Polixenes speaks with elegant rhetorical formality in public and a more vulnerable intimacy in private. His speech about the 'twinned lambs' is unusually personal for him — watch for how rarely he lets his guard down and what it costs him when he does.
Nine changes of the watery star hath been
The shepherd’s note since we have left our throne
Without a burden. Time as long again
Would be fill’d up, my brother, with our thanks;
And yet we should, for perpetuity,
Go hence in debt: and therefore, like a cipher,
Yet standing in rich place, I multiply
With one “we thank you” many thousands more
That go before it.
Nine cycles of the moon have passed Since we left our throne Without any burden. Another nine months Would be filled with our gratitude; And yet we would still, forever, Leave in debt: and so, like a zero, While standing in a rich place, I multiply With one "we thank you" into many thousands more That come before it.
It's been nine months since we left the kingdom, and honestly, we could spend nine more months just saying thank you. But even then we'd still owe you. You know how it is— when someone does so much for you, one thank-you turns into a thousand thank-yous.
been here 9 months still can't thank you enough would take forever to repay this
Leontes speaks in two registers: elaborate public verse when others can hear him, and explosive, fragmentary syntax when alone with his jealousy. His aside speeches in this scene are among the most syntactically fractured in Shakespeare — short, stabbing, self-interrupting. Watch for how his language breaks down when his mind does.
Stay your thanks a while,
And pay them when you part.
Wait a moment before accepting thanks, And pay them when you're leaving.
Hold off on the thanks for now— just give them to me when you're heading out.
don't thank me yet wait till you leave
Sir, that’s tomorrow.
I am question’d by my fears, of what may chance
Or breed upon our absence; that may blow
No sneaping winds at home, to make us say
“This is put forth too truly.” Besides, I have stay’d
To tire your royalty.
Sir, that's tomorrow. I am troubled by my fears about what might happen Or develop during our absence; so that no harsh winds May blow at home, making us say "We've pushed this visit too far." Besides, I've already stayed Too long and worn out your hospitality.
That's tomorrow. Look, I'm worried about things back home— I'm afraid something bad might be happening while I'm away. Plus, honestly, I've been here too long already and you're probably tired of me.
leaving tomorrow worried about home tho stayed too long already
We are tougher, brother,
Than you can put us to ’t.
We are stronger than that, brother— Stronger than you can tire us.
Come on, brother, we're tougher than that. You can't exhaust us with your presence.
we're fine you can't wear us out
No longer stay.
No longer stay.
No longer stay.
no longer stay
One seve’night longer.
One more week.
One more week, please.
one more week
Very sooth, tomorrow.
Very truly, tomorrow.
Truly, it has to be tomorrow.
tomorrow for real
We’ll part the time between ’s then: and in that
I’ll no gainsaying.
We'll divide the time with you then: and in that I won't hear any objection.
Look, let's split the difference—you stay a bit longer. And I'm not taking no for an answer.
compromise stay longer no arguments
Press me not, beseech you, so,
There is no tongue that moves, none, none i’ th’ world,
So soon as yours, could win me: so it should now,
Were there necessity in your request, although
’Twere needful I denied it. My affairs
Do even drag me homeward: which to hinder
Were, in your love a whip to me; my stay
To you a charge and trouble: to save both,
Farewell, our brother.
Don't press me like this, I beg you. There is no voice that persuades—no voice in the world— As quickly as yours, and it could persuade me: so it should now, If there were a real necessity for your request, even though It would be necessary for me to refuse it. My business affairs Are actually pulling me homeward: to prevent that Would be, for me, a whip in your love; my stay here Would be a burden and trouble to you: to avoid both, Farewell, my brother.
Please, don't pressure me like this. Your words are the most persuasive in the world— if I had a real reason to say yes, I'd say yes. But my business back home is pulling me away. Staying longer would hurt you, and you'd end up taking care of me. Let's just say goodbye, brother.
stop pushing me your voice could convince anyone but i gotta go home goodbye brother
Tongue-tied, our queen? Speak you.
Is our queen silent? Speak up.
Why's the queen so quiet? Say something.
queen why u quiet? speak up
Hermione is the sharpest wit in Sicilia — she speaks in nimble, logical sentences that turn arguments inside out. She is also warm and direct, never performing warmth but simply having it. Watch for how her language is precise and affectionate at the same time.
I had thought, sir, to have held my peace until
You had drawn oaths from him not to stay. You, sir,
Charge him too coldly. Tell him you are sure
All in Bohemia’s well: this satisfaction
The by-gone day proclaimed. Say this to him,
He’s beat from his best ward.
I thought, sir, I would keep silent until You had sworn him not to stay. You, sir, Are asking him too coldly. Tell him you're sure Everything in Bohemia is fine: this reassurance Was already announced yesterday. Say this to him, And he'll stop defending himself.
I was going to stay quiet until you begged him not to leave. But you're asking too weakly. Tell him you know everything's fine back home—we already confirmed that. Tell him that and he'll give up.
you're asking too weak tell him bohemia's fine then he'll stop fighting
Well said, Hermione.
Well said, Hermione.
Well said, Hermione.
well said hermione
To tell he longs to see his son were strong.
But let him say so then, and let him go;
But let him swear so, and he shall not stay,
We’ll thwack him hence with distaffs.
Saying he misses his son would be a convincing reason. So let him say that, and then we'll let him leave; let him swear it's true, and he won't be allowed to stay, we'll chase him out of here with our spinning sticks.
Now, if he said he was dying to see his son, that'd be a real argument. So let him say it, and off he goes. If he swears that's the reason, then no, he doesn't get to stay. We ladies will shoo him out the door with our knitting gear ourselves.
if he says he misses his son, fine let him swear it and he's gone we'll literally chase him out lol
[_To Polixenes._] Yet of your royal presence I’ll adventure
The borrow of a week. When at Bohemia
You take my lord, I’ll give him my commission
To let him there a month behind the gest
Prefix’d for’s parting:—yet, good deed, Leontes,
I love thee not a jar of th’ clock behind
What lady she her lord. You’ll stay?
I'll risk asking to borrow one more week of your royal presence. When you take my lord to Bohemia, I'll give him permission to stay a month longer than the scheduled time of his departure. And Leontes, I love you no less than any lady loves her husband. So, will you stay?
I'll ask for one more week of you. When you take my husband to Bohemia, I'll let him stay a month longer than planned. Leontes, I don't love you any less than any wife loves her husband. So will you stay?
stay one more week i'll let leontes stay a month extra i love him as much as any wife please stay
No, madam.
No, madam.
No, madam.
no madam
Nay, but you will?
But you will?
But you will though?
but u will?
I may not, verily.
I cannot, in truth.
I really can't.
can't do it
Verily!
You put me off with limber vows; but I,
Though you would seek t’ unsphere the stars with oaths,
Should yet say “Sir, no going.” Verily,
You shall not go. A lady’s verily is
As potent as a lord’s. Will go yet?
Force me to keep you as a prisoner,
Not like a guest: so you shall pay your fees
When you depart, and save your thanks. How say you?
My prisoner or my guest? By your dread “verily,”
One of them you shall be.
Really! You brush me off with empty promises; but I, Though you would use oaths to pull down the stars, Would still say "Sir, you're not going." Really, You won't go. A lady's word is As powerful as a lord's. Will you go? I'll force you to stay as my prisoner, Not as a guest: so you'll pay your fees When you leave, and save your thanks. What do you say? Are you my prisoner or my guest? By your feared "really," You must be one of them.
Really! You're trying to get away with half-hearted promises, but I'd stop you even if you swore by the stars themselves. "Sir, you're staying." That's it. A woman's word matters just as much as a man's. So what's it going to be? If you stay as my prisoner instead of my guest, you'll pay fees when you leave—no free ride. Which is it—prisoner or guest? You have to pick one.
ur promises are weak even swearing on stars won't help u gotta stay prisoner or guest pick one
Your guest, then, madam.
To be your prisoner should import offending;
Which is for me less easy to commit
Than you to punish.
Your guest, then, madam. To be your prisoner would suggest I've done something wrong; Which would be harder for me to do Than for you to punish.
I'll be your guest, then, madam. Being your prisoner would mean I've offended you, and that's not easy for me— I'd rather not wrong you in the first place.
guest being ur prisoner means i messed up i don't wanna do that
Not your gaoler then,
But your kind hostess. Come, I’ll question you
Of my lord’s tricks and yours when you were boys.
You were pretty lordings then.
Not your jailer then, But your kind hostess. Come, let me ask you About my lord's pranks and yours when you were boys. You were fine young gentlemen back then.
So not your jailer—your good hostess. Come on, tell me about your tricks and your friend's tricks when you were young. You were cute little lords back then.
ok im ur hostess tell me ur pranks as kids bet u were adorable
We were, fair queen,
Two lads that thought there was no more behind
But such a day tomorrow as today,
And to be boy eternal.
We were, fair queen, Two boys who thought there was nothing ahead of us But another day like today, And to remain boys forever.
We were, fair queen— just two kids who thought every day would be like the one before, and we'd stay young forever.
yea we were thought wed stay kids forever no next day just today over
Was not my lord
The verier wag o’ th’ two?
Wasn't my lord The bigger jokester of the two?
Wasn't my husband the bigger troublemaker between the two of you?
my husband funnier? the bigger prankster?
We were as twinn’d lambs that did frisk i’ th’ sun
And bleat the one at th’ other. What we chang’d
Was innocence for innocence; we knew not
The doctrine of ill-doing, nor dream’d
That any did. Had we pursu’d that life,
And our weak spirits ne’er been higher rear’d
With stronger blood, we should have answer’d heaven
Boldly “Not guilty,” the imposition clear’d
Hereditary ours.
We were like twin lambs that jumped in the sun And bleated at each other. What we exchanged Was innocence for innocence; we didn't know The ways of wrongdoing, nor did we dream That anyone did. If we'd kept living that way, And our weak spirits had never been raised With stronger desires, we should have answered heaven Boldly "Not guilty"—our inherited guilt already cleared.
We were like twin lambs playing in the sun, bleating at each other. We traded innocence back and forth— neither of us knew about sin or wrongdoing. If we'd stayed that way, if we'd never grown up or got those darker urges, we could've told God we were innocent and clear of any inherited guilt.
we were like twin lambs innocent just bleating at each other if we stayed like that wed be pure
By this we gather
You have tripp’d since.
From this we understand You've sinned since then.
So you're telling me you've messed up since those innocent days?
so u fell from grace since then
O my most sacred lady,
Temptations have since then been born to ’s! for
In those unfledg’d days was my wife a girl;
Your precious self had then not cross’d the eyes
Of my young play-fellow.
Oh my most holy lady, Temptations have come into our lives since then! For Back in those young days my wife was a girl; Your precious self hadn't yet Met eyes with my young friend.
Oh my sacred lady, we've had temptations thrown at us! Back when we were innocent, my wife was just a girl, and you hadn't even met my friend yet.
temptations hit us after back then ur wife was a girl u hadn't met my friend yet
Grace to boot!
Of this make no conclusion, lest you say
Your queen and I are devils. Yet go on;
Th’ offences we have made you do we’ll answer,
If you first sinn’d with us, and that with us
You did continue fault, and that you slipp’d not
With any but with us.
Thank goodness! Don't jump to conclusions, or you'll say Your queen and I are demons. But continue; We'll take responsibility for any wrongs we made you do. If you first sinned with us, and if You continued to sin with us, And didn't sin with anyone but us.
Well thank goodness for that! Don't make this into something that makes us look like demons. But go ahead— if you sinned, we'll own up to our part in it. But it only counts if you sinned with us and with nobody else.
ok good don't say we're demons we'll own our part if u only sinned with us
Is he won yet?
Has he been won over yet?
Is he convinced yet?
is he staying?
He’ll stay, my lord.
He's been convinced to remain with us now, my lord.
He's agreed to stay, my lord.
he's staying
At my request he would not.
Hermione, my dearest, thou never spok’st
To better purpose.
At my request he would not have. Hermione, my dearest, you have never spoken To better effect.
He wouldn't have stayed for me. Hermione, my love, you've never spoken so well.
he wouldnt stay for me u spoke perfectly
In Shakespeare's source, Robert Greene's Pandosto (1588), the jealousy builds gradually over months. Shakespeare compresses it into a single afternoon, and more importantly removes the gradual accumulation of 'evidence.' Leontes's jealousy erupts in a single aside — 'Too hot, too hot!' — from watching his wife do exactly what he asked her to do. This is the play's most radical decision. The jealousy has no trigger because jealousy doesn't need one; it is its own genesis. The critical debate about whether there's something suspicious in Hermione's behavior misses the point. There isn't. The play is about what happens when a mind turns the world into a mirror for its own worst fears. Othello's jealousy requires Iago; Leontes's requires nothing.
Never?
Never?
Never before?
never
Never but once.
Never but once.
Never but once.
never but once
What! have I twice said well? when was’t before?
I prithee tell me. Cram ’s with praise, and make ’s
As fat as tame things: one good deed dying tongueless
Slaughters a thousand waiting upon that.
Our praises are our wages. You may ride ’s
With one soft kiss a thousand furlongs ere
With spur we heat an acre. But to th’ goal:
My last good deed was to entreat his stay.
What was my first? It has an elder sister,
Or I mistake you: O, would her name were Grace!
But once before I spoke to the purpose—when?
Nay, let me have’t; I long.
What! Have I spoken well twice? When was it before? Please tell me. Flood me with praise, and make me As satisfied as tame animals: one good deed that dies unremembered Kills a thousand good deeds that depend on it. Our praise is our payment. You could ride us With one soft kiss a thousand miles Before needing to use spurs. But to the point: My last good deed was convincing him to stay. What was my first? It has an older sister, Or I'm mistaken about you: I wish her name were Grace! But when did I speak to such purpose before—when? No, let me have the answer; I'm eager.
What! Have I really said something brilliant twice? When was the first time? Please tell me. Shower me with compliments and make me as full of myself as a tame animal. One good deed that people forget about ruins a thousand more. Praise is what keeps us going. You could make me do anything with just a kiss. But anyway— my last brilliant thing was getting him to stay. What was my first? There must be something earlier— or am I misremembering you? I hope it was something really good! But when exactly did I do it? Tell me!
ive said smth good twice? when was first praise is payment my last good thing was getting him to stay what was first?
Why, that was when
Three crabbed months had sour’d themselves to death,
Ere I could make thee open thy white hand
And clap thyself my love; then didst thou utter
“I am yours for ever.”
It was when Three bitter months had dragged themselves to death, Before I could get you to open your hand And hold me as your love; then you said "I am yours forever."
That was when I'd been miserable for three months straight, before you finally gave in and said "I'm yours forever."
when u finally gave in after 3 brutal months said "im urs forever"
’Tis Grace indeed.
Why, lo you now, I have spoke to th’ purpose twice.
The one for ever earn’d a royal husband;
Th’ other for some while a friend.
That is Grace indeed. Well, look—I've now spoken to great effect twice. One good deed earned me a royal husband; The other, for a while, earned me a friend.
Well that was certainly graceful. So I've now done two brilliant things: the first got me a king to marry, the second just made a good friend stay.
thats grace ive done 2 great things first got me a king second got me a friend
[_Aside._] Too hot, too hot!
To mingle friendship far is mingling bloods.
I have _tremor cordis_ on me. My heart dances,
But not for joy,—not joy. This entertainment
May a free face put on, derive a liberty
From heartiness, from bounty, fertile bosom,
And well become the agent: ’t may, I grant:
But to be paddling palms and pinching fingers,
As now they are, and making practis’d smiles
As in a looking-glass; and then to sigh, as ’twere
The mort o’ th’ deer. O, that is entertainment
My bosom likes not, nor my brows. Mamillius,
Art thou my boy?
This is too much! When friendship becomes this intimate it's like mingling blood. My heart is trembling. My heart is stirring, but not with joy—not with joy. I'll admit this warmth could just be generous hospitality. But this hand-holding and finger-play, the practiced smiles like they're looking in a mirror, and then sighing dramatically—no, that's entertainment I don't like. Mamillius, are you my son?
This is too much! When friends get this close it's like they're mingling blood. My heart is trembling. My heart is racing, but not from joy—not from joy. Sure, she could just be being warm and generous to a guest. But the hand-holding, the finger-play, the practiced smiles like they're looking in a mirror, then the dramatic sighs—no, I don't like that kind of entertainment. Mamillius, are you really my boy?
too much too much this is too intimate my heart is trembling not from joy her hand-holding & smiles it's all wrong mamillius you're my boy?
Ay, my good lord.
Yes, my good lord.
Yes, my lord.
yea my lord
I’ fecks!
Why, that’s my bawcock. What! hast smutch’d thy nose?
They say it is a copy out of mine. Come, captain,
We must be neat; not neat, but cleanly, captain:
And yet the steer, the heifer, and the calf
Are all call’d neat.—Still virginalling
Upon his palm?—How now, you wanton calf!
Art thou my calf?
Good God! Why, that's my fine boy. Have you gotten dirt on your nose? They say it's just like mine. Come, captain, We need to keep clean—not just tidy, but clean, captain: And yet cattle and calves are called neat—Still playing On his palm?—Well now, you rascal! Are you my calf?
Wow! There's my good boy! Did you get your nose dirty? They say it looks like mine. Come on now, We need to stay clean: And cattle are called neat, interestingly—Still playing with his hand? Come on now, you little rascal! Are you my calf?
there's my boy what's on your nose looks like mine stay clean though stop playing with his hand you rascal
Yes, if you will, my lord.
Yes, if you wish, my lord.
Yes, if you want me to be, my lord.
yea if u want
Thou want’st a rough pash and the shoots that I have
To be full like me:—yet they say we are
Almost as like as eggs; women say so,
That will say anything. But were they false
As o’er-dy’d blacks, as wind, as waters, false
As dice are to be wish’d by one that fixes
No bourn ’twixt his and mine, yet were it true
To say this boy were like me. Come, sir page,
Look on me with your welkin eye: sweet villain!
Most dear’st! my collop! Can thy dam?—may’t be?
Affection! thy intention stabs the centre:
Thou dost make possible things not so held,
Communicat’st with dreams;—how can this be?—
With what’s unreal thou coactive art,
And fellow’st nothing: then ’tis very credent
Thou may’st co-join with something; and thou dost,
And that beyond commission, and I find it,
And that to the infection of my brains
And hardening of my brows.
You lack the rough features and the strength that I have To match me fully; and yet they say we're Almost identical—like eggs; women say so, And they'll say anything. But if they were as false As overdyed black cloth, as wind, as water, as false As dice are when someone wants to cheat, Who has no honest way to win, It would still be true to say this boy resembles me. Come, little boy, look at me with those sky-blue eyes: sweet rascal! Most precious thing! My piece of flesh! Can you—can it be? Love! Your intention pierces my heart: You make possible things that aren't supposed to be possible, You communicate with impossible dreams—how can this be?— With what's unreal you work together, And partner with nothing: then it's very credible That you partner with something; and you do, And do it beyond what should be possible, and I see it, And that poisons my mind And darkens my spirit.
You don't have the rough features or strength I have yet, and people say we look nearly identical—like eggs. Women say that, and they'll say anything. But if everyone were lying completely, if nothing made sense, it would still be absolutely true that you look like me. Come here, boy, look at me with those beautiful blue eyes. You're my precious one, my own flesh and blood! Can you do this—is it possible? Love! You're breaking my heart: You make impossible things real, You connect with dreams that shouldn't exist. How is this possible? You work with things that aren't even real, and if you can do that, you can definitely do this. And you do. And that goes beyond anything I thought possible, and I see it, and it's destroying my mind and hardening my heart.
u look like me women say were like eggs maybe everythings a lie but ur def my son my precious one sweet rascal u break my heart
What means Sicilia?
What's the matter with Leontes?
What's going on with him?
whats wrong w him
He something seems unsettled.
He seems somewhat disturbed.
He seems a little off.
somethings wrong w him
How, my lord?
What cheer? How is’t with you, best brother?
What's wrong, my lord? How are you doing? How is it with you, best brother?
What's going on? Are you okay? What's up with you, brother?
whats wrong are u ok wats up
You look
As if you held a brow of much distraction:
Are you mov’d, my lord?
You look As if you're troubled about something: Are you upset, my lord?
You look like something's really bothering you. Are you okay, my lord?
u look troubled are u mad
No, in good earnest.
How sometimes nature will betray its folly,
Its tenderness, and make itself a pastime
To harder bosoms! Looking on the lines
Of my boy’s face, methoughts I did recoil
Twenty-three years, and saw myself unbreech’d,
In my green velvet coat; my dagger muzzled
Lest it should bite its master, and so prove,
As ornaments oft do, too dangerous.
How like, methought, I then was to this kernel,
This squash, this gentleman. Mine honest friend,
Will you take eggs for money?
No, not at all. But sometimes nature will betray its own silliness, Its softness, and turn itself into entertainment For harder people! Looking at my boy's face, I suddenly thought back Twenty-three years, and saw myself as a young child, In my green velvet coat; my dagger taped So it wouldn't hurt its owner, and so it wouldn't be, Like fancy things often are, too dangerous. How like, I thought, I was to this little one, This child, this young gentleman. My honest friend, Would you take money instead of eggs?
No, really. But sometimes nature makes us silly, and we become entertainment for serious people. Looking at my boy's face just now, I flashed back twenty-three years and saw myself as a little kid in my green velvet coat, my dagger tied up so I wouldn't stab myself with it— these fancy things can be dangerous. I looked at him and thought about how much like him I was. My honest friend, would you take money instead of eggs?
nature makes us silly looking at my kid i see myself 23 years ago in my green coat would u take money not eggs
No, my lord, I’ll fight.
I refuse your offer, my lord—I'll become a soldier instead.
No way, my lord—I want to be a fighter.
nah im gonna fight
You will? Why, happy man be ’s dole! My brother,
Are you so fond of your young prince as we
Do seem to be of ours?
You will? Well, may fortune favor you! My brother, Are you so proud of your young prince as we Seem to be of ours?
You will? Good for you! My brother, do you care about your little prince as much as I do about mine?
good luck bro do u love ur kid like i love mine
If at home, sir,
He’s all my exercise, my mirth, my matter:
Now my sworn friend, and then mine enemy;
My parasite, my soldier, statesman, all.
He makes a July’s day short as December;
And with his varying childness cures in me
Thoughts that would thick my blood.
If he's at home, sir, He's everything I do, my entertainment, my whole world: Now my sworn friend, and then my enemy; My yes-man, my soldier, my diplomat—all. He makes a July day as short as December; And with his changing boyish ways he heals in me Thoughts that would weigh down my blood.
When he's at home, sir, he's my whole life—entertainment, everything. One minute he's my best friend, the next my enemy. He's my yes-man, my soldier, my advisor—everything. He makes summer days feel like winter; and the way he acts, sometimes older, sometimes younger, heals me of the heavy thoughts that would drag me down.
at home he's everything my friend then enemy soldier diplomat everything makes long days short heals my dark thoughts
So stands this squire
Offic’d with me. We two will walk, my lord,
And leave you to your graver steps. Hermione,
How thou lov’st us show in our brother’s welcome;
Let what is dear in Sicily be cheap:
Next to thyself and my young rover, he’s
Apparent to my heart.
So my son serves me the same way. We two will walk, my lord, And let you have your serious time. Hermione, Show your love for me through how well you welcome our brother; Make what Sicily treasures cheap: Next to you and my young son, he's Clear heir to my heart.
My son does the same for me. Let's go for a walk, my lord, and leave you to your serious business. Hermione, show how much you love me by treating our brother well. Make our treasures seem worthless: after you and my boy, this man's the one I love most.
my sons the same lets walk hermione show u love me treat our guest like gold he means everything
If you would seek us,
We are yours i’ the garden. Shall ’s attend you there?
If you want to find us, We'll be in the garden. Should we wait for you there?
If you're looking for us, we'll be in the garden. Want us to meet you there?
well be in garden come find us
To your own bents dispose you: you’ll be found,
Be you beneath the sky. [_Aside._] I am angling now,
Though you perceive me not how I give line.
Go to, go to!
How she holds up the neb, the bill to him!
And arms her with the boldness of a wife
To her allowing husband!
Do whatever you want: you'll be found No matter where you are. [To myself] I'm fishing now, Though you don't realize how I'm giving out line. Go on, go on! How she lifts her nose up to him, her face! And gives herself the confidence of a wife To her husband who permits it!
Go wherever you want—I'll find you. [To myself] I'm fishing now, though you don't see how much line I'm giving out. Come on! Look at how she lifts her face to him! She's acting like a wife with a permissive husband!
go wherever ill find u im fishing now u dont see it look how she lifts her face to him like a wife w a guy who allows it
Gone already!
Inch-thick, knee-deep, o’er head and ears a fork’d one!—
Go, play, boy, play. Thy mother plays, and I
Play too; but so disgrac’d a part, whose issue
Will hiss me to my grave: contempt and clamour
Will be my knell. Go, play, boy, play. There have been,
Or I am much deceiv’d, cuckolds ere now;
And many a man there is, even at this present,
Now while I speak this, holds his wife by th’ arm,
That little thinks she has been sluic’d in ’s absence,
And his pond fish’d by his next neighbour, by
Sir Smile, his neighbour. Nay, there’s comfort in ’t,
Whiles other men have gates, and those gates open’d,
As mine, against their will. Should all despair
That hath revolted wives, the tenth of mankind
Would hang themselves. Physic for’t there’s none;
It is a bawdy planet, that will strike
Where ’tis predominant; and ’tis powerful, think it,
From east, west, north, and south. Be it concluded,
No barricado for a belly. Know’t;
It will let in and out the enemy
With bag and baggage. Many thousand of us
Have the disease, and feel’t not.—How now, boy!
They're already gone! I'm completely, utterly a cuckold. Go play, boy, play. Your mother plays, and I play too, but such a shameful role that people will mock me until I'm dead. Mockery and outcry will be my death knell. Go play, boy, play. There have been many cuckolds before, or I'm much mistaken. Right now, even as I speak, there are men holding their wives' arms who don't suspect their wives have been seduced in their absence, their private territory invaded by the neighbor next door. But there's a grim comfort: other men have had the same happen to them against their will. If every betrayed husband lost hope, a tenth of mankind would hang themselves. There's no cure for it. It's a corrupt influence that strikes where it's strongest, and it's powerful—believe me—coming from every direction. Accept it: there's no defense against infidelity. Know this: it gets in and out like an invading army with all its baggage. Many thousands of us carry this disease and don't even feel it. What's wrong, boy?
They're gone now. I'm a complete cuckold, absolutely certain of it. Go on, play, boy. Your mother's playing her game, and I'm playing mine too, but it's such a humiliating role that everyone will mock me until I die. Go play. Look, there have been plenty of cheated-on husbands before, plenty. Right now while I'm talking, there are guys holding their wives' arms having no clue that their wives cheated on them while they were away, no idea that some neighbor got access to what was theirs. But I'll tell you what—at least I'm not alone. Tons of guys have had unfaithful wives turned against them. If every betrayed husband fell into despair, one tenth of the world would kill themselves. There's no fixing this. It's like some evil force that targets people, and it works no matter what you do, from every angle. You can't defend against it. Infidelity just marches through like an occupying army taking everything. Thousands of us are infected with this and don't even realize it. You alright there, boy?
gone i'm a total cuckold mom's playing i'm playing but shameful people mock me til death go play there's been cheaters forever right now guys' wives cheat no cure can't defend against it thousands of us infected
I am like you, they say.
I'm like you, they say.
People say I look like you.
they say i look like u
Why, that’s some comfort.
What! Camillo there?
Well, that's reassuring. What! Is that Camillo?
Well, that's something at least. Wait, is that Camillo?
ok thats good thats camillo?
Ay, my good lord.
Yes, my good lord.
Yes, my lord.
yea my lord
Go play, Mamillius; thou’rt an honest man.
Go play, Mamillius; you're a good man.
Go play, Mamillius—you're a good kid.
go play ud a good guy
Camillo, this great sir will yet stay longer.
Camillo, this important man will stay longer after all.
Camillo, looks like our big visitor isn't leaving—he's staying longer.
he's staying longer
Camillo is one of Shakespeare's most interesting minor characters precisely because of how clearly he understands his impossible situation. He has just been ordered to commit regicide by his king — an act that, as he points out, no historical example suggests anyone has survived with their soul or reputation intact. His choice to warn Polixenes instead is ethically clear but practically catastrophic: he is now a traitor to Sicilia, an exile, dependent on a foreign king's goodwill. What's remarkable is how quickly he makes the calculation, how completely he sees his situation. He speaks his soliloquy not as a man agonizing but as a man who has already decided and is simply working out the logistics. The moral courage here is quiet and absolute.
You had much ado to make his anchor hold:
When you cast out, it still came home.
You had a lot of trouble keeping him committed: Whenever you cast your line out, he always came back.
You had a hard time keeping him interested— every time he seemed to be leaving, he'd come back.
kept losing him hed come back every time
Didst note it?
Did you notice it?
Did you see that?
you saw that right?
He would not stay at your petitions; made
His business more material.
He refused to stay at your requests; he made His business seem more important.
He wouldn't stay when you asked him to; he acted like his business back home was more important.
he wouldnt stay said his business was more important
Didst perceive it?
Did you pick up on that?
Did you catch that?
you caught that?
[_Aside._] They’re here with me already; whisp’ring, rounding,
“Sicilia is a so-forth.” ’Tis far gone
When I shall gust it last.—How came’t, Camillo,
That he did stay?
Rumors are already with me—whispering and spreading that I'm a cuckold. It's far advanced before I finally accept this bitter truth. But Camillo, how did he end up staying?
Rumors are already around me—people whispering that I'm a cuckold. It's gone so far before I finally face the bitter truth. But Camillo, how did he end up staying?
rumors spreading there already saying i'm a cuckold how did he end up staying?
At the good queen’s entreaty.
At the good queen's request.
Because the queen asked him to.
cuz the queen asked
At the queen’s be’t: “good” should be pertinent,
But so it is, it is not. Was this taken
By any understanding pate but thine?
For thy conceit is soaking, will draw in
More than the common blocks. Not noted, is’t,
But of the finer natures? by some severals
Of head-piece extraordinary? lower messes
Perchance are to this business purblind? say.
At the queen's urging—"good" should fit, But as it is, it doesn't. Was this understood By any thinking person but you? For your mind is sharp—it will soak in More than ordinary people. Isn't it noticed, But only by the finest minds? Perhaps Only by some people of exceptional ability? Maybe The common people are blind to this business? Tell me.
At the queen's urging—"good" should make sense, but it doesn't. Do you think anyone else noticed this but you? Your mind soaks things in that ordinary minds don't. Isn't this something only the smartest people see? Maybe only a few exceptional minds? Or are the regular people completely blind to what's happening? Tell me.
at queens urging did anyone else notice or just u ur mind soaks it in smarter than regular ppl they blind to whats happening
Business, my lord? I think most understand
Bohemia stays here longer.
Business, my lord? I think most people understand Bohemia is staying longer.
Business, my lord? I think everyone just thinks Bohemia's staying longer.
business? everyone thinks bohemia just staying longer
Ha?
Ha?
Ha?
ha? what did you say wait what
Stays here longer.
Stays here longer.
Stays here longer.
stays here longer
Ay, but why?
Ay, but why?
Ay, but why?
but why?
To satisfy your highness, and the entreaties
Of our most gracious mistress.
To fulfill what your highness desires, and to honor the requests Made by our most gracious queen.
To make you happy, my lord, and because our noble queen wanted him to stay.
to make u happy our queen wanted him to
Satisfy?
Th’ entreaties of your mistress? Satisfy?
Let that suffice. I have trusted thee, Camillo,
With all the nearest things to my heart, as well
My chamber-counsels, wherein, priest-like, thou
Hast cleans’d my bosom; I from thee departed
Thy penitent reform’d. But we have been
Deceiv’d in thy integrity, deceiv’d
In that which seems so.
Satisfy? The requests of your mistress? Satisfy? Let that be enough. I've trusted you, Camillo, With the most private things in my heart—even My secret thoughts, where you, like a priest, Have cleansed my conscience; I left you As a reformed penitent. But we have been Deceived in your honesty, deceived In what appears to be so.
Satisfy? Her requests? Satisfy? That's all that matters? I trusted you, Camillo, with my deepest secrets—like you were a priest hearing my confession, you cleaned my soul. I left you as a changed man. But you've betrayed my trust, betrayed what seemed so certain.
satisfy? her requests? she satisfied? i trusted u w everything like a priest u cleansed my soul u betrayed me
Be it forbid, my lord!
God forbid, my lord!
No, my lord, that's not it!
no my lord thats not it
To bide upon’t: thou art not honest; or,
If thou inclin’st that way, thou art a coward,
Which hoxes honesty behind, restraining
From course requir’d; or else thou must be counted
A servant grafted in my serious trust,
And therein negligent; or else a fool
That seest a game play’d home, the rich stake drawn,
And tak’st it all for jest.
To accept that: you're not honest; or, If you lean that way, you're a coward, Which ties honesty up and keeps it From doing what it should; or else you must be A servant who's trusted with my most serious matters, And you're negligent; or else you're a fool Who sees a game being played for real stakes, The prize already taken, And treats it all as a joke.
Don't give me that. You're either dishonest, or if you lean toward honesty, you're a coward— which is just another way to keep honest people frozen. Or you're supposed to be trusted with my most serious matters and you're just negligent. Or you're a fool who sees a real game with real stakes, sees someone winning, and thinks it's all a joke.
either ur dishonest or ur a coward or negligent or a fool playing along w jokes when stakes are real
My gracious lord,
I may be negligent, foolish, and fearful;
In every one of these no man is free,
But that his negligence, his folly, fear,
Among the infinite doings of the world,
Sometime puts forth. In your affairs, my lord,
If ever I were wilful-negligent,
It was my folly; if industriously
I play’d the fool, it was my negligence,
Not weighing well the end; if ever fearful
To do a thing, where I the issue doubted,
Whereof the execution did cry out
Against the non-performance, ’twas a fear
Which oft affects the wisest: these, my lord,
Are such allow’d infirmities that honesty
Is never free of. But, beseech your Grace,
Be plainer with me; let me know my trespass
By its own visage: if I then deny it,
’Tis none of mine.
My gracious lord, I might be negligent, foolish, and fearful; Every human being has moments of these, But when someone does, their mistakes, Among all the world's countless actions, Sometimes show up. In your matters, my lord, If I ever was carelessly negligent, It was my folly; if I deliberately Played the fool, it was because I didn't think things through, Not weighing the outcome well; if I ever hesitated To do something because I doubted the result, Where doing it was the right thing—that was a fear That even the wisest often feel: these, my lord, Are such common human weaknesses that honesty Is never free of them. But please, your Grace, Be more direct with me; let me know exactly What I've done wrong: if I then deny it, It's not true.
My gracious lord, I could be negligent, foolish, and fearful. Everyone has these moments— it's just human nature. In your business, my lord, if I was ever carelessly negligent, that was foolishness on my part; if I deliberately acted like an idiot, it was because I didn't think it through. If I hesitated to do something because I was scared of the outcome, when I should have done it—well, that fear hits even the wisest people. These are human weaknesses that even honest people have. But please, your Grace, just tell me clearly what I did wrong. If I then deny it, it's not true.
im careless foolish scared sometimes everyone is if i messed up tell me clear if i deny it then its a lie
Ha’ not you seen, Camillo?
(But that’s past doubt: you have, or your eye-glass
Is thicker than a cuckold’s horn) or heard?
(For, to a vision so apparent, rumour
Cannot be mute) or thought? (for cogitation
Resides not in that man that does not think)
My wife is slippery? If thou wilt confess,
Or else be impudently negative,
To have nor eyes nor ears nor thought, then say
My wife’s a hobby-horse, deserves a name
As rank as any flax-wench that puts to
Before her troth-plight: say’t and justify’t.
Haven't you seen it, Camillo? (But that's no question: you have seen it, or your eyes Are dimmer than a cuckold's horns are hard) or heard it? (For such obvious evidence, rumor Cannot stay silent) or thought about it? (for thinking Only happens in minds that actually think) That my wife is unfaithful? If you'll confess it, Or else deny it stubbornly, Pretend you have no eyes, ears, or mind, then say My wife is like a whore, deserves a reputation As dirty as any low woman who sleeps around Before marriage: say it and justify it.
Haven't you seen it, Camillo? (But you definitely have—your eyes would have to be duller than a cuckold's shame) or heard it? (Such obvious evidence, people can't help but talk) or thought about it? (thinking happens in minds that actually work) That my wife is cheating? Either confess it, or stubbornly deny it, pretend you're blind and deaf and stupid, then say my wife is a whore and deserves to be treated like one. Say it and defend it.
u seen it camillo? u definitely have u heard it? people talked u thought about it? my wifes cheating confess or deny say shes a whore
I would not be a stander-by to hear
My sovereign mistress clouded so, without
My present vengeance taken: ’shrew my heart,
You never spoke what did become you less
Than this; which to reiterate were sin
As deep as that, though true.
I wouldn't stand by and watch My sovereign mistress insulted like that without Punishing you myself immediately: I swear to it, You never said anything that fit you less Than this; to repeat it would be just as wrong As what you said, even if it were true.
I can't stand here and let you insult the queen like this without fighting back: I swear, you've never said anything worse than this. To repeat it would be just as wrong as the original accusation, even if it were true.
i cant stand by wile u insult the queen without fighting back u never said anything worse repeating it would be just as wrong
Is whispering nothing?
Is leaning cheek to cheek? is meeting noses?
Kissing with inside lip? Stopping the career
Of laughter with a sigh?—a note infallible
Of breaking honesty?—horsing foot on foot?
Skulking in corners? Wishing clocks more swift?
Hours, minutes? Noon, midnight? and all eyes
Blind with the pin and web but theirs, theirs only,
That would unseen be wicked? Is this nothing?
Why, then the world and all that’s in’t is nothing,
The covering sky is nothing, Bohemia nothing,
My wife is nothing, nor nothing have these nothings,
If this be nothing.
Is whispering nothing? Is pressing cheek to cheek nothing? Is touching noses nothing? Kissing with the inner lip? Stopping laughter With a sigh?—a sure sign Of broken faithfulness?—foot on foot? Hiding in corners? Wishing time moved faster? Hours, minutes? Noon, midnight? And all eyes Blind except for theirs, only theirs, Who would sin without being seen? Is this nothing? Why, then the world and all that's in it is nothing, The sky is nothing, Bohemia is nothing, My wife is nothing, and these things have no meaning, If this is nothing.
Is whispering together meaningless? Is rubbing cheeks together meaningless? Touching noses? Kissing inside the mouth? Using sighs to stop from laughing—isn't that a dead giveaway of cheating?—pressing foot to foot? Hiding in corners? Wishing the day went faster? Wishing minutes flew by? And everyone around them is blind except for them—they're the only ones who can get away with it unseen? Is this nothing? If this is nothing, then nothing exists—not the world, not the sky, not Bohemia, not my wife, nothing has any meaning if this is nothing.
whispering together meaningless? cheek to cheek? nose to nose? kissing inside lips? stop laughing w sighs? foot to foot? hiding in corners? if this is nothing then nothing exists
Good my lord, be cur’d
Of this diseas’d opinion, and betimes,
For ’tis most dangerous.
My good lord, get over This sickness, and soon, For it's extremely dangerous.
My lord, shake this off and do it fast— it's dangerous thinking.
get over this fast its dangerous
Say it be, ’tis true.
Say it is—it's true.
If it is, then it's true.
if its true then its true
No, no, my lord.
This cannot be true, my lord—I reject what you're saying.
My lord, that's simply not the truth.
thats not true my lord
It is; you lie, you lie:
I say thou liest, Camillo, and I hate thee,
Pronounce thee a gross lout, a mindless slave,
Or else a hovering temporizer that
Canst with thine eyes at once see good and evil,
Inclining to them both. Were my wife’s liver
Infected as her life, she would not live
The running of one glass.
It is; you lie, you lie: I'm calling you a liar, Camillo, and I hate you, I call you a crude idiot, a stupid slave, Or else a hesitant fence-sitter who Can see both good and evil at the same time, Lean toward both. If my wife's heart Were infected like her behavior, she wouldn't live Even for an hour longer.
It is—you're lying, lying: I'm calling you a liar, Camillo, and I hate you. You're a stupid brute, a mindless slave, or maybe you're just someone who can't pick a side— can see both good and evil, and lean toward both. If my wife's heart were as infected as her actions, she wouldn't make it another hour.
ur lying i hate u camillo stupid brute mindless slave fence sitter my wifes heart infected like her actions would be dead
Who does infect her?
Who is infecting her?
Who's corrupting her?
whos corrupting her
Why, he that wears her like her medal, hanging
About his neck, Bohemia: who, if I
Had servants true about me, that bare eyes
To see alike mine honour as their profits,
Their own particular thrifts, they would do that
Which should undo more doing: ay, and thou,
His cupbearer,—whom I from meaner form
Have bench’d and rear’d to worship, who mayst see
Plainly as heaven sees earth and earth sees heaven,
How I am galled,—mightst bespice a cup,
To give mine enemy a lasting wink;
Which draught to me were cordial.
Why, the man who wears her like his badge, hanging Around his neck—Bohemia: who, if I Had servants loyal to me who could see My honor as clearly as their own profit, Their own personal gain, they would do what Would end this: yes, and you, His server of drinks—whom I raised from nothing And trained to be loyal, who can see As clearly as heaven sees earth and earth sees heaven, How I'm tormented—you could poison a drink, To give my enemy eternal sleep; Which poison would be like medicine to me.
The man who wears her like a medal around his neck—Bohemia. If I had servants who cared about my honor as much as their own money, they'd stop this whole thing. And you— his cupbearer—I raised you from nothing and trained you to serve me. You can see as clearly as I can see you— How I'm being destroyed. You could slip poison in his drink, put him to permanent sleep. That poison would be a cure for me.
that guy wearing her like a medal bohemia if servants cared about my honor theyd stop it u could poison his drink permanent sleep would be medicine to me
Sir, my lord,
I could do this, and that with no rash potion,
But with a ling’ring dram, that should not work
Maliciously like poison. But I cannot
Believe this crack to be in my dread mistress,
So sovereignly being honourable.
I have lov’d thee,—
My gracious lord, I could do this, and without any hasty poison, But with a slow-acting potion that wouldn't Work like a quick poison. But I can't Believe this flaw is in my dread mistress, So regal in her honor. I have loved you—
My gracious lord, I could do that, and not with some quick poison, but with a slow one that wouldn't work like poison. But I can't believe the queen is actually disloyal—she's so noble. I have loved you—
i could poison him slow not obvious but i cant believe the queen is unfaithful she too noble i loved u
Make that thy question, and go rot!
Dost think I am so muddy, so unsettled,
To appoint myself in this vexation; sully
The purity and whiteness of my sheets,
(Which to preserve is sleep, which being spotted
Is goads, thorns, nettles, tails of wasps)
Give scandal to the blood o’ th’ prince, my son,
(Who I do think is mine, and love as mine)
Without ripe moving to’t? Would I do this?
Could man so blench?
Question that and go to hell! Do you think I'm so confused, so unstable, That I would work myself into this anger for no reason; soil The purity of my bed, (Which to keep pure is sleep, which when stained Becomes torture, thorns, nettles, wasp stings) Bring shame to my son's royal blood, (Whom I do think is mine, and love as my own) Without strong evidence? Would I do this? Could a man hesitate?
Don't question it—just go! Do you think I'm so muddled that I'd work myself into this rage for nothing, stain my marriage bed, (which should be sleep and peace, but when dirty becomes torture), bring shame to my son, (who I believe is mine and I love) without evidence? Would I do this? Could any man be uncertain?
dont question it go u think im confused for nothing im worked up i wouldnt soil my bed shame my son without evidence could man hesitate
I must believe you, sir:
I do; and will fetch off Bohemia for’t;
Provided that, when he’s remov’d, your highness
Will take again your queen as yours at first,
Even for your son’s sake, and thereby for sealing
The injury of tongues in courts and kingdoms
Known and allied to yours.
I must believe you, sir: I do; and I'll eliminate Bohemia for you; Provided that, when he's removed, your highness Will take your queen back as yours from the start, Even for your son's sake, and to seal The injury that will be said in courts and kingdoms Connected to yours.
I have to believe you, sir. I do; and I'll get rid of Bohemia for you. But when he's gone, your highness needs to take the queen back as your own from the beginning, for your son's sake, and to stop the damage that will be talked about in courts and kingdoms connected to yours.
i believe u ill remove bohemia but when hes gone take queen back for ur sons sake stop court gossip
Thou dost advise me
Even so as I mine own course have set down:
I’ll give no blemish to her honour, none.
You're advising me The same way I've already planned: I'll do nothing to damage her honor—nothing.
You're telling me exactly what I've already decided. I won't do anything to damage her reputation—nothing.
ur saying what i planned wont damage her rep nothing
My lord,
Go then; and with a countenance as clear
As friendship wears at feasts, keep with Bohemia
And with your queen. I am his cupbearer.
If from me he have wholesome beverage,
Account me not your servant.
My lord, Go then; keep a face as clear As friendship shows at feasts, be with Bohemia And with your queen. I am his cupbearer. If I give him wholesome drink, You can't call me your servant.
My lord, go on then. Keep a face as friendly as you'd show at a party, stay with Bohemia and with the queen. I'm his cupbearer. If I give him healthy drinks, then I'm not your servant anymore.
go then keep happy face stay w bohemia & queen im his cupbearer if i give him clean drinks im not ur servant
Polixenes's speech about childhood innocence — 'We were as twinned lambs that did frisk i' th' sun' — is unusually personal for a king in a formal court setting. He is describing, in theological terms, a pre-sexual innocence: they didn't know sin existed, couldn't imagine it. The speech places Hermione in the position of the temptress who introduced them to adulthood — not maliciously, but structurally. 'Temptations have since then been born to us' — she and his wife arrived and the Eden of boyhood ended. Leontes, already beginning to crack, is watching this speech. It is entirely possible to read the subsequent jealousy as, in part, a response to hearing his best friend describe his wife as a fallen-world temptation. Not that this justifies anything — but it explains something.
This is all:
Do’t, and thou hast the one half of my heart;
Do’t not, thou splitt’st thine own.
That is all there is to it. If you do it, you will have half my heart; If you don't, you will tear your own in half.
That's all I'm asking. If you go through with this, you've got half of me; If you don't, you're ripping yourself apart.
do it = half my heart don't do it = you destroy yourself
I’ll do’t, my lord.
I will do it, my lord.
I'll do it, sir.
i'll do it
I will seem friendly, as thou hast advis’d me.
I will appear friendly, just as you have advised me.
I'll play it cool and friendly, like you said.
i'll act friendly like u said
O miserable lady! But, for me,
What case stand I in? I must be the poisoner
Of good Polixenes, and my ground to do’t
Is the obedience to a master; one
Who, in rebellion with himself, will have
All that are his so too. To do this deed,
Promotion follows. If I could find example
Of thousands that had struck anointed kings
And flourish’d after, I’d not do’t. But since
Nor brass, nor stone, nor parchment, bears not one,
Let villainy itself forswear’t. I must
Forsake the court: to do’t, or no, is certain
To me a break-neck. Happy star reign now!
Here comes Bohemia.
Oh, what a miserable position I'm in! But as for myself, what situation am I facing? I am appointed to poison the good Polixenes, and my only reason to do it is obedience to my master—one who is in rebellion against himself and wants everyone loyal to him to rebel too. If I do this deed, promotion will follow. If I could find even one example of thousands who have murdered anointed kings and prospered afterward, I would not do it. But since no record exists—not in brass, stone, or parchment—of even one, let villainy itself refuse this act. I must flee the court: whether I do this deed or not, both choices lead to my death. May fortune favor me now! Here comes Bohemia.
What a miserable spot I'm in! Here's my problem: I'm being ordered to poison the good Polixenes. My only excuse is that I'm obeying my boss—a guy who's lost it and wants his whole staff to lose it with him. If I go through with it, I get promoted. Here's the thing though: I've never heard of even one person who killed a king and lived happily after. Not one example. So what am I doing? I'm done with this court. Whether I do it or not, either way I'm dead. Let's just hope luck's on my side. Wait, here comes someone.
trapped. ordered to poison polixenes obey my boss = promotion but nobody ever killed a king & got away w it i gotta leave. dead either way. here he comes
This is strange. Methinks
My favour here begins to warp. Not speak?
Good day, Camillo.
This is strange. It seems to me my standing with him is beginning to slip. He won't even greet me? Hello, Camillo.
Something's wrong here. I feel like I'm suddenly out of favor. He won't even acknowledge me? Hey, Camillo.
something's off i'm losing his favor he won't even talk to me
Hail, most royal sir!
Greetings, most royal sir!
Your Majesty! Good to see you.
hey there, your majesty
What is the news i’ th’ court?
What is the news at court?
What's the latest news from the palace?
what's new at court?
None rare, my lord.
Nothing unusual, my lord.
Nothing special happening, sir.
nothing big, just same old
The king hath on him such a countenance
As he had lost some province, and a region
Lov’d as he loves himself. Even now I met him
With customary compliment, when he,
Wafting his eyes to the contrary, and falling
A lip of much contempt, speeds from me, and
So leaves me to consider what is breeding
That changes thus his manners.
The king has such a troubled expression as if he had lost some province and a region that he loves as much as he loves himself. Even just now I greeted him with the usual courtesy, when he, turning his eyes away and curling his lip in contempt, rushed away from me, and leaves me wondering what is developing that changes his manner so.
The king looks like he's lost everything—some whole territory that he cares about more than life itself. I just tried to greet him politely, but he looked away, scowled at me, and took off. Now I'm left trying to figure out what's going on to make him act like this.
king looks devastated like he lost everything he loved just tried to greet him, he sneered & left whatever's happening has changed him completely
I dare not know, my lord.
I do not dare to know, my lord.
I can't speak to that, sir.
can't say, my lord
How, dare not? Do not? Do you know, and dare not?
Be intelligent to me? ’Tis thereabouts;
For, to yourself, what you do know, you must,
And cannot say you dare not. Good Camillo,
Your chang’d complexions are to me a mirror
Which shows me mine chang’d too; for I must be
A party in this alteration, finding
Myself thus alter’d with’t.
What do you mean, 'dare not'? You do not know? Do you know and yet dare not speak? Tell me what you know. It is something like that; Because for yourself, what you do know, you must know, and you cannot say you don't dare. Good Camillo, your changed expressions are a mirror to me which shows that mine have changed as well; because I must be a participant in this alteration, seeing myself thus changed by it.
What do you mean you can't? You either know or you don't. And if you do know, you can't pretend you don't dare to tell me. Come on, Camillo. Look, your face is all different, and when I see that, I see my own face has changed too. I must be caught up in whatever this is, because I can feel the change in myself.
you know something, don't you? can't play dumb with me your face tells me everything i'm caught up in this too i can feel it changing me
There is a sickness
Which puts some of us in distemper, but
I cannot name the disease, and it is caught
Of you that yet are well.
There is a sickness which disturbs some of us, but I cannot name the disease, and it is spreading from all of you who remain well.
There's something sick going on, something affecting people, but I can't put a name to it. And somehow it's spreading from the healthy ones to everyone else.
there's a sickness spreading can't even name it spreading from the healthy people
How caught of me?
Make me not sighted like the basilisk.
I have look’d on thousands who have sped the better
By my regard, but kill’d none so. Camillo,—
As you are certainly a gentleman, thereto
Clerk-like, experienc’d, which no less adorns
Our gentry than our parents’ noble names,
In whose success we are gentle,—I beseech you,
If you know aught which does behove my knowledge
Thereof to be inform’d, imprison’t not
In ignorant concealment.
How is it spreading from me? Do not make me like the basilisk that kills with a look. I have looked upon thousands who have prospered because of my favor, but I have killed none this way. Camillo— as you are certainly a gentleman, and moreover a learned man, experienced, which adorns our nobility as much as our parents' noble names, through which we inherit our status—I beg you, if you know anything which is important for my knowledge, about which I ought to be informed, do not keep it in ignorant concealment.
How could it come from me? Don't compare me to the basilisk that kills with a look. I've helped thousands of people prosper from my favor, but I've never destroyed anyone. Camillo— I know you're an educated gentleman, well-read and wise, the kind of person who brings honor to our rank the same way our families do—so please, if you know something important that I need to understand, don't hide it from me.
not from me i help people w my favor, don't hurt them camillo you're educated & wise please tell me what you know don't keep secrets
I may not answer.
I am not able to answer.
I can't answer that.
can't say
A sickness caught of me, and yet I well?
I must be answer’d. Dost thou hear, Camillo,
I conjure thee, by all the parts of man
Which honour does acknowledge, whereof the least
Is not this suit of mine, that thou declare
What incidency thou dost guess of harm
Is creeping toward me; how far off, how near;
Which way to be prevented, if to be;
If not, how best to bear it.
A sickness from me, and yet I am well? I must have an answer. Do you hear me, Camillo? I beg you by all the qualities that make a man worthy, which honor recognizes, and the least of which is this request I am making of you, that you tell me what you guess about the harm that is approaching me; how far off, how close; which direction to prevent it, if it can be prevented; if not, how best to endure it.
A sickness from me, but I'm perfectly healthy? I need you to answer me. Listen, Camillo, I'm asking you by everything that makes you honorable and worthy— and this request is the least of it—please tell me what you think the threat is that's heading my way. How far off? How close? How can I stop it, if I can stop it? If I can't, how do I deal with it?
but i'm not sick i need answers now by everything you believe in tell me what's coming for me how close? what do i do?
Sir, I will tell you;
Since I am charg’d in honour, and by him
That I think honourable. Therefore mark my counsel,
Which must be ev’n as swiftly follow’d as
I mean to utter it, or both yourself and me
Cry lost, and so goodnight!
Sir, I will tell you; since I am bound by honor and by him whom I consider honorable. Therefore mark what I say, which must be followed as quickly as I speak it, or we are both lost, so goodbye!
Sir, I'll tell you; I'm bound by honor to do this, and by a man I respect. So listen to what I'm about to say, and you have to act on it immediately, or we're both done for. Got it?
ok fine i'll tell u but u gotta act on this NOW or we're both dead
On, good Camillo.
On, good Camillo.
On, good Camillo.
good camillo
I am appointed him to murder you.
I have been ordered by the king to murder you.
The king commanded me to kill you.
the king ordered me 2 kill u
By whom, Camillo?
By whom, Camillo?
By whom, Camillo?
by whom camillo?
By the king.
By the king.
By the king.
by the king
For what?
For what?
For what?
for what
He thinks, nay, with all confidence he swears,
As he had seen’t or been an instrument
To vice you to’t, that you have touch’d his queen
Forbiddenly.
He thinks, and swears with complete confidence, as if he had seen it with his own eyes or been party to it, that you have had an illegal intimate encounter with his queen.
He's convinced—totally sure— like he actually saw it happen, that you've been with his wife. Illegally.
he thinks u slept w his wife 100% sure swears u did it
O, then my best blood turn
To an infected jelly, and my name
Be yok’d with his that did betray the Best!
Turn then my freshest reputation to
A savour that may strike the dullest nostril
Where I arrive, and my approach be shunn’d,
Nay, hated too, worse than the great’st infection
That e’er was heard or read!
If this is so, then let my best blood turn to infected poison, and let my name be linked with the worst traitor ever! Let my reputation become a stench that offends the dullest nose wherever I go, and let people avoid me, and worse, let them hate me with the hatred of the worst plague that was ever known!
If that's true, I hope my blood turns to poison, I hope my name gets dragged through the dirt like a traitor's, I hope everywhere I go people smell my shame, I hope they avoid me, hate me worse than the deadliest plague that ever existed!
if it's true let me be cursed let my name be destroyed let everyone hate me worse than plague everywhere i go
Swear his thought over
By each particular star in heaven and
By all their influences, you may as well
Forbid the sea for to obey the moon
As or by oath remove or counsel shake
The fabric of his folly, whose foundation
Is pil’d upon his faith, and will continue
The standing of his body.
Swear against his suspicion with all the power of heaven, invoking every star in the sky and all their celestial influences—you might as well command the sea to disobey the moon, as try to remove or shake with an oath the foundation of his obsession, which is built on his faith and will remain as long as he lives.
You could swear by every star in heaven, invoke every celestial power there is, and it would be like commanding the ocean to ignore the moon. His belief is built on pure faith and won't budge— it'll stay there as long as he's alive.
no amount of swearing changes his mind it's like telling the ocean to ignore the moon his belief is unshakeable built on pure faith
How should this grow?
How did this begin?
Where did this come from?
where's this coming from?
I know not: but I am sure ’tis safer to
Avoid what’s grown than question how ’tis born.
If therefore you dare trust my honesty,
That lies enclosed in this trunk, which you
Shall bear along impawn’d, away tonight.
Your followers I will whisper to the business,
And will by twos and threes, at several posterns,
Clear them o’ th’ city. For myself, I’ll put
My fortunes to your service, which are here
By this discovery lost. Be not uncertain,
For, by the honour of my parents, I
Have utter’d truth: which if you seek to prove,
I dare not stand by; nor shall you be safer
Than one condemned by the king’s own mouth,
Thereon his execution sworn.
I do not know: but I am certain that it is safer to escape what has already developed than to question how it started. If therefore you trust my honesty, that is contained in this body, which you shall carry with you as a guarantee, leave tonight. Your followers I will instruct in secret about the plan, and they will depart in groups of two and three, at different exits, clear the city. For myself, I will pledge my fortunes to your service, which are already lost through this disclosure. Be not uncertain: for, by the honor of my parents, I have spoken truth: which if you seek to prove, I cannot stand by you; and you will not be safer than someone condemned by the king's own mouth, with execution sworn to follow.
I don't know how it started, but here's what matters: it's safer to run from what's happening than to ask questions. So if you trust me, take this body with you as collateral and leave tonight. I'll tell your followers the plan in secret, and they'll slip out in small groups through different gates and leave the city. As for me, I'm putting everything I have at your service, which is basically nothing now—I'm done anyway because of this. Believe me, I'm telling the truth. And if you want to verify it, I can't protect you—you'll be no safer than someone the king has already sentenced to death.
don't ask how, just run trust me, take me w u i'll get ur people out in groups i'm all in now, nothing left to lose facts only, u'll die if u stay
I do believe thee.
I saw his heart in ’s face. Give me thy hand,
Be pilot to me, and thy places shall
Still neighbour mine. My ships are ready, and
My people did expect my hence departure
Two days ago. This jealousy
Is for a precious creature: as she’s rare,
Must it be great; and, as his person’s mighty,
Must it be violent; and as he does conceive
He is dishonour’d by a man which ever
Profess’d to him, why, his revenges must
In that be made more bitter. Fear o’ershades me.
Good expedition be my friend, and comfort
The gracious queen, part of his theme, but nothing
Of his ill-ta’en suspicion! Come, Camillo,
I will respect thee as a father if
Thou bear’st my life off hence. Let us avoid.
I believe you. I saw his hatred in his face. Give me your hand, be my guide, and your place will always be next to mine. My ships are ready, and my people were expecting my departure two days ago. This jealousy is for a precious creature: since she is rare, it must be great; and since his power is mighty, it must be violent; and because he believes he is dishonored by a man who has always professed friendship to him, his revenge must therefore be made more bitter. Fear overwhelms me. May escape help me, and may I protect the gracious queen, who is part of his obsession but not responsible for his unfair suspicion! Come, Camillo, I will honor you as a father if you carry my life out of here. Let us go.
I believe you. I saw it written all over his face. Give me your hand, guide me out of this, and I'll always have your back. My ships are standing by, and my people thought I was leaving two days ago anyway. This jealousy is all about her because she's irreplaceable: since she's precious, the jealousy is extreme; and since he's powerful, the revenge will be violent; and since he thinks a trusted friend has betrayed him, he'll be even more brutal. I'm terrified. I just need to escape and get the queen to safety—she's caught up in his obsession but didn't cause it. Come on, Camillo, if you get me out alive, I'll treat you like family. Let's go.
i see it in his face, believe u my ships r ready this jealousy is extreme he'll be brutal gotta save the queen camillo ur family if u save me let's go NOW
It is in mine authority to command
The keys of all the posterns: please your highness
To take the urgent hour. Come, sir, away.
I have the authority to command the gates of all the exits: if it pleases your highness, to take this urgent moment. Come, sir, away.
I can open any gate we need: if you're ready to go, this is the time. Come on, sir, let's move.
i can get all gates open time to go NOW let's move
The Reckoning
This is one of Shakespeare's most shocking dramatic pivots. In the first hundred lines, Hermione is delightful, Polixenes is charming, Leontes seems contentedly domestic. Then, in the space of a single aside — 'Too hot, too hot!' — the entire play's architecture shifts. Leontes's jealousy has no visible trigger: it erupts from within, wholly self-generated, and it is absolute. By the scene's end, Camillo has been commanded to commit murder and has chosen instead to save his own conscience and Polixenes's life. The audience is left reeling: how did we get here? The answer is: nowhere. The jealousy was already there.
If this happened today…
Picture a dinner party where a husband asks his wife to convince his best friend to stay another week. She does it brilliantly — jokes, charm, a little flirtatious wit. The husband watches from across the room. And something breaks in him. Not because of anything that happened, but because he suddenly sees everything she does as evidence of what he's already decided is true. He corners his estate manager later: 'You've seen how she is with him.' The manager tries to say nothing's happening. The husband tells him to slip something in the friend's drink. The manager, appalled, goes straight to the friend and they both leave that night. The husband is now alone with his certainty.