Act III Glossary
Scene i.
abroad out and about.
by the operation of the second cup by the time the second cup of liquor has taken effect
upon him.
addle muddled and, perhaps, rotten.
doublet a man’s close-fitting jacket with or without sleeves, worn chiefly from the 14th
to the 16th centuries.
tutor me from quarrelling teach me how to avoid getting into a quarrel.
simple feeble or foolish.
fiddlestick the bow for a fiddle. Mercutio puns on the word as he draws his rapier.
zounds an oath. The abbreviated form of the oath ”By God’s wounds.”
bandying to give and take; to exchange (words) in an angry or argumentative manner.
sped done for.
ally relative, kinsman.
cousin loosely, any relative by blood or marriage.
aspir’d to rise high; to tower.
conduct guide.
amerce to punish by imposing a fine.
Scene ii
waggoner driver.
As Phaeton . . . immediately Phaeton, the son of Apollo, was allowed to drive the
chariot of the sun for a day. His reckless driving nearly set the earth on fire and Zeus, the
king of the gods, struck him dead with a thunderbolt.
wink close and be unable to see.
civil night sober, serious night.
lose a winning match . . . stainless maidenhoods that is, win Romeo by surrendering to
him.
unmann’d untrained; also, as yet husbandless.
cords the rope ladder so that Romeo can climb up to Juliet’s balcony.
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death-darting eye of cockatrice a cockatrice is a fabulous serpent supposedly hatched
from a cock’s egg and having power to kill by a look.
bedaubed smeared or stained with blood.
divinest show excellent appearance.
all naught all wicked.
all dissemblers all liars.
aqua vitae alcoholic spirits.
tributary paying tribute.
modern commonplace.
Scene iii
parts attractive qualities.
doom judgment.
world’s exile Romeo feels exiled from the world.
validity value or worth.
state rank.
fond foolish.
Displant a town transplant a town; that is, do the near-impossible.
Taking the measure of an unmade grave Romeo is lying on the ground in despair.
simpleness foolishness.
conceal’d lady Juliet, Romeo’s secret wife.
cancell’d love Romeo thinks that his killing Tybalt will render his marriage to Juliet null
and void.
sack to plunder or loot.
rail’st complain.
usurer . . . usest . . . use indeed alliterative puns on “usury” and “use”: Romeo is not
putting his talents to their proper use.
form of wax not a real man, no more durable than a wax figure.
pouts upon treats with contempt.
blaze proclaim in public.
sojourn to live somewhere temporarily.
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Scene iv
move persaude.
mew’d up a mew is a cage for molting hawks. Juliet has shut herself away to grieve.
desperate tender bold offer.
mark you me take notice of what I say; pay attention.
soft hush! Wait a moment!
Ha! ha! Capulet is reflecting on the plans he is making; he is not laughing.
ado fuss; trouble; excitement.
held him carelessly thought little of him, neglected his memory.
by and by soon.
Scene v
night’s candles the stars.
Cynthia’s brow the moon.
care desire.
hunt’s-up morning song used to wake huntsmen and, more traditionally, a newly married
bride.
runagate fugitive (runaway).
dram potion.
wrought arranged for.
mistress minion spoiled hussy.
hurdle a kind of frame or sled on which prisoners in England were drawn through the
streets to execution.
hilding a low, contemptible person.
rate to scold severely; chide.
smatter to utter or gossip; an onomatopoeic word like “chatter.”
demesnes the land around a mansion; lands of an estate.
puling fool whimpering child.
mammet doll or puppet.
challenge claim.
dishclout a cloth for washing dishes.
beshrew to curse: mainly in mild imprecations.
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