Hamlet

165 centre i.e. of the earth

166 try test

170 loose set loose (often used of an animal; sometimes with the sense of releasing the female to the male for sex, which would lend sexual connotations to encounter) 171 arras large tapestry wall-hanging

173 thereon on that account

174 assistant ... state policy adviser

175 carters cart drivers

177 sadly solemnly

180 board accost

180 presently immediately

180 give me leave a polite way of asking to be left alone

182 God-a-mercy God have mercy (i.e. thank you)

184 fishmonger plays on slang senses of "lecher" and "pimp"

192 good kissing carrion good piece of rotting flesh to kiss (carrion also suggests "whore") 194 i'th'sun in public/in the sun (or "son") that causes breeding 194 conception understanding/becoming pregnant

202 matter content (Hamlet plays on sense of "cause of a dispute") 207 purging discharging

207 amber ... gum tree resin

208 hams legs

210 honesty decent/honorable

211 old as old

217 pregnant meaningful/quick-witted (with childbearing connotations, continued in delivered of) 217 happiness fortuitousness

219 suddenly immediately

224 withal with

233 indifferent ordinary, average

234 Happy fortunate

235 button i.e. point at the very top of the cap

239 favours sexual favors (middle has vaginal connotations) 240 privates ordinary citizens/genitals

242 strumpet prostitute

245 particular detail

251 confines places of confinement

252 wards prison cells

263 substance ... ambitious material that fuels ambition/stuff ambitious men are made of 267 Then ... shadows i.e. if ambition is nothing but shadow, then only unambitious beggars have bodily substance; their shadows must then be made up of ambitious people such as monarchs and heroes