Both Uses of
unrequited
in
Measure for Measure
- Thank you, good Pompey; and, in requital of your prophecy, hark you,—I advise you, let me not find you before me again upon any complaint whatsoever, no, not for dwelling where you do; if I do, Pompey, I shall beat you to your tent, and prove a shrewd Caesar to you; in plain dealing, Pompey, I shall have you whipt: so for this time, Pompey, fare you well.†
Scene 2.1 *requital = the act of repaying or returning -- especially an appropriate penaltyeditor's notes: Today, unrequited is used much more commonly than forms of requite. You'll probably learn unrequited first. The prefix "un-" means not, so when it's not there, the meaning of unrequited is reversed. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky.
- We have made inquiry of you; and we hear Such goodness of your justice that our soul Cannot but yield you forth to public thanks, Forerunning more requital.†
Scene 5.1
Definitions:
-
(1)
(unrequited) not returned (typically of feelings -- as in unrequited love)
-
(2)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) meaning too rare to warrant focus:
In classic literature as late as the 19th century, both requite and requited are used more than unrequited.
When not referring to returned feelings or other senses of return, requite may indicate a suitable non-cash repayment. To requite a wrong is to perform an act of revenge. To requite a kindness is to return a good deed.