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