Hamlet
Text Circles Dramatis Personae Synopsis All Definitions

Share
All
text
First folio
Modern text
Definitions
Key line
Enter Queene and Horatio.Enter the Queen, Horatio, and a Gentleman Ham IV.v.1
Qu. QUEEN 
I will not speake with her.I will not speak with her. Ham IV.v.1
Hor. GENTLEMAN 
She is importunate, indeed distract,She is importunate, indeed distract.importunate (adj.)
persistent, pressing, insistent		Ham IV.v.2
distract (adj.)
deranged, mad, mentally disturbed
her moode will needs be pittied.Her mood will needs be pitied.mood (n.)

old form: moode
frame of mind, mental state		Ham IV.v.3.1
Qu. QUEEN 
What would she haue?What would she have? Ham IV.v.3.2
Hor. GENTLEMAN 
She speakes much of her Father; saies she hearesShe speaks much of her father; says she hears Ham IV.v.4
There's trickes i'th'world, and hems, and beats her heart,There's tricks i'th' world, and hems, and beats her heart,hem (v.)
make a noise like ‘hmm’ or ‘ahem’		Ham IV.v.5
Spurnes enuiously at Strawes, speakes things in doubt,Spurns enviously at straws, speaks things in doubtenviously (adv.)

old form: enuiously
spitefully, maliciously, vindictively		Ham IV.v.6
spurn against / at (v.)

old form: Spurnes
kick out at, treat with contempt
straw (n.)

old form: Strawes
trivial matter, trifle
doubt, in
without clear meaning, ambiguous
That carry but halfe sense: Her speech is nothing,That carry but half sense. Her speech is nothing.nothing (n.)
nonsense, emptiness, rubbish		Ham IV.v.7
Yet the vnshaped vse of it doth moueYet the unshaped use of it doth moveunshaped (adj.)

old form: vnshaped
uncontrolled, poorly formed		Ham IV.v.8
The hearers to Collection; they ayme at it,The hearers to collection. They aim at it,yawn (v.)
[Q2 variant of 'aim'] open wide, gape		Ham IV.v.9
collection (n.)
deduction, inference, gathering of meaning
aim (v.)

old form: ayme
guess, conjecture, surmise
And botch the words vp fit to their owne thoughts,And botch the words up fit to their own thoughts,fit (adj.)
suited, fitting, appropriate		Ham IV.v.10
botch (v.)
clumsily patch together, fumble with
Which as her winkes, and nods, and gestures yeeld them,Which, as her winks and nods and gestures yield them,yield (v.)

old form: yeeld
communicate, deliver, represent		Ham IV.v.11
Indeed would make one thinke there would be thought,Indeed would make one think there might be thought, Ham IV.v.12
Though nothing sure, yet much vnhappily.Though nothing sure, yet much unhappily.much (adv.)
very		Ham IV.v.13
nothing (n.)
no point, no particular
sure (adj.)
certain, definite, reliable
unhappily (adv.)

old form: vnhappily
uncomfortably near the truth
Qu. HORATIO 
'Twere good she were spoken with, / For she may strew'Twere good she were spoken with, for she may strew Ham IV.v.14
dangerous coniectures / In ill breeding minds.Dangerous conjectures in ill-breeding minds.ill-breeding (adj.)

old form: ill breeding
mischief-making, discontented		Ham IV.v.15
conjecture (n.)

old form: coniectures
suspicion, misgiving, evil doubt
QUEEN 
Let her come in.Let her come in. Ham IV.v.16
Exit the Gentleman Ham IV.v.16
To my sicke soule (as sinnes true Nature is)(aside) To my sick soul, as sin's true nature is, Ham IV.v.17
Each toy seemes Prologue, to some great amisse,Each toy seems prologue to some great amiss.toy (n.)
whim, caprice, trifling matter		Ham IV.v.18
amiss (n.)

old form: amisse
misfortune, calamity, adversity
So full of Artlesse iealousie is guilt,So full of artless jealousy is guiltjealousy (n.)

old form: iealousie
suspicion, mistrust, apprehension		Ham IV.v.19
artless (adj.)

old form: Artlesse
uncontrolled, unskilful
It spill's it selfe, in fearing to be spilt.It spills itself in fearing to be spilt.spill (v.)
destroy, overthrow		Ham IV.v.20
Enter Ophelia distracted.Enter Ophelia Ham IV.v.21.IV.v.
Ophe, OPHELIA 
Where is the beauteous Maiesty of Denmark.Where is the beauteous majesty of Denmark? Ham IV.v.21
Qu. QUEEN 
How now Ophelia?How now, Ophelia? Ham IV.v.22
Ophe. OPHELIA 
(sings) Ham IV.v.23
How should I your true loue know How should I your true-love know Ham IV.v.23
from another one?From another one? Ham IV.v.24
By his Cockle hat and staffe, By his cockle hat and staff,cockle hat
hat adorned with a cockle shell [symbol of pilgrimage to the shrine of St James of Compostela]		Ham IV.v.25
and his Sandal shoone.And his sandal shoon.shoon (n.)

old form: shoone
[archaism] shoes		Ham IV.v.26
Qu. QUEEN 
Alas sweet Lady: what imports this Song?Alas, sweet lady, what imports this song? Ham IV.v.27
Ophe. OPHELIA 
Say you? Nay pray you marke.Say you? Nay, pray you, mark.mark (v.)

old form: marke
note, pay attention [to], take notice [of]		Ham IV.v.28
He is dead and gone Lady, (sings) He is dead and gone, lady, Ham IV.v.29
he is dead and gone,He is dead and gone. Ham IV.v.30
At his head a grasse-greene Turfe, At his head a grass-green turf, Ham IV.v.31
at his heeles a stone.At his heels a stone. Ham IV.v.32
O, ho! Ham IV.v.33
Qu. QUEEN 
Nay but Ophelia.Nay, but, Ophelia –  Ham IV.v.34
Ophe. OPHELIA 
Pray you marke.Pray you, mark. Ham IV.v.35
White his Shrow'd as the Mountaine Snow.(sings) White his shroud as the mountain snow, –  Ham IV.v.36
Enter King.Enter the King Ham IV.v.37
Qu. QUEEN 
Alas, looke heere my Lord.Alas, look here, my lord. Ham IV.v.37
Ophe. OPHELIA 
(sings) Ham IV.v.38.1
Larded with sweet flowers:Larded all with sweet flowers,lard (v.)
strew, deck, cover		Ham IV.v.38
Which bewept to the graue did not go,Which bewept to the ground did not gobeweep (v.)
drowned in tears, wet with tears		Ham IV.v.39
With true-loue showres.With true-love showers. Ham IV.v.40
King. KING 
How do ye, pretty Lady?How do you, pretty lady? Ham IV.v.41
Ophe. OPHELIA 
Well, God dil'd you. They say the Owle was aWell, God dild you! They say the owl was a'ild, 'ield, dild (v.)

old form: dil'd
[form of ‘yield’] reward, repay, requite		Ham IV.v.42
Bakers daughter. Lord, wee know what we are, but knowbaker's daughter. Lord, we know what we are, but know Ham IV.v.43
not what we may be. God be at your Table.not what we may be. God be at your table! Ham IV.v.44
King. KING 
Conceit vpon her Father.Conceit upon her father – conceit (n.)
imagining, brooding, fanciful thought		Ham IV.v.45
Ophe. OPHELIA 
Pray you let's haue no words of this: but when theyPray let's have no words of this, but when they Ham IV.v.46
aske you what it meanes, say you this:ask you what it means, say you this: Ham IV.v.47
To morrow is S. Valentines day, (sings) Tomorrow is Saint Valentine's day, Ham IV.v.48
all in the morning betime,All in the morning betime,betime (adv.)
early, at an early hour		Ham IV.v.49
And I a Maid at your Window,And I a maid at your window Ham IV.v.50
to be your Valentine.To be your Valentine. Ham IV.v.51
Then vp he rose, & don'd his clothes, Then up he rose and donned his clothes, Ham IV.v.52
& dupt the chamber dore,And dupped the chamber door;dup (v.)

old form: dupt
[contraction of ‘do up’] open		Ham IV.v.53
Let in the Maid, that out a Maid, Let in the maid, that out a maid Ham IV.v.54
neuer departed more.Never departed more. Ham IV.v.55
King. KING 
Pretty Ophelia.Pretty Ophelia! Ham IV.v.56
Ophe. OPHELIA 
Indeed la? without an oath Ile make an endIndeed, la, without an oath, I'll make an endla (int.)
indeed		Ham IV.v.57
ont.on't. Ham IV.v.58
By gis, and by S. Charity,(sings) By Gis and by Saint Charity,Gis (n.)
[pron: jis] Jesus		Ham IV.v.59
Alacke, and fie for shame:Alack, and fie for shame! Ham IV.v.60
Yong men wil doo't, if they come too't,Young men will do't if they come to't. Ham IV.v.61
By Cocke they are too blame.By Cock, they are to blame.cock (n.)
softened variant of 'God'		Ham IV.v.62
Quoth she before you tumbled me,Quoth she, ‘ Before you tumbled me,tumble (v.)
have sexual intercourse with		Ham IV.v.63
quoth (v.)
said
You promis'd me to Wed:You promised me to wed.’ Ham IV.v.64
He answers: Ham IV.v.65
So would I ha done by yonder Sunne,‘So would I ha' done, by yonder sun, Ham IV.v.66
And thou hadst not come to my bed.An thou hadst not come to my bed.' Ham IV.v.67
King. KING 
How long hath she bin this?How long hath she been thus? Ham IV.v.68
Ophe. OPHELIA 
I hope all will be well. We must bee patient, butI hope all will be well. We must be patient. But Ham IV.v.69
I cannot choose but weepe, to thinke they should lay himI cannot choose but weep to think they would lay him Ham IV.v.70
i'th'cold ground: My brother shall knowe of it, and so Ii'th' cold ground. My brother shall know of it. And so I Ham IV.v.71
thanke you for your good counsell. Come, my Coach:thank you for your good counsel. Come, my coach! Ham IV.v.72
Goodnight Ladies: Goodnight sweet Ladies: Goodnight,Good night, ladies, good night. Sweet ladies, good Ham IV.v.73
goodnight. night, good night. Ham IV.v.74
Exit.Exit Ham IV.v.74
King. KING 
Follow her close, / Giue her good watch I pray you:Follow her close. Give her good watch, I pray you.close (adv.)
closely, staying near		Ham IV.v.75
Exit Horatio Ham IV.v.75
Oh this is the poyson of deepe greefe, it springsO, this is the poison of deep grief. It springs Ham IV.v.76
All from her Fathers death.All from her father's death – and now behold! Ham IV.v.77
Oh Gertrude, Gertrude,O Gertrude, Gertrude, Ham IV.v.78
When sorrowes comes, they come not single spies,When sorrows come, they come not single spies, Ham IV.v.79
But in Battaliaes. First, her Father slaine,But in battalions: first, her father slain;battalia (n.)

old form: Battaliaes
large body of troops arrayed for battle, marshalled force		Ham IV.v.80
Next your Sonne gone, and he most violent AuthorNext, your son gone, and he most violent authorauthor (n.)
creator, originator, instigator		Ham IV.v.81
Of his owne iust remoue: the people muddied,Of his own just remove; the people muddied,muddied (adj.)
stirred up, disturbed, agitated		Ham IV.v.82
remove (n.)

old form: remoue
removal, departure, elimination
Thicke and vnwholsome in their thoughts, and whispersThick and unwholesome in their thoughts and whispersthick (adj.)

old form: Thicke
confused, clouded [with suspicion]		Ham IV.v.83
unwholesome (adj.)

old form: vnwholsome
corrupted, infected, diseased
For good Polonius death; and we haue done but greenlyFor good Polonius' death, and we have done but greenlygreenly (adv.)
unskilfully, like an amateur		Ham IV.v.84
In hugger mugger to interre him. Poore OpheliaIn hugger-mugger to inter him; poor Opheliahugger-mugger, in

old form: hugger mugger
secretly, stealthily, furtively		Ham IV.v.85
Diuided from her selfe, and her faire Iudgement,Divided from herself and her fair judgement,judgement (n.)

old form: Iudgement
reason, discernment, good sense		Ham IV.v.86
Without the which we are Pictures, or meere Beasts.Without the which we are pictures or mere beasts;mere (adj.)

old form: meere
complete, total, absolute, utter		Ham IV.v.87
Last, and as much containing as all these,Last, and as much containing as all these, Ham IV.v.88
Her Brother is in secret come from France,Her brother is in secret come from France, Ham IV.v.89
Keepes on his wonder, keepes himselfe in clouds,Feeds on his wonder, keeps himself in clouds,wonder (n.)
grief, distress; or: bewilderment		Ham IV.v.90
clouds, in
suspicious, filled with uncertainties
And wants not Buzzers to infect his eareAnd wants not buzzers to infect his earwant (v.)
lack, need, be without		Ham IV.v.91
buzzer (n.)
rumour-monger, gossiper
With pestilent Speeches of his Fathers death,With pestilent speeches of his father's death, Ham IV.v.92
Where in necessitie of matter Beggard,Wherein necessity, of matter beggared,matter (n.)
subject-matter, content, substance		Ham IV.v.93
beggar (v.)

old form: Beggard
impoverish, exhaust, drain
Will nothing sticke our persons to ArraigneWill nothing stick our person to arraignstick (v.)

old form: sticke
hesitate, linger, think twice		Ham IV.v.94
arraign (v.)

old form: Arraigne
accuse, charge, indict
In eare and eare. O my deere Gertrude, this,In ear and ear. O my dear Gertrude, this, Ham IV.v.95
Like to a murdering Peece in many places,Like to a murdering-piece, in many placesmurdering-piece (n.)type of weapon which scatters lethal projectilesHam IV.v.96
Giues me superfluous death. Gives me superfluous death.superfluous (adj.)
extravagant, wasteful, immoderate		Ham IV.v.97
A Noise within. A noise within Ham IV.v.98
Qu. QUEEN 
Alacke, what noyse is this?Alack, what noise is this? Ham IV.v.98
King. KING 
Where are my Switzers? / Let them guard the doore.Attend. Where is my Switzers? Let them guard the door.Switzer (n.)
Swiss guard		Ham IV.v.99
attend (v.)
listen [to], pay attention [to]
Enter a Messenger.Enter a Messenger Ham IV.v.100
What is the matter?What is the matter? Ham IV.v.100.1
Mes. MESSENGER 
Saue your selfe, my Lord.Save yourself, my lord. Ham IV.v.100.2
The Ocean (ouer-peering of his List)The ocean, overpeering of his list,overpeer, over-peer (v.)

old form: ouer-peering
rise above, tower over		Ham IV.v.101
list (n.)
boundary, limit, confines
Eates not the Flats with more impittious hasteEats not the flats with more impiteous hasteimpiteous (adj.)

old form: impittious
impetuous, violent, pitiless		Ham IV.v.102
flat (n.)
low-lying land, plain, swampy ground
Then young Laertes, in a Riotous head,Than young Laertes, in a riotous head,head (n.)
advancing crowd of insurgents, uprising		Ham IV.v.103
Ore-beares your Officers, the rabble call him Lord,O'erbears your officers. The rabble call him lord,officer (n.)
(plural) household, servants		Ham IV.v.104
overbear (v.)

old form: Ore-beares
overwhelm, overcome, overpower
And as the world were now but to begin,And, as the world were now but to begin,as (conj.)
as if		Ham IV.v.105
Antiquity forgot, Custome not knowne,Antiquity forgot, custom not known,custom (n.)

old form: Custome
habit, usual practice, customary use		Ham IV.v.106
The Ratifiers and props of euery word,The ratifiers and props of every word,word (n.)
maxim, saying, adage, motto		Ham IV.v.107
They cry choose we? Laertes shall be King,They cry ‘ Choose we! Laertes shall be king!’ Ham IV.v.108
Caps, hands, and tongues, applaud it to the clouds,Caps, hands, and tongues applaud it to the clouds: Ham IV.v.109
Laertes shall be King, Laertes King.‘ Laertes shall be king! Laertes king!’ Ham IV.v.110
Noise within. A noise within Ham IV.v.111.1
Qu. QUEEN 
How cheerefully on the false Traile they cry,How cheerfully on the false trail they cry!cry (v.)
give tongue, cry out		Ham IV.v.111
false (adj.)
wrong, mistaken
Oh this is Counter you false Danish Dogges.O, this is counter, you false Danish dogs!counter, compter (n.)
[a term from hunting] taking an opposite path to the prey		Ham IV.v.112
King. KING 
The doores are broke.The doors are broke.break (v.)
burst open, break through		Ham IV.v.113
Enter Laertes.Enter Laertes with his followers Ham IV.v.114
Laer. LAERTES 
Where is the King, sirs? Stand you all without.Where is this King? – Sirs, stand you all without. Ham IV.v.114
All. HIS FOLLOWERS 
No, let's come in.No, let's come in. Ham IV.v.115.1
Laer. LAERTES 
I pray you giue me leaue.I pray you give me leave. Ham IV.v.115.2
Al. HIS FOLLOWERS 
We will, we will.We will, we will. Ham IV.v.116
Laer. LAERTES 
I thanke you: Keepe the doore.I thank you. Keep the door.keep (v.)
guard, watch, tend		Ham IV.v.117.1
Exeunt his followers Ham IV.v.117
Oh thou vilde King,O thou vile King, Ham IV.v.117.2
giue me my Father.Give me my father. Ham IV.v.118.1
Qu. QUEEN 
Calmely good Laertes.Calmly, good Laertes. Ham IV.v.118.2
Laer. LAERTES 
That drop of blood, that calmes / Proclaimes me Bastard:That drop of blood that's calm proclaims me bastard, Ham IV.v.119
Cries Cuckold to my Father, brands the HarlotCries cuckold to my father, brands the harlotharlot (n.)
prostitute, whore		Ham IV.v.120
cuckold (n.)
[mocking name] man with an unfaithful wife
Euen heere betweene the chaste vnsmirched browEven here between the chaste unsmirched browsunsmirched (adj.)

old form: vnsmirched
unstained, untainted, spotless		Ham IV.v.121
brow (n.)
eyebrow
Of my true Mother.Of my true mother.true (adj.)
constant, faithful in love		Ham IV.v.122.1
King. KING 
What is the cause Laertes,What is the cause, Laertes, Ham IV.v.122.2
That thy Rebellion lookes so Gyant-like?That thy rebellion looks so giantlike? Ham IV.v.123
Let him go Gertrude: Do not feare our person:Let him go, Gertrude. Do not fear our person.fear (v.)

old form: feare
fear for, worry about, be anxious about		Ham IV.v.124
There's such Diuinity doth hedge a King,There's such divinity doth hedge a king,hedge (v.)
protect, surround		Ham IV.v.125
That Treason can but peepe to what it would,That treason can but peep to what it would, Ham IV.v.126
Acts little of his will. Tell me Laertes,Acts little of his will. Tell me, Laertes,will (n.)
intent, purpose, design		Ham IV.v.127
Why thou art thus Incenst? Let him go Gertrude.Why thou art thus incensed. Let him go, Gertrude. Ham IV.v.128
Speake man.Speak, man. Ham IV.v.129
Laer. LAERTES 
Where's my Father?Where is my father? Ham IV.v.130.1
King. KING 
Dead.Dead. Ham IV.v.130.2
Qu. QUEEN 
But not by him.But not by him. Ham IV.v.130.3
King. KING 
Let him demand his fill.Let him demand his fill. Ham IV.v.131
Laer. LAERTES 
How came he dead? Ile not be Iuggel'd with.How came he dead? I'll not be juggled with.juggle with (v.)

old form: Iuggel'd
deceive, cheat, trick		Ham IV.v.132
To hell Allegeance: Vowes, to the blackest diuell.To hell allegiance! Vows to the blackest devil! Ham IV.v.133
Conscience and Grace, to the profoundest Pit.Conscience and grace to the profoundest pit! Ham IV.v.134
I dare Damnation: to this point I stand,I dare damnation. To this point I stand, Ham IV.v.135
That both the worlds I giue to negligence,That both the worlds I give to negligence,negligence (n.)
disregard, neglect, indifference		Ham IV.v.136
Let come what comes: onely Ile be reueng'dLet come what comes, only I'll be revenged Ham IV.v.137
Most throughly for my Father.Most throughly for my father.throughly (adv.)
thoroughly, fully, completely		Ham IV.v.138.1
King. KING 
Who shall stay you?Who shall stay you? Ham IV.v.138.2
Laer. LAERTES 
My Will, not all the world,My will, not all the world's. Ham IV.v.139
And for my meanes, Ile husband them so well,And for my means, I'll husband them so well Ham IV.v.140
They shall go farre with little.They shall go far with little. Ham IV.v.141.1
King. KING 
Good Laertes:Good Laertes, Ham IV.v.141.2
If you desire to know the certaintieIf you desire to know the certaintycertainty (n.)

old form: certaintie
truth, facts [about]		Ham IV.v.142
Of your deere Fathers death, if writ in your reuenge,Of your dear father, is't writ in your revenge Ham IV.v.143
That Soop-stake you will draw both Friend and Foe,That, swoopstake, you will draw both friend and foe,swoopstake (adv.)

old form: Soop-stake
indiscriminately [taking all stakes at once]		Ham IV.v.144
draw (v.)
bring together, draw in, gather
Winner and Looser.Winner and loser? Ham IV.v.145
Laer. LAERTES 
None but his Enemies.None but his enemies. Ham IV.v.146.1
King. KING 
Will you know them then.Will you know them then? Ham IV.v.146.2
La. LAERTES 
To his good Friends, thus wide Ile ope my Armes:To his good friends thus wide I'll ope my armsope (v.)
open		Ham IV.v.147
And like the kinde Life-rend'ring Politician,And like the kind life-rendering pelicankind (adj.)

old form: kinde
showing natural feeling, acting by nature		Ham IV.v.148
life-rendering (adj.)

old form: Life-rend'ring
life-giving [to its young], self-sacrificing
Repast them with my blood.Repast them with my blood.repast (v.)
feed, nourish, supply		Ham IV.v.149.1
King. KING 
Why now you speakeWhy, now you speak Ham IV.v.149.2
Like a good Childe, and a true Gentleman.Like a good child and a true gentleman. Ham IV.v.150
That I am guiltlesse of your Fathers death,That I am guiltless of your father's death, Ham IV.v.151
And am most sensible in greefe for it,And am most sensibly in grief for it,sensibly (adv.)
acutely, intensely, feelingly		Ham IV.v.152
It shall as leuell to your Iudgement pierceIt shall as level to your judgement 'pearlevel (adj.)

old form: leuell
plain, obvious, manifest		Ham IV.v.153
As day do's to your eye.As day does to your eye. Ham IV.v.154.1
A noise within. A noise within Ham IV.v.154
VOICES  
(within) Ham IV.v.154
Let her come in.Let her come in. Ham IV.v.154.2
Laer. LAERTES 
How now? what noise is that?How now? What noise is that? Ham IV.v.155
Enter Ophelia.Enter Ophelia Ham IV.v.156.1
Oh heate drie vp my Braines, teares seuen times salt,O heat, dry up my brains! Tears seven times saltheat (n.)
anger, rage, passion		Ham IV.v.156
Burne out the Sence and Vertue of mine eye.Burn out the sense and virtue of mine eye!sense (n.)

old form: Sence
ability to respond to sensation, physical perception		Ham IV.v.157
virtue (n.)

old form: Vertue
power, capability, efficacy, property
By Heauen, thy madnesse shall be payed by waight,By heaven, thy madness shall be paid with weight Ham IV.v.158
Till our Scale turnes the beame. Oh Rose of May,Till our scale turn the beam. O rose of May,beam (n.)

old form: beame
cross-bar [on a scales]		Ham IV.v.159
Deere Maid, kinde Sister, sweet Ophelia:Dear maid, kind sister, sweet Ophelia! Ham IV.v.160
Oh Heauens, is't possible, a yong Maids wits,O heavens, is't possible a young maid's wits Ham IV.v.161
Should be as mortall as an old mans life?Should be as mortal as an old man's life? Ham IV.v.162
Nature is fine in Loue, and where 'tis fine,Nature is fine in love, and where 'tis fine,nature (n.)
human nature		Ham IV.v.163
fine (adj.)
sensitive, responsive, reactive
It sends some precious instance of it selfeIt sends some precious instance of itself Ham IV.v.164
After the thing it loues.After the thing it loves. Ham IV.v.165
Ophe.OPHELIA  
(sings) Ham IV.v.166
They bore him bare fac'd on the Beer,They bore him bare-faced on the bier, Ham IV.v.166
Hey non nony, nony, hey nony:Hey non nony, nony, hey nony, Ham IV.v.167
And on his graue raines many a teare,And in his grave rained many a tear –  Ham IV.v.168
Fare you well my Doue.Fare you well, my dove!fare ... well (int.)
goodbye [to an individual]		Ham IV.v.169
Laer. LAERTES 
Had'st thou thy wits, and did'st perswade Reuenge,Hadst thou thy wits, and didst persuade revenge,persuade (v.)

old form: perswade
urge, entreat, beseech		Ham IV.v.170
it could not moue thus.It could not move thus.move (v.)

old form: moue
arouse, affect, stir [by emotion]		Ham IV.v.171
Ophe. OPHELIA 
You must sing downe a-downe, and you callYou must sing ‘ A-down a-down, and you call Ham IV.v.172
him a-downe-a. Oh, how the wheele becomes it? It is thehim a-down-a.’ O, how the wheel becomes it! It is thewheel (n.)

old form: wheele
[unclear meaning] song refrain; or: spinning-wheel		Ham IV.v.173
become (v.)
grace, honour, dignify
false Steward that stole his masters daughter.false steward, that stole his master's daughter.false (adj.)
disloyal, faithless, inconstant, unfaithful		Ham IV.v.174
Laer. LAERTES 
This nothings more then matter.This nothing's more than matter.nothing (n.)
nonsense, emptiness, rubbish		Ham IV.v.175
matter (n.)
subject-matter, content, substance
Ophe. OPHELIA 
There's Rosemary, that's for Remembraunce.There's rosemary, that's for remembrance.remembrance (n.)
memory, bringing to mind, recollection		Ham IV.v.176
rosemary (n.)
aromatic shrub, associated with remembering
Pray loue remember: and there is Paconcies, that'sPray you, love, remember. And there is pansies, that's Ham IV.v.177
for Thoughts.for thoughts. Ham IV.v.178
Laer. LAERTES 
A document in madnesse, thoughts &A document in madness: thoughts anddocument (n.)
lesson, lecture, instruction		Ham IV.v.179
remembrance fitted.remembrance fitted.fit (v.)
belong together, match		Ham IV.v.180
Ophe. OPHELIA 
There's Fennell for you, and Columbines: ther'sThere's fennel for you, and columbines. There'sfennel (n.)
fragrant herb used as a sauce for fish		Ham IV.v.181
Rew for you, and heere's some for me. Wee may call itrue for you, and here's some for me. We may call itrue (n.)
aromatic shrub, associated with repentance, pity		Ham IV.v.182
Herbe-Grace a Sundaies: Oh you must weare your Rewherb of grace o' Sundays. O, you must wear your rue Ham IV.v.183
with a difference. There's a Daysie, I would giue you somewith a difference. There's a daisy. I would give you somedifference (n.)
[heraldry] variation, distinguishing mark [on a coat-of-arms]		Ham IV.v.184
Violets, but they wither'd all when my Father dyed: They violets, but they withered all when my father died. They Ham IV.v.185
say, he made a good end;say 'a made a good end. Ham IV.v.186
For bonny sweet Robin is all my ioy.(sings) For bonny sweet Robin is all my joy. Ham IV.v.187
Laer. LAERTES 
Thought, and Affliction, Passion, Hell it selfe:Thought and afflictions, passion, hell itself,thought (n.)
melancholic reflection, anxiety, sorrow, worry		Ham IV.v.188
passion (n.)
suffering, torment, deep grief
She turnes to Fauour, and to prettinesse.She turns to favour and to prettiness.favour (n.)

old form: Fauour
charm, attractiveness, gracefulness		Ham IV.v.189
prettiness (n.)

old form: prettinesse
pleasantness, agreeableness
Ophe.OPHELIA  
(sings) Ham IV.v.190
And will he not come againe,And will 'a not come again? Ham IV.v.190
And will he not come againe:And will 'a not come again? Ham IV.v.191
No, no, he is dead, No, no, he is dead. Ham IV.v.192
go to thy Death-bed,Go to thy deathbed. Ham IV.v.193
He neuer wil come againe.He never will come again. Ham IV.v.194
His Beard as white as Snow,His beard was as white as snow, Ham IV.v.195
All Flaxen was his Pole:All flaxen was his poll.poll (n.)

old form: Pole
head		Ham IV.v.196
He is gone, he is gone, He is gone, he is gone, Ham IV.v.197
and we cast away mone,And we cast away moan.moan (n.)

old form: mone
grief, lamentation, sorrow, complaint		Ham IV.v.198
Gramercy on his Soule.God 'a' mercy on his soul! Ham IV.v.199
And of all Christian Soules, I pray God. God buy ye. And of all Christian souls, I pray God. God bye you. Ham IV.v.200
Exeunt OpheliaExit Ham IV.v.200
Laer. LAERTES 
Do you see this, you Gods?Do you see this? O God! Ham IV.v.201
King. KING 
Laertes, I must common with your greefe,Laertes, I must commune with your grief,commune (v.)

old form: common
share, participate [in]		Ham IV.v.202
Or you deny me right: go but apart,Or you deny me right. Go but apart, Ham IV.v.203
Make choice of whom your wisest Friends you will,Make choice of whom your wisest friends you will, Ham IV.v.204
And they shall heare and iudge 'twixt you and me;And they shall hear and judge 'twixt you and me.'twixt (prep.)
between		Ham IV.v.205
If by direct or by Colaterall handIf by direct or by collateral handhand (n.)
agency, means, aid		Ham IV.v.206
collateral (adj.)

old form: Colaterall
indirect, subordinate, accessory
They finde vs touch'd, we will our Kingdome giue,They find us touched, we will our kingdom give,touch (v.)

old form: touch'd
stain, taint, infect		Ham IV.v.207
Our Crowne, our Life, and all that we call OursOur crown, our life, and all that we call ours, Ham IV.v.208
To you in satisfaction. But if not,To you in satisfaction. But if not,satisfaction (n.)
recompense, compensation, atonement		Ham IV.v.209
Be you content to lend your patience to vs,Be you content to lend your patience to us,lend (v.)
give, grant, bestow [on]		Ham IV.v.210
content (adj.)
agreeable, willing, ready
And we shall ioyntly labour with your souleAnd we shall jointly labour with your soul Ham IV.v.211
To giue it due content.To give it due content.content (n.)
contentment, peace of mind		Ham IV.v.212.1
Laer. LAERTES 
Let this be so:Let this be so. Ham IV.v.212.2
His meanes of death, his obscure buriall;His means of death, his obscure funeral – mean (n.)

old form: meanes
(plural) manner, mode, method		Ham IV.v.213
No Trophee, Sword, nor Hatchment o're his bones,No trophy, sword, nor hatchment o'er his bones,trophy (n.)

old form: Trophee
memorial, monument		Ham IV.v.214
hatchment (n.)
[heraldry] tablet displaying a person's coat-of-arms
No Noble rite, nor formall ostentation,No noble rite nor formal ostentation – ostentation (n.)
ceremony, ritual		Ham IV.v.215
Cry to be heard, as 'twere from Heauen to Earth,Cry to be heard, as 'twere from heaven to earth, Ham IV.v.216
That I must call in question.That I must call't in question. Ham IV.v.217.1
King. KING 
So you shall:So you shall. Ham IV.v.217.2
And where th'offence is, let the great Axe fall.And where th' offence is, let the great axe fall. Ham IV.v.218
I pray you go with me. I pray you go with me. Ham IV.v.219
ExeuntExeunt Ham IV.v.219
 Previous Act IV, Scene V Next  
x

Jump directly to