Act 1 Scene 1

 1.1    Location: the royal court. Henry Bullingbrook had usurped the English crown in 1399 when he forced his cousin, Richard II, to abdicate. Richard died shortly afterward in mysterious circumstances. The early years of Henry’s reign were dominated by a determination to justify and consolidate his claim to the throne and by a number of insurrections. As the play opens, Henry voices his anxiety about civil unrest

    1    we i.e., the king/the nation as a whole wan pale, sickly

    2    Find we let us find frighted frightened

    3    breathe short-winded accents speak while out of breath broils quarrels, fighting

    4    strands afar remote distant shores

    5    entrance mouth

    6    daub smear, plaster

    7    trenching ploughing

    8    flow’rets small flowers armèd iron-shod/armored

    9    paces (horse’s) tread/gallop opposèd hostile, malevolent

  10    meteors regarded as bad omens

  12    intestine shock internal, domestic military encounter

  13    close hand-to-hand fighting

  14    mutual well-beseeming united and ordered

  19    sepulchre of Christ Christ’s tomb (at Jerusalem; Henry is planning a crusade to the Holy Land)

  21    impressèd conscripted engaged pledged, committed

  22    power army levy raise, muster

  23    arms upper limbs/weapons mother’s natural mother’s/England’s

  24    fields lands/battlefields

  25    blessèd feet i.e., Christ’s

  27    bitter painful/pitiable

  29    bootless pointless

  31    gentle kindly/noble cousin kinsman

  32    yesternight last night

  33    dear important/urgent/noble/costly expedience expedition

  34    liege lord, superior to whom feudal service was due hot in question hotly debated

  35    limits…charge responsibilities relating to the undertaking

  36    But only, as recently as athwart adversely, at odds with our business

  37    post messenger loaden weighed down heavy sad/weighty

  40    irregular…Glendower uncivilized guerrilla fighter (Glendower was leader of the Welsh rebels)

  41    rude rough

  43    corpse corpses

  44    transformation mutilation

  47    tidings news

  48    Brake archaic past tense of “break”

  49    matched with together with, accompanied by

  50    uneven rough, unsettling

  52    Holy Rood day September 14, dedicated to the cross (rood) of Christ Hotspur Henry Percy’s nickname suggests that he is vigorous, hasty, and hot-headed

  54    approvèd tried and tested (in battle)

  55    Holmedon the Northumberland site of the battle

  56    sad serious/leading to sorrow

  58    shape of likelihood likely conjecture

  59    heat…contention middle of the fiercest fighting

  61    issue outcome any either

  62    Here either “here at court” or a line indicating Blunt’s presence among the “other” lords in attendance on stage

  63    new lighted only just dismounted

  64    variation of each different types of

  65    Betwixt between seat residence/throne

  66    smooth pleasant, welcome

  67    discomfited defeated

  69    Balked heaped up (in “balks,” i.e., ridges)

  71    Mordake…Douglas Mordake was Earl of Fife but not Douglas’ son—Shakespeare misread Holinshed’s Chronicles, his main source

  73    Menteith not in fact another earl, but one of Mordake’s titles

  74    honourable spoil noble gains of war

  75    gallant fine, splendid

  80    theme subject, chief topic

  81    straightest plant most upright tree

  82    minion favorite

  84    riot debauchery, corruption

  86    night-tripping moving nimbly through the night fairy popular belief held that fairies sometimes stole human infants, substituting (troublesome) fairy children for them

  88    Plantagenet the surname of this royal dynasty

  90    from go from coz short for “cousin” (i.e., kinsman)

  92    adventure enterprise, venture surprised captured, ambushed

  97    prune preen (like a bird) bristle raise, ruffle angrily

  98    dignity worthiness/kingship

100    cause reason

106    out…utterèd can be spoken openly in anger

Act 1 Scene 2

 1.2    Location: in London, but unspecified; perhaps the prince’s apartments

    2    fat-witted dull-witted (plays on Falstaff’s physical size) sack Spanish white wine

    3    forgotten neglected/forgotten how

    4    demand that truly ask accurately, rightly truly genuinely/accurately

    5    capons castrated cockerels, a common dish

    6    bawds pimps, procurers of sex dials sundials/clock faces leaping-houses brothels

    7    hot lustful taffeta silky material associated with prostitutes

    8    superfluous unnecessarily curious, irrelevant

    9    come near me touch the point, begin to understand me go by travel by the light of/tell the time according to

  10    the seven stars the Pleiades (a group of stars in the constellation Taurus) Phoebus the sun god ‘wandering…fair’ probably a phrase from a ballad or popular romance, referring to the sun as a knight in a tale of romance

  11    wag mischievous boy grace term of address for royalty (but sense then shifts to “spiritual grace” and then to “prayer before a meal”)

  14    egg and butter i.e., a very light meal (barely requiring grace tobe said as a blessing)

  15    roundly plainly, straightforwardly (may play on Falstaff’s shape)

  16    Marry by the Virgin Mary squires…body the night’s personal attendants (night’s puns on “knight’s”)

  17    thieves…beauty i.e., by sleepily wasting the day (beauty puns on “booty”) Diana Roman goddess of the moon, patron of hunting and virginity foresters forest dwellers, servants

  18    minions favorites of good government of good conduct/who live under a good ruler

  20    countenance face, appearance/support, authority steal rob/move furtively

  21    holds applies, is apt

  24    ‘Lay by’ highwayman’s command that his victims lay aside their weapons

  25    ‘Bring in’ an order for drinks now…gallows one moment one’s fortune is as low as the bottom of the ladder leading to the gallows, the next as high as the crossbar at the top of the gallows—i.e., whatever a thief’s course, the result (hanging) is the same

  27    hostess landlady

  29    Hybla Sicilian town famous for its honey old…castle carouser (plays on “Oldcastle,” Shakespeare’s original name for Falstaff; castle may play on the sense of “stocks,” instruments of public punishment in which a thief might be confined; a London brothel called The Castle may also be alluded to, appropriately named given that castle was slang for “vagina”) buff jerkin tight leather jacket worn by sheriffs officers (plays on the sense of “naked vagina”)

  30    robe of durance long-lasting garment (with sexual connotations; durance plays on the sense of “imprisonment”)

  31    quiddities quibbles

  32    What a plague emphatic form of “what”

  33    pox venereal disease

  34    called…reck’ning asked her for the bill/asked her to explain herself/had sex with her

  35    pay thy part pay for your share/have sex

  37    coin would stretch money would go/penis would grow; coin puns on “quoin”—i.e., carpenter’s wedge (a euphemism for “penis”)

  39    heir puns on here (which was pronounced in a similar manner)

  41    resolution determination fobbed cheated curb restraint (literally, chain passed under a horse’s jaw) old father antic the elderly buffoon (that is)

  44    rare splendid brave fine, excellent

  47    jumps…humour fits my disposition

  48    waiting waiting around/being in attendance

  49    suits requests, legal petitions (Falstaff plays on the sense of “suits of clothes”; the hangman had the right to keep his victims’ garments)

  50    no lean wardrobe i.e., no small amount (because hangings were common; wardrobe may pun on “wardrope,” a type of thick rope)

  51    gib cat tom cat lugged bear baited bear, pulled by the ears and tugged on a chain

  52    lute the stringed instrument was associated with lovers

  53    bagpipe musical instrument/tedious, moaning speaker

  54    hare a proverbially melancholy animal Moorditch notoriously filthy drainage ditch outside the northern walls of the City of London

  56    comparative prone to making comparisons rascalli’st most rascal-like

  57    vanity foolishness, trifles commodity supply names reputations

  58    rated scolded

  59    marked him not took no notice of him

  61    no…it biblical allusion, “Wisdom crieth without…and no man regarded” (Proverbs 1:20–4), truncated in Folio because of the 1606 Parliamentary “Act to restrain the Abuses of Players”

  62    damnable iteration a way of constantly quoting Scripture that will lead to damnation saint puritan term for a person chosen by God to be saved

  65    An if

  66    never a no

  67    Jack affectionate form of “John”

  68    make one make up one of the party

  69    baffle publicly disgrace (a knight)

  70    amendment reformation

  71    vocation calling (from God)

  72    Gadshill named after Gad’s Hill in Kent, a notorious place for highway robberies set a watch surveyed the targeted area, conducted a recce (as part of planning a robbery; some editors emend to “set a match”—slang for “plan a robbery”)

  73    saved by merit had their souls saved through good works and personal desert (as opposed to divine grace)

  74    omnipotent unparalleled, almighty ‘Stand’ stand and deliver—highwayman’s command true honest

  76    Monsieur Remorse teasing reference to Falstaff Sir…Jack i.e., Falstaff; another mocking reference, apparently alluding to Falstaff’s taste for sweetened wine

  78    Good Friday the Friday before Easter Sunday, a strict fast day Madeira a strong white wine

  80    give…due proverbial

  82    Else he had Otherwise he had been cozening cheating

  83    Gad’s Hill the notorious spot for robberies was situated on the Dover road near Rochester in Kent; pilgrims traveling to Canterbury were often targets

  85    vizards masks

  86    lies lodges bespoke ordered

  87    Eastcheap London street running from the junction of Cannon and Gracechurch Streets to Great Tower Street secure safely

  88    crowns gold coins tarry stay

  89    Yedward dialect form of “Edward” hang you i.e., report it and get you hanged

  90    chops fat cheeks

  94    blood royal regal descent (Falstaff goes on to play on the sense of “gold coin worth ten shillings“) stand for stand and fight for/be worth

102    Well…believed Falstaff parodies the language of a Protestant sermon on the power of God’s word to move the congregation

104    abuses wrongdoings, sins

105    want countenance lack recognition and support

106    latter…summer late spring and summer lasting until All Hallows’ Eve (October 31); the suggestion is that Falstaff’s youthful behavior is not in keeping with his age

109    waylaid set an ambush for

114    pleasure preference, decision fail i.e., to turn up

117    like likely habits clothes

118    appointment piece of gear

120    sirrah sir (familiar form often used to inferiors, jocular here) cases of buckram suits of coarse cloth

121    nonce purpose, occasion immask disguise noted well known

122    doubt fear hard tough, powerful

124    turned back turned their backs to flee forswear swear to give up

125    incomprehensible boundless, unlimited

127    wards defensive maneuvers (fencing term) reproof disproving, refutation/shame, reprimand

130    sup have supper (the last meal of the day)

132    uphold carry on with/support

133    unyoked humour unrestrained behavior, wild whim

134    sun common symbol of royalty

135    contagious noxious, infectious; clouds were thought to harbor disease

138    wanted missed, lacked

142    sport play, entertain oneself

144    rare accidents unusual events

148    falsify men’s hopes prove expectations of me false

149    sullen ground dark background

152    foil contrast, background (technically, setting for a jewel)

153    so offend misbehave in such a way skill art/cunning tactic

154    Redeeming time making up for lost time (Redeeming has religious connotations)

Act 1 Scene 3

 1.3    Location: the royal court

    1    temperate calm, restrained

    2    Unapt not inclined or ready to

    3    found me found me to be so

    4    tread upon try, take advantage of

    5    myself my royal self

    6    condition natural disposition

    8    title of claim

    9    proud fine, splendid, possessed of self-respect

  10    house family

  11    scourge punishing whip

  13    holp helped portly prosperous, majestic/overweight, too comfortable

  17    peremptory determined/imperious

  19    moody frontier threatening look frontier literally, military fortification

  20    good leave full permission

  21    use services

  26    with…denied refused so emphatically

  27    delivered reported

  28    envy or misprision malice or misunderstanding

  32    dry with rage thirsty after the fury of battle

  34    neat elegant trimly finely, immaculately

  35    new reaped freshly shaven

  36    stubble-land at harvest-home shorn stalks of crops at the end of the harvest

  37    milliner seller of fancy goods (originally those from Milan)

  39    pouncet-box small box with a perforated lid, used for holding perfume or snuff ever and anon time and again

  40    gave held up to

  41    Who therewith angry at which (removal of the box) his nose became angry

  42    Took…snuff inhaled/took offense still continually

  44    untaught ignorant, ill-mannered

  45    slovenly dirty, untidy unhandsome unattractive, unbecoming

  46    nobility elegant, aristocratic personage

  47    holiday…terms refined, genteel expressions

  48    questioned conversed with/asked questions of

  50    cold untended/congealing

  51    popinjay parrot (i.e., gaudy prattler)

  52    grief pain

  53    neglectingly unthinkingly, carelessly

  55    brisk sprucely, smartly

  56    waiting-gentlewoman woman of good family attending on a great lady

  57    God…mark! conventional expression of apology

  58    sovereign’st best, most healing

  59    parmaceti corruption of “spermaceti”—fat from the head of a sperm whale, used for treating bruises

  61    saltpetre potassium nitrate, the chief ingredient of gunpowder, also used medicinally

  63    tall fine, valiant

  66    bald unjointed chat empty, incoherent chatter

  67    indirectly inattentively

  68    beseech beg

  69    Come current be accepted at face value

  74    retold related, explained

  75    die i.e., be forgotten

  76    impeach discredit, accuse

  77    so provided that

  78    yet he still Hotspur (the king does not reply to him directly) deny refuse (to hand over)

  79    proviso and exception terms and conditions

  80    charge expense straight straight away

  85    Earl of March i.e., Mortimer; in fact, Shakespeare confuses two Edmund Mortimers: one was indeed the Earl of March, but it was his uncle of the same name who married Glendower’s daughter

  86    coffers money chests, treasury

  88    indent make a contract fears those traitors who give us cause for fear/cowards

  93    revolted rebellious

  95    fall off abandon loyalty

  98    mouthèd open, gaping/famous, spoken of

  99    Severn’s sedgy bank reed-covered banks of the River Severn, which divided England and south Wales

101    confound spend, consume

102    changing hardiment exchanging valiant blows

103    breathed broke off to catch their breath

104    Upon agreement by mutual consent flood water, torrent

105    affrighted frightened

107    crisp wavy, rippled (personifies the river as curly-haired) hollow empty, sunken

109    base…policy lowly and corrupt plotting

110    Colour disguise/dye

113    slandered “sland’red” in Folio revolt i.e., the accusation of being a rebel

114    belie misrepresent, lie about

115    encounter fight

116    durst (would have) dared

121    kind manner

123    license formally authorize

125    An if if

126    after follow

128    with hazard of at the risk (of losing)

129    choler anger

133    Want mercy lack God’s mercy, i.e., be damned

136    downfall downfallen

138    ingrate ungrateful cankered diseased, corrupted Bullingbrook Henry’s surname before he was king (taken from the castle in which he was born—Hotspur refuses to acknowledge Henry’s royal status)

140    heat anger

141    forsooth in truth

142    urged pressed, brought forward

144    eye of death fearful look, perhaps also threatening

146    he i.e., Mortimer

147    Richard Richard II, deposed by Henry next of blood nearest blood relation, i.e., heir to the throne; confusion between the two Mortimers continues—it was in fact the younger man who was proclaimed heir, rather than his uncle (husband of Glendower’s daughter and the man who is meant here)

149    unhappy unfortunate

150    in us i.e., at our hands—the Percy family had supported Henry against Richard

152    intercepted interrupted (in the middle of his Irish campaign)

156    soft wait a moment

157    brother brother-in-law

160    cousin may pun on “cozen” (i.e., “cheat”)

164    blot (moral) stain

165    subornation incitement (to Richard’s murder)

167    second means agents, instruments

170    line status (plays on the sense of “rope”) predicament category/dangerous situation

171    range move/are ranked subtle crafty

175    gage pledge

178    canker wild rose/worm that destroys plants/ulcer

180    fooled made fools of/duped, frustrated

186    studies reflects, plans, endeavors

187    answer repay

191    unclasp i.e., open

192    quick-conceiving ready, quick to understand

193    deep deep-rooted/grave/cunning

195    o’er-walk cross

196    unsteadfast unsteady spear i.e., used as a bridge

197    goodnight i.e., he’s dead or…swim whether he sinks or swims/he’ll either sink or swim

199    So provided cross meet/thwart, oppose

207    fathom-line weighted line used for measuring the depth of water

209    redeem rescue, restore thence from there

210    corrival rival, competitor

211    out upon away with half-faced fellowship partial, unsatisfactory partnership

212    apprehends conceives of, perceives figures images/forms/figures of speech

213    form essential principle attend consider

214    list listen

215    cry you mercy beg your pardon

219    Scot puns on the sense of “small payment”

229    holla shout

232    still constantly

234    defy renounce

235    gall and pinch irritate and torment

236    sword-and-buckler weapons associated with servants; a gentleman carried rapier and dagger buckler small shield

237    But that were it not for the fact that

238    mischance accident

241    better…attend in the right frame of mind to listen

244    Tying…own listening to no one but yourself

246    pismires ants

247    politician crafty plotter

250    duke his uncle i.e., Edmund of Langley, Duke of York kept lived

253    Ravenspurgh Spurn Head on the Yorkshire coast

254    Berkeley Castle a castle in Gloucestershire, near Bristol

256    candy deal sickly sweet (flattering) quantity

258    Look when wait for the time when, as soon as infant…age i.e., I come into my inheritance

260    cozeners deceivers (puns on “cousin”)

263    stay await

264    sooth truth

267    the Douglas’ son i.e., Mordake mean For powers agent or means of raising an army

268    divers various

272    bosom i.e., confidence, trust

273    prelate church dignitary

276    bears hard takes badly

277    lord Scroop William Scroop, Earl of Wiltshire, executed by Bullingbrook in 1399; in fact the archbishop’s cousin

278    estimation guessing

281    stays waits face…occasion i.e., opportunity

283    smell it catch the scent, as in hunting

285    Before…slip you always release the dogs before the prey has been sighted

287    power army

290    aimed devised, directed

292    head army

293    even steadily, patiently

296    pay us home repay us in full/administer a fatal blow

302    suddenly soon

303    steal go secretly

304    at once all at the same time

305    happily fortunately

310    fields battlefields

Act 2 Scene 1

 2.1    Location: an inn-yard on the road between London and Canterbury Carrier deliveryman

    1    by the day in the morning Charles’ wain Charlemagne’s wagon, old name for the constellation of the Plough

    2    packed loaded ostler groom at an inn

    3    anon soon, in a moment

    4    Tom presumably the Second Carrier, though possibly the Ostler beat Cut’s saddle beating a saddle would soften it; Cut is the horse’s name flocks tufts of wool (for padding) point pommel of saddle

    5    jade worn-out old horse wrung…withers rubbed sore between the shoulders out…cess beyond measure

    6    Peas and beans i.e., horses’ food dank…dog damp

    7    bots intestinal worms house inn

    9    joyed was happy

  12    tench freshwater fish with spots said to resemble flea bites

  14    first cock first cockcrow, midnight

  15    jordan chamber-pot leak urinate

  16    chimney fireplace chamber-lye urine loach small freshwater fish, thought to harbor fleas

  17    Come away come along

  18    gammon of bacon ham razes either “races” (roots) or “rasers” (a measure amounting to four bushels)

  19    Charing Cross village between London and Westminster, site of a market

  20    pannier one of a pair of baskets

  21    An…thee if cracking your skull were not as good a thing as drinking

  23    Hast have you faith honesty, trustworthiness

  25    two o’clock either an error, since the First Carrier earlier said that he thought it was four o’clock, or a lie to mislead Gadshill (who may have aroused suspicion)

  26    gelding castrated horse

  27    I…that i.e., I’m not so stupid as to fall for such an old trick

  29    Ay…tell? What time is it? Do you know? (repeating Gadshill’s earlier request); or proverbial phrase meaning “you must be joking” quoth a did you say

  32    Time…candle i.e., sometime tonight warrant assure

  33    neighbour Mugs i.e., the First Carrier; neighbour is a friendly form of address call wake along…charge want to travel in a group because they’re carrying valuable goods Chamberlain inn attendant in charge of the bedrooms

  36    At …pick-purse I’m ready, as the pickpocket says

  37    That’s…as i.e., you might as well have said

  38    giving…labouring giving orders does from working

  39    lay’st…how devise the plan, direct the thief

  40    holds current that remains true what

  41    franklin small landowner wild of Kent Kentish weald, wooded country between the North and South Downs of southern England three…gold i.e., £200, a mark was an accounting unit (rather than a coin) worth two-thirds of a pound

  43    auditor treasury official abundance of charge a lot of baggage

  44    eggs and butter i.e., breakfast presently immediately

  45    Saint Nicholas’ clerks thieves, highwaymen; Saint Nicholas was supposedly their patron saint I’ll…neck i.e., you can hang me

  50    starveling skinny, starving person Trojans fine fellows (slang) the which who

  51    profession i.e., of robbery

  52    make all whole put everything right, sort things out

  53    foot-land rakers thieves who operate on foot (as opposed to on a horse) long-staff sixpenny strikers thieves who, merely to steal sixpence, strike their victims with a long stick mustachio purple-hued malt-worms purple-faced drunkards with large moustaches

  54    tranquillity those living a peaceful life burgomasters town officials

  55    oneyers exact meaning uncertain, perhaps “ones,” i.e., great personages hold in hold firm/keep silent

  57    commonwealth nation

  58    ride i.e., like a horse, but also with sexual connotations boots booty, plunder (the Chamberlain plays on the sense of “footwear”; there is also a quibble on the sense of “vagina”)

  59    hold…way keep you dry on a muddy road/piss herself

  61    liquored oiled (to make waterproof)/plied with alcohol as…castle i.e., in complete safety

  62    cocksure completely secure receipt of fern-seed recipe for fern-seed (supposed to confer invisibility)

  65    true honest

  68    Homo Latin for “man” common name to general name for

  69    muddy muddled, dull-witted (plays on the sense of “dirty”)

Act 2 Scene 2

 2.2    Location: the highway near Gad’s Hill

    1    frets…velvet fusses or, literally, frays like cheap velvet stiffened with gum

    3    close concealed

    5    fat-kidneyed i.e., fat-bellied (rascal may play on the sense of “young or inferior deer,” a creature Falstaff is frequently compared to) keep make, keep up

    9    by the square exactly square a measuring instrument

  10    break my wind lose my breath (plays on the sense of “fart”) Well…rogue I expect to die well despite everything, as long as I’m not hanged for killing Poins

  13    medicines potions

  15    ere before An if

  16    turn true man reform, become honest/become an informer veriest varlet most complete rogue

  20    Whew! Expression of alarm or perhaps Falstaff trying to whistle

  25    exchequer treasury

  26    colt cheat

  27    uncolted without a horse

  28    to i.e., to find, but the prince takes him to mean “to mount”

  30    heir-apparent garters jokes on the fact that as heir apparent, the prince belonged to the knightly Order of the Garter peach turn informer, betray (my accomplices)

  31    ballads…all songs made up about you filthy disgraceful, obscene

  32    forward far advanced/presumptuous, immodest afoot when the robbery plot is underway/when I am on foot

  35    setter one who plans robberies

  37    Case ye mask yourselves

  40    make us all make our fortunes

  42    front confront

  43    lower further down light on come upon

  44    be are there

  48    Gaunt plays on the literal sense of “thin” (though actually the name was a form of “Ghent”)

  49    proof test

  54    hard near

  55    happy…dole may good fortune be every man’s lot

  60    whoreson caterpillars bastard parasites whoreson son of a whore

  61    bacon-fed fat, well-fed youth youngsters

  62    undone ruined

  63    gorbellied big-bellied chuffs clowns/misers

  64    store savings, full possessions bacons pigs

  65    grand-jurors wealthy men, eligible to sit on a jury jure judge, see to/make a juror of

  67    argument a topic of conversation

  70    my masters sirs

  71    arrant absolute equity stirring judgement in the world

  72    wild duck i.e., easily frightened

  80    lards drips fat on

Act 2 Scene 3

 2.3    Location: Hotspur’s estate (historically, Warkworth Castle in Northumberland) solus alone

    2    house family (Hotspur goes on to play on the literal meaning, contrasting it with barn)

    8    uncertain unreliable unsorted unsuitable

    9    counterpoise counterbalance

  10    hind peasant/menial/nervous female deer lack-brain idiot

  11    protest declare, affirm

  12    expectation promise

  13    lord of York the Archbishop of York, Richard Scroop

  15    brain…fan knock his brains out with a lady’s fan—light and suitable for one with little brain

  17    the Douglas Archibald, Earl of Douglas; the signifies the head of a Scottish clan

  19    in…of i.e., really motivated by

  21    go to buffets come to blows (with myself) moving trying to persuade dish…milk i.e., weak, cowardly one

  22    action course of action/military enterprise/rhetorical gesture/division in a logical argument prepared drawn up for military action

  29    stomach appetite

  33    treasures…rights treasured intimacy and wifely rights

  34    thick-eyed dull-sighted, preoccupied/heavy-lidded (from lack of sleep)

  35    faint light, restless watched remained awake

  37    terms of manage words of control

  39    sallies and retires advances and retreats

  40    palisadoes defensive fortifications

  41    basilisks large cannon (named after a mythical reptile) culverin another type of large cannon

  43    current movement, onward flow heady violent, swiftly moving

  48    motions movements, expressions/emotions

  49    restrain hold/catch

  51    heavy important, weighty

  53    What, ho! summons to servant

  54    Gilliams name of another servant packet packet of letters, dispatch

  56    Butler another servant

  57    even just

  58    roan with a coat of mixed color crop-ear with the top of the ears cropped

  61    back mount straight straight away Esperance! Hope! (the Percy family motto was “Esperance ma comforte,” French for “In hope is my strength/consolation”)

  65    carries you away transports you with emotion

  68    weasel a notoriously aggressive animal (Hotspur responds literally) spleen anger, impulsiveness

  71    stir become roused, rebellious

  72    title claim to the throne

  73    line support

  75    paraquito little parrot

  77    little finger phallic connotations

  80    trifler frivolous time waster

  82    mammets dolls, perhaps with play on Latin mamma (“breasts”) tilt joust

  83    crowns heads (plays on the sense of “coins” as well as having royal connotations)

  84    pass them current pass them off as good currency God’s me God save me

  94    whereabout speculate why

  98    Constant faithful, trustworthy

100    closer more tight-lipped

108    force necessity

Act 2 Scene 4

 2.4    Location: a tavern in Eastcheap, London

    1    fat stuffy (possibly “vat”) lend…hand help me

    4    loggerheads blockheads, idiots three or fourscore sixty or eighty (a score is twenty) hogsheads large wine casks

    5    sounded…humility played the lowest note of baseness/humbleness sworn brother avowed intimate friend

    6    leash set of three (usually animals tied together) drawers bartenders, waiters Francis name of the bartender Hal subsequently teases

    8    proud pompous Jack fellow, knave/Jack Falstaff (diminutive version of John)

    9    Corinthian fine fellow—Corinth in ancient Greece was notorious for riotous living mettle spirit, worth

  10    dyeing scarlet probably because heavy drinking reddens the complexion; perhaps because urine, a product of drinking, was used to fix dye

  11    breathe…watering pause for breath while drinking (possibly “fart while urinating”) ‘Hem!’ sound of disapproval/a clearing of the throat play it off finish it up

  13    drink…language i.e., consort comfortably with a drinker of any social class/drink heavily (tinkers were reputedly heavy drinkers)

  14    action encounter (usually military)

  15    pennyworth of sugar small quantity of sugar used to sweeten wine

  16    under-skinker low-ranking waiter (to “skink” is to pour out liquor)

  18    Anon (I’m) coming, just a moment Score put on the bill bastard sweet Spanish wine Half-Moon one of the rooms in the tavern

  19    drive pass by-room side room

  20    puny inexperienced/young/weedy to what end why

  21    leave stop

  22    precedent example

  24    perfect word-perfect

  26    Pomgarnet Pomegranate, the name of another room in the tavern

  29    to serve left of your apprenticeship (the usual length was seven years; Francis is probably fourteen or sixteen)

  33    By’r lady by Our Lady (the Virgin Mary) long…pewter long apprenticeship to learn to be a barman (drinking vessels were made of pewter)

  34    indenture contract by which an apprentice was bound

  36    books i.e., Bibles

  41    Michaelmas the feast of Saint Michael, September 29

  43    stay wait

  44    for as for, about

  54    rob i.e., rob your master of service by running away leathern jerkin (the master who wears a) tight-fitting leather jacket crystal-button fashionable shiny buttons not-pated short-haired

  55    agate-ring ring set with a carved agate stone puke-stocking dark-colored heavy woollen stockings caddis-garter garter made of woollen tape smooth tongue smooth talker, flatterer Spanish-pouch wallet of Spanish leather

  57    brown bastard Spanish wine, sweeter than the white variety your only drink the best of drinks

  58    doublet tight-fitting jacket sully get dirty Barbary region in northern Africa (from which sugar was imported) it i.e., sugar amazed dumbfounded Vintner innkeeper selling wine

  71    merry as crickets proverbial presumably because they jump about “singing” cunning match clever game, contest of wits

  72    issue outcome, point

  73    I…midnight I now understand all the moods that have ever existed from the beginning of time until now (i.e., I’m in the mood for anything/I have seen everything) goodman title for those below the rank of gentleman (the biblical Adam was a gardener) pupil age youthful time (i.e., the present)

  77    Anon puns on “one” (pronounced similarly)

  78    yet nevertheless (be)

  79    industry business, labor, diligence is is to run the…reckoning consists of the items on a bill

  80    mind opinion, way of thinking

  81    kills me kills (me is colloquial/emphatic)

  83    drench drink/draught of medicine

  85    brawn lump of flesh/fattened boar or pig

  86    ‘Rivo!’ presumably a drinking cry; of uncertain origin ribs fatty meat on bones (i.e., Falstaff) tallow animal fat

  88    of on

  89    nether stocks stockings for the lower leg

  90    foot darn the sole, repair the foot

  91    virtue extant courage still alive

  92    Titan Roman sun god (large and red-faced like Falstaff as he “kisses” the cup of sack); there may be sexual innuendo in butter (a whore was a “dish of butter”), melted (ejaculated), and tail (genitals) pitiful-hearted compassionate, tender

  94    compound mixture (melted butter), i.e., either Falstaff and sack or Falstaff and sweat

  95    lime calcium oxide, used to preserve wine

  98    Go thy ways off you go

  99    shotten herring a herring that has spawned its eggs (i.e., thin and weak)

101    while present age weaver many were Protestant immigrants, known for psalm-singing

103    wool-sack large bale of wool; judges traditionally sat on them

104    dagger of lath stage dagger made of soft wood, traditionally used by the comic Vice in morality plays

105    I’ll…more i.e., I’m not a real man hair a beard

107    round fat/plain speaking

112    backing supporting/turning one’s back, running away

113    face stand face to face/defy, contradict

114    drunk have had anything to drink

116    All’s…that sow hat, it doesn’t matter

119    ta’en taken

122    poor only

124    at half-sword at close quarters/fighting with short swords

126    hose breeches buckler small shield—sword and buckler were considered old-fashioned or lower-class weapons

127    like a hand-saw with the edge so notched from blows it appears serrated like the blade of a saw ecce signum “behold the sign or proof” (Latin; echoes words from the Catholic Mass) dealt fought all…do all this was not enough though

129    sons of darkness biblical phrase (1 Thessalonians 5:5)

136    Ebrew Jew a real (Hebrew) Jew, i.e., a knave

138    come…other the others came in

144    peppered made it hot for, stabbed repeatedly

145    paid settled with, killed buckram coarse linen cloth

146    ward defensive posture (fencing term) lay positioned myself bore my point pointed my sword

147    let drive at bore down on, attacked

151    a-front abreast mainly violently made…ado didn’t wait any longer

152    points sword points target shield

156    these hilts this sword handle

159    mark observe, take note of/keep count

163    points sword points, but Poins takes it to mean the laces attaching the hose to the doublet

165    give me ground back away (me is emphatic) foot and hand at close range

166    with a thought as quick as thought

168    misbegotten wretched, bastard Kendal green coarse, green woollen cloth from Kendal in Cumbria (associated with forest outlaws)

171    father i.e., Falstaff, here compared to the devil—the proverbial “father of lies” begets conceives, creates

172    clay-brained dull-witted knotty-pated thick-headed

173    tallow-catch accumulation of animal fat

179    upon compulsion under force strappado means of torture: the victim was raised by ropes that tied his arms behind his back, then dropped suddenly, which usually dislocated the joints racks instruments of torture: the victim was tied to a frame, which was then extended, stretching the arms and legs in opposite directions

181    reasons puns on “raisins” (i.e., grapes, less readily available than blackberries)

183    sanguine red-faced (with coward, this creates an oxymoron, as a sanguine temperament was equated with courage)

184    bed-presser heavyweight who will strain beds; perhaps also lazy, one who stays in bed horseback-breaker one so fat he breaks horses’ backs (pun on “horse”/”whore’s”)

185    elf-skin man of shrunken, fragile form (often emended to “eel-skin”) neat’s ox’s pizzle penis; a dried bull’s penis was sometimes used as a whip

186    stock-fish dried cod (suggestive of physical weakness and an impotent penis) tailor’s-yard measuring yardstick/penis (tailors were sometimes imaged as thin or effeminate men)

187    sheath cover for knife or sword, i.e., empty case/vagina bowcase long, thin case for an archer’s bow, hence starveling/vagina standing-tuck slender sword that is either rigid (i.e., useless because insufficiently resilient) or upright (not engaged in action) or idle, delaying; with phallic connotations

193    with a word in a word/with merely a single word out-faced confronted and intimidated

196    slave base-minded villain

197    starting-hole bolt hole, hiding place

198    apparent evident

200    knew recognized

202    Hercules Greek hero renowned for strength instinct impulse/innate tendency/intuition lion…prince lions were popularly thought to recognize and refuse to harm royalty

205    clap to shut

206    Watch remain awake (for revelry)/be on guard Gallants fine, fashionable young men hearts fine companions

208    extempore immediately, improvised without rehearsal

209    argument plot, theme

210    an if

215    royal plays on the sense of “coin of greater value than the ‘noble’ [another type of coin]”

219    gravity aged respectability

224    fie expression of reproach or disgust

227    swear…England swear (falsely) with such conviction that truth fled the country

230    spear-grass tough, coarse grass

231    beslubber daub, smear true valiant/honest

232    that something monstrous devices outrageous tricks

233    taken…manner caught red-handed with the evidence/got into the habit

234    extempore spontaneously (i.e., Bardolph has a permanently red face from drinking) fire i.e., a fiery face

236    meteors …exhalations i.e., red blotches on Bardolph’s face; meteors were considered bad omens and thought to result from the sun sucking up poisonous vapors from the earth

238    portend foretell

239    Hot…purses drunkenness and poverty

240    Choler anger (choler was one of the four bodily “humors” governing the disposition) rightly taken correctly understood (the prince shifts the sense to “justly arrested”)

241    halter a noose (Hal puns on choler/collar)

243    bombast padding/high-flown language

244    an…in the width of an eagle’s claw around

245    alderman’s thumb-ring seal ring often worn by wealthy citizens on the thumb

248    Percy i.e., Hotspur he of Wales i.e., Glendower

249    Amamon name of a demon bastinado beating with a stick Lucifer the devil cuckold man with an unfaithful wife swore…liegeman made the devil swear to be his true servant

250    Welsh hook hooked staff used as a weapon and lacking the cross shape of a sword (on which oaths were customarily sworn) what a plague intensified form of “what”

256    hit it got it right (the prince plays on the literal sense)

258    mettle spirit (plays on the sense of “metal,” i.e., not fluid and liable to run) run flee (plays on sense of “melt”)

259    running i.e., speeding o’ horseback

260    cuckoo i.e., mindless repeater of words

263    blue-caps Scottish soldiers, who wore blue hats

264    you…mackerel i.e., for very little indeed—mackerel was a cheap fish even when fresh; perhaps land was being sold off to raise money for war or because of general economic anxiety about conflict (mackerel plays on the sense of “pimp/whore”)

266    like likely hot plays on angry/lecherous buffeting hold strife continues

267    maidenheads virginities as…hundreds i.e., as cheaply as nails for boots, suggesting that in troubled times women will be raped or forced to sell themselves

268    trading commerce/prostitution/sex

271    spirit devil (though the word also has connotations of “courage”)

272    thrill tremble/go cold

274    chid scolded

276    stand for stand in for, play the part of particulars details

278    Content I’m content, very well state throne

280    joint-stool low stool made by a joiner (“I took you for a joint stool” was a way of mockingly apologizing for ignoring someone)

281    crown head

282    fire of grace effects of divine grace

283    moved affected emotionally, stirred

284    King Cambyses’ vein ranting style; Cambyses was the tyrant in Thomas Preston’s Life of Cambyses, King of Persia (1569)

286    Stand aside, nobility presumably those in the tavern are being asked to clear a space

288    Weep…vain Falstaff addresses Mistress Quickly, who is presumably weeping from merriment (puns on “quean,” i.e., harlot, whore)

289    O, the father i.e., in God’s name; or refers to Falstaff acting the part of the prince’s father holds his countenance keeps a straight face, remains in character

290    convey take away/escort (to a seat) tristful sorrowful

291    stop fill up

292    rare marvelous harlotry players knavish actors

293    pint-pot Falstaff addresses Mistress Quickly with a nickname for one who sells beer tickle-brain potent liquor (here, one who sells it)

295    camomile daisy-like plant with medicinal qualities; it grows rapidly, proverbially more so when trodden on

297    trick habit, feature foolish…lip way of hanging your lower lip, regarded as a sign of loose living foolish affected/idiotic/lecherous

298    warrant assure

299    pointed at i.e., gossiped about/mocked sun puns on “son”

300    micher truant/loiterer/petty thief

303    pitch black tar-like substance defile stain, corrupt; Falstaff paraphrases Ecclesiastes 13:1: “Whoso toucheth pitch shall be defiled”

305    passion sincere emotion, distress

308    an it like if it please

309    portly dignified/fat corpulent solid, well-built/fat

310    noble carriage dignified bearing

311    three score sixty

312    lewdly given wickedly, lasciviously inclined

313    peremptorily determinedly

315    naughty wicked

319    rabbit-sucker unweaned baby rabbit poulter’s hare hare hanging up in a poulterer’s shop (which sold fowl and game)

320    set seated (on the mock throne)

321    Judge, my masters the tavern audience must decide who is the more kingly

325    tickle ye amuse you in the role of

326    ungracious without grace, blasphemous

328    tun large barrel especially for wine or beer/ton weight converse associate

329    trunk container/body humours diseases/fluids that determine the disposition: blood, bile, choler, phlegm bolting-hutch large bin used for sifting grain

330    dropsies diseases, which made the body swell with an accumulation of fluid bombard a leather wine jug cloak-bag large bag for carrying clothes

331    Manningtree Essex town with a well-known fair and cattle market pudding stuffing/sausage reverend worthy of respect Vice comic character in medieval morality plays who tempted the youthful hero grey gray-haired

332    Iniquity sinfulness/allegorical name for morality play character father i.e., elderly Vanity vain, proud, foolish, worthless character In years i.e., advanced in years, aged Wherein…good what is he good for

333    neat and cleanly refined and skillful

334    cunning knowledgeable, skillful craft deceit crafty skillful

336    take…you enable me to follow you, help me to understand

339    the…know i.e., I recognize the man but not the description

343    saving your reverence begging your pardon/if you will excuse my language whoremaster user of whores, i.e., a wicked man

345    host innkeeper, pub landlord

346    Pharoah’s lean kine biblical reference to Pharoah’s dream in which the seven lean kine (cattle) devour the seven fat kine, foretelling famine to come (Genesis 41:1–31)

352    monstrous unnaturally large watch group of citizens responsible for keeping order in the streets at night

357    The…fiddlestick i.e., here’s a fine commotion (proverbial)

360    Never…counterfeit a much debated line; Falstaff seems to be referring to himself as genuine gold (i.e., loyal, worthy), despite the prince’s earlier accusations of cowardice and hypocrisy thou…so another obscure line; probably either “you are basically true (essentially made) to your friends, even if some of your recent declarations seem to contradict this” or “you are fundamentally a deceptive play-actor (made), despite seeming to be loyal”; some editors adopt a later reading, and substitute “mad” for “made”

363    deny your major reject your main premise deny refuse entrance to so so be it

364    become suit, befit cart wagon used to transport the condemned man to the gallows bringing up upbringing, breeding (which entitled him, as a knight, to death by beheading)/being brought before the authorities/being hanged

365    soon willingly/quickly

366    arras large tapestry wall hanging (hung so that there was space behind it to hide) walk up above go upstairs

367    true honest

368    date is out lease has expired, i.e., it’s too late for that

371    hue and cry the noise and shouting of citizens in pursuit of a felon

379    engage pledge

380    dinnertime i.e., midday

381    answer thee respond to your charges, account for himself to you

382    withal with

387    answerable held responsible

389    morrow morning

391    oily greasy/cunning, slippery Paul’s St. Paul’s Cathedral, the tallest landmark in London at this time

397    2s 2d two shillings and two pence

398    ob. abbreviation of “obolus,” i.e., halfpenny

399    But merely intolerable deal excessive quantity

400    close hidden, safe advantage a better opportunity

402    charge of foot command of an infantry company

403    twelvescore i.e., 240 yards money i.e., that was stolen

404    advantage interest betimes early

Act 3 Scene 1

 3.1    Location: unspecified; probably in Glendower’s house

    1    promises i.e., of support sure secure, reliable

    2    induction beginning prosperous hope hope of prospering

    9    Lancaster i.e., King Henry; Glendower deliberately refers to him by his former title (Duke of Lancaster)

  14    front forehead, face

  15    cressets torches (literally fires burning in iron baskets), hence meteors (signs of ill omen)

  22    as fearing you because it feared you

  27    eruptions outbreaks of disease/natural or meteorological disturbances teeming fertile, breeding

  28    colic severe stomach pains

  30    womb bowels/stomach enlargement release

  31    beldam old woman, grandmother

  32    moss-grown overgrown with moss, old

  33    grandam grandmother distemperature bodily disturbance

  34    passion suffering, bodily affliction

  36    crossings contradictions

  40    clamorous noisy frighted fields fields full of fear

  41    marked me marked me out as

  42    courses events

  43    roll list

  44    the living any person living clipped in with surrounded by

  45    chides beats, contends with

  46    read to i.e., instructed, educated

  48    trace follow tedious time-consuming, lengthy, complex art scholarship/magic, occult arts

  49    hold me pace keep up with me deep experiments profound, learned investigations

  50    Welsh i.e., nonsense, gibberish

  53    call summon, invoke (Hotspur shifts the sense to “call out to”) vasty deep immense abyss

  58    tell…devil proverbial

  63    made head advanced

  64    power army Wye river on the Welsh-English border

  66    Bootless unsuccessful, without gain (Hotspur plays on the literal sense)

  68    agues violent fevers characterized by shaking

  69    right just claim (to land)

  70    threefold order ta’en three-way agreement

  71    archdeacon not identified; chronicle sources suggest Archdeacon of Bangor

  72    limits regions

  73    Trent…hitherto the rivers Trent and Severn up to this point (presumably Mortimer indicates the map)

  79    indentures tripartite contracts drawn up in triplicate drawn drawn up

  80    sealèd interchangeably each party has a copy signed and sealed by all

  81    this…execute can be done tonight

  85    appointed agreed by Shrewsbury town on the Welsh-English border

  86    father father-in-law

  88    space period of time

  91    in my conduct escorted by me

  92    steal slip away

  93    a…water i.e., many tears

  95    moiety share, portion Burton Derbyshire town of Burton-upon-Trent

  97    comes…in twists sharply into my section; Hotspur objects that the river turns north from Burton and deprives him of the fertile lands of Lincolnshire and part of Nottinghamshire

  99    cantle out corner or portion cut off

101    smug smooth

103    deep indent sharp angled section, indentation

104    bottom river valley

107    he it (the river Trent) runs me runs

108    like advantage the same effect

109    Gelding depriving, cutting (land) off from opposèd continent land on the opposite side

111    charge cost/gunpowder used in blasting trench create a trench or channel

112    cape spur, projecting piece

120    Let…Welsh i.e., say it in Welsh (which I don’t understand) so that I won’t understand (and take offence)

123    being but young since I was young at the time framed to composed for

124    ditty poem, ballad lovely beautifully

125    gave…ornament adorned the English language with music and poetry/decorated the words with the music/improved the sound of the language with my Welsh accent

126    virtue accomplishment, skill

130    metre ballad-mongers sellers of predictably rhymed popular ballads

131    brazen brass turned i.e., on a lathe (which made an unpleasant grating noise)

132    dry unoiled axle-tree axle

134    Nothing…as nothing like as much as mincing affectedly dainty

135    nag feeble old horse

139    in…bargain when it comes to bargaining

140    cavil on dispute insistently over

141    drawn drawn up

143    haste the writer hurry the writer of the indentures withal at the same time

144    Break with speak to, inform

146    doteth on loves very dearly, is infatuated with

147    cross antagonize

148    choose help it

149    mouldwarp mole; according to Holinshed’s Chronicles the division of the map was arranged in accordance with a prophecy that imaged Henry IV as a mole and the others as dragon, lion, and wolf

150    dreamer visionary Merlin wizard and prophet at the legendary court of King Arthur

152    clip-winged with its wings clipped, i.e., prevented from flying griffin mythical beast, half lion, half eagle moulten having molted, lost its feathers

153    couching lying down (form of “couchant,” a heraldic term) ramping rearing, standing on its hind legs (form of “rampant,” a heraldic term)

154    skimble-skamble incoherent, nonsensical

155    puts…faith makes me forget or disbelieve my religion

157    reck’ning up listing, recounting several various

158    lackeys servants, followers ‘Hum’ noncommittal sound expressing agreement ‘Well, go to’ i.e., you don’t say, well I never

159    marked him took no notice of

160    railing complaining, scolding

162    cheese…windmill i.e., poor food in uncomfortable, noisy accommodation

163    cates delicacies

164    summer-house rich man’s country house

165    In faith truly

166    profited…concealments proficient in secret arts

169    India i.e., the West Indies

170    temper temperament, character

171    scope freedom of expression

172    do…humour antagonize him

174    tempted provoked

175    taste…reproof experiencing harm and rebuke

176    use it oft do it often

177    wilful-blame blameworthy for being obstinately self-willed

179    beside out of

180    must needs must

181    show is evidence of blood spirit

182    dearest grace most valuable advantage renders offers

183    present represent, demonstrate

184    want of government lack of self-control

185    opinion arrogance, conceit

186    haunting being associated with

187    Loseth causes him to lose

188    parts besides other qualities

189    Beguiling depriving

190    schooled instructed/admonished be your speed bring you good fortune

192    spite vexation, regret

196    aunt Percy more confusion between the two Edmund Mortimers: Lady Percy (Hotspur’s wife) was in fact the sister of the Mortimer married to Glendower’s daughter and aunt of the younger man

197    in your conduct under your escort

198    desperate here recklessly determined on this point (her decision not to leave Mortimer) peevish self-willed harlotry obstinate headstrong hussy

200    pretty Welsh i.e., her eloquent tears

201    swelling heavens i.e., her eyes filled with tears

202    too perfect only too accomplished, fluent

203    parley language, conversation (perhaps, picking up on soldier, with a sense of “military negotiation”)

205    feeling disputation moving, heartfelt discussion/conversation conducted through touch

206    truant negligent student

208    highly penned elaborately composed

210    division ornamentation, variation (specifically, passage in which a series of short notes elaborates on a longer passage)

211    melt give way to your feelings, weep

212    this i.e., Welsh

213    wanton rushes luxuriant floor covering of reeds

216    crown give power to

217    heaviness drowsiness

220    heavenly-harnessed team horses that drew the sun god’s chariot

221    progress course/royal journey

223    book indentures, legal contracts drawn drawn up

226    Hang…air i.e., they’re spirits thousand leagues three thousand miles

227    straight straight away

228    perfect in expert at, practiced at lying down with sexual connotations (continued in lap)

231    devil understands Welsh i.e., because the supposed spirits have answered Glendower’s call and music is playing

232    humorous capricious, whimsical

234    humours moods, whims (thought to be generated by bodily fluids or “humors”)

235    brach bitch, female dog (called Lady) Irish designed as insult here; may possibly suggest his bitch’s breed

236    broken beaten, grazed

238    still quiet, calm

239    Neither i.e., I won’t do that either woman’s fault i.e., being silent (or sexually passive) is a woman’s trait; may play on “broken head” as “broken maidenhead” (lost virginity), perhaps with fault quibbling on its sense of “vagina/sinful sexual yielding”

245    sooth truth

247    comfit-maker’s confectioner’s; Hotspur makes fun of a genteel oath and offers several more

250    sarcenet surety flimsy assurance sarcenet fine silken cloth

251    Finsbury Finsbury Fields, popular place of recreation just outside the city of London

252    Swear me swear/swear for me

254    protest of pepper-gingerbread i.e., mild oaths pepper-gingerbread in which pepper was partly substituted for ginger, making the gingerbread less spicy and pungent

255    velvet-guards velvet trimmings on clothes, or those who wore them Sunday-citizens those keeping their best clothes for Sunday

258    tailor tailors were supposed to be enthusiastic singers be red-breast teacher teach singing to robins (small red-breasted birds)

262    this this time but seal just put our seals on the documents

Act 3 Scene 2

 3.2    Location: the royal court

    1    give us leave please leave us alone

    6    doom judgment blood family, offspring

    7    scourge punishment of divine origin/punishing whip

    8    passages course through, way of

    9    only marked For solely designated tobe

  10    rod i.e., of punishment

  11    mistreadings wrongful steps, sins else how else

  12    inordinate immoderate, disorderly

  13    bare wretched, paltry/undisguised lewd vulgar, low attempts undertakings

  14    rude society vulgar, uncivilized companionship

  15    withal with grafted united

  17    hold their level think themselves equal to

  19    Quit acquit myself of clear honest

  20    doubtless sure

  23    reproof refutation, disproof

  24    greatness the great, the high-ranking

  25    pick-thanks flatterers and informers news-mongers tellers of tales, gossips

  26    things true genuine misdemeanors

  27    faulty…irregular gone astray off the proper path

  28    true submission honest admission

  29    wonder express surprise

  30    affections tastes, inclinations hold a wing fly

  32    rudely violently, in an uncivilized manner (according to an apocryphal tale, the prince was expelled from the King’s Privy Council for hitting the Lord Chief Justice)

  33    supplied filled

  34    alien stranger

  36    time youth, life

  38    forethink expect/prophesy

  40    common-hackneyed cheapened by habitual exposure (from “hackney,” a horse for hire)

  42    Opinion public opinion

  43    Had…possession would have remained loyal to the holder of the crown (Richard II, deposed by Henry)

  44    reputeless inglorious, shameful/anonymous, unacknowledged

  45    mark significance likelihood prospect of success

  50    stole…heaven adopted a manner of heavenly graciousness

  56    pontifical belonging to a bishop

  57    state magnificence, kingship

  58    Seldom infrequently seen feast special occasion, celebration

  59    solemnity ceremonious dignity

  60    skipping frivolous up and down i.e., aimlessly

  61    rash bavin quickly burnt up bavin brushwood or kindling soon ignited and burnt

  62    carded his state destroyed his dignity, kingly status (to “card” is either to mix or to comb impurities from wool)

  63    Carping chattering (Quarto has “capring,” so most editors print “capering”)

  64    scorns foolishness, mockeries/contemptuous way of speaking

  65    against his name to the detriment of his royal reputation

  66    gibing mocking, taunting stand the push expose himself to the proximity/mockery of

  67    beardless vain comparative immature, worthless maker of mocking comparisons

  69    Enfeoffed committed, bound (literally, to vow loyalty to a lord in return for land)

  71    surfeited grew overindulged and sick

  72    loathe…sweetness i.e., they got sick of the sight of him

  75    cuckoo…June i.e., commonplace by midsummer, not noticed any longer

  77    community familiarity

  78    extraordinary gaze special notice

  82    face i.e., presence rendered such aspect with such an expression

  83    cloudy sullen, gloomy use to habitually

  85    line category

  87    vile participation associating with commoners and base, vulgar people

  88    common widespread, public/cheap, vulgar

  91    tenderness i.e., tears of affection

  93    Be more myself act in a manner more befitting my position

  94    For…world i.e., in every way

  99    He…state He (Percy) has a more honorable claim to the crown

100    shadow of succession mere shadow of a proper heir

101    of having colour like to semblance, pretext of

102    harness armor, i.e., armed men

103    Turns head directs his attention/leads his army lion’s i.e., the king’s (the lion is a traditional symbol of royalty)

104    in…years older (historically Hotspur was actually twenty-three years older than the prince)

105    ancient long-established

106    bruising damaging, crushing

108    whose i.e., Hotspur’s high illustrious, noble

109    hot incursions fierce attacks

110    chief…capital military fame and pre-eminence

113    Mars Roman god of war swaddling clothes wrappings for babies (refers to Hotspur’s youth)

114    enterprises military undertakings

115    Discomfited defeated ta’en him once captured him on one occasion

116    Enlargèd released

117    fill…up complete the number of opponents/add to the roar of opposition

121    Capitulate have formed a league, draw up agreements up i.e., in arms

124    dearest most precious, loved/worst, most bitter

125    like likely vassal base, servile

126    Base inclination taste for the inferior/acceding to base motives start of spleen rush of anger

128    curtsy bow, show respect

133    redeem…head atone for my sins with Percy’s head/make Percy pay for all this

134    in…day at the end of some victorious battle

137    favours facial features/chivalric tokens worn to symbolize pledges or great feats bloody mask face made unrecognizable because covered in blood/mass, covering of blood

138    scour cleanse, get rid of

139    lights arrives/dawns

142    unthought-of ignored, associated with no great expectations

143    helm helmet

148    factor agent, commercial broker

149    engross up accumulate, buy up

152    worship…time honor gained in his lifetime

153    reckoning account, bill

156    salve apply healing ointment to

157    intemperature intemperance, lack of restraint/diseased body, disordered health

160    parcel part

162    charge command (of troops) sovereign supreme, royal (perhaps continuing the disease imagery with play on the sense of “healing”)

163    speed urgency

168    head military force

169    If…hand if all who have promised to join them do so

173    advertisement announcement, news

176    Bridgnorth small Shropshire town on the River Severn, south of Shrewsbury

178    our business valuèd according to this reckoning

181    Advantage…fat opportunity (for rebellion) increases

Act 3 Scene 3

 3.3    Location: the tavern in Eastcheap

    1    fallen away vilely horribly shrunken action engagement, battle (i.e., the robbery on Gad’s Hill) bate decrease

    3    apple-john type of apple said to be in best eating condition when shriveled suddenly immediately

    4    in some liking in the mood/in good physical condition out of heart disheartened/out of condition

    5    strength i.e., physical or spiritual

    6    peppercorn i.e., small and shriveled brewer’s horse i.e., old and worn out

    8    fretful restless, anxious/frayed, worn

    9    there is it i.e., exactly, that’s the situation

  10    given inclined

  11    bawdy-house brothel

  13    compass measure, moderation/circumference (referring to his wide girth), belt

  16    admiral flagship with a lantern to guide the rest of the fleet

  17    poop stern or rear of a ship nose i.e., because it is red from drinking Knight…Lamp mock-chivalric title parodying heroic names in tales of romance

  21    death’s-head skull (i.e., emblem of mortality, often carved into a stone set in a ring) memento mori object used to symbolize death (Latin: “reminder of death”)

  22    Dives…purple refers to Christ’s parable of Dives, the rich man clothed in purple who goes to hell for allowing the pauper, Lazarus, to starve (Luke 16:19–31)

  24    given over lost to virtue, committed to sin

  26    ignis fatuus will-o’-the-wisp, marsh gas that gives off phosphorescent light and misleads night wanderers ball of wildfire will-o’-the-wisp/ball of lightning/skin disease characterized by vivid eruptions

  27    purchase value

  28    bonfire-light Folio spells “Bone-fire-Light,” suggesting both etymology and original pronunciation links torches

  30    drunk me drunk (me is emphatic) good cheap cheap

  31    chandler’s candle maker’s salamander lizard-like creature supposed to live in fire

  33    I…belly! proverbial retort (compares to modern “Get stuffed!”)

  34    be heart-burned have indigestion/my heart would be literally on fire

  35    Dame Partlet traditional name for a hen

  38    tithe tenth part

  40    was shaved had his beard cut/went bald through syphilis/had his head shaved to get rid of lice/was robbed; hair may play on “whore”

  41    woman i.e., inadequate/deceitful/promiscuous

  43    know am acquainted with/have sexual knowledge of

  45    beguile cheat

  46    to your back for you to wear

  47    Dowlas coarse linen (from Doulas in Brittany)

  48    bolters cloths used for sifting flour

  49    holland fine linen (originally from Holland) ell a measure of length (forty-five inches)

  50    diet and by-drinkings meals and drinks in between meals

  55    denier small coin worth one tenth of a penny

  56    younker fashionable and gullible young man, easily duped take mine ease relax

  57    seal-ring engraved ring used for sealing documents with wax, frequently an heirloom forty mark a substantial sum of money; a mark was worth two thirds of a pound

  60    jack knave, rascal sneak-cup sneaky person, knave/one who sneaks drinks from others’ cups truncheon cudgel (symbol of his new military office)

  62    Is…door? i.e., is that the situation door direction

  63    two…fashion prisoners were shackled together and led in pairs to Newgate, the City prison

  71    pick pockets plays on the sense of “plunder vaginas”

  73    bonds deeds promising the bearer payment

  81    stewed prune commonly available in brothels, hence “whore/pimp”

  82    drawn fox hunted fox (drawn from cover and dependent on its cunning for safety) Maid Marian a disreputable character in morris dances and May games, played by a boy in female clothing deputy’s…ward wife of the deputy of the ward (an administrative district), i.e., a respectable woman

  83    to compared to nothing thing of no significance/vagina (“no thing”)

  85    thing whore/vagina on for

  87    thy knighthood the respect usually due to one who is a knight

  91    otter an aquatic mammal whose exact nature and type was a subject of debate

  93    have place, categorize/have sex with

108    whelp cub, offspring

111    let…break the breaking of one’s belt (girdle) proverbially signified bad luck

115    embossed swollen/foaming at the mouth with exhaustion like a hunted animal rascal rogue/young, inferior deer

116    memorandums bills, invoices

117    sugar-candy…long-winded sugar was used to improve stamina

118    injuries items whose loss you claim has caused you injury stand to it insist, maintain your grievance

119    pocket up accept (plays on literal sense of “pocket”)

122    flesh…frailty Falstaff plays with the biblical saying “the flesh is frail” (Matthew 26:41 and elsewhere)

127    still always

128    answered accounted for

129    sweet beef plump, fresh, unsalted beef good angel guardian angel

131    double labour i.e., first taking it, then returning it

133    exchequer royal treasury with unwashed hands straight away/without scruple

136    charge of foot command of an infantry company

138    unprovided ill-equipped (for villainous exploits)

139    they…virtuous i.e., by causing war, which provides opportunities for theft and profiteering laud celebrate, praise

147    Temple hall the Inner Temple at one of the London Inns of Court (where young men studied law)

149    charge company, regiment

150    furniture equipment

153    Rare marvelous Brave splendid

154    tavern…drum Falstaff wishes he might remain at the inn; a drum summoned soldiers to battle (possible pun on tavern/“taborin,” a type of drum)

Act 4 Scene 1

 4.1    Location: the rebel camp near Shrewsbury

    2    fine over-refined

    3    attribution honor, praise

    4    As not a that no other season’s stamp year’s design or mint (coinage term)

    5    general current generally accepted (continues coining imagery)

    6    defy reject, challenge

    7    soothers flatterers braver more honorable

    9    task hold approve me prove, test

  11    breathes…ground lives

  12    beard i.e., challenge, defy (literally, pull insultingly by the beard)

  14    but only

  19    jostling clashing, contentious power army

  20    government leadership

  21    bears contain/reveal I his mind this Folio reading makes sense, though it is cheeky for the messenger to answer back in this way; most modern editors emend to “not I, my lord”

  22    keep keep to

  25    He…by his health was much feared for

  26    would wish state of time present situation whole sound, healthy

  28    better worth more important

  31    catching hither contagious even here

  32    inward sickness possibly an incomplete line, or one that expresses Hotspur’s hasty manner of speaking

  33    by deputation through those acting on his behalf

  34    drawn drawn together, assembled meet fitting, appropriate

  35    dear important

  37    bold advertisement resolute advice/advice to be resolute

  38    conjunction combined forces on proceed

  41    possessed informed

  43    maim serious injury

  45    present want absence now

  46    more…it worse than it will actually prove to be

  47    set hazard, stake

  48    cast throw of the dice main army/gambling stake

  49    nice hazard delicate risk/precarious game of dice doubtful uncertain

  50    read discern

  51    very bottom full extent

  52    list limit bound extent, boundary

  55    reversion back-up, something to be relied on (literally, future inheritance)

  58    retirement something to fall back on/peace, seclusion

  59    rendezvous retreat, refuge

  60    big threateningly, menacingly

  61    maidenhead beginning, first trial (literally, virginity)

  63    hair nature

  64    Brooks tolerates

  66    loyalty i.e., to the king mere absolute

  68    apprehension thought, perception

  69    fearful faction (rebel) alliances that generate fear/frightened groups (of rebel sympathizers)

  70    question doubt, mistrust

  71    off’ring challenging, aggressing

  72    strict arbitrement close scrutiny, rigorous judgment

  73    loop loophole, aperture

  75    draws opens

  78    strain too far exaggerate

  79    make this use find this advantage

  80    opinion renown, prestige

  81    dare boldness

  83    make a head raise an army

  86    Yet still joints limbs

  87    As…think i.e., as can possibly be wished

  93    No harm i.e., that doesn’t matter

  96    intended is about to leave

  97    preparation equipped military force

100    daffed tossed carelessly

102    furnished equipped

103    estridges ostriches (presumably the men’s helmets are adorned with feathers)

104    Bated fluttered

105    golden coats sleeveless outer garments richly adorned with heraldic arms, worn over armor images gilded statues/emblems

107    gorgeous brightly colored, magnificent

108    Wanton wild, frolicsome, carefree

109    beaver helmet (technically, the visor)

110    cuisses thigh armor

111    feathered Mercury Roman messenger of the gods, usually depicted with wings on cap and sandals

112    seat i.e., saddle

114    wind wheel about, turn Pegasus winged horse in Greek mythology

115    witch bewitch

117    agues violent fevers thought to be bred or worsened by the early spring sun

118    trim finery, adornment (like animals garlanded for sacrifice)

119    maid…war Bellona, the Roman goddess of war

121    mailèd Mars Roman god of war, clad in armor

123    reprisal prize

131    Worcester English town on the River Severn

132    draw…days gather his forces for a fortnight

135    What…unto? What is the total number of the king’s troops?

139    powers of us forces we have serve suffice for

140    muster roll call

141    Doomsday Judgment Day

142    out of free from

143    this one-half year six months; Douglas does not expect to die within this period

Act 4 Scene 2

 4.2    Location: the road (they are traveling, probably along the Roman road Watling Street from London to Shrewsbury via Coventry, a Midlands town near Stratford-upon-Avon)

    1    get thee before you go on ahead

    2    Sutton Coldfield Warwickshire town twenty miles northwest of Coventry

    4    Lay out pay for it yourself

    5    makes brings the amount you owe me to (Falstaff responds to the sense of “creates”) angel a gold coin variously worth between 6s 8d and 10s

    7    answer the coinage be responsible for the validity of the coins

    9    soused gurnet type of pickled fish/drunkard

  10    press power of conscription I…pounds Falstaff has allowed those who can afford it to buy their way out of being soldiers of for

  11    good substantial, wealthy yeomen’s sons the sons of freeholders of small landed estates

  12    inquire me out ask for, seek contracted engaged (to be married)

  13    banns public notice of the intention to marry, announced in church on three successive Sundays; the bachelors here are to be married soon commodity portion, quantity warm comfortably off/sexually eager lieve soon drum i.e., customarily sounded to enlist recruits or call men to battle

  14    caliver musket, lightweight firearm

  15    toasts-and-butter milksops, pampered fellows hearts…heads i.e., those with little appetite for fighting

  16    bought…services bribed Falstaff to be exempted from military service

  17    charge command, unit ancients ensigns, i.e., soldiers who carried military banners (plays on the sense of “elderly people”) gentlemen of companies gentlemen soldiers without formal rank

  18    Lazarus…sores refers to the biblical story of the beggar Lazarus and the contemptuous rich man (Luke 16:19–21) painted cloth cheap wall hanging depicting the biblical tale

  19    discarded unjust serving-men dismissed dishonest servants

  20    younger…brothers i.e., those with no hope of a substantial inheritance revolted tapsters apprentice barmen who have run away from their masters ostlers trade-fallen out-of-work stablemen

  21    cankers ulcers/parasites

  22    ancient military banner

  23    rooms places

  24    prodigals in the biblical parable, the prodigal (extravagant) son wasted his inheritance and was reduced to feeding with the pigs

  25    draff and husks pigswill and corn husks

  26    gibbets gallows

  28    gyves leg irons, shackles

  31    herald’s…sleeves the tabard was a sleeveless outer garment open down the sides

  32    Saint Albans town along Watling Street about twenty-five miles north of London Daventry Northamptonshire town southeast of Coventry

  33    find…hedge i.e., they’ll steal clothes left to dry on hedgerows

  34    blown swollen/short of breath quilt padded covering/fat man (plays on Falstaff’s name, Jack, which could also mean a padded tunic worn instead of armor

  36    cry you mercy beg your pardon

  39    looks for expects

  41    fear doubt

  43    butter i.e., fat

  46    toss throw away/impale on a pike food for powder cannon-fodder

  47    pit mass grave as well as better just as well as better men would Tush exclamation of contempt

  48    bare poorly clothed/inadequately equipped (Falstaff shifts the sense to “bare-boned, thin”)

  52    three…ribs three fingers’ depth of fat covering his ribs; a “finger” measured three quarters of an inch

  53    field battlefield

  55    stay delay

  57    To…guest i.e., the end of a fight and the beginning of a feast is the best time to arrive for one keener on eating than fighting (proverbial)

Act 4 Scene 3

 4.3    Location: the rebel camp near Shrewsbury

    1    him i.e., the king

    3    then in that case, if you wait

    5    Looks…supply? Is he not expecting reinforcements?

  13    maintain justify, support, prove

  14    well-respected well-considered bid me on urges me forward

  15    counsel conference

  23    leading leadership

  25    drag hold expedition speedy action horse horses, cavalry

  28    pride and mettle spirit and liveliness

  30    That…himself so that none of the horses is even a quarter of its normal strength

  32    journey-bated exhausted by travelling

  35    parley trumpet summons to negotiation between enemy forces

  37    vouchsafe permit respect consideration

  39    determination mind, conviction

  40    even those some those very people

  42    quality party

  44    defend forbid

  45    out of limit past the bounds of natural order and allegiance

  46    anointed i.e., rightful, legitimate (having been marked with holy oil as part of the coronation ceremony)

  47    charge duty, task

  48    griefs grievances, complaints whereupon on what grounds

  49    conjure call forth (with connotations of magical invocation and bewitchment)

  51    If that if

  52    deserts deservings, merits

  55    with interest and more in addition

  57    suggestion prompting, incitement

  62    was…strong had fewer than twenty-six followers

  63    Sick…regard suffering poor public reputation

  64    unminded disregarded outlaw Richard II had banished Henry Bullingbrook; he returned following his father’s death and Richard’s seizure of his land and titles

  68    sue his livery legally claim his right to inherit his father’s lands and title beg his peace seek reconciliation with King Richard

  69    terms of zeal i.e., eager assurances of loyalty

  74    more…knee those of higher and lower social status offered him allegiance—with cap in hand and knees bent in a bow/kneeling

  76    Attended awaited/accompanied lanes paths/rows

  78    heirs…followed punctuated thus in Folio, but most editors emend to “heirs as pages, followed,” thus altering the sense

  79    golden splendidly or brightly dressed/celebratory, joyous/rich, abundant

  80    presently soon greatness knows itself those in power come to understand their situation

  81    Steps…higher becomes more ambitious

  82    his…poor he was still humble/before he was king

  84    forsooth in truth, perhaps used ironically here

  85    strait harsh, strict

  87    Cries…abuses condemns corruption, draws attention to wrongs

  91    cut…favourites Richard’s favorite courtiers were beheaded cut me cut (me is emphatic)

  93    In deputation as his deputies

  94    was personal in went in person to

  99    in…of on the strength of/immediately after tasked taxed

100    March the Earl of March, Edmund Mortimer

101    if…placed if every claimant were entitled to occupy their rightful position

102    engaged held hostage

103    forfeited abandoned

104    Disgraced…victories i.e., by demanding my prisoners, the King turned my triumphs into disgrace

105    intelligence spying

106    Rated chided angrily, dismissed

110    head of safety defensive army withal furthermore pry…title examine his claim (to the throne)

112    indirect insufficiently direct in the line of succession/devious, irregular for long continuance to last long

115    impawned pledged, held in pawn

116    surety guarantee

119    accept…love i.e., be reconciled

Act 4 Scene 4

 4.4    Location: unspecified; presumably in the Archbishop of York’s palace Sir Michael presumably a priest or a knight; “sir” can be a courtesy title for clergymen

    1    Hie go quickly brief letter, dispatch

    4    directed addressed

    5    much…import much information they contain/important they are

    7    tenor substance, drift

    8    Like likely

  11    bide the touch be put to the test (as gold is tested with a touchstone)

  14    Lord Harry i.e., Hotspur

  16    power…proportion army was of the greatest size/importance

  18    rated firmly considered to be strong, a powerful source of support

  19    comes not in does not participate o’er-ruled by prophecies i.e., he is staying away due to unfavorable predictions of events

  21    instant trial immediate test of strength

  26    head force, army

  29    special head exceptional military leadership

  32    corrivals partners dear honorable/valuable

  33    estimation worth, reputation

  37    thrive flourish, succeed

  39    confederacy league, conspiracy (with the rebels)

  40    make strong strengthen our defenses

Act 5 Scene 1

 5.1    Location: the king’s camp near Shrewsbury

    2    busky bush-covered

    3    distemperature unhealthy, unnatural appearance

    5    the trumpet part of trumpeter or herald

    9    foul gloomy, bad (weather)

  13    doff take off easy comfortable

  14    ungentle steel hard, uncomfortable steel armor

  16    unknit undo

  17    churlish rude, ungracious, base

  18    orb orbit, sphere

  20    exhaled meteor meteors were believed to be formed of vapors drawn from the earth (“exhaled”) by the sun; they were considered bad omens

  21    prodigy omen/unnatural thing

  22    broachèd already begun mischief evil, calamity unborn times future

  25    entertain occupy lag-end latter part

  27    dislike animosity, discord

  30    chewet chough, jackdaw, i.e., chatterer/minced meat or fish pie

  33    remember remind

  35    staff of office Worcester had been steward of the king’s household

  36    posted rode speedily

  39    Nothing nowhere near

  41    brought escorted, accompanied outdare defy

  43    Doncaster town in the northeast of England

  44    did…state had no intention of threatening the realm

  45    new-fall’n right recently inherited title (after his father’s death)

  46    seat estate Gaunt John of Gaunt, Henry’s father

  51    injuries abuses, wrongdoing wanton ungoverned, poorly managed

  52    seeming sufferances apparent wrongs

  53    contrarious opposing, unfavorable

  54    unlucky ill-fated

  55    repute believe him to be

  57    occasion the opportunity wooed persuaded

  58    gripe grip, grasp general sway overall power

  61    ungentle gull cruel/dishonorable young bird cuckoo’s…sparrow the cuckoo lays its eggs in other birds’ nests to be hatched and fed; cuckoo chicks are much bigger and eventually take over the nest

  64    our love those of us who loved you durst not did not dare

  65    swallowing being eaten

  68    opposèd…means in opposition to you as a result of such factors

  70    unkind cruel/unnatural

  71    troth honesty, integrity

  72    younger earlier, original

  75    face adorn, cover

  76    colour hue/pretexts, pretence

  77    changelings turncoats, changeable people discontents discontented persons

  78    rub the elbow hug themselves in pleasure

  79    hurly burly chaotic innovation novelty, change, revolution

  80    want need, lack

  81    water-colours watery deceptions impaint paint, color

  82    moody sullen, angry

  83    havoc plundering, violent disorder

  84    both our i.e., the king’s and the rebels’

  86    trial battle

  88    by my hopes i.e., of salvation

  89    set…head not counted against him

  90    braver finer/more courageous

  93    latter recent, present

  97    this I say this

  98    odds advantages

  99    estimation reputation

102    venture hazard, risk

103    Albeit despite the fact that

104    make weigh, argue

106    cousin’s relative’s (i.e., nephew’s)

107    grace pardon

112    Rebuke shame, disgrace dread correction terrible punishment wait on us are at my command

113    office duty, task

115    fair fairly, fair terms take it advisedly consider it carefully

119    charge command/company, unit/responsibility

120    on their answer once we’ve had their answer, i.e., refusal of the terms

122    bestride stand astride a fallen man in order to defend him so thus—presumably Falstaff demonstrates the gesture

124    colossus giant; the Colossus of Rhodes, a gigantic statue of Apollo, supposedly stood astride the entrance to the harbor

127    death proverbial; puns on “debt”

129    forward eager pricks spurs

130    pricks me off marks me down (for a dead man) set…leg join together, set a broken leg

131    grief pain

133    trim fine, neat

134    insensible cannot be felt by the senses

135    Detraction slander

136    scutcheon heraldic shield, decorated with coats of arms and often used at funerals catechism set series of questions and answers (used as a form of instruction by the Church)

Act 5 Scene 2

 5.2    Location: the rebel camp near Shrewsbury, then the battlefield

    4    undone ruined

    7    still always

    9    Supposition notions, uncertainty, speculation stuck…eyes always watching, suspicious

  11    ne’er so tame however tame he appears

  12    trick trait

  13    Look…can however one appears or either

  14    misquote falsely report, misinterpret

  16    The…death refers to the fact that oxen are fattened up before being killed

  17    trespass wrongdoing, transgression

  19    adopted…privilege nickname, which gives him licence (i.e., Hotspur, signifying rash impulsiveness)

  20    hare-brained reckless, rash spleen violent bad temper (from the abdominal organ regarded as the location of strong emotion)

  21    live upon shall be blamed on

  22    train lead

  23    ta’en derived, caught (like an infectious disease)

  24    spring source

  26    In any case whatever happens

  27    Deliver…so say what you like, I’ll agree

  30    Deliver up release—Westmorland has been held as surety for Worcester’s safe return

  32    battle to engage in battle

  33    Defy him by send our defiant response through

  36    seeming apparent

  38    gently with dignity, like a gentleman

  39    mended improved on, contributed to

  40    forswearing…forsworn falsely swearing that he had not broken his word

  41    scourge punish

  43    Arm prepare, put on your armor

  45    engaged held as hostage bear convey

  49    would…heads if only the quarrel was just between the two of us

  50    draw short breath become out of breath (from fighting)/die

  51    Monmouth nickname for the prince; the name of the town on the Welsh-English border where he was born

  54    urged proposed

  56    gentle honorable/not excessively violent proof of arms trial of fighting skills

  57    duties of respect due to

  58    Trimmed…praises adorned his praise of you

  59    chronicle factual historical account

  60    Making…you increasing your worth since no praise of his could do justice to your merits

  63    blushing cital modest account

  64    chid rebuked, condemned truant neglectful, misspent

  65    double…instantly two sides of himself, both teacher and pupil, at the same time

  68    envy malice, hostility

  69    owe own

  70    wantonness wild, dissolute behavior

  72    On of

  73    so…liberty who indulged in so much lawless freedom, wild behavior

  76    shrink…courtesy be overwhelmed by my degree of courtesy/collapse, be wounded by me

  78    Better…persuasion you are better off thinking for yourselves about what you have to do than expecting me, who lacks the gift of eloquence, to try to rouse your spirits

  84    To…hour a life spent basely goes on for too long even if it only lasts an hour If even if dial’s point hand of a clock

  88    brave glorious

  89    fair justifiable

  91    apace swiftly

  92    cuts me forces me to break off

  93    profess not don’t claim to be expert at

  95    temper character/degree of hardness

  97    adventure risky venture

  98    Esperance! hope (French; part of the Percy family motto)

  99    instruments i.e., trumpets, drums

101    heaven to earth I’ll wager heaven against earth (i.e., something eternal and valuable against something transitory and unimportant) [and exeunt] most editions introduce a scene break here, but Folio does not have one and the action continues, with the imaginary location shifting seamlessly from rebel camp to battlefield Alarum call to battle (played on a trumpet) dressed like the King wearing the king’s colors, Blunt is acting as a decoy. Most editors introduce a scene break at this stage direction, since the stage is momentarily bare and the imaginary location shifts from the rebel camp to the battlefield, but in the early texts and on stage the action is continuous

107    haunt follow

110    dear at great cost bought thy likeness paid for appearing like you (i.e., Stafford was also dressed like the king)

117    Holmedon town in Northumberland

122    full extremely

124    Semblably furnished similarly dressed and armed

128    marching…coats wearing the same clothing as him coats sleeveless outer garments adorned with heraldic arms, worn over armor

133    stand…day seem likely to win the battle solus alone

134    shot-free without paying the tavern bill/without getting shot

135    scoring adding to tavern bill/being wounded pate head

136    Here’s no vanity! There’s no self-conceit or concern for frivolity in death! molten melted

137    lead i.e., bullets bowels guts, stomach

138    ragamuffins i.e., his ragged company of soldiers peppered shot and killed; this would enable Falstaff to pocket his soldiers’ pay

139    town’s end outskirts of the town where beggars congregate

142    vaunting bragging, vainglorious

145    Turk Gregory Pope Gregory VII or XIII; both had violent reputations Turk violent barbarian

146    paid repaid, settled with (i.e., killed)

147    sure i.e., dead, but the prince shifts the sense to “out of danger”

151    case holster

152    hot Falstaff claims it has recently been fired frequently sack destroy out i.e., from Falstaff’s holster

154    pierce pronounced “perse”—the word puns on “Percy” so so be it/thus—presumably miming his action

155    carbonado dish of scored, grilled meat grinning honour i.e., the sort of honor Blunt has earned, whose expression is now fixed as death stiffens his facial muscles

156    so all well and good

157    unlooked for without being sought, unexpectedly an end death/of my speech

Act 5 Scene 3

 5.3    Location: the battlefield at Shrewsbury Excursions outbursts of fighting moving across the stage

    5    make up advance, bring up your forces

    6    retirement retreat, insufficiently aggressive strategy amaze alarm, bewilder

  13    stained bloodstained (may play on sense of “dishonored”)

  15    breathe rest, pause

  21    point i.e., of his sword

  22    lustier maintenance more vigorous bearing

  23    ungrown immature; historically, John was thirteen at the time of the battle

  24    mettle courage, spirit

  25    Hydra’s heads in Greek mythology, the Hydra was a monster that grew two heads for every one that was cut off

  27    colours i.e., the king’s

  28    counterfeit’st impersonates

  30    shadows reflections/those in disguise, actors

  31    very real, true

  32    Seek who seek

  34    assay test

  37    mine my victim, conquest

  39    like likely

  41    are…arms lend strength to my arms

  43    pay settle the debt/kill flieth runs away

  44    Cheerly expression of encouragement

  48    opinion reputation

  49    mak’st…life have some care for my life

  52    hearkened waited eagerly for, sought

  54    insulting threatening, harmful/boastful, contemptuous

  58    Make up to move your forces forward

  66    motion course, trajectory, orbit sphere orbit; stars and planets were thought to be contained within crystalline spheres

  67    brook endure

  71    name in arms military reputation

  73    budding…crest literally, chivalric favors decorating his helmet; figuratively, his glorious reputation

  75    vanities vain boasts

  76    said done killeth i.e., fatally wounds

  79    brittle fragile

  80    titles claims to honor

  84    prophesy conventional belief held that the dying were able to foretell the future

  89    III-weaved devious, tangled

  91    too…bound insufficient to contain it

  94    stout strong, valiant

  95    sensible aware

  96    show of zeal expression of feeling

  97    favours chivalric tokens worn on his helmet

101    ignominy shame

106    heavy…thee miss you greatly (heavy plays on the sense of “weighty, fat”)

109    dearer more noble/more valuable

110    Emboweled disemboweled (in preparation for embalming)

111    in blood in his own blood (plays on hunting term; a deer that was in blood was vigorous and full of life)

112    powder embalm/preserve in salt (like venison)

113    termagant savage, violent

114    scot and lot in full

117    discretion good judgment

118    gunpowder i.e., fiery, explosive

121    confutes refutes, contradicts

124    fleshed initiated into fighting (plays on the sense of “sexual initiated”; from the practice of feeding hunting dogs raw meat to excite them)

125    maiden virgin, previously unused sword with phallic connotations

130    fantasy illusion, imagination

134    double man ghost/two men (referring to the fact he carries Hotspur on his back)

135    jack knave

139    at an instant simultaneously

140    Shrewsbury clock perhaps referring to an actual clock (e.g., the church clock), or a metaphorical phrase

141    take’t…death swear as though I were about to die and my soul depended upon it

146    luggage i.e., Hotspur

147    do thee grace bring you honor

148    gild embellish happiest most favorable retreat specific trumpet call signaling retreat

149    the…ours we have won

150    highest highest vantage point

153    do…less become a powerful nobleman/I’ll slim down purge repent, purify myself/take laxatives or emetics to cause weight loss leave give up

Act 5 Scene 4

    1    rebuke punishment

    2    III-spirited wicked, evil-hearted grace good will, forgiveness

    4    turn…contrary report the opposite

    5    Misuse abuse tenor character, nature

    6    upon our party on our side

  10    true intelligence honest information

  11    safety concern for personal safety

  14    the death execution

  15    pause upon think about, consider their fates

  16    field battlefield

  20    Upon…fear running away in fear

  22    took seized, arrested

  24    dispose of decide what to do with

  27    honourable bounty the honor of this act of generosity

  29    to his pleasure to do as he pleases

  30    crests helmets

  31    high noble

  32    Even…adversaries in Quarto, Prince John replies before the king’s closing speech: “I thank your grace for this high courtesy, / Which I shall give away immediately.” (“give away”: undertake, pass on [to Douglas])

  33    power army

  35    bend you direct your course dearest utmost

  36    prelate ecclesiastical dignitary (i.e., the Archbishop of York, Richard Scroop)

  37    busily in arms engaged in preparing for battle

  41    check curb, reprimand such another day another battle like today’s

  42    fair successfully

  43    leave stop all…won everything that rightfully belongs to us is under our control (won puns on “one”)