ham III.i.65
rub (n.)
[bowls] obstacle, impediment, hindrance
For in that sleepe of death, what dreames may come,For in that sleep of death what dreams may come Ham III.i.66
When we haue shufflel'd off this mortall coile,When we have shuffled off this mortal coilmortal (adj.)

old form: mortall
human, subject to death, characterized by mortality		Ham III.i.67
coil (n.)

old form: coile
turmoil, disturbance, fuss
Must giue vs pawse. There's the respectMust give us pause. There's the respectpause (n.)

old form: pawse
hesitation, delay		Ham III.i.68
respect (n.)
consideration, factor, circumstance
That makes Calamity of so long life:That makes calamity of so long life. Ham III.i.69
For who would beare the Whips and Scornes of time,For who would bear the whips and scorns of time,time (n.)
(the) world, (the) age, society		Ham III.i.70
scorn (n.)

old form: Scornes
mockery, taunt, insult, act of derision
The Oppressors wrong, the poore mans Contumely,Th' oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely,contumely (n.)
scorn, insult, abuse		Ham III.i.71
The pangs of dispriz'd Loue, the Lawes delay,The pangs of despised love, the law's delay,disprized (adj.)

old form: dispriz'd
unvalued, held in contempt, disparaged		Ham III.i.72
The insolence of Office, and the SpurnesThe insolence of office, and the spurnsoffice (n.)
officialdom, people who hold office		Ham III.i.73
spurn (n.)

old form: Spurnes
contemptuous treatment, scornful rejection
That patient merit of the vnworthy takes,That patient merit of th' unworthy takes,merit (n.)
deserving person, righteous individual		Ham III.i.74
When he himselfe might his Quietus makeWhen he himself might his quietus makequietus (n.)
discharge, clearing of accounts, release		Ham III.i.75
With a bare Bodkin? Who would these Fardles beareWith a bare bodkin? Who would fardels bear,fardel (n.)

old form: Fardles
burden, load, bundle		Ham III.i.76
bare (adj.)
mere, simple
bodkin (n.)
dagger [or other pointed weapon]
To grunt and sweat vnder a weary life,To grunt and sweat under a weary life, Ham III.i.77
But that the dread of something after death,But that the dread of something after death, Ham III.i.78
The vndiscouered Countrey, from whose BorneThe undiscovered country, from whose bournbourn (n.)

old form: Borne
frontier, destination, boundary		Ham III.i.79
No Traueller returnes, Puzels the will,No traveller returns, puzzles the will,puzzle (v.)

old form: Puzels
bewilder, perplex, baffle		Ham III.i.80
And makes vs rather beare those illes we haue,And makes us rather bear those ills we have Ham III.i.81
Then flye to others that we know not of.Than fly to others that we know not of? Ham III.i.82
Thus Conscience does make Cowards of vs all,Thus conscience does make cowards of us all;conscience (n.)
internal reflection, inner voice, inmost thought		Ham III.i.83
And thus the Natiue hew of ResolutionAnd thus the native hue of resolution Ham III.i.84
Is sicklied o're, with the pale cast of Thought,Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought,thought (n.)
melancholic reflection, anxiety, sorrow, worry		Ham III.i.85
sickly over (v.)

old form: o're
cover with a sickly hue, make pallid
cast (n.)
tinge, shade, hue
And enterprizes of great pith and moment,And enterprises of great pitch and momentmoment (n.)
importance, weight, consequence		Ham III.i.86
pitch (n.)
height, elevation, high aspiration
pith (n.)
importance, weight, gravity
With this regard their Currants turne away,With this regard their currents turn awryregard (n.)
consideration, respect, factor		Ham III.i.87
And loose the name of Action. Soft you now,And lose the name of action. Soft you now,soft (int.)
[used as a command] not so fast, wait a moment, be quiet		Ham III.i.88
The faire Ophelia? Nimph, in thy OrizonsThe fair Ophelia! – Nymph, in thy orisonsorison (n.)

old form: Orizons
prayer, plea		Ham III.i.89
Be all my sinnes remembred.Be all my sins remembered. Ham III.i.90.1
Ophe. OPHELIA 
Good my Lord,Good my lord, Ham III.i.90.2
How does your Honor for this many a day?How does your honour for this many a day?many a day, for this
during these past few days		Ham III.i.91
Ham. HAMLET 
I humbly thanke you: well, well, well.I humbly thank you, well, well, well. Ham III.i.92
Ophe. OPHELIA 
My Lord, I haue Remembrances of yours,My lord, I have remembrances of yoursremembrance (n.)
love-token, keepsake, memento		Ham III.i.93
That I haue longed long to re-deliuer.That I have longed long to re-deliver. Ham III.i.94
I pray you now, receiue them.I pray you now receive them. Ham III.i.95.1
Ham. HAMLET 
No, no,No, not I. Ham III.i.95.2
I neuer gaue you ought.I never gave you aught.aught (n.)

old form: ought
anything, [with negative word] nothing		Ham III.i.96
Ophe. OPHELIA 
My honor'd Lord, I know right well you did,My honoured lord, you know right well you did, Ham III.i.97
And with them words of so sweet breath compos'd,And with them words of so sweet breath composed Ham III.i.98
As made the things more rich, then perfume left:As made the things more rich. Their perfume lost, Ham III.i.99
Take these againe, for to the Noble mindeTake these again. For to the noble mind Ham III.i.100
Rich gifts wax poore, when giuers proue vnkinde.Rich gifts wax poor when givers prove unkind. Ham III.i.101
There my Lord.There, my lord. Ham III.i.102
Ham. HAMLET 
Ha, ha: Are you honest?Ha, ha! Are you honest?honest (adj.)
chaste, pure, virtuous		Ham III.i.103
Ophe. OPHELIA 
My Lord.My lord? Ham III.i.104
Ham. HAMLET 
Are you faire?Are you fair? Ham III.i.105
Ophe. OPHELIA 
What meanes your Lordship?What means your lordship? Ham III.i.106
Ham. HAMLET 
That if you be honest and faire, your HonestyThat if you be honest and fair, your honesty Ham III.i.107
should admit no discourse to your Beautie.should admit no discourse to your beauty.admit (v.)
permit, allow, grant		Ham III.i.108
Ophe. OPHELIA 
Could Beautie my Lord, haue better ComerceCould beauty, my lord, have better commercecommerce (n.)

old form: Comerce
dealings, transactions, intercourse		Ham III.i.109
then your Honestie?than with honesty? Ham III.i.110
Ham. HAMLET 
I trulie: for the power of Beautie, will soonerAy, truly. For the power of beauty will sooner Ham III.i.111
transforme Honestie from what it is, to a Bawd, then thetransform honesty from what it is to a bawd than thebawd (n.)
pimp, procurer, pander, go-between		Ham III.i.112
force of Honestie can translate Beautie into his likenesse.force of honesty can translate beauty into his likeness.translate (v.)
change, transform, alter		Ham III.i.113
This was sometime a Paradox, but now the time giues itThis was sometime a paradox, but now the time gives ittime (n.)
times, present day, present state of affairs		Ham III.i.114
paradox (n.)
statement going against accepted belief, absurdity
sometime (adv.)
formerly, at one time, once
proofe. I did loue you once.proof. I did love you once. Ham III.i.115
Ophe. OPHELIA 
Indeed my Lord, you made me beleeue so.Indeed, my lord, you made me believe so. Ham III.i.116
Ham. HAMLET 
You should not haue beleeued me. For vertueYou should not have believed me. For virtue Ham III.i.117
cannot so innocculate our old stocke, but we shall rellish ofcannot so inoculate our old stock but we shall relish ofinoculate (v.)

old form: innocculate
engraft, graft into		Ham III.i.118
relish (v.)

old form: rellish
have a flavour [of], taste, savour
it. I loued you not.it. I loved you not. Ham III.i.119
Ophe. OPHELIA 
I was the more deceiued.I was the more deceived. Ham III.i.120
Ham. HAMLET 
Get thee to a Nunnerie. Why would'st thou be aGet thee to a nunnery. Why wouldst thou be a Ham III.i.121
breeder of Sinners? I am my selfe indifferent honest, butbreeder of sinners? I am myself indifferent honest, butindifferent (adv.)
moderately, tolerably, reasonably		Ham III.i.122
honest (adj.)
honourable, respectable, upright
yet I could accuse me of such things, that it were betteryet I could accuse me of such things that it were better Ham III.i.123
my Mother had not borne me. I am very prowd, reuengefull,my mother had not borne me. I am very proud, revengeful, Ham III.i.124
Ambitious, with more offences at my becke, then Iambitious, with more offences at my beck than Ibeck (n.)

old form: becke
beckoning, command, call		Ham III.i.125
haue thoughts to put them in imagination, to giue them have thoughts to put them in, imagination to give them Ham III.i.126
shape, or time to acte them in. What should such Fellowesshape, or time to act them in. What should such fellows Ham III.i.127
as I do, crawling betweene Heauen and Earth. We are as I do crawling between earth and heaven? We are Ham III.i.128
arrant Knaues all, beleeue none of vs. Goe thy wayes to aarrant knaves all. Believe none of us. Go thy ways to aways, go thy / your

old form: goe, wayes
get along, be off		Ham III.i.129
arrant (adj.)
downright, absolute, unmitigated
Nunnery. Where's your Father?nunnery. Where's your father? Ham III.i.130
Ophe. OPHELIA 
At home, my Lord.At home, my lord. Ham III.i.131
Ham. HAMLET 
Let the doores be shut vpon him, that he mayLet the doors be shut upon him, that he may Ham III.i.132
play the Foole no way, but in's owne house. Farewell.play the fool nowhere but in's own house. Farewell. Ham III.i.133
Ophe. OPHELIA 
O helpe him, you sweet Heauens.O, help him, you sweet heavens! Ham III.i.134
Ham. HAMLET 
If thou doest Marry, Ile giue thee this Plague forIf thou dost marry, I'll give thee this plague for Ham III.i.135
thy Dowrie. Be thou as chast as Ice, as pure as Snow,thy dowry: be thou as chaste as ice, as pure as snow, Ham III.i.136
thou shalt not escape Calumny. Get thee to a Nunnery.thou shalt not escape calumny. Get thee to a nunnery. Ham III.i.137
Go, Farewell. Or if thou wilt needs Marry, marry a fool:Go, farewell. Or, if thou wilt needs marry, marry a fool. Ham III.i.138
for Wise men know well enough, what monsters youFor wise men know well enough what monsters youmonster (n.)
cuckold, victim of adultery		Ham III.i.139
make of them. To a Nunnery go, and quickly too.make of them. To a nunnery, go, and quickly too. Ham III.i.140
Farwell. Farewell. Ham III.i.141
Ophe. OPHELIA 
O heauenly Powers, restore him.O heavenly powers, restore him!power (n.)
(usually plural) god, deity, divinity		Ham III.i.142
Ham. HAMLET 
I haue heard of your pratlings too wel enough.I have heard of your paintings too, well enough.painting (n.)
cosmetics, paint [for the face], beautifying		Ham III.i.143
God has giuen you one pace, and you make your selfeGod has given you one face, and you make yourselves Ham III.i.144
another: you gidge, you amble, and you lispe, and nicknameanother. You jig and amble, and you lisp. You nickname nickname (v.)
invent names for, misname		Ham III.i.145
jig (v.)

old form: gidge
move jerkily [as in a jig]
lisp (v.)

old form: lispe
talk in an affected way, speak with affectation
amble (v.)
walk in an unnatural way
Gods creatures, and make your Wantonnesse, yourGod's creatures and make your wantonness yourwantonness (n.)

old form: Wantonnesse
foolish behaviour, caprice, whims		Ham III.i.146
Ignorance. Go too, Ile no more on't, it hath made meignorance. Go to, I'll no more on't. It hath made me Ham III.i.147
mad. I say, we will haue no more Marriages. Those thatmad. I say we will have no more marriage. Those that Ham III.i.148
are married already, all but one shall liue, the rest are married already – all but one – shall live. The rest Ham III.i.149
shall keep as they are. To a Nunnery, go. shall keep as they are. To a nunnery, go. Ham III.i.150
Exit Hamlet. Exit Ham III.i.150
Ophe. OPHELIA 
O what a Noble minde is heere o're-throwne?O, what a noble mind is here o'erthrown! Ham III.i.151
The Courtiers, Soldiers, Schollers: Eye, tongue, sword,The courtier's, soldier's, scholar's, eye, tongue, sword, Ham III.i.152
Th'expectansie and Rose of the faire State,Th' expectancy and rose of the fair state,expectancy (n.)

old form: expectansie
expectation, hope for the future, source of hope		Ham III.i.153
The glasse of Fashion, and the mould of Forme,The glass of fashion and the mould of form,mould (n.)
model, pattern, paradigm		Ham III.i.154
form (n.)

old form: Forme
way of behaving, behaviour, code of conduct
glass (n.)

old form: glasse
mirror, looking-glass
Th'obseru'd of all Obseruers, quite, quite downe.Th' observed of all observers, quite, quite down!observed (n.)

old form: obseru'd
one demanding respect, deserving of honour		Ham III.i.155
Haue I of Ladies most deiect and wretched,And I, of ladies most deject and wretched,deject (adj.)

old form: deiect
dejected, downcast, cast down		Ham III.i.156
That suck'd the Honie of his Musicke Vowes:That sucked the honey of his music vows, Ham III.i.157
Now see that Noble, and most Soueraigne Reason,Now see that noble and most sovereign reason Ham III.i.158
Like sweet Bels iangled out of tune, and harsh,Like sweet bells jangled, out of time and harsh, Ham III.i.159
That vnmatch'd Forme and Feature of blowne youth,That unmatched form and feature of blown youthfeature (n.)
physical appearance, bodily shape, looks		Ham III.i.160
blown (adj.)

old form: blowne
in full flower, in its bloom
Blasted with extasie. Oh woe is me,Blasted with ecstasy. O, woe is meecstasy (n.)

old form: extasie
madness, lunacy		Ham III.i.161
woe (adj.)
sorry, sorrowful, sad
blast (v.)
blight, wither, destroy
T'haue seene what I haue seene: see what I see.T' have seen what I have seen, see what I see! Ham III.i.162
Enter King, and Polonius.Enter the King and Polonius Ham III.i.163.1
King. KING 
Loue? His affections do not that way tend,Love? His affections do not that way tend;affection (n.)
fancy, inclination, desire		Ham III.i.163
Nor what he spake, though it lack'd Forme a little,Nor what he spake, though it lacked form a little, Ham III.i.164
Was not like Madnesse. There's something in his soule?Was not like madness. There's something in his soul Ham III.i.165
O're which his Melancholly sits on brood,O'er which his melancholy sits on brood,brood, on
brooding, moping		Ham III.i.166
And I do doubt the hatch, and the discloseAnd I do doubt the hatch and the disclosehatch (n.)
hatching [as from an egg]		Ham III.i.167
disclose (n.)
disclosure, bringing into public view
doubt (v.)
fear, be afraid [for], feel anxious [for]
Will be some danger, which to preuentWill be some danger; which for to prevent, Ham III.i.168
I haue in quicke determinationI have in quick determinationdetermination (n.)
mind, decision, resolution		Ham III.i.169
Thus set it downe. He shall with speed to EnglandThus set it down: he shall with speed to Englandset down (v.)

old form: downe
resolve, decide, determine		Ham III.i.170
For the demand of our neglected Tribute:For the demand of our neglected tribute. Ham III.i.171
Haply the Seas and Countries differentHaply the seas, and countries different,haply (adv.)
perhaps, maybe, by chance, with luck		Ham III.i.172
With variable Obiects, shall expellWith variable objects, shall expelobject (n.)

old form: Obiects
spectacle, sight, object of attention		Ham III.i.173
variable (adj.)
varied, diverse, different
This something setled matter in his heart:This something-settled matter in his heart, Ham III.i.174
Whereon his Braines still beating, puts him thusWhereon his brains still beating puts him thusstill (adv.)
constantly, always, continually		Ham III.i.175
beat (v.)
hammer away, ponder furiously
From fashion of himselfe. What thinke you on't?From fashion of himself. What think you on't?fashion (n.)
conventional behaviour, conformity, customary use		Ham III.i.176
Pol. POLONIUS 
It shall do well. But yet do I beleeueIt shall do well. But yet do I believe Ham III.i.177
The Origin and Commencement of this greefeThe origin and commencement of his griefgrief (n.)

old form: greefe
grievance, complaint, hurt, injury		Ham III.i.178
Sprung from neglected loue. How now Ophelia?Sprung from neglected love. – How now, Ophelia? Ham III.i.179
You neede not tell vs, what Lord Hamlet saide,You need not tell us what Lord Hamlet said. Ham III.i.180
We heard it all. My Lord, do as you please,We heard it all. – My lord, do as you please, Ham III.i.181
But if you hold it fit after the Play,But if you hold it fit, after the play Ham III.i.182
Let his Queene Mother all alone intreat himLet his Queen mother all alone entreat him Ham III.i.183
To shew his Greefes: let her be round with him,To show his grief. Let her be round with him,round (adj.)
blunt, forthright, straight, plain-spoken		Ham III.i.184
And Ile be plac'd so, please you in the eareAnd I'll be placed, so please you, in the earear, in the

old form: eare
within earshot		Ham III.i.185
Of all their Conference. If she finde him not,Of all their conference. If she find him not,find (v.)

old form: finde
find the truth about, discover the reason for		Ham III.i.186
conference (n.)
conversation, talk, discourse
To England send him: Or confine him whereTo England send him, or confine him where Ham III.i.187
Your wisedome best shall thinke.Your wisdom best shall think. Ham III.i.188.1
King. KING 
It shall be so:It shall be so. Ham III.i.188.2
Madnesse in great Ones, must not vnwatch'd go.Madness in great ones must not unwatched go. Ham III.i.189
Exeunt.Exeunt Ham III.i.189
 Previous Act III, Scene I Next  
x

Jump directly to