286 fields battlefields
288 To compared to
288 dark house gloomy house/lunatic asylum
289 capriccio "whim" (Italian)
289 Art are you
291 straight immediately
293 balls bound tennis balls bounce (i.e. are spirited, to be reckoned with; plays on the sense of "testicles") 294 marred ruined (plays on married) Act 2 Scene 4
1 kindly affectionately/as a mother
2 well i.e. at rest, dead
4 wants lacks
14 them i.e. your good fortune
15 them i.e. my prayers
16 So provided that
17 did may pun on "died"
19 man's servant's
20 shakes out brings about
22 title status as man or servant/name ("Parolles," or "words"; also puns on "tittle"--i.e. "tiny amount") 25 Before in the presence of
26 Before me i.e. upon my soul
28 Go to i.e. enough of that
28 found thee found you out, found you to be a fool 29 me i.e. folly
31 even to i.e. enough for
33 well fed probably refers to "better fed than taught" (proverbial); possibly "energetic, spirited"
36 rite of love i.e. sexual consummation of marriage 38 to owing to
39 Whose ... delay the delay and absence of which
39 sweets sweet-scented flowers
40 they i.e. want and delay
40 curbed restrained
42 drown overflow
43 else besides
45 make represent
45 as as if it were
45 proceeding course of action/idea
46 apology excuse
47 probable need plausible necessity
50 Attend await
50 pleasure command, will
Act 2 Scene 5
2 approof proven quality/testimony
3 deliverance utterance
5 dial timepiece/compass
5 I ... bunting i.e. I underestimated him; reversal of "to take a bunting for a lark" (proverbial; the lark was the superior bird) 8 accordingly suitably
10 state i.e. condition of my soul
11 find find it
15 tailor refers to Parolles' garments; "the tailor makes the man" is proverbial 22 you'll have you wanted
27 something i.e. an asset, with plenty of stories to tell the guests 28 three thirds i.e. all the time
31 unkindness ill will
35 made shift contrived
36 him ... custard the jester who traditionally jumped into custard at the Lord Mayor's annual feast in London 37 suffer question endure questioning
38 residence i.e. why you are there
39 mistaken misjudged/misidentified (Lafew shifts the sense to "been offended by him") 43 heavy serious/not light
44 them tame such creatures as pets
45 to deserve deserve
47 idle foolish
49 know i.e. rather than merely think
51 pass reputation
51 clog hindrance (block of wood tied to man or animal to prevent escape) 54 present parting immediate departure
58 colour appropriate character
58 time i.e. the immediate aftermath of marriage 59 ministration ... particular duty and obligation of me as husband 64 muse wonder
65 respects reasons
66 appointments purposes, affairs
75 observance dutiful service
75 eke out supplement, increase
76 homely stars humble origins
77 great fortune i.e. as your wife
79 Hie hurry
82 owe own
84 fain willingly
85 vouch affirm to be
88 would want
90 sunder part
91 stay delay
98 corragio "courage" (Italian)
Act 3 Scene 1
3.1 Location: Florence
1 from ... point in every detail
3 Whose great decision the deciding of which
6 black wicked
7 opposer enemy's part
8 cousin i.e. fellow sovereign
9 bosom heart
10 borrowing prayers entreaties for assistance 12 yield give up, share
13 But except as
13 common ... man ordinary external observer 14 figure scheme, devisings
14 frames constructs, guesses at
15 self-unable motion inadequate conjectures
19 his pleasure as he (the King of France) wishes 20 younger ... nature young men of our temperament, outlook (some editors emend "nature" to "nation") 21 surfeit ... ease grow sick of overindulgence in leisure 22 physic cure, perhaps by letting blood through war 24 fly from be bestowed by
26 better fall better places fall vacant
26 avails advantages (as you may fill them)
Act 3 Scene 2
3.2 Location: Rossillion
3 troth faith
5 observance observation, signs
6 mend adjust
8 sold who sold
12 mind to inclination for
13 lings salt cod, slang for "vaginas/whores" (similar play possible in country) 14 brains plays on the sense of "semen" (thus making Cupid a personified penis and giving knocked out sexual connotations) 16 stomach appetite
18 E'en just, the same as
19 recovered cured
21 "not" with a pun on the marital knot
23 hold remain at
26 fly flee
28 misprizing despising/undervaluing
29 of empire even of an emperor
30 heavy sad/serious
30 within inside
38 standing to't standing one's ground/having an erection (both courses of action may lead to death--literally and in the sense of "orgasm") 39 getting begetting, conception
41 Save God save
45 quirks turns
46 face appearance
46 on the start at its sudden arrival
47 woman make behave like a woman, i.e. weep 49 thitherward on his way there
49 thence from there
50 dispatch in hand settlement of business
51 bend direct our steps
52 passport license to travel
56 sentence statement/judgment
60 have ... cheer bear a happier countenance/be encouraged 61 engrossest monopolize
61 are that are
62 moiety share/half
64 all my my only
69 convenience propriety
76 haply perhaps
81 rude ignorant/unkind/rough
88 a well-derived his own well-descended
89 his inducement Parolles' bad influence
91 deal quantity
91 that influence
92 holds ... have maintains and benefits him considerably 97 Written in writing
100 but ... courtesies only insofar as I am able to repay your courtesy 100 change exchange
101 draw near come along (with me)
104 Rossillion i.e. Bertram
107 event outcome
109 sportive playful/lighthearted/amorous
110 mark target
111 leaden messengers i.e. bullets
113 move part/stir (to pity) (sometimes emended to "cleave" or "wound") 113 still-peering ever watchful (some editors emend to "still-piecing") 114 sings i.e. whistles as a bullet pierces it/cries in pain/sings in indifference 115 set him there put him in the position
116 forward in the front line/facing the enemy 117 caitiff wretch
120 ravin ravenous
121 constraint compulsion
122 owes owns
124 Whence ... scar from where honor merely earns a scar by undergoing danger 125 oft often as
125 all i.e. life
127 do't i.e. keep you away
127 although even if
129 officed all carried out all household duties 130 pitiful compassionate
131 consolate console
132 steal creep (plays on the sense of "rob") Act 3 Scene
3
3.3 Location: Florence Drum and Trumpets i.e. a drummer and a trumpeter 2 Great pregnant/swelling
2 lay wager
2 credence trust, faith
7 th'extreme edge the utmost limit
9 helm helmet
12 file rank of soldiers
13 like my thoughts i.e. valiant
Act 3 Scene 4
3.4 Location: Rossillion
1 of from
4 "I ... free" this letter is cast in the form of a sonnet 4 Saint Jaques Saint James, whose shrine was at Compostella, in northwest Spain 7 sainted holy/dedicated to a saint
9 hie hasten
12 taken undertaken
13 despiteful cruel, malicious
13 Juno supreme goddess, who imposed twelve labors on Hercules 14 camping tent-dwelling (i.e. army)
17 Whom i.e. death
19 advice judgment
22 prevented forestalled
24 at overnight last night
29 whom i.e. both Helen and her prayers 32 unworthy husband husband unworthy
33 weigh heavy of emphasize
37 When haply perhaps when
41 sense perception
42 Provide equip
Act 3 Scene 5
3.5 Location: Florence tucket trumpet fanfare 3.5 Diana significantly, given her role, the name of the goddess of chastity and hunting; the Folio entry direction calls her "Violenta," which was perhaps Shakespeare's first thought for the name 2 lose all entirely miss
5 their i.e. Siena's
10 suffice satisfy
11 earl i.e. Bertram
12 name reputation
13 honesty chastity
15 solicited entreated, courted
17 officer agent
17 suggestions promptings toward evil/entreaties 17 for on behalf of
19 engines devices/plots
19 go under appear to be
21 wreck of maidenhood loss of virginity
22 succession (others from) doing the same
23 that for all that
23 limed trapped (like birds caught in lime, a sticky substance smeared on twigs) 25 grace virtue
25 though even if
26 further ... lost worse risk than the loss of virginity (i.e. pregnancy) 27 fear fear for
29 lie lodge
32 palmers pilgrims
33 Saint Francis inn with the sign of Saint Francis 33 port city gate
36 tarry wait
39 for because
40 ample well, fully
43 stay upon await
43 leisure convenience
52 Whatsome'er whoever
53 bravely taken highly regarded
54 for because
56 mere absolutely
61 believe agree
62 argument any issue
62 to in comparison with
63 mean lowly/unworthy
64 All her deserving her only merit
65 reserved honesty well-guarded chastity
66 examined called into question
70 write style her (some editors emend to "warrant") 72 shrewd malicious
77 brokes bargains, negotiates
77 suit endeavor, request
80 honestest most chaste
80 colours battle flags
81 else (that it should be) otherwise
88 honester more honorable
95 jackanapes monkey
98 shrewdly sorely
101 courtesy curtsy (i.e. bow)
101 ring-carrier pimp
103 host lodge
103 enjoined penitents those bound by oath to undertake pilgrimage as penance for sin 107 Please it if it please
108 charge expense
109 for me mine
110 precepts of advice on
112 kindly gratefully
Act 3 Scene 6
3.6 Location: battlefield
1 to't to the test
3 hilding good-for-nothing
5 bubble i.e. nothing/showy/easily destroyed 8 as as if he were
11 entertainment patronage
12 reposing trusting, relying
13 trusty requiring trustworthiness
15 try test
16 fetch off rescue/retrieve
19 surprise ambush, attack
19 knows not cannot distinguish
20 hoodwink blindfold/deceive
21 leaguer military camp
25 intelligence secret information
27 oath i.e. the vow he took never to divulge the intelligence 30 bottom extent
31 ore precious metal
31 give ... entertainment i.e. beat him/cast him out (proverbial) 32 inclining partiality, liking (for Parolles) 36 in any hand in any case
37 sticks stabs
37 sticks ... disposition is really upsetting you 39 pox plague
42 wings flanks, on either side of the main body of troops 42 rend tear apart, devastate
43 in upon
43 command ... service military orders
51 But were it not
53 hic jacet i.e. I shall die--literally "here lies" (Latin), phrase found on tombstones 54 stomach appetite/courage
55 mystery skill
56 his its
57 grace honor
58 speed fare/succeed
59 becomes befits
62 slumber in it i.e. delay
63 presently immediately
63 pen write
64 dilemmas choices of action
65 mortal preparation spiritual readiness either for my death or those of the men I kill 71 possibility competence, capacity
72 subscribe vouch
76 damns himself i.e. by swearing falsely 81 have have a true understanding of
82 make no deed perform no part/make no attempt 85 probable plausible
86 embossed hunted down/driven to exhaustion
87 for worthy of
88 case skin, unmask
89 smoked smoked out, exposed
90 sprat small fish (i.e. contemptible person) 92 look my twigs see to my bird-trap
93 Your ... me i.e. Bertram pulls rank and orders the Second Lord to accompany him in his pursuit of Diana, leaving the First Lord to undertake the ambush on Parolles 100 coxcomb fool (literally, fool's cap)
100 have i'th'wind have scented, are tracking Act 3 Scene 7
3.7 Location: Florence
1 misdoubt disbelieve, suspect
3 But ... upon without losing the foundations my plans rely on 4 estate worldly fortune
10 sworn counsel private hearing that you have vowed to keep secret 11 so ... word true in every word
12 By with respect to
15 approves proves, demonstrates
20 found it received your help
21 wanton lascivious
22 carry win
22 in fine in the end/to sum up
24 important blood urgent sexual passion
25 county count
29 rich choice high esteem
29 idle fire foolish ardor
30 will sexual desire
33 bottom essence
34 lawful to be lawful
36 appoints ... encounter arranges a meeting with him 39 marry her enable her to marry
40 is passed has been given
42 persever proceed
44 coherent fitting
45 musics musicians/instruments/music
46 unworthiness humble status/because convincing her to do an unworthy deed 46 steads profits
47 chide scold, drive away
48 lay depended
50 assay try
50 speed succeed
51 meaning intention (on Bertram's part)
51 lawful deed i.e. marital sex
53 fact i.e. Bertram's belief that he is having sex with another woman Act 4 Scene 1
4.1 Location: battlefield
2 sally burst out
2 terrible terrifying
4 unless except for
10 linsey-woolsey cloth made of flax a
nd wool (i.e. verbal mixture, nonsense) 11 again in response
13 strangers foreigners
14 entertainment employment
14 smack taste, smattering
16 fancy creativity
16 to know knowing
17 so so long as
17 know straight directly achieve
18 choughs jackdaws, plays on "chuff," meaning "rustic, clown"
19 politic cunning
19 couch lie down, hide
20 beguile while away
24 plausive plausible
24 it it off
24 smoke smoke out, suspect
27 creatures i.e. soldiers
27 not ... tongue and I am afraid to carry out my boasts 34 hurts wounds
37 instance motive (for doing this)/proof (of my supposed exploits) 37 Tongue ... mouth with sexual connotations 37 butter-woman dairywoman/whore (i.e. chatty/lecherous) 38 of from
38 Bajazet's mule mules were proverbially silent and sometimes associated with Turks, but emperors such as Bajazet had "mute" slaves, so some editors emend accordingly; or there may be a garbled allusion to Balaam's ass in the Bible, which only spoke at God's command 42 serve the turn suffice
44 afford allow/let (you) off
45 baring shaving
45 in stratagem an act of cunning, for disguise 51 citadel presumably the enemy fortress
53 Thirty fathom 180 feet
59 Alarum call to arms
64 Muskos probably Muscovites
66 low Dutch Dutch; German was known as "high Dutch"
68 discover reveal
70 betake thee entrust thyself
71 poniards daggers
76 hoodwinked blindfolded
76 lead thee on take you elsewhere/direct the conversation 77 gather gain information
86 space time/a temporary reprieve
88 woodcock proverbially stupid bird
88 muffled blindfolded
91 A he
92 Inform on report
Act 4 Scene 2
4.2 Location: Florence
1 Fontybell i.e. "beautiful fountain"
3 goddess Diana was the goddess of chastity and hunting 4 worth worthy of
4 addition additional distinction
5 frame being, shape
5 quality part
6 quick lively
7 monument statue
11 got conceived
12 honest chaste (i.e. married; Bertram shifts the sense to "frank, open") 18 vows i.e. of love for Diana/to have nothing to do with Helen 20 constraint compulsion
21 rights duties
23 serve gratify sexually
23 roses virginities/vaginas
24 barely in a naked state/only just
24 thorns ... ourselves i.e. with shame (quibbles on the idea that this is in place of a man's prick) 25 bareness loss of the rose of virginity/defenselessness 30 high'st i.e. God
30 to as our
31 Jove supreme Roman god
33 ill imperfectly/immorally
33 holding consistency (i.e. is untenable)
34 protest profess
36 words mere words
36 conditions contracts
36 unsealed i.e. not valid legally
38 it i.e. your opinion
39 holy-cruel cruel by being holy
40 crafts skills/deceits
42 sick i.e. needing cure
43 Who which will
43 recovers recover
45 scar perhaps in the sense of "precipice," i.e. dangerous place or "sore/fault, blemish" or "fear/panic" (modern "scare"); the general sense is that men create dangerous situations for women in which they may lose their sense of propriety and behave recklessly; some editors emend to "snare"