frighten

 
 
 
 

familiarity

 
 
 
 

until they become so accustomed to it that they sit on it rather than fear it.

 
 
 
 

sharp; said of a tool with an edge so sharp that it can cut cleanly and precisely. Also implied is "peceptive."

 
 
 
 

The image is from surgery or horticulture (tree pruning). The concern is to be careful in correcting the problem, using a sharp knife to cut out the infection rather than to harm by using a blunt instrument or one that is too heavy or big.

 
 
 
 

consider; understand; be aware of a principle

 
 
 
 

strict, rigorous (OED)

 
 
 
 

physical desires; sexual urgings

 
 
 
 

unite; stick together (old spelling for "cohere")

 
 
 
 

If time and location had been convenient and desirable

 
 
 
 

This is the Folio reading, but is most probably a misprint. The sense is "your"

 
 
 
 

or if by determinedly following your sexual urgings you could have had sexual relations with the woman you desired

 
 
 
 

for which

 
 
 
 

condemn; pass sentence on

 
 
 
 

I don't deny

 
 
 
 

passing sentence on

 
 
 
 

How can you expect the law to take into account the fact [given what was just said that there may be thieves sitting in the jury judging other thieves] that thieves are passing sentence on other thieves. This statement raises the question that the Duke notes later in 3.2 - the question of who is fit to judge.

 
 
 
 

clear, obvious, evident

 
 
 
 

mitigate, make an excuse for, reduce the severity of

 
 
 
 

because

 
 
 
 

condemn, pass sentence on

 
 
 
 

set the precedence or example of my own punishment

 
 
 
 

and let no extenuating circumstances be offered in my defense nor any partiality be given to me.

 
 
 
 

pleases

 
 
 
 

limit of his life. The idea of life as a metaphorical pilgrimage was proverbial, possibly of biblical origin (cf Genesis 47:9)

 
 
 
 

This is a famous crux in the play, one for which many explanations have been given. The sense is probably clear: some people get away with many offenses, and others pay severely for just one. One of the major problems comes from the Folio spelling of "brakes." Generally, when Shakespeare uses this term he means "thickets," brambles which would entrap a person. But thickets of ice" doesn't make much sense. Some editors suggest emending "ice" to "vice," seeing the image of vices as a thicket from which many people "run" (escape). Others emend "brakes" to "breaks," suggesting the image of cracks in the ice - some get away with walking on thin, cracked ice while others fall through at the first step. None of the specific emendations is fully convincing; hence, I have let the Folio text stand.

 
 
 
 

this way, along

 
 
 
 

practice their vices in brothels

 
 
 
 

Duke's poor constable - an example of Elbow's (unintentional) comic word play.

 
 
 
 

depend upon. Possibly also a play on Elbow's name.

 
 
 
 

malefactors. Elbow continually replaces or mistakes words.

 
 
 
 

Probably a misstatement for "precious," meaning arrant or egregious or decided. But the use also reminds the audience that Angelo had been called "precise."

 
 
 
 

Another misstatement, probably meaning "profession," which means reverence.

 
 
 
 

Occupation, rank, station in life

 
 
 
 

A play on being "out at elbow - threadbare or worn, suggesting that Elbow is barren of thoughts. Also perhaps a pun on "out" as at a loss, suggesting that Elbow is speechless at the sound of his name.

 
 
 
 

What occupation

 
 
 
 

A tavern keeper, one who draws ale for the patrons

 
 
 
 

A part-time bawd or pimp

 
 
 
 

destroyed, demolished

 
 
 
 

claims to run. Possibly there is some word play on the meaning of being admitted to a house of religion; also, there may be an ironic sense of pretense or hypocrisy here.

 
 
 
 

a bath-house, but the baths were notorious for also being brothels

 
 
 
 

Protest

 
 
 
 

upright in speech and deed, truthful, worthy of respect

 
 
 
 

a pitiful thing for her; it is very sad for her

 
 
 
 

wicked

 
 
 
 

he means "carnally," sexually

 
 
 
 

Shakespeare might be alluding to Paul's listing of the "works of the flesh" in Galatians 5 (Gal 5:19-21 KJV) Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, (20) Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, (211 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

 
 
 
 

go-between or pimp

 
 
 
 

that is, Pompey

 
 
 
 

rogues, rascals

 
 
 
 

Note how Elbow interchanges his terms. He means, "Prove it before these honorable men, you rascal."

 
 
 
 

puts words in the wrong place or order

 
 
 
 

Stewed prunes were associated with brothels, where prunes were often served. Houses of prostitution were called "stews." There is much sexual humor in Pompey's speech, with suggestive sexual innuendos of "two," "stood ... .. dish," "pin," "point," "cracking the stones," and "done."

 
 
 
 

Pompey probably means "instant" (at that very time), which is the emendation in later editions of the play. Still, he might be parodying Elbow's habit of "misplacing" his words.

 
 
 
 

that is, "you know (wot)"; here the reference is to venereal disease

 
 
 
 

strict medical regimen

 
 
 
 

Come to the point of what was done to her.

 
 
 
 

Pompey misunderstands Escalus's statement, thinking that Escalus meant that he wanted to experience what had happened (sexually) to Elbow's wife. Pompey is also using sexual innuendo with his use of "come."

 
 
 
 

consider

 
 
 
 

This income suggests that Froth was reasonably well off, though by no means rich. Of course, Pompey may be exaggerating this point.

 
 
 
 

All Saints' Day, November 1

 
 
 
 

The eve of All Saints' Day (Halloween), October 31

 
 
 
 

The meaning here is uncertain. Some commentators take "lower chair" to refer to a kind of easy chair; others, that it refers to the best chair or the chair of honor.

 
 
 
 

Rooms in taverns and inns were commonly given names.

 
 
 
 

public room. During the winter, the innkeeper would have a fire going in the "open room" at all times.

 
 
 
 

the case, the complaint before them

 
 
 
 

I agree; I expect I will do that

 
 
 
 

The following dialogue depends on our realizing the sexual innuendo in this word.

 
 
 
 

Escalus means, "let"s return to the subject - tell me again what happened." But Pompey plays with words, taking "once" to mean "one time," and suggesting that Elbow's wife had been violated repeatedly.

 
 
 
 

observe, pay attention to

 
 
 
 

There is either a misprint here or Pompey is "misplacing" or punning. The sense is "deposed," as in a sworn statement, in this case meaning that he will swear upon a Bible.

 
 
 
 

if

 
 
 
 

misplacement for "suspected." But also note that both Elbow and Pompey use "respected" to refer to sexual intercourse.

 
 
 
 

In staging, often the sexual meaning here is made explicit.

 
 
 
 

had intercourse with. Pompey is suggesting that Elbow and his wife had sexual relations before marriage Oust as Claudio and Juliet).

 
 
 
 

Stock allegorical characters from early English morality plays, personifications of these two qualities, here ironically applied to Elbow and Pompey.

 
 
 
 

villain, wretch, knave

 
 
 
 

knave, rogue, rascal (OED)

 
 
 
 

misplacement for "cannibal, though there could be word play on the fact that both Hannibal and Pompey were famous classical generals.

 
 
 
 

Duke's poor officer

 
 
 
 

assault. But as Escalus then points out, it is a misplacement for "slander."

 
 
 
 

struck you about the ears

 
 
 
 

wretch, rascal

 
 
 
 

that is, offences against the law, violations

 
 
 
 

expose, reveal

 
 
 
 

courses of action; way of life

 
 
 
 

Elbow misunderstands Escalus's words, taking "continue" to mean some kind of punishment, perhaps (as Dover Wilson suggests) to be "contained" (to be sexually inactive) or else just to be restrained.

 
 
 
 

if that pleases or suits you, sir

 
 
 
 

There is some bawdy word play here. The primary meaning is that she received her last name from her most recent husband. But there is also the suggestion of being sexually exhausted. The word "overdone" can also mean carried to excess, referring to her many marriages.

 
 
 
 

A number of meanings are in play here: 1) alluding to the tapster who in "drawing" beer or ale produces a good deal of froth; 2) to take in or deceive; 3) to drain of wealth; 4) execution by hanging, drawing (tear to pieces), and disembowelling.

 
 
 
 

cause them to be hanged

 
 
 
 

enticed

 
 
 
 

Buttocks; perhaps also, sham (Lever); sometimes used derogatively of a person.

 
 
 
 

largest; most significant. Lever notes that this may be a "common expression, derived from the fashion of wearing padded trunk-hose (which Pompey may have affected).

 
 
 
 

crudest, most disgusting or repulsive

 
 
 
 

disguise

 
 
 
 

would like to make a living

 
 
 
 

castrate

 
 
 
 

spay; remove the ovaries

 
 
 
 

to it -- that is, have sexual intercourse

 
 
 
 

make arrangements for; take care of

 
 
 
 

That is, AIf your honor will make arrangements for the prostitutes and their clients, there will be no problem with pimps, for they will be out of business, being needed no longer.

 
 
 
 

beheading

 
 
 
 

official proclamation or order; mandate. The sense here is that if the state executes all those that have illegal sex, then everyone will be executed, and the state will need to issue a mandate for more "heads," that is, people, for the population will have been decimated. But there is also a play on the term "heads," meaning maidenheads.

 
 
 
 

remains valid

 
 
 
 

"the space lying under one gable, or included between two party-walls." (OED)

 
 
 
 

in return for

 
 
 
 

N. W. Bawcutt notes in the Oxford edition, "Julius Caesar utterly defeated Pompey the Great at the battle of Pharsalia, in 48 BC. In Plutarch's Life of Pompey it is said that he retreated to his tent when he realized that the battle was lost. There may also be a play on tent meaning 'bandage' (OED sb. 32): Pompey will be beaten so severely that he will need to dress his wounds."

 
 
 
 

severe, harsh

 
 
 
 

man who carries things in his car (cart, wagon) for hire

 
 
 
 

worthless or inferior horse, often one in poor condition

 
 
 
 

your ability or proficiency or mastery in your responsibilities. (Escalus is, of course, being ironic here.)

 
 
 
 

qualified, able, fit

 
 
 
 

intelligence. In Shakespeare's time, constables were noted for their stupidity. Lever notes that "You might be a constable for your wit" was a proverb; it was meant to be taken ironically.

 
 
 
 

elected

 
 
 
 

able, competent

 
 
 
 

What time is it?

 
 
 
 

Eleven in the morning would have been a normal time for dinner.

 
 
 
 

Often what seems to be mercy isn't so in the long run.

 
 
 
 

Sometimes easy pardon produces even more pain and suffering.