Agreement (especially over a truce or peace treaty)

 
 
 
 

will attack

 
 
 
 

Possibly a pun on "Hungary" -- a "hungry peace." Lever notes that this may be "a topical pun when English volunteers in Hungary against the Turks. Down-at-heels ex-soldiers were sometimes nicknamed >Hungarians'." There may also be an implication that the Gentleman doesn't want a peace accord that would rob him of his livelihood.

 
 
 
 

pious, having an outward show of sanctity. This is the earliest example of the modern ironic usage (OED)

 
 
 
 

Wooden boards with the Ten Commandments (see Exodus 2) were often put up in churches.

 
 
 
 

erased

 
 
 
 

calling, livelihood, occupation. The Gentleman is saying that if the pirate followed the commandment "Thou shalt not steal," he couldn't follow his occupation.

 
 
 
 

a meal

 
 
 
 

express any dislike for

 
 
 
 

form. The play is on the term "proportion," which in music means a rhythmical harmony or rhythm, hence a tune (as grace was sometimes sung).

 
 
 
 

Lucio is playing with the word "grace" here: 1) a prayer said before meals, and 2) God's unmerited favor. In the first sense, he suggests that a prayer before meals expresses gratitude no matter what the language or "tune." And God's grace will always be God's grace, despite all debates about its nature. Lucio then shifts to the analogy: the Gentleman is a villain, no matter what anyone says, and despite God's mercy (and, playing on the word "grace" a third way), despite your gracefulness or refinement. Also see Romans 11:6, "And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work."

 
 
 
 

A stock proverbial phrase -- "We are cut from the same cloth."

 
 
 
 

selvage or plain edge, often cut off as the cloth is being cut. Lucio, in implying that the Gentleman is the "list," is suggesting that he is worthless.

 
 
 
 

a nap of triple thickness, thus more valuable.

 
 
 
 

A coarse English woolen cloth. This cloth, with a very wide list, was usually held in contempt.

 
 
 
 

There is a play on words here. The reference is to "piled," as in being three-piled (implying pretentiousness) and to being "pilled," meaning bald, a typical side effect of the mercury treatment used for syphilis (the "French disease")

 
 
 
 

to the purpose or point (which Lucio plays with in his response)

 
 
 
 

The Gentleman's speech is full of sexual word play. Terms such as "piece," "pil'd," "French velvet," and even "feelingly" all have sexual and bawdy overtones. The Gentleman is implying, most wittily, Lucio's own sexual failings: Lucio was infected by a French velvet (vulva) or piece (prostitute) from a warrant (warren, brothel).

 
 
 
 

personal understanding. But Lucio plays with the Gentleman's pun on "feelingly" here by taking the word to mean "with feeling" or "painfully," suggesting that the Gentleman is speaking with pain because of his own mouth sores, a result of venereal disease.

 
 
 
 

drink to

 
 
 
 

Lucio notes that, while he will toast the man, he won't drink the same cup after him for fear of catching venereal disease from him.

 
 
 
 

that is, laid myself open to mockery

 
 
 
 

that is, infected with venereal disease or free from it. In the latter case, he has left himself open to Lucio's mockery and "wrong"; in the former, he has harmed himself ("wronged" himself) as well as made himself vulnerable to Lucio.

 
 
 
 

Mistress Overdone, a prostitute, is called Madam Mitigation because her occupation "mitigates" or reduces or relieves sexual desire.

 
 
 
 

gained (with a clear reference to paying for sex from a prostitute)

 
 
 
 

diseases. He is also punning on "dollars," German (thaler) and Spanish coins.

 
 
 
 

gold coin. Again, there is a play on the baldness caused by venereal disease.

 
 
 
 

imagining

 
 
 
 

healthy

 
 
 
 

Lucio is again playing with words. In this case, he is suggesting that the Gentleman is not "sound" (healthy) but rather "sounds" hollow: his bones are hollow, an indication of advanced venereal disease.

 
 
 
 

immoral behavior

 
 
 
 

deepest, most painful

 
 
 
 

Sciatica was associated with venereal disease

 
 
 
 

taken forcefully

 
 
 
 

A mild oath, originally in reference to the Virgin Mary.

 
 
 
 

exact, scrupulous

 
 
 
 

with respect to this. The implication may be that the two men had previously been talking about Claudio.

 
 
 
 

The implication here is that Angelo has issued an official proclamation concerning the enforcement of the chastity laws.

 
 
 
 

Although some critics suggest that these incidents are allusions to events happening in 1603-4, they are more probably references to common social conditions. ("The sweat" is probably a reference to a common treatment for venereal disease.) Mistress Overdone is bemoaning her loss of clients.

 
 
 
 

Pompey plays on Mistress Overdone's word "done," taking the bawdy meaning of "have sexual intercourse"

 
 
 
 

The word play comes from the practice of catching fish by feeling for them in the water. "Peculiar" had the meaning of private, belonging to a particular person, not public; in that sense, especially as Pompey uses it, it refers to the "private parts," the sex organs. Pompey is suggesting that Claudio's arrest comes from his sexual behavior.

 
 
 
 

Pompey takes the phrase "maid with child" (literally, "pregnant virgin") and plays off its oxymoronic nature -- a woman can't be pregnant and still be a virgin. Instead, he says that Juliet is now a "woman" rather than a "maid" (virgin) and that the baby is itself a virgin. It is possible that Pompey is also developing the fishing image, for "maid" is also a reference to the young of certain kinds of fish.

 
 
 
 

houses of prostitution, brothels

 
 
 
 

In Shakespeare's time, most of the houses of prostitution were in the "suburbs," the areas outside the jurisdiction of the city authorities. One critic notes that on 16 September 1603 there was a proclamation calling for the destruction of the brothels in the suburbs, ostensibly to avoid the plague, but quite possibly also addressed to solve the problem of prostitution.

 
 
 
 

demolished

 
 
 
 

The reference is to grain that is not harvested in order to allow it to go to seed (to plant for the next year's harvest). Pompey's sarcastic remarks about the "wise burgher" (a middle-class citizen) who offered to buy the brothels is another reference to the pervasive immorality in the city as well as to the economic condition of the city -- where money is more important than morality.

 
 
 
 

brothels

 
 
 
 

lawyers

 
 
 
 

live somewhere else

 
 
 
 

host or hostess (one who draws ale -- as in "what's on tap?"). Also had the meaning of pimp or bawd.

 
 
 
 

The reference here is not entirely clear. Many see this as a reference to "Blind Cupid," whose picture often hung outside of brothels; others suggest the reference is to the blindness that comes with venereal disease.

 
 
 
 

The Provost is an officer charged with the apprehension, custody, and punishment of offenders. (OED)

 
 
 
 

Juliet is on stage, even though she has no lines to say.

 
 
 
 

with malicious intent (that is, "because I want to be cruel")

 
 
 
 

The action comes not because of the Provost's character but because of the "special" -- the particular or peculiar -- order.

 
 
 
 

half-man, half-god. In Elizabethan and Jacobean times, those in authority, especially judges and the prince, were seen to have aspects and attributes of the divine in them. See, also, what Paul says in Romans: (Romans 13:17) "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4. For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6. For this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour." It is not clear what Claudio's tone is at this point -- it can be played several ways with good reason.

 
 
 
 

In earlier drama -- often called Morality Plays -- characters were often allegorical representations. Such may be the case here, where Claudio sees Angelo as the embodiment of power and authority, or believes that Angelo sees himself in that way.

 
 
 
 

pay in full. The reference is probably to the practice of paying in coin not by number but by how much they weigh, thereby assuring a full value to each coin. Note how this continues the coin metaphors in the play.

 
 
 
 

"as the Bible says"

 
 
 
 

Claudio is probably referring to Paul's statement in Romans: (Romans 9:1518) " For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 16. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy. 17. For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might show my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. 18. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth." Paul is referring to a passage in Exodus where Moses asks to see God"s glory: (Exodus 33:1223) " And Moses said unto the LORD, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight. 13. Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, show me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people. 14. And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. 15. And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence. 16. For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth. 17. And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name. 18. And he said, I beseech thee, show me thy glory. 19. And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. 20. And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. 21. And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: 22. And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by: 23. And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen."

 
 
 
 

The primary meaning here is confinement, restriction, detention, or holding in check. But Lucio may also be playing with the meaning "reserved in nature." Much depends on whether one sees the text as corrupt, with two different versions of Claudio's arrest being given, or whether Lucio in fact knows why Claudio has been arrested and is merely playing with him.

 
 
 
 

"liberty" means both "freedom" and "licentiousness" here.

 
 
 
 

gluttony; excessive eating or drinking

 
 
 
 

that is, "just as our overindulging leads us to repent and eat or drink almost nothing for a while,"

 
 
 
 

liberty, license

 
 
 
 

that is, "so our freedoms, if misused, become restrictions."

 
 
 
 

devour voraciously

 
 
 
 

that is, "its own peculiar poison." "proper" means "belonging to itself" and "bane" means "poison," in this case ratsbane or poison for rats.

 
 
 
 

The idea here is that humans are like rats: given liberty, they are such that they abuse it, drinking in without moderation, until they cause their own destruction.

 
 
 
 

the implication here is that the creditors would have Lucio arrested, and then he, too, would be wise.

 
 
 
 

would rather, well

 
 
 
 

foolishness

 
 
 
 

wisdom, ethical teaching

 
 
 
 

"Habitual indulgence of lust; lewdness of living. Luxurious or inordinate pleasure" (OED)

 
 
 
 

The OED glosses "look after" as "keep watch upon," but that meaning doesn't fit exactly. The sense seems to be a sarcastic one -- "Do they really care that much about lechery here?"

 
 
 
 

The nature of Claudio and Julietta's relationship is a matter of much debate. Apparently, the two had a common-law contract, what some called a sponsalia de praesenti, a mutual agreement to be husband and wife, made before witnesses but not recognized by the church. For further reading on this matter, see E. Schanzer, "The Marriage-Contracts in Measure for Measure," Shakespeare Survey 13 (196), 81-89.

 
 
 
 

securely; assuredly

 
 
 
 

the official, public, formal announcement; the publishing of banns before marriage.

 
 
 
 

breeding, increase, enlargement. The use of the term continues the imagery of fecundity here.

 
 
 
 

dowery

 
 
 
 

probably kinsfolk

 
 
 
 

proper, appropriate

 
 
 
 

brought them over to our side

 
 
 
 

significantly Claudio stresses the mutual and reciprocal nature of their act

 
 
 
 

a double sense is probably here: primarily, the image is from writing ("the evidence is written large on her body"), but also there is the sense of "gross" in moral terms -- she bears the sign of her sin

 
 
 
 

again, a play on words -- Julietta is "with child" (pregnant); perhaps also that the letters have been written by her child on her body

 
 
 
 

unfortunately

 
 
 
 

that is, perhaps the newness of Angelo's position has temporarily dazzled and blinded him

 
 
 
 

the "body politic," the people of the commonwealth

 
 
 
 

The metaphor is that of horseback riding, where the rider wants to let the horse know "who is boss," and thus applies his spurs as soon as possible.

 
 
 
 

that is, whether the tyrrany is inherent in the office that Angelo holds or is in Angelo, the one who holds the office

 
 
 
 

waver, hesitate, be uncertain about

 
 
 
 

laws entered on the records or "rolls"

 
 
 
 

uncleaned and therefore rusty from disuse. The metaphor likens the unenforced laws to armor that hasn't been used for a long time.

 
 
 
 

This seems to contradict what the Duke says in the next scene when he refers to "fourteen years" as the time that the laws had not been enforced. Numerous suggestions have been made to reconcile this disparity. Some say that Shakespeare merely forgot this detail; others, that there was a mixup in the numerals 9 and 4 (or xiv and xix); Norman Nathan (Shakespeare Quarterly 2 [1969], 84) suggests that the "nineteen zodiacs" refers to that the OED calls the Metonic cycle, the "cycle of 19 Julian years" when "the moon returns (nearly) to the same apparent position with regard to the sun . . ." -- suggesting that Claudio is merely being figurative, meaning "a long time." Henry Irving, in his edition (1889) refers to Dr. Brensley Nicholson, who thought that while the law had been in effect nineteen years, the Duke had reigned for only the past fourteen.

 
 
 
 

used (referring to the armor, and thus to the laws)

 
 
 
 

for the sake of reputation

 
 
 
 

imposes, applies. Shakespeare is continuing the armor metaphor, with Claudio suggesting that Angelo is now putting the "rusty armor" of the law on him.

 
 
 
 

inactive, lethargic

 
 
 
 

insecurely, easily made to fall

 
 
 
 

The phrase implies that Claudio is in such a predicament that even the slightest thing could cause him danger. Milkmaids were proverbiably prone to be in love and to sigh romantically. Lucio may also be punning on their "maidenheads" and suggesting that Claudio may lose his as easily as they do theirs.

 
 
 
 

novitiate -- the period of "probation" a young girl goes through before she officially becomes a nun.

 
 
 
 

address arguments to, try to persuade.

 
 
 
 

quick, eager, natural

 
 
 
 

perhaps "body language"

 
 
 
 

persuade, arouse (many of the terms Claudio uses have an underlying sexual meaning possible, but not necessarily intended)

 
 
 
 

a successful skill

 
 
 
 

devise arguments and employ them

 
 
 
 

similar (persons or situations). Lucio suggests he is hopeful that Isabella will be successful, not only for Claudio's sake but for the sake of those who act in ways similar to Claudio.

 
 
 
 

"An old variety of backgammon, played on a board with holes along the edge, in which pegs were placed for scoring." (OED) Lucio is also making a bawdy play on the mechanics of the game.