68 ruinous ed. (Ruynes MS)

71 i.e. before committing murder, Antonio, like humankind in general, had a hope of redemption

74 Have understanding ed. (the vnderstanding MS) ‘The’ in MS could be a mis-reading of ‘Ha’ ’.

85 I had ed. (elided in MS)

89 she Isabella      speak speak of

90 blamed reproached, censured

94 but in before just before

98–9 yet… still Shame is still attached to Antonio’s family ‘blood’ but it is relocated from wife to sister.

101 new man Sebastian in his disguise as Celio

102 lose a service i.e. become unemployed

105 knock up Aberzanes knock at Aberzanes’ door to get him out of bed

Act V, Scene i

0 s.d. ANTONIO ed. (SEBASTIAN MS)

1 s.h. ANTONIO ed. (SEBASTIAN MS)

2 untrussed without the points or laces, which fastened the hose to the doublet, done up

3 s.h. ANTONIO ed. (SEBASHAN MS)

3–4 Aberzanes’ claim he is ‘worthy’ prompts Antonio’s thought that honester men than Aberzanes suffer the death penalty when men like Aberzanes escape.

6–9 blade… scabbard… long weapon bawdy

8 s.h. as in MS

27 starting-holes means of evasion, loopholes

light alight, settle on

28 play Multiple meanings include: sword play, which has been averted; sexual play that has taken place between Francisca and Aberzanes; the ‘play’ or false deal Antonio is now proposing.

48–9 i.e. the only way to joy (heaven) is through repentance, weeping

50 it the wine

51 bill of divorcement suggestive of the Essex divorce

55 poison The audience now realises what the whispering between Antonio and Hermio was about at IV.iii.108.

60 falsely … falsely under false pretences … mistakenly

62 i’th’ field in battle

72 for’t ed. (fo’t MS)

75 sound healthy, free from venereal diseases

78 light horse courtesan

87 conceit apprehension

88 For … drug as far as any poison is concerned

89 off ed. (of MS)

93–4 Again the notion is that noble blood may enable sinners to get off almost scot-free.

110 sureness security, so that she can be later produced as a witness

111 mistaken taken for Isabella

113 surgeon Surgeons were notorious for the pain they inflicted and the infrequency with which they cured anyone.

114 [GOVERNOR] ed. (still Florida’s speech in MS)

she Isabella

114–15 This sentiment shows the same misogyny and false logic as Hamlet’s famous move from the particular to the general with ’Frailty thy name is woman!’

121 overtook caught in an offence

127 ed. (Did … Master / Is. how … night? / Her. then … Madam MS)

134 Flatters recovery flatteringly suggests any hope of recovery

gross evident

[Act V,] Scene ii

0 Scene ii ed. (Scea.3a MS)

2 have fitted I have what is fit for you

3 gifts … subtle The ingredients have the power to bring about sudden and subtle death.

4 See note at I.ii.46–7.

11 may possible understand ’be’

12 Here’s ed. (her’s MS)

14 closely secretly

17 scrupulous troubled with doubts