Hamlet

31 benetted round snared, surrounded as if in a net

32 Ere ... play i.e. before my brain could begin to consider the issue, I had already taken action 34 fair in elegant handwriting

35 statists statesmen

38 yeoman's i.e. efficient, loyal (a yeoman was an attendant in a royal household) 39 effect nature

41 conjuration entreaty

42 tributary country owing him a tribute (a regular payment after defeat in war) 44 still always (i.e. continue)

44 wheaten garland symbolic of peace

45 comma the mark of punctuation that indicated only a slight break between words, thus a symbol of closeness and connection between the two countries 45 amities friendship

46 'As'es phrases beginning with "as" (puns on "asses")

46 charge importance/burden (continuing the play on "asses") 50 shriving-time time for confession and absolution from sin 52 ordinant in control

53 signet signet ring which acted as a seal

54 model ... seal exactly the same as the seal used to secure the commission 55 writ letter/written command

56 Subscribed signed (in Claudius' name)

56 th'impression the seal

57 changeling substitution, i.e. false letter (literally a fairy child substituted for a human one) 58 to ... sequent followed this

61 make love to court, entreat

62 defeat destruction

63 insinuation ingratiating behavior/intrusive involvement 64 baser of lower social status/inferior

65 pass sword thrust

65 fell fierce

65 points swords

66 opposites opponents, enemies

68 Does ... upon do you not think that it is now incumbent upon me 70 th'election i.e. the designation as king

71 angle fishing-hook and line

71 proper own

72 cozenage deception (puns on "cousinage"--i.e. kinship)

73 quit requite, repay

74 canker spreading ulcer

74 come In spread to, generate

77 issue outcome