1.1 Location: Illyria (country on the east of the Adriatic Sea; now Croatia). The entire action takes place here, moving between the households of Duke Orsino and Olivia, with occasional scenes in undetermined public places Orsino Italian for “bear-cub”; perhaps suggestive of immaturity Curio either “curious” or “courtly” (from the Italian for “court”); may suggest fastidious affectation in dress and manners
2 surfeiting overindulging (in food or sex)
3 appetite hunger/sexual craving
4 dying fall dropping cadence (plays on the sense of “orgasm and detumescence”)
5 sound i.e., of a breeze
9 quick and fresh sharp and eager, hungry
10 capacity (small) size/ability to contain
11 as the sea i.e., without limit
12 validity and pitch worth and utmost elevation
13 abatement diminution
14 shapes imaginary forms fancy love/desire (plays on the sense of “imagination”)
15 alone…fantastical is uniquely imaginative/delusory
18 hart male deer (Orsino puns on “heart”)
21 pestilence plague (often attributed to bad air)
23 fell fierce hounds…me as in the classical myth of Actaeon, hunted down by his own hounds as punishment for gazing on the naked goddess Diana Valentine the name of the patron saint of lovers
27 element sky years’ heat i.e., summers
28 ample full, i.e., unveiled
29 cloistress nun
31 eye-offending brine stinging, salty tears season preserve (with salt)
36 golden shaft i.e., arrow of Cupid (god of love)
37 affections else other feelings
38 liver…heart seats (thrones) of sexual passion, intellect, and emotion
39 supplied filled/satisfied filled…perfections her perfect qualities are filled
40 one self one and the same
1.2 Viola Italian for “violet,” a flower that symbolized faithfulness and was thought to purge melancholy; also suggestive of musical instrument
4 Elysium the heaven of classical mythology
5 Perchance perhaps (the Captain shifts the sense to “by chance”)
8 chance the possibility of good fortune
11 driving storm-driven
12 provident foresighted/resourceful/fortunate
13 practice method
14 lived floated
15 Arion Greek musician who jumped overboard to escape being murdered and was carried to safety by a dolphin charmed by his music
16 hold acquaintance with remain afloat upon
19 unfoldeth…hope encourages me to hope
21 like of him i.e., that he has also survived
30 late recently
32 murmur rumor
33 What…of whatever the aristocracy do, the lower classes gossip about it
43 be…is have my identity/rank revealed until I decide the time is ripe
46 compass bring about
47 suit petition/courtship
48 not not even
49 fair behaviour good conduct/promising appearance
50 though that though
51 close in enclose
52 suits With matches
53 character appearance
56 haply…intent may suit the shape of the purpose
58 eunuch male castrated to maintain a high singing voice
61 allow prove worth worthy of
62 hap happen, chance to occur
63 wit cunning plan
1 What a plague an oath, like “what the hell” niece Toby may be Olivia’s uncle, but “niece” could be used more generally for any female relative
2 care worry/grief
3 troth faith a-nights at night cousin relative
4 ill antisocial
5 except, before excepted plays on the legal phrase exceptis excipiendis (“with the aforementioned exceptions”); essentially Sir Toby says he does not care, Olivia may object all she likes
6 modest moderate
7 confine…finer I won’t restrain myself further/I won’t dress more finely
8 An if
10 quaffing copious drinking
13 Aguecheek suggesting thin face of one suffering from a fever (ague)
15 tall brave/noble/of great height (Maria understands the latter meaning) any’s any (man) is
17 ducats gold coins (three thousand was a considerable annual income)
18 he’ll…ducats he’ll have spent all his money in a year very complete/veritable
19 prodigal excessively extravagant person
20 o’th’viol-de-gamboys the viol da gamba, a bass viol played held between the legs (often has sexual connotations)
21 without book i.e., spontaneously, from memory
22 natural like an idiot
23 allay…in reduce his taste for
26 subtractors detractors, slanderers
30 coystrill knave
31 o’th’toe head-over-heels parish top large spinning top (kept rotating by being whipped), provided for parishioners’ entertainment
32 Castiliano vulgo! unclear Latin-Italian phrase; possibly “Speak of the devil!” Agueface playful variation of Aguecheek
35 shrew small mouse/troublesome one
37 Accost approach/woo/grapple with
39 chambermaid female attendant
43 front confront board accost (sexual-naval metaphor referring to sex as attacking a ship) assail attack, seduce
44 undertake approach/have sex with (literally, “have her underneath me”) in this company in front of spectators
47 An…so if you let her leave in this way sword symbol of gentlemanly status (with phallic connotations)
50 in hand to deal with (Maria takes the phrase literally; also plays on the idea of masturbation)
52 Marry by the virgin Mary
53 thought is free think what you like (proverbial) th’buttery-bar the ledge created by opening the half-door of the buttery, with play on genitals
55 Wherefore why
56 dry thirsty/shriveled/impotent (supposedly signified by a dry palm)
57 I…dry alludes to the proverb “fools have wit enough to come in out of the rain”
59 dry jest stupid/ironic
61 at…ends always ready/literally by the hand
62 barren empty of jests and of Sir Andrew’s hand
63 canary sweet wine from the Canary Islands; also continues play on impotence put down snubbed (Sir Andrew plays on the senses of “drunk/impotent”)
65 Christian i.e., average man
66 Eater …wit beef was thought to dull the intellect; wit may also signify “penis” and beef “whore,” implying impotence as a result of venereal disease
68 forswear it give it up
69 Pourquoi “why” (French)
71 tongues foreign languages bear-baiting spectator sport in which a bear chained to a stake was attacked by dogs
72 the arts liberal arts/academic learning
73 head of hair puns on tongues pronounced “tongs,” thus suggesting a barber’s curling tongs
74 mended improved
76 becomes suits
77 flax yellow fiber distaff staff used to spin flax housewife woman who keeps house/prostitute take…off treat Sir Andrew as a distaff and his hair as flax to be spun/have sex with Sir Andrew, resulting in syphilitic hair loss
80 none of me have nothing to do with me count i.e., Duke Orsino hard near
81 degree (social) position estate status/fortune
82 wit intelligence life in’t still hope (proverbial)
83 strangest oddest/most extraordinary
84 masques and revels courtly entertainments involving dancing
85 kickshawses trivial distractions/sexual sweetmeats
86 under…betters except for my social superiors
87 old man expert
88 galliard lively dance
89 cut a caper perform a leap/have sex
90 cut…to’t plays on the sense of caper as a berry used in sauce for mutton; also a prostitute
91 back-trick backward dance step/sex
93 like to take likely to gather Mistress Mall’s picture i.e., a portrait protected from dust and light by a curtain (Mall is a diminutive of “Mary”)
94 in doing coranto running dance
95 jig rapid, springing dance make water urinate sink-a-pace cinquepace, a lively dance with five steps; may play on the sense of sink as “sewer”
96 virtues talents
97 star…galliard astrological influence favorable to dancing
98 indifferent moderately damned damnably (the Folio reading “dam’d” is defensible as an intensifier, but it could be emended to, e.g., “damson-coloured” or “flame-coloured”) stock stocking
101 Taurus …heart zodiacal signs were thought to govern parts of the body
102 legs and thighs more usually Taurus was said to govern the neck and throat
1 Cesario suggests “little Caesar” and perhaps the idea of splitting/separating (as in “Caesarean” and “caesura”)
2 advanced promoted
4 humour disposition/capriciousness
9 On your attendance ready to serve you
10 aloof to one side
11 no…all i.e., everything
13 address thy gait direct your steps
15 them i.e., Olivia’s servants grow i.e., take root
16 audience reception by Olivia
19 spoke said, rumored
20 civil bounds bounds of civilized behavior
24 Surprise ambush, take unawares faith faithful love
25 become suit
26 attend listen, pay attention to
27 nuncio’s messenger’s aspect appearance
29 lad servant/young man
30 belie deceive
31 Diana’s lip Diana was the Roman goddess of the moon, hunting, and chastity; in view of “pipe” and “organ,” lip may play on “nether lip” (labia)
32 rubious ruby-red pipe voice/penis
33 shrill and sound high-pitched and unbroken
34 is semblative resembles part attributes/role/sexual organ
35 constellation disposition determined by the stars
39 freely independently
42 barful strife effort full of hindrances
1.5 Feste From Latin or Italian, festa (“feast” or “festival”), an appropriate name for a fool/clown
2 in by
4 well hanged plays on the sense of “with a large penis” no colours i.e., nothing (literally, military flags); puns on “collars” (nooses)
6 Make that good justify yourself
7 He…fear i.e., a dead man cannot see (enemy colours)
8 lenten meager (Lent, the time of fasting, was especially associated with puritanism)
11 bold confident/certain
14 turned away dismissed from service
16 Many…marriage proverbial; good hanging may continue play on the sense of “large penis” for as for let…out i.e., good weather will make dismissal more bearable
19 points matters (Maria plays on the sense of “laces used to hold up breeches”)
20 gaskins breeches
21 Apt quick, witty If…drinking either never, or suggesting that Maria and Sir Toby would be a good match
22 Eve’s flesh woman
24 were best are best advised Malvolio “ill-will” (Latin)
25 an’t if it
27 Quinapalus an invented authority, perhaps playing on French qui n’a pas lu (“unread”) or mock Italian “him on the stick” (the face on the fool’s bauble)
31 Go to expression of impatient dismissal dry dull dishonest undutiful
32 Madonna “my lady” (Italian)
33 dry dull/thirsty mend improve; later plays on the sense of “repair”
34 botcher mender of clothes and shoes
35 patched simply mended, covered up; also alludes to the fool’s multicolored costume
36 simple uncomplicated/foolish
37 syllogism reasoning based on two premises (here those concerning virtue and sin) so well and good no…calamity i.e., one married to calamity will always be faithless cuckold man with an unfaithful wife
38 beauty’s a flower i.e., it will fade; Feste advises Olivia to make the most of her youth and beauty, rather than shutting herself away and refusing to marry
41 Misprision error/wrongful arrest cucullus…monachum “a hood does not make a monk” (Latin)
42 motley multicolored clothing worn by professional fools leave permission
45 Dexteriously skillfully
47 catechize cross-examine (literally, form of Church instruction in which a person answers a set of questions about the Christian faith) good…virtue my good virtuous mouse; playful term of endearment
48 idleness pastime bide await/endure
55 mend improve (Malvolio shifts the sense to “grow (more foolish)”
59 no fox not cunning pass give
62 barren dull-witted put down defeated
63 with by ordinary fool unexceptional fool/fool performing at an inn (ordinary)/natural idiot stone may also refer to Stone, an Elizabethan tavern fool
64 out …guard defenseless (fencing term), i.e., lacking a witty reply minister occasion provide opportunity (for fooling)
65 protest declare crow laugh raucously
66 set unspontaneous zanies assistants
67 of with distempered unbalanced
68 free generous bird-bolts blunt arrows for shooting birds
69 allowed licensed
70 rail rant discreet prudent
71 reprove express disapproval
72 Mercury…leasing may Mercury, god of deception, make you good at lying
79 madman i.e., rubbish, gibberish Fie expression of impatience or disgust
80 What you will whatever you want to say
82 old stale
83 should be were
84 Jove Roman king of the gods
85 pia mater brain (literally, soft membrane enclosing it)
89 sot fool/drunkard
91 lethargy (drunken) state
92 one someone
94 faith i.e., to defy the devil it’s all one it doesn’t matter
97 one…heat one drink beyond that which would warm him
98 drowns makes him excessively drunk/unintelligible/unconscious
99 crowner coroner sit o’my coz hold an inquest on my kinsman
102 yond yonder, that
103 takes…understand understands
108 sheriff’s post decorated post denoting authority, fixed in front of the sheriff’s door
109 supporter…bench furniture support (bench plays on the sense of “court of justice”)
111 of mankind i.e., ordinary
113 ill manner i.e., impolite will…no whether you want to or not
114 personage appearance
115 squash unripe pea pod (peascod, allusive of genitals—a humorous reversal of “codpiece,” a bag worn over the opening at the front of a man’s breeches)
116 codling unripe apple, plays on “cod” meaning “scrotum”
117 standing water at the turn of the tide well-favoured good-looking
118 shrewishly sharply/shrilly
122 embassy message/ambassador
126 cast away waste
127 penned written
128 con learn by heart sustain endure comptible sensitive
129 sinister impolite
131 studied learned, memorized out…part not within my brief
132 modest reasonable
134 comedian actor
135 my profound heart upon my soul/(to Olivia) my wise lady
136 that I play the character I perform
137 usurp counterfeit (Viola shifts the sense to “assume unjust authority over”)
138 what…reserve i.e., Olivia should not withhold herself from love and marriage
139 from outside, not part of on go on
141 forgive excuse from repeating
143 feigned fictional/insincere it in it to yourself saucy impudent
144 wonder marvel
145 If…brief i.e., if Viola has any sense at all she should go; any sensible message must be conveyed quickly ’Tis…me I am not a lunatic, i.e., not affected by the moon’s changes
146 make one take part skipping frivolous, mad
147 hoist sail i.e., prepare to leave
148 swabber sailor who washes the deck hull float, with sails furled Some mollification please pacify/I have pacified
149 giant i.e., Maria; a joke about Maria’s small size and/or Maria resembles a giant in a romance tale who guarded a lady
150 courtesy introduction, preamble/etiquette
151 fearful frightening, alarming Speak your office perform your task, deliver your speech
152 overture disclosure taxation of homage demand for money on behalf of a superior lord
153 olive olive branch, symbol of peace matter real substance
154 rudely i.e., by being saucy at the gates
156 entertainment reception maidenhead virginity
157 divinity sacred profanation blasphemy
159 text theme/topic drawn from the Bible for discussion in a sermon
161 comfortable comforting
162 bosom heart
163 chapter as of the Bible
164 answer…method continue the metaphor
168 out of straying from curtain i.e., veil covering Olivia’s face (picture)
169 such…present i.e., here I am (Olivia speaks of her face as if it were a recent portrait)
170 if…all i.e., if all Olivia’s beauty is natural, rather than cosmetic or touched up by the metaphorical painter
171 in grain indelible, i.e., all natural
172 truly blent genuinely blended/realistically painted red and white i.e., lips (or rosy cheeks) and skin
173 cunning skillful
174 she lady
175 graces beauties
176 copy replica in the form of a child (Olivia plays on the sense of “list”)
177 divers schedules several inventories
178 inventoried itemized utensil article, feature
179 indifferent adequately
180 praise puns on “appraise,” i.e., evaluate
182 if even if
184 but recompensed, though no more than repaid, even if
185 nonpareil paragon
187 fertile abundant
190 suppose consider
192 In…divulged well-regarded in popular opinion free honorable/generous
193 dimension…nature physical form
194 gracious graceful, attractive
196 flame passion
197 deadly deathlike
201 willow cabin shelter made from willow branches, a symbol of unrequited love
202 my soul i.e., Olivia
203 cantons songs contemnèd despised, rejected
205 Hallow shout/bless reverberate echoing
206 babbling…air like that of Echo, whose unrequited love for Narcissus meant she wasted away to a mere voice gossip chatter
211 fortunes position as a servant state social status well satisfactory
218 fee’d post hired messenger
220 Love…love may Love harden the heart of whomever you fall in love with
227 blazon heraldic coat of arms, which could only be displayed by a gentleman Soft wait a moment
228 the…man i.e., Orsino and Cesario could change places man servant
229 catch the plague i.e., fall in love
235 peevish headstrong
236 county’s count’s, i.e., Duke Orsino’s
237 Would I whether I wanted it
238 Desire ask flatter with i.e., encourage
239 hold…hopes sustain him with false expectations
241 Hie hasten
244 Mine…mind my eyes (through which love enters) may have betrayed my reason
245 owe own
1 Nor …not do you not wish
2 patience permission darkly ominously malignancy evil influence
3 distemper spoil, unbalance crave entreat leave permission
4 evils misfortunes
7 sooth (in) truth determinate intended extravagancy wandering
8 modesty propriety
9 am…in wish to keep secret it…manners politeness compels me
10 express reveal
11 called said was Messaline unclear, possibly Marseilles or Messina, or invented by Shakespeare
12 an hour the same hour (they are twins)
14 some about an breach breaking waves
18 estimable wonder admiring judgment overfar too greatly
19 publish speak openly of/celebrate envy malice
21 more i.e., tears
22 entertainment reception (for one so worthy)
23 your trouble the trouble I put you to
24 murder…love i.e., by making me leave you
26 recovered rescued, brought back to life kindness tenderness/natural affection (for my sister)
27 yet still manners…mother i.e., a womanish inclination to weep
28 tell…me i.e., betray my feelings by crying
30 gentleness good favor
32 Else otherwise
34 sport recreation
1 ev’n just
2 on at but hither only this far
5 desperate assurance hopeless certainty
6 hardy bold in his affairs on his business
7 taking of this understanding of this message/reception of the ring it the ring
9 peevishly willfully, foolishly so in the same manner, i.e., thrown
10 eye plain sight
13 outside appearance
14 made…of had a good look at
15 lost made her lose
16 starts bursts distractedly with agitation/madly
18 in by way of churlish blunt, ungracious
21 were better would be better off
23 pregnant resourceful enemy probably Satan
24 proper-false attractive but deceitful (men)
25 set their forms make their impressions (like seals in wax)
26 our…be i.e., because women are made of frail material, we are weak
28 fadge turn out
29 monster unnatural creature (being both man and woman) fond dote
32 state…for situation is hopeless with regard to
34 thriftless unprofitable
1 Approach come betimes early
2 diluculo surgere (… saluberrimum est) “to get up early is most healthy” (Latin proverb)
4 can drinking vessel
6 lives i.e., living beings (Sir Andrew interprets as “way of life”) four elements earth, air, fire, and water, from which everything was thought to be made
8 Marian variant of Mary/Maria stoup drinking vessel/measure of alcohol
11 hearts fine friends picture…three captioned picture showing two fools or asses, so that the spectator is the third
12 catch musical round
13 breast set of lungs, singing voice
14 leg for dancing, or bowing before singing
15 thou wast you were
16 Pigrogromitus…Queubus words invented by Feste as examples of his feigned wisdom equinoctial equator
17 leman sweetheart Hadst it? Did you receive it?
18 impeticos i.e., pocket up gratillity gratuity (another invented word) whipstock whip handle
19 Myrmidons Achilles’ followers; possible play on “Mermaid Inn,” a tavern in Shakespeare’s London bottle-ale houses low-class taverns
22 testril of sixpenny coin from
23 song…life drinking song (Sir Andrew interprets good as “virtuous, moral”)
28 high and low i.e., in terms of pitch or volume
29 Trip go, skip sweeting darling
34 hereafter in the future
36 still always
37 plenty profit
38 and twenty an intensifier (the singer’s lover is “twenty times sweet”)
39 stuff quality/material
40 true honest/legitimate
41 contagious breath infectious breath/catchy song
43 hear…nose i.e., if we inhaled sound dulcet in contagion sweetly contagious welkin sky
44 rouse startle/wake three souls three singers would have thrice the effect; powerful music was supposed to draw forth the soul
45 weaver often associated with psalm singing, so to excite one with a drinking song would be a real achievement
46 dog i.e., good (Feste plays on the literal sense)
47 By’r lady by Our Lady, the Virgin Mary
48 ‘Thou knave’ the words of the round
49 Hold thy peace be quiet (subsequent dialogue plays on “piece,” penis) constrained compelled
55 keep make
56 steward manager of household affairs
57 Catayan Catharan (puritan) politicians schemers Peg-a-Ramsey spying wife in a popular ballad
58 ‘Three…we’ popular refrain from a song consanguineous blood-related
59 Tillyvally nonsense
60 ‘There…lady!’ the opening and refrain of a song about the biblical tale of Susanna and the Elders
61 Beshrew curse
63 grace charm natural convincingly/idiotically
64 ‘O…December’ from an unidentified song, possibly an erroneous reference to the twelfth day of Christmas (i.e., Twelfth Night)
66 wit good sense
67 honesty decorum tinkers popularly viewed as drunkards
68 squeak out i.e., sing shrilly coziers’ cobblers’
69 mitigation or remorse considerate lowering
71 Sneck up! Shut up!/ Buzz off!
72 round blunt
73 harbours lodges nothing allied not related to
77 ‘Farewell…gone’ over the next few lines Sir Toby and Feste adapt lines from a contemporary ballad
80 Is’t even so? Is that the way things are?
85 an if if
86 spare not spare him not/be merciless
88 Out o’ tune false Art are (you)
89 cakes and ale i.e., festivity, particularly abhorrent to one with puritan tendencies
90 Saint Anne mother of the Virgin Mary; another antipuritan dig ginger spice in ale/aphrodisiac
91 rub…crumbs polish your chain of office (reminding Malvolio of his servant status)
93 prized valued
94 contempt disrespect/disobedience give means i.e., provide drink rule behavior
96 Go …ears i.e., like an ass; a dismissive insult
97 a-hungry (very) hungry
98 the field to a duel
102 out of quiet agitated For as for let…him leave him to me
103 gull trick nayword byword (for stupidity)
104 recreation source of amusement
106 Possess inform
107 puritan overly strict moralist; not necessarily a member of the extreme Protestant religious movement
109 exquisite ingenious/excellent
111 constantly consistently time-pleaser timeserver, flatterer
112 affectioned pretentious cons…book learns high-flown expressions by heart by great swarths in broad sweeps (like quantities of scythed hay) The best persuaded having the highest opinion
113 excellencies excellent features/accomplishments
114 grounds of faith foundations of belief
117 obscure epistles ambiguous letters
118 expressure expression
119 complexion appearance/coloring/temperament feelingly personated accurately represented
120 on…matter when we have forgotten the circumstances in which something was written or what it was about make distinction of distinguish between
121 hands handwriting
122 device plot
128 Ass puns on “as”
130 physic medicine/treatment
132 construction interpretation event outcome
133 Penthesilea Queen of the Amazons; probably refers to Maria’s shortness
134 Before me mild oath like “upon my soul”
135 beagle skillful hunting dog
138 recover obtain/win foul way out miserably far from success/badly out of pocket
139 cut cart horse (castrated or with docked tail)/vagina
141 burn warm/sweeten with burnt sugar sack Spanish white wine
2 but (I want to hear) only
3 antique quaint/old
4 passion suffering
5 airs melodies recollected terms studied, artificial expressions
12 the while in the meantime
16 Unstaid and skittish unsettled and fickle motions else other emotions
17 constant faithful (contemplation of the)
19 gives…throned reflects the heart exactly
21 masterly from experience/knowingly
23 stayed lingered favour face
25 by your favour if you please (plays on the sense of “on your face”)
30 still always
31 wears she she adapts herself
32 sways she level swings in perfect balance/exerts constant influence
34 fancies infatuations
35 worn exhausted
37 I…well I believe it
39 hold the bent hold steady (from archery: holding the bow taught)
41 displayed unfurled, in full bloom
45 Mark take note of
46 spinsters spinners
47 free carefree/innocent weave…bones make lace with bone bobbins
48 Do use are accustomed silly sooth simple truth
49 dallies deals lightly/toys
50 old age bygone times, good old days
53 away here
54 cypress cypress-wood coffin/among sprigs of cypress (associated with mourning)
57 stuck adorned, strewn yew yew twigs, also emblematic of mourning
59 My…it I am the truest lover who ever died for love
62 strewn pronounced “strown”
72 pleasure…paid with pain (proverbial)
73 leave to leave permission to dismiss
74 melancholy god Saturn, thought to govern melancholy dispositions doublet close-fitting jacket
75 changeable taffeta shot silk, the color of which changes depending on the light opal iridescent gem of changeable color men…constancy i.e., inconstant men
76 their…everywhere “he that is everywhere is nowhere” (proverbial)
77 that’s…nothing that’s the attitude that considers a useless voyage to be profitable
78 give place leave
82 dirty dishonorably acquired/despicable/muddy
83 parts attributes, i.e., wealth
84 giddily lightly fortune traditionally held to be fickle
85 miracle…gems i.e., Olivia’s beauty
86 pranks adorns
93 be answered satisfied
95 bide withstand
97 retention the power to retain (emotion)
98 appetite desire/fancy
99 motion impulse/emotion liver thought to be the seat of strong passion palate organ of taste, i.e., easily satisfied
100 suffer undergo surfeit sickening over indulgence cloyment excessive gratification revolt revulsion (of appetite)
101 mine i.e., my love
102 compare comparison
104 owe have for
112 history story
115 damask pink, like the damask rose
116 green and yellow sickly, pale, and sallow
117 patience…monument carved figure on a memorial
120 shows outwards displays are more have more substance will our desires still always
125 to go to
128 give no place not give way denay denial
1 Come thy ways come along
2 scruple tiny amount boiled puns on (black) “bile,” the cause of melancholy; also a joke, since melancholy was a cold, dry humor
4 niggardly mean-minded sheep-biter nasty, shifty fellow (literally, a dog that attacks sheep)
7 bear-baiting a pastime that was particularly disapproved of by puritans
8 fool…blue bruise him (metaphorically) with fooling
10 pity…lives a pity we should live
11 metal of India i.e., pure gold, treasure
12 box-tree thick evergreen shrub used in ornamental gardens walk path
13 behaviour courtly gestures
15 contemplative preoccupied/mindlessly gazing Close stay hidden
16 tickling i.e., flattery; one method of catching trout is to stroke them under their gills
17 she Olivia affect love/feel fondness for
18 thus near i.e., close to saying fancy love
19 uses treats
20 follows serves
21 overweening arrogant/overambitious
22 rare splendid turkey-cock a proverbially proud, vain bird jets struts
23 advances plumes raised feathers
24 ’Slight (by) God’s light
28 Pistol shoot
30 example precedent lady…wardrobe unknown allusion to the marriage of a woman to her social inferior yeoman…wardrobe servant in charge of household clothes and linen
32 Jezebel in the Bible, proud wife of Ahab, King of Israel; term for a wicked, deceptive, or lascivious woman
33 in absorbed in his own fantasies blows him puffs him up
34 state canopied chair of state
35 stone-bow crossbow that shoots stones
36 officers household servants branched embroidered with a branched pattern or with images of foliage
37 daybed sofa/bed for daytime reclining (with sexual associations)
40 humour of state temperament/power of one in authority demure…regard solemn survey of the room and company
41 would wish
42 Toby Malvolio omits “Sir”
43 Bolts and shackles! restraints for a prisoner
45 people servants start sudden movement make out go
46 perchance perhaps my— perhaps chain of office, which Malvolio momentarily forgets he would not be wearing, but he could be referring to anything; a genital quibble is probably present
47 curtsies bows
49 cars chariots/carts, i.e., by torture
50 familiar friendly
51 regard of control authoritative look
52 take strike, give
53 Cousin kinsman
54 prerogative due privilege, right
57 scab scoundrel
58 sinews muscles, strength
63 employment business
64 woodcock proverbially stupid bird gin trap
65 humours whims, moods intimate suggest
66 hand handwriting C’s…T’s “cut” was slang for “vagina,” but the joke may well be on “cunt” (with and as “n”)
67 great P’s uppercase P’s/noble vagina (“piece”)/copious urination in contempt of beyond
70 impressure imprint, seal Lucrece Olivia’s seal ring bears the image of Lucrece, Roman heroine who committed suicide after being raped
71 uses to seal customarily seals
72 liver seat of passion
77 numbers altered meter changed
79 brock badger, used contemptuously
81 Lucrece knife knife Lucrece used to kill herself
83 sway rule
84 fustian nonsensical/pompous (literally, inferior cloth)
87 What what a dressed prepared for
88 wing flight/speed staniel kestrel, or small falcon checks swoops
90 formal capacity normal intelligence
91 obstruction obstacle position arrangement
92 portend mean
93 O, ay puns on the O…I of M.O.A.I. makeup workout at…scent has lost the trail
94 Sowter name of a hound (a “souter” was a cobbler) cry bark rank foul-smelling
96 cur dog faults finding the scent again after the trail has gone cold
97 consonancy…sequel consistency of pattern suffers holds up
98 probation investigation
99 O shall end O ends Malvolio’s name/a cry of misery will end this business/the hangman’s noose ends life
102 eye puns on Ay and I detraction defamation, slander
104 simulation disguised meaning former earlier, clearer parts of the letter crush force a meaning from
105 bow yield
106 revolve consider (with play on “turn round,” which may cue Malvolio to do so) stars fortunes
108 open their hands offer bounty blood and spirit i.e., all of you, body, and soul
109 embrace willingly accept inure accustom like likely cast cast off
110 slough outer skin opposite antagonistic/contradictory
111 tang…state ring out on political topics trick of singularity peculiar, distinctive behavior
113 ever at all times cross-gartered wearing garters crossed near the knee Go to i.e., come on
116 alter services exchange places of mistress and servant; with sexual innuendo
117 Fortunate-Unhappy i.e., wealthy, but lacking requited love
118 champaign open countryside discovers reveals open clear
119 politic political/prudent baffle publicly disgrace gross dull/base
120 point-device to the last detail jade deceive
121 excites urges
123 manifests herself to reveals herself as injunction order
124 habits ways of dressing/behavior happy fortunate strange aloof stout proud, haughty
127 entertainest welcome, accept
128 still always
132 Sophy Shah of Persia
133 device plot
137 gull-catcher fool trapper/trickster
138 Wilt …neck? i.e., I submit totally to you
140 play gamble tray-trip type of dicing game bondslave slave
145 aqua-vitae strong spirits, such as brandy
146 fruits outcome
150 contempt object of contempt
151 Tartar Tartarus, hell of classical mythology
152 make one join in, tag along
3.1 tabor small drum
1 Save God save live by earn your living with (Feste plays on the sense of by as “next to”)
6 lies by dwells near/sleeps with
7 stands is maintained stand is placed
8 You have said you have had your say/fair enough sentence saying cheveril kidskin (pliable leather)
10 dally nicely play subtly/triflingly
11 wanton uncontrolled, ambiguous/lecherous
15 bonds legal contracts disgraced them i.e., by suggesting that a man’s word alone was not enough
17 yield give
24 pilchards small fish that resemble herring
26 late recently
27 orb planet, world
28 but were it not for the fact that
29 your wisdom i.e., you, a hired servant/fool
30 pass upon jest at/judge
32 commodity supply
33 for one wanting a beard/from love for a bearded man
35 these i.e., coins bred multiplied; Feste asks for more money
36 put to use invested for profit (plays on the sense of “having had sex”)
37 Pandarus uncle to Cressida and go-between for his niece and her lover Troilus Phrygia country in Asia Minor where Troy was situated
39 Cressida…beggar in some versions of the story, Cressida became a beggar with leprosy
40 conster explain
41 out…welkin beyond me welkin sky, heavens element sphere of knowledge/sky
44 craves requires
46 quality character/rank
47 haggard untrained hawk check swoop
48 practice occupation
50 is fit suits the purpose
51 folly-fall’n stooping to foolishness
54 Dieu…monsieur “God save you, sir” (French)
55 Et…serviteur “And you, too. [I am] your servant” (French)
57 encounter approach/enter
58 trade business, with sexual innuendo to with, concerning
59 bound to heading for list limit, objective
60 Taste tryout
61 understand support/comprehend
64 gait and entrance corresponding nouns to Sir Toby’s verbs; gait puns on “gate” prevented anticipated/forestalled
65 the may the odours sweet smells
67 hath no voice cannot be uttered pregnant receptive
68 vouchsafed (kindly) bestowed, i.e., attentive
69 all ready committed to memory, ready for use
70 hearing audience (with Cesario)
75 ’Twas …world proverbial: things haven’t been the same
76 lowly feigning pretended modesty compliment courtesy
78 yours your servant his i.e., his servants
80 For as for
81 blanks blank paper/unstamped coins
86 suit petition, courtship
87 solicit urge
88 music…spheres planets and stars were thought to be surrounded by hollow spheres that produced beautiful music as they rotated
90 leave permission (to speak)
92 abuse wrong/disgrace
94 construction judgment/interpretation (of my conduct)
95 To force for forcing
97 stake post to which a bear is chained for baiting by dogs
99 receiving understanding
100 cypress light transparent material
103 degree step
104 grize step vulgar proof common experience
106 smile again i.e., throw off melancholy
109 lion a more noble adversary
113 proper handsome/worthy
115 disposition state of mind
117 You’ll you’ll send
120 what you are i.e., in love with me (a woman/a servant)
125 I…fool you make me look foolish
126 deal quantity
129 love’s…noon i.e., despite trying to conceal itself, love is obvious
131 maidhood virginity
132 maugre in spite of
133 Nor neither
134 extort…clause extract reason from this premise
135 For that because no cause need to woo in return
136 Reason …fetter restrain your reason with the following reasoning
143 deplore lament, recount sorrowfully
2 venom venomous person
5 i’th’orchard in the garden
6 the while at the time
8 argument proof
10 it my case oaths sworn testament
11 Noah biblical character who survived a mighty flood sent by God
13 dormouse sleepy
14 fire-new …mint i.e., like a freshly minted coin
15 banged struck
16 balked avoided/neglected double gilt i.e., golden (opportunity)
17 north cold region
19 policy strategy
20 lief willingly
21 Brownist follower of Robert Browne, founder of an extreme puritan sect politician schemer
22 build me build Challenge me challenge
24 love-broker go-between
28 martial hand military style/handwriting curst quarrelsome
29 so provided that invention innovation licence of ink freedom encouraged by writing rather than speaking
30 thou’st call him “thou,” an insult to a stranger (“you” is the polite form) lies accusations of lying
31 bed of Ware famous bed, able to hold twelve people
32 gall bile, anger/an ingredient in ink (oak gall)
33 goose-pen quill pen made from a goose’s feather (may play on sense of goose as “fool”)
35 cubiculo “bedroom” (Latin)
36 manikin little man, puppet
37 dear costly two thousand probably ducats (gold coins)
38 rare marvelous, i.e., entertaining
40 wainropes wagon ropes, pulled by oxen hale haul, drag
42 th’anatomy i.e., his skeleton/body
43 opposite adversary visage appearance/face presage indication
44 youngest wren the wren is a small bird (a play on Maria’s size); some editors emend “mine” to “nine”
45 spleen fit of laughter (the spleen was thought to be the seat of laughter)
46 gull fool, dupe renegado deserter of his religion
48 passages of grossness i.e., the ludicrous statements in Maria’s letter
50 villainously offensively, horribly pedant schoolmaster
51 dogged followed closely
52 new…Indies probably refers to a map published in 1599 that showed the East Indies in much greater detail than previously
54 forbear desist from
3 chide scold
5 filèd sharpened
6 all only (out of) so much enough (love)
8 jealousy concern, apprehension (about)
9 skill-less in unacquainted with stranger foreigner
12 rather more readily
16 ever oft very often
17 shuffled off shrugged aside uncurrent worthless
18 worth financial means conscience feeling of obligation firm substantial/reliable
19 dealing treatment/reward
20 relics antiquities, old sights
25 renown make famous
28 count his count’s, i.e., duke’s galleys ships usually propelled by oars as well as sails
30 it…answered it would be virtually impossible to account for it/make reparation (i.e., Antonio’s life would be in danger)
31 Belike presumably
33 Albeit even though
34 bloody argument cause for shedding blood
35 answered requited
36 traffic’s trade’s
38 lapsèd apprehended/caught out
40 open publicly
41 doth not fit does not suit/is not appropriate for
42 Elephant name of an inn
43 bespeak our diet order our food
44 beguile while away
45 have meet
47 Haply perhaps toy trifle
48 store available money
49 idle markets trivial purchases
1 him i.e., Cesario
2 of on
5 sad serious civil decorous
8 possessed by evil spirits, i.e., mad
18 sad serious/melancholy
20 sonnet song/poem ‘Please…all’ a ballad about women having their own way sexually
22 black melancholic (from an excess of black bile) It i.e., the letter his i.e., Malvolio’s
23 Roman hand fashionable Italian style of handwriting
24 go to bed i.e., to rest (but Malvolio takes this as sexually suggestive)
26 kiss thy hand a fashionable greeting amongst courtiers
28 daws jackdaws, birds of the crow family/fools
45 midsummer proverbially the season for madness
47 hardly with difficulty attends awaits
50 miscarry come to harm
52 come near begin to understand/appreciate
57 consequently subsequently reverend carriage dignified bearing
58 habit manner/clothing sir of note distinguished man limed caught; birdlime was a sticky substance smeared on branches to trap birds
60 Fellow equal after my degree according to my position
61 dram tiny amount scruple small quantity/doubt
62 incredulous incredible unsafe unreliable
65 drawn in little gathered in a small space/painted in miniature
66 Legion biblical reference to a multitude of devils; Sir Toby may mistakenly think it is the name of a specific devil
68 private privacy, with possible play on “private parts”
69 Lo look hollow echoingly
70 have a take
72 Let me alone leave him to me
76 La look
78 water urine, examined for diagnosis wise woman local healer, thought able to cure those bewitched
83 move excite/provoke
87 bawcock good fellow (from the French beau coq, i.e., “fine bird”) chuck chick
89 Biddy hen gravity respectability
90 cherry-pit children’s game in which cherrystones are thrown into a hole foul collier dirty coalman, i.e., the devil
94 idle worthless/trivial
95 element sphere/type
99 genius soul/guardian spirit
100 take…taint be spoiled (by exposure to air)
103 in…bound conventional treatment for the insane
104 carry manage/maintain
106 bar open court, i.e., judgment finder of madmen juror who formally declared whether a man was mad
108 matter substance/sport May morning i.e., festive time
109 warrant assure you/confirm
110 saucy spicy/insolent
111 warrant assure
112 scurvy worthless/contemptible
114 admire marvel
116 note remark keeps protects blow…law legal punishment (for breaching the peace)
118 liest…throat lie outrageously
123 o’th’windy on the windward, i.e., safe
125 hope i.e., of success as…him insofar as you treat him as such
128 move provoke/set in motion
129 commerce transaction/conversational exchange
131 Scout me keep watch (for me)
132 bumbaily bailiff who crept up on the debtor from behind
133 horrible terribly/exceedingly
134 twanged off uttered ringingly/said with a snide nasal intonation approbation credit proof testing out
136 let me alone i.e., you can rely on me
138 capacity intelligence
140 clodpole idiot
142 youth inexperience aptly receive readily believe
143 hideous terrifying
145 cockatrices basilisks, mythical reptiles whose gaze had the power to kill
146 Give them way keep out of their way presently immediately
148 horrid terrifying
150 laid laid down/exposed unchary carelessly
154 ’haviour…bears behavior that characterizes your passion
156 jewel piece of jewellery, here a miniature portrait of Olivia
160 honour saved i.e., apart from my virginity
164 acquit excuse, release (from obligation to love)
169 That whatever betake resort
170 intercepter one lying in wait despite contempt bloody bloodthirsty
171 Dismount draw tuck sword yare quick
173 to with remembrance memory
176 price value opposite opponent
177 withal with
179 dubbed invested with knightly status unhatched unhacked, unmarked (in battle) on carpet consideration for courtly, rather than military, reasons
181 incensement fury satisfaction recompense for offense to one’s honor
182 sepulchre tomb Hob, nob have or have not, i.e., come what may word motto
183 conduct protection
185 taste test quirk peculiarity
186 competent sufficient
188 that i.e., the duel
189 meddle get involved
190 forswear…you cease to wear a sword
191 office task know of inquire from
196 mortal arbitrement fight to the death
199 Nothing…promise not at all as extraordinary read judge form appearance like likely
204 mettle spirit/courage
205 firago virago, female fighter pass bout (of fencing)
206 stuck in fencing thrust
207 mortal fatal motion fencing maneuver inevitable unavoidable answer return hit pays you strikes you in return
208 to in the service of Sophy Shah of Persia
209 Pox plague
210 hold restrain
211 cunning skillful fence fencing
212 ere before
214 motion offer
215 perdition of souls i.e., loss of life perdition destruction, damnation ride i.e., make a fool of
216 take up settle
217 horribly conceited has just as terrifying an idea
219 for’s oath for his oath’s
220 quarrel cause of complaint
221 supportance upholding protests declares/vows
223 A…would it wouldn’t take much to (thing plays on the sense of “penis”)
227 duello established duelling code
232 up away
238 undertaker one who takes on a task/challenger for ready for
240 anon shortly
242 for that as for what
243 He i.e., Capilet, the horse reins is obedient, responds to the reins
245 suit order/request
247 favour face
251 answer be accountable for
255 amazed shocked/bewildered
261 part in part
263 having fortune
264 present available resources
265 coffer money
266 deny reject/disown
267 deserts worthy deeds
268 lack persuasion fail to persuade you to help me tempt try
269 unsound morally weak/inadequate
275 vainness ostentation
282 sanctity holiness
283 image appearance (plays on the sense of “religious icon”)
284 venerable worth worthy to be venerated
287 feature physical appearance
289 unkind cruel/unnatural
291 trunks chests/bodies o’erflourished richly decorated/made outwardly beautiful
299 sage solemn/dignified saws sayings
301 glass mirrored reflection/image
302 favour appearance went went about
303 Still always ornament clothing, adornments
304 prove i.e., to be true
306 dishonest dishonorable a coward cowardly
309 religious devout
310 ’Slid by God’s eyelid (common oath)
313 event outcome
314 yet after all
4 held out kept up
7 vent utter, let out
8 of from
9 lubber clumsy idiot
10 cockney pampered child/affected, effeminate fellow ungird takeoff strangeness aloofness
12 Greek buffoon/speaker of gibberish
13 tarry linger worse payment i.e., blows
14 open generous (with money or blows)
15 report reputation fourteen years’ purchase i.e., a large investment of time and money
19 straight at once in…coats in your position
21 hold restrain yourself
22 action of battery lawsuit for assault
26 iron dagger/sword
27 fleshed initiated into fighting
30 malapert impudent
38 Rudesby ruffian friend friend/lover
40 uncivil barbarous extent assault
43 botched up patched together
45 Beshrew curse
46 started startled/drove from cover heart puns on “hart”
47 relish meaning (literally, “taste”)
48 Or either
49 fancy imagination Lethe river of forgetfulness in the classical underworld
50 still always
51 Would thou’dst if only you would
1 Sir respectful title for priest Topas topaz, a precious stone, was supposed to cure madness; also proverbial for a puritan priest
2 curate parish priest the whilst in the meantime
3 dissemble disguise
4 dissembled feigned, deceived become suit
5 function task/role (of priest) said reputed
6 housekeeper host goes as fairly sounds as good careful painstaking/conscientious
7 competitors conspirators, partners in crime
9 Bonos dies “good day” (mock Latin/Spanish) old…Prague an invented authority never…ink was illiterate
10 King Gorboduc legendary British king
18 hyperbolical immoderate/vehement/raging fiend evil spirit (supposedly possessing Malvolio) vexest torment
23 modest terms mild expressions
25 house i.e., room
27 barricadoes barricades clerestories upper windows
32 puzzled bewildered Egyptians…fog in the Bible, God punished the Egyptians with three days of darkness
34 abused wronged/maltreated
35 constant decided/consistent/logical question discussion, debate
36 Pythagoras ancient Greek philosopher who believed in the transmigration of souls from humans to animals
37 grandam grandmother happily perhaps (though may play on adverbial sense)
41 allow…wits acknowledge you are sane woodcock proverbially stupid and easily caught bird
44 exquisite ingenious/exact (in imitation)
45 am…waters can turn my hand to anything
47 To goto
48 delivered liberated
50 upshot final stroke, conclusion by and by straightaway
54 perdy by God (from French par dieu)
64 besides out of five wits mental faculties: common sense, fantasy, judgment, memory, and imagination
65 notoriously evidently/outrageously
67 But only
69 propertied packed away like a piece of furniture/a stage prop
70 face bully
71 Advise you be careful/consider
73 bibble babble idle chatter
76 God buy you good-bye, literally “God be with you”
80 shent rebuked
83 Well-a-day alas/would
92 requite repay
96 a trice an instant
97 Vice buffoon/comic character in old morality plays
99 dagger of lath the weapon of the Vice character lath thin wood
103 Pare thy nails probably a comic routine in morality plays Pare trim dad the Vice was sometimes portrayed as the devil’s son
104 goodman title for someone below the rank of gentleman
6 was had been credit report
7 range roam
9 disputes well i.e., agrees
11 accident unforeseen event
12 instance precedent discourse rationality
14 wrangle argue
15 trust belief
17 sway her house govern her household
18 Take…dispatch deal with matters of household business
21 deceivable deceptive
24 chantry private chapel by nearby
26 Plight…faith pledge your love (in a binding betrothal)
27 jealous anxious, uncertain, wary
29 Whiles until note public knowledge
30 What at which celebration i.e., marriage
31 birth social status
35 fairly note observe with favor
5 This…again seemingly refers to the anecdote about Elizabeth I and her kinsman Dr. Boleyn; she asked for his dog and promised him anything in return, upon which he asked for the animal back
7 trappings ornaments/bits and pieces
9 for because of
15 abused deceived so…affirmatives if the outcome is like the response to a request for a kiss, where “no, no, no, no” means “yes, yes”
19 though even though friends i.e., one who gives him praise
21 But except for the fact double-dealing duplicity/giving twice
23 your grace favor/virtue (plays on the customary way of addressing a duke) in your pocket i.e., to hide it/to give money flesh and blood human instincts/frailty
24 it i.e., the ill counsel
25 to as to
26 Primo, secundo, tertio “first, second, third” (Latin) play game third…all i.e., third time lucky (proverbial)
27 triplex triple time in music tripping nimble, skipping measure stately dance/music Saint Bennet church of Saint Benedict
29 throw roll of the dice/occasion
32 lullaby i.e., farewell
38 Vulcan Roman god of fire, and the gods’ blacksmith
39 bawbling trifling
40 For (trifling) because of draught depth of water required to float the ship unprizeable of little value
41 scathful damaging grapple close fighting, attempts to board another ship
42 bottom ship (literally, ship’s hull)
43 very even envy malice, i.e., his enemies loss defeat
46 Phoenix name of Illyrian ship fraught cargo Candy Candia, modern Heraklion, a port in Crete
47 Tiger name of Illyrian ship
49 desperate disregarding
50 brabble brawl
51 on my side (his sword) in my defense
52 put…me spoke to me strangely
53 but distraction if not madness
54 Notable notorious
56 bloody bloodthirsty dear grievous, severe
59 Be…I allow me to
61 base basis
64 rude rough
67 retention reservation
68 All…dedication dedicated wholly to him
69 pure purely
70 adverse hostile
74 face…acquaintance deny he knew me
75 grew…wink in the space of a moment he behaved as if we had not seen each other for twenty years
77 recommended committed
85 But for as for
88 but…have except that which I refuse him, i.e., love
93 lord if addressed to Viola, “husband” (Viola uses the sense of “master”)
95 aught anything
96 fat gross fulsome distasteful, nauseating
100 uncivil uncivilized
101 ingrate ungrateful unauspicious ill-omened, unpromising
103 tendered offered (may play on “tender,” i.e., loving, gentle)
104 Even what whatever/exactly what become suit
106 Egyptian thief character from a Greek romance who tried to kill a captive he loved when his own life was threatened
108 savours nobly has a taste of nobility
109 non-regardance disrespect/lack of attention
110 that since
111 screws forces
113 minion favorite/darling
114 tender care for/value
116 in …spite to the vexation of his master
117 ripe in mischief ready to do harm
120 jocund cheerful apt readily
121 To…rest in order to give you ease
125 mores such comparisons
127 tainting of discrediting
128 beguiled deceived
136 sirrah sir (contemptuous; used to an inferior)
138 baseness cowardice/lowly nature
139 strangle stifle propriety real identity
141 that that which
142 that thou fear’st him you fear, i.e., Orsino
145 unfold reveal
150 joinder joining
151 close meeting
153 compact agreement
154 Sealed…function certified by my priestly authority
155 watch clock
158 grizzle sprinkling of gray hair case (animal) skin
159 craft cunning
160 trip wrestling move to throw opponent
163 protest declare/swear
165 Hold little faith keep some part of your promise
166 presently immediately
168 H’as broke he has cut coxcomb head (with suggestion of fool’s cap resembling a cock’s crest)
172 incardinate incarnate
174 ’Od’s lifelings by God’s little lives (mild oath)
179 set nothing by think nothing of
180 halting limping
181 in drink drunk tickled i.e., beaten othergates in another way, i.e., differently
183 all one doesn’t matter there’s th’end on’t that’s all there is to it sot idiot/drunkard
185 agone ago, past set glazed/fixed/closed (eight i’th’morning may suggest the manner in which the surgeon’s eyes were fixed, rolling back, like the sun high in the morning sky)
187 passy measures pavin stately dance, i.e., slow
189 be dressed bandaged
190 coxcomb fool
191 gull dupe/fool
194 brother…blood my own brother
195 with…safety in reasonable self-protection
196 strange regard odd/distant look
200 habit clothing
201 natural perspective optical illusion produced by nature
203 racked tormented
206 Fear’st doubt
212 deity godlike quality
213 here and everywhere omnipresence
214 blind heedless
215 Of charity (tell me) out of kindness
219 suited dressed
220 form and suit physical appearance and dress
223 am…clad my body is clothed with the flesh
224 participate have in common with all humanity
225 the…even everything else is in agreement
232 record memory lively vivid, alive
235 lets hinders
238 jump coincide
241 weeds clothes
245 mistook mistaken
246 to…drew inclined in the right direction (bowling metaphor)
247 contracted betrothed
251 glass mirror/lens of optical instrument (perspective)
252 happy fortunate
254 like to as much as
255 overswear swear again and again
257 orbèd continent spherical container, i.e., as the sun keeps
262 action legal charge
263 in durance imprisoned
265 enlarge release
266 remember me remember
267 distract mad
268 extracting distracting frenzy agitation/madness
269 From…his drove him from my memory
271 Beelzebub the devil the stave’s end at a distance
272 today i.e., this
273 epistles letters/New Testament letters from the apostles gospels truths/New Testament records of Christ’s life and teaching skills matters
274 delivered handed over
276 delivers speaks the words of
280 vox “voice” (Latin), i.e., the correct manner of delivery (Feste has obviously read the words in a “mad” style)
282 read discern right wits true state of mind perpend consider
288 semblance outward show the which i.e., the letter
290 duty i.e., respectful behavior of a steward out…injury as a wronged party
295 delivered released
296 so may it thought on considered
297 as…wife as good a sister-in-law as you’d hoped to regard me as a wife
298 th’alliance the union (in a double wedding)
299 proper personal
300 apt ready
301 quits releases (from service)
302 mettle natural disposition
315 hand handwriting
316 from it differently
317 invention composition
319 modesty of honour name of all that is decent and honorable/restraint befitting your status
320 lights signals
323 lighter more frivolous/lesser
324 acting undertaking
325 suffered allowed
327 geck dupe/fool
328 invention played on trickery sported with
330 character style of writing
331 out of beyond
333 cam’st you came
334 presupposed Upon previously suggested to
336 practice plot/trick shrewdly mischievously passed been perpetrated
342 condition (happy) circumstances
343 wondered marvelled
346 Upon because of uncourteous unfriendly/uncivil parts qualities/actions
347 conceived against imagined/discerned in
348 importance urging
350 sportful playful followed followed up/carried out
351 pluck on induce
352 If that If
354 baffled tricked/disgraced
356 interlude short play
359 whirligig spinning top/roundabout
364 golden auspicious convents comes together/calls us
365 combination union
367 hence here, i.e., Olivia’s house
369 habits clothing
370 fancy’s love’s
371 and a a very
373 foolish trivial/silly (may play on the sense of “lewd”) thing may play on the sense of “penis” toy trifle/useless/fun (may play on a sense of “penis”)
375 man’s estate manhood
376 etc. indicates repeat of chorus
379 wive marry
381 swaggering bullying/quarreling
383 beds drunk to bed/old age
385 With toss-pots like other drunkards