ACT IV - Scene VI — Vocabulary

Vocabulary Words from ACT IV - Scene VI

overlook'd (verb (past participle))

Read through; perused or examined. In Early Modern English, "overlook" often meant to look over or review a document.

means (noun)

Access or introduction; the resources or opportunity to reach someone. Here, Hamlet asks Horatio to help the sailors gain an audience with the King.

appointment (noun)

Equipment or armament; the military outfitting of a ship or force. Not the modern sense of a scheduled meeting.

compelled (adjective)

Forced by circumstances; driven by necessity rather than choice.

grapple (noun)

Close combat between ships; the act of two vessels locking together with hooks and ropes for hand-to-hand fighting.

thieves of mercy (noun phrase)

An oxymoron meaning merciful criminals; pirates who showed compassion despite their lawless profession.

repair (verb)

To go or betake oneself to a place; to travel or make one's way. An archaic usage distinct from the modern meaning of fixing something.

bore (noun)

The caliber or interior diameter of a cannon barrel. Used figuratively to mean the weight or magnitude of a matter—Hamlet says his words are too light for the seriousness of the subject.

an't (contraction)

A contraction meaning "if it." Common in Early Modern English informal speech.

ambassador (noun)

A person sent on a diplomatic mission. Here used by the sailor to describe Hamlet, who was ostensibly sent to England on the King's business.