Hamlet, Prince of Denmark
Vocabulary

2 uses

Nor do we find him forward to be sounded, But, with a crafty madness, keeps aloof When we would bring him on to some confession Of his true state.†

aloof = socially distant or uninterested

1 use

Faith, there has been much to do on both sides; and the nation holds it no sin to tarre them to controversy: there was, for awhile, no money bid for argument unless the poet and the player went to cuffs in the question.†

controversy = disagreement

1 use

I will receive it with all diligence of spirit.

diligence = hard work and care

1 use

Holds such an enmity with blood of man

enmity = hatred

2 uses

Let them be well used; for they are the abstracts and brief chronicles of the time; after your death you were better have a bad epitaph than their ill report while you live.†

epitaph = a short text in memory of a dead person

36 uses

[Exeunt all but Hamlet.]

exeunt = stage direction:  characters exit from stage

1 use

'tis sweet and commendable in your nature, Hamlet, To give these mourning duties to your father; But, you must know, your father lost a father; That father lost, lost his; and the survivor bound, In filial obligation, for some term To do obsequious sorrow: but to persevere In obstinate condolement is a course Of impious stubbornness; 'tis unmanly grief; It shows a will most incorrect to heaven; A heart unfortified, a mind impatient; An understanding simple and unschool'd; For what we...†

filial = relating to the relationship of children to their parents

2 uses

'And in part him;—but,' you may say, 'not well: But if't be he I mean, he's very wild; Addicted so and so;' and there put on him What forgeries you please; marry, none so rank As may dishonour him; take heed of that; But, sir, such wanton, wild, and usual slips As are companions noted and most known To youth and liberty.†

forgeries = things that are represented as real even though they are fake; or the making of such fake items

1 use

Therefore prepare you; I your commission will forthwith dispatch, And he to England shall along with you: The terms of our estate may not endure Hazard so near us as doth hourly grow Out of his lunacies.†

forthwith = immediately

2 uses

My pulse, as yours, doth temperately keep time, And makes as healthful music: it is not madness That I have utter'd: bring me to the test, And I the matter will re-word; which madness Would gambol from.†

gambol = frolic (skip, leap, and/or run around in a happy, playful manner)

4 uses

I am myself indifferent honest

indifferent = neutral (without interest in other than the truth)

1 use

thy most ingenious sense

ingenious = showing inventiveness and skill

1 use

The insolence of office,

insolence = rudeness

(editor's note:  No Fear Shakespeare paraphrases this as:  "the rudeness of people in office".)

2 uses

No, faith, not a jot; but to follow him thither with modesty enough, and likelihood to lead it: as thus: Alexander died, Alexander was buried, Alexander returneth into dust; the dust is earth; of earth we make loam; and why of that loam whereto he was converted might they not stop a beer-barrel?†

loam = rich soil

1 use

To do obsequious sorrow. But to persever
In obstinate condolement is a course
Of impious stubbornness. 'Tis unmanly grief.

obstinate = stubbornly unyielding to other's wishes

(editor's notes:  Obsequious is a synonym for servile or overly subservient. Condolement is a synonym for grief.)

1 use

No noble rite nor formal ostentation

ostentation = actions intended to attract notice and impress others

1 use

O most pernicious woman!

pernicious = harmful (evil)

1 use

Hamlet return'd shall know you are come home: We'll put on those shall praise your excellence And set a double varnish on the fame The Frenchman gave you; bring you in fine together And wager on your heads: he, being remiss, Most generous, and free from all contriving, Will not peruse the foils; so that with ease, Or with a little shuffling, you may choose A sword unbated, and, in a pass of practice, Requite him for your father.†

remiss = careless — especially with regard to a duty

3 uses

This is for all,— I would not, in plain terms, from this time forth Have you so slander any moment leisure As to give words or talk with the Lord Hamlet.†

slander = words falsely spoken that damage the reputation of another

1 use

Give, me superfluous death.

superfluous = more than is needed (in this case, like saying "murdered over and over again")