Chapter VI

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading There is nothing in the first which surprises: which impresses us as too abrupt a departure from the brutish coarseness and grossness of the middle age mummeries--"miracle plays" and "mysteries"--or as being too refined or elaborate for the groundlings who swaggered and swilled beer, or the lords and maids of honor who ogled and flirted in the contemporary barns called "play-houses" in the days of Elizabeth.

marked by sudden changes in subject and sharp transitions

From this reading There is nothing in the first which surprises: which impresses us as too abrupt a departure from the brutish coarseness and grossness of the middle age mummeries--"miracle plays" and "mysteries"--or as being too refined or elaborate for the groundlings who swaggered and swilled beer, or the lords and maids of honor who ogled and flirted in the contemporary barns called "play-houses" in the days of Elizabeth.

something done (usually as opposed to something said)

From this reading But that the proprietor of one of these barns should have found it to his profit to have overshot the intelligence of his audience by creating a Hamlet, a Lear, Brutus, and Macbeth--the action of whose roles are intellectual rather than scenic--for his players, or an Ophelia, Isabella, or Catharine for the small boys employed to render his female parts, is an incongruity--to put it mildly--which arrests our credulity at once.

how long something has existed

From this reading There is nothing in the first which surprises: which impresses us as too abrupt a departure from the brutish coarseness and grossness of the middle age mummeries--"miracle plays" and "mysteries"--or as being too refined or elaborate for the groundlings who swaggered and swilled beer, or the lords and maids of honor who ogled and flirted in the contemporary barns called "play-houses" in the days of Elizabeth.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading But that the proprietor of one of these barns should have found it to his profit to have overshot the intelligence of his audience by creating a Hamlet, a Lear, Brutus, and Macbeth--the action of whose roles are intellectual rather than scenic--for his players, or an Ophelia, Isabella, or Catharine for the small boys employed to render his female parts, is an incongruity--to put it mildly--which arrests our credulity at once.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading HE English Renaissance Drama seems naturally to group itself into two grand divisions: the Elizabethan drama and--Shakespeare.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading But that the proprietor of one of these barns should have found it to his profit to have overshot the intelligence of his audience by creating a Hamlet, a Lear, Brutus, and Macbeth--the action of whose roles are intellectual rather than scenic--for his players, or an Ophelia, Isabella, or Catharine for the small boys employed to render his female parts, is an incongruity--to put it mildly--which arrests our credulity at once.

plural of “arrest” — the act of apprehending (especially apprehending a criminal)

From this reading But that the proprietor of one of these barns should have found it to his profit to have overshot the intelligence of his audience by creating a Hamlet, a Lear, Brutus, and Macbeth--the action of whose roles are intellectual rather than scenic--for his players, or an Ophelia, Isabella, or Catharine for the small boys employed to render his female parts, is an incongruity--to put it mildly--which arrests our credulity at once.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading There is nothing in the first which surprises: which impresses us as too abrupt a departure from the brutish coarseness and grossness of the middle age mummeries--"miracle plays" and "mysteries"--or as being too refined or elaborate for the groundlings who swaggered and swilled beer, or the lords and maids of honor who ogled and flirted in the contemporary barns called "play-houses" in the days of Elizabeth.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading But that the proprietor of one of these barns should have found it to his profit to have overshot the intelligence of his audience by creating a Hamlet, a Lear, Brutus, and Macbeth--the action of whose roles are intellectual rather than scenic--for his players, or an Ophelia, Isabella, or Catharine for the small boys employed to render his female parts, is an incongruity--to put it mildly--which arrests our credulity at once.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading The utmost that the Shakespeareans propose to do--the utmost they attempt--is to make out William Shakespeare to have been an Elizabethan Dramatist.

a gathering of spectators or listeners at a (usually public) performance

From this reading But that the proprietor of one of these barns should have found it to his profit to have overshot the intelligence of his audience by creating a Hamlet, a Lear, Brutus, and Macbeth--the action of whose roles are intellectual rather than scenic--for his players, or an Ophelia, Isabella, or Catharine for the small boys employed to render his female parts, is an incongruity--to put it mildly--which arrests our credulity at once.

plural of “barn” — an outlying farm building for storing grain or animal feed and housing farm animals

From this reading There is nothing in the first which surprises: which impresses us as too abrupt a departure from the brutish coarseness and grossness of the middle age mummeries--"miracle plays" and "mysteries"--or as being too refined or elaborate for the groundlings who swaggered and swilled beer, or the lords and maids of honor who ogled and flirted in the contemporary barns called "play-houses" in the days of Elizabeth.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The utmost that the Shakespeareans propose to do--the utmost they attempt--is to make out William Shakespeare to have been an Elizabethan Dramatist.

a general name for alcoholic beverages made by fermenting a cereal (or mixture of cereals) flavored with hops

From this reading There is nothing in the first which surprises: which impresses us as too abrupt a departure from the brutish coarseness and grossness of the middle age mummeries--"miracle plays" and "mysteries"--or as being too refined or elaborate for the groundlings who swaggered and swilled beer, or the lords and maids of honor who ogled and flirted in the contemporary barns called "play-houses" in the days of Elizabeth.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading There is nothing in the first which surprises: which impresses us as too abrupt a departure from the brutish coarseness and grossness of the middle age mummeries--"miracle plays" and "mysteries"--or as being too refined or elaborate for the groundlings who swaggered and swilled beer, or the lords and maids of honor who ogled and flirted in the contemporary barns called "play-houses" in the days of Elizabeth.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading But that the proprietor of one of these barns should have found it to his profit to have overshot the intelligence of his audience by creating a Hamlet, a Lear, Brutus, and Macbeth--the action of whose roles are intellectual rather than scenic--for his players, or an Ophelia, Isabella, or Catharine for the small boys employed to render his female parts, is an incongruity--to put it mildly--which arrests our credulity at once.

resembling a beast; showing lack of human sensibility

From this reading There is nothing in the first which surprises: which impresses us as too abrupt a departure from the brutish coarseness and grossness of the middle age mummeries--"miracle plays" and "mysteries"--or as being too refined or elaborate for the groundlings who swaggered and swilled beer, or the lords and maids of honor who ogled and flirted in the contemporary barns called "play-houses" in the days of Elizabeth.

statesman of ancient Rome who (with Cassius) led a conspiracy to assassinate Julius Caesar (85-42 BC)

From this reading But that the proprietor of one of these barns should have found it to his profit to have overshot the intelligence of his audience by creating a Hamlet, a Lear, Brutus, and Macbeth--the action of whose roles are intellectual rather than scenic--for his players, or an Ophelia, Isabella, or Catharine for the small boys employed to render his female parts, is an incongruity--to put it mildly--which arrests our credulity at once.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But that the proprietor of one of these barns should have found it to his profit to have overshot the intelligence of his audience by creating a Hamlet, a Lear, Brutus, and Macbeth--the action of whose roles are intellectual rather than scenic--for his players, or an Ophelia, Isabella, or Catharine for the small boys employed to render his female parts, is an incongruity--to put it mildly--which arrests our credulity at once.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading But that the proprietor of one of these barns should have found it to his profit to have overshot the intelligence of his audience by creating a Hamlet, a Lear, Brutus, and Macbeth--the action of whose roles are intellectual rather than scenic--for his players, or an Ophelia, Isabella, or Catharine for the small boys employed to render his female parts, is an incongruity--to put it mildly--which arrests our credulity at once.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading There is nothing in the first which surprises: which impresses us as too abrupt a departure from the brutish coarseness and grossness of the middle age mummeries--"miracle plays" and "mysteries"--or as being too refined or elaborate for the groundlings who swaggered and swilled beer, or the lords and maids of honor who ogled and flirted in the contemporary barns called "play-houses" in the days of Elizabeth.

past form of “cater” — give what is desired or needed, especially support, food or sustenance

From this reading But the Elizabethan Dramatist was a man who catered to the Elizabethan play-goer.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But that the proprietor of one of these barns should have found it to his profit to have overshot the intelligence of his audience by creating a Hamlet, a Lear, Brutus, and Macbeth--the action of whose roles are intellectual rather than scenic--for his players, or an Ophelia, Isabella, or Catharine for the small boys employed to render his female parts, is an incongruity--to put it mildly--which arrests our credulity at once.

language or humor that is down-to-earth

From this reading There is nothing in the first which surprises: which impresses us as too abrupt a departure from the brutish coarseness and grossness of the middle age mummeries--"miracle plays" and "mysteries"--or as being too refined or elaborate for the groundlings who swaggered and swilled beer, or the lords and maids of honor who ogled and flirted in the contemporary barns called "play-houses" in the days of Elizabeth.

characteristic of the present

From this reading There is nothing in the first which surprises: which impresses us as too abrupt a departure from the brutish coarseness and grossness of the middle age mummeries--"miracle plays" and "mysteries"--or as being too refined or elaborate for the groundlings who swaggered and swilled beer, or the lords and maids of honor who ogled and flirted in the contemporary barns called "play-houses" in the days of Elizabeth.

-ing form of “create” — make or cause to be or to become

From this reading But that the proprietor of one of these barns should have found it to his profit to have overshot the intelligence of his audience by creating a Hamlet, a Lear, Brutus, and Macbeth--the action of whose roles are intellectual rather than scenic--for his players, or an Ophelia, Isabella, or Catharine for the small boys employed to render his female parts, is an incongruity--to put it mildly--which arrests our credulity at once.

tendency to believe readily

From this reading But that the proprietor of one of these barns should have found it to his profit to have overshot the intelligence of his audience by creating a Hamlet, a Lear, Brutus, and Macbeth--the action of whose roles are intellectual rather than scenic--for his players, or an Ophelia, Isabella, or Catharine for the small boys employed to render his female parts, is an incongruity--to put it mildly--which arrests our credulity at once.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading There is nothing in the first which surprises: which impresses us as too abrupt a departure from the brutish coarseness and grossness of the middle age mummeries--"miracle plays" and "mysteries"--or as being too refined or elaborate for the groundlings who swaggered and swilled beer, or the lords and maids of honor who ogled and flirted in the contemporary barns called "play-houses" in the days of Elizabeth.

the act of departing

From this reading There is nothing in the first which surprises: which impresses us as too abrupt a departure from the brutish coarseness and grossness of the middle age mummeries--"miracle plays" and "mysteries"--or as being too refined or elaborate for the groundlings who swaggered and swilled beer, or the lords and maids of honor who ogled and flirted in the contemporary barns called "play-houses" in the days of Elizabeth.

plural of “division” — an army unit large enough to sustain combat

From this reading HE English Renaissance Drama seems naturally to group itself into two grand divisions: the Elizabethan drama and--Shakespeare.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading The utmost that the Shakespeareans propose to do--the utmost they attempt--is to make out William Shakespeare to have been an Elizabethan Dramatist.

a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage

From this reading HE English Renaissance Drama seems naturally to group itself into two grand divisions: the Elizabethan drama and--Shakespeare.

someone who writes plays

From this reading The utmost that the Shakespeareans propose to do--the utmost they attempt--is to make out William Shakespeare to have been an Elizabethan Dramatist.

marked by complexity and richness of detail

From this reading There is nothing in the first which surprises: which impresses us as too abrupt a departure from the brutish coarseness and grossness of the middle age mummeries--"miracle plays" and "mysteries"--or as being too refined or elaborate for the groundlings who swaggered and swilled beer, or the lords and maids of honor who ogled and flirted in the contemporary barns called "play-houses" in the days of Elizabeth.

daughter of George VI who became the Queen of England and Northern Ireland in 1952 on the death of her father (1926-)

From this reading There is nothing in the first which surprises: which impresses us as too abrupt a departure from the brutish coarseness and grossness of the middle age mummeries--"miracle plays" and "mysteries"--or as being too refined or elaborate for the groundlings who swaggered and swilled beer, or the lords and maids of honor who ogled and flirted in the contemporary barns called "play-houses" in the days of Elizabeth.

a person who lived during the reign of Elizabeth I

From this reading HE English Renaissance Drama seems naturally to group itself into two grand divisions: the Elizabethan drama and--Shakespeare.

having your services engaged for; or having a job especially one that pays wages or a salary

From this reading But that the proprietor of one of these barns should have found it to his profit to have overshot the intelligence of his audience by creating a Hamlet, a Lear, Brutus, and Macbeth--the action of whose roles are intellectual rather than scenic--for his players, or an Ophelia, Isabella, or Catharine for the small boys employed to render his female parts, is an incongruity--to put it mildly--which arrests our credulity at once.

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading HE English Renaissance Drama seems naturally to group itself into two grand divisions: the Elizabethan drama and--Shakespeare.

being the sex (of plant or animal) that produces fertilizable gametes (ova) from which offspring develop

From this reading But that the proprietor of one of these barns should have found it to his profit to have overshot the intelligence of his audience by creating a Hamlet, a Lear, Brutus, and Macbeth--the action of whose roles are intellectual rather than scenic--for his players, or an Ophelia, Isabella, or Catharine for the small boys employed to render his female parts, is an incongruity--to put it mildly--which arrests our credulity at once.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading There is nothing in the first which surprises: which impresses us as too abrupt a departure from the brutish coarseness and grossness of the middle age mummeries--"miracle plays" and "mysteries"--or as being too refined or elaborate for the groundlings who swaggered and swilled beer, or the lords and maids of honor who ogled and flirted in the contemporary barns called "play-houses" in the days of Elizabeth.

past form of “flirt” — talk or behave amorously, without serious intentions

From this reading There is nothing in the first which surprises: which impresses us as too abrupt a departure from the brutish coarseness and grossness of the middle age mummeries--"miracle plays" and "mysteries"--or as being too refined or elaborate for the groundlings who swaggered and swilled beer, or the lords and maids of honor who ogled and flirted in the contemporary barns called "play-houses" in the days of Elizabeth.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading There is nothing in the first which surprises: which impresses us as too abrupt a departure from the brutish coarseness and grossness of the middle age mummeries--"miracle plays" and "mysteries"--or as being too refined or elaborate for the groundlings who swaggered and swilled beer, or the lords and maids of honor who ogled and flirted in the contemporary barns called "play-houses" in the days of Elizabeth.

set up or found

From this reading But that the proprietor of one of these barns should have found it to his profit to have overshot the intelligence of his audience by creating a Hamlet, a Lear, Brutus, and Macbeth--the action of whose roles are intellectual rather than scenic--for his players, or an Ophelia, Isabella, or Catharine for the small boys employed to render his female parts, is an incongruity--to put it mildly--which arrests our credulity at once.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading There is nothing in the first which surprises: which impresses us as too abrupt a departure from the brutish coarseness and grossness of the middle age mummeries--"miracle plays" and "mysteries"--or as being too refined or elaborate for the groundlings who swaggered and swilled beer, or the lords and maids of honor who ogled and flirted in the contemporary barns called "play-houses" in the days of Elizabeth.

of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope

From this reading HE English Renaissance Drama seems naturally to group itself into two grand divisions: the Elizabethan drama and--Shakespeare.

the quality of lacking taste and refinement

From this reading There is nothing in the first which surprises: which impresses us as too abrupt a departure from the brutish coarseness and grossness of the middle age mummeries--"miracle plays" and "mysteries"--or as being too refined or elaborate for the groundlings who swaggered and swilled beer, or the lords and maids of honor who ogled and flirted in the contemporary barns called "play-houses" in the days of Elizabeth.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There is nothing in the first which surprises: which impresses us as too abrupt a departure from the brutish coarseness and grossness of the middle age mummeries--"miracle plays" and "mysteries"--or as being too refined or elaborate for the groundlings who swaggered and swilled beer, or the lords and maids of honor who ogled and flirted in the contemporary barns called "play-houses" in the days of Elizabeth.

any number of entities (members) considered as a unit

From this reading HE English Renaissance Drama seems naturally to group itself into two grand divisions: the Elizabethan drama and--Shakespeare.

a community of people smaller than a village

From this reading But that the proprietor of one of these barns should have found it to his profit to have overshot the intelligence of his audience by creating a Hamlet, a Lear, Brutus, and Macbeth--the action of whose roles are intellectual rather than scenic--for his players, or an Ophelia, Isabella, or Catharine for the small boys employed to render his female parts, is an incongruity--to put it mildly--which arrests our credulity at once.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading But that the proprietor of one of these barns should have found it to his profit to have overshot the intelligence of his audience by creating a Hamlet, a Lear, Brutus, and Macbeth--the action of whose roles are intellectual rather than scenic--for his players, or an Ophelia, Isabella, or Catharine for the small boys employed to render his female parts, is an incongruity--to put it mildly--which arrests our credulity at once.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading HE English Renaissance Drama seems naturally to group itself into two grand divisions: the Elizabethan drama and--Shakespeare.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading But that the proprietor of one of these barns should have found it to his profit to have overshot the intelligence of his audience by creating a Hamlet, a Lear, Brutus, and Macbeth--the action of whose roles are intellectual rather than scenic--for his players, or an Ophelia, Isabella, or Catharine for the small boys employed to render his female parts, is an incongruity--to put it mildly--which arrests our credulity at once.

a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction

From this reading There is nothing in the first which surprises: which impresses us as too abrupt a departure from the brutish coarseness and grossness of the middle age mummeries--"miracle plays" and "mysteries"--or as being too refined or elaborate for the groundlings who swaggered and swilled beer, or the lords and maids of honor who ogled and flirted in the contemporary barns called "play-houses" in the days of Elizabeth.

plural of “impress” — the act of coercing someone into government service

From this reading There is nothing in the first which surprises: which impresses us as too abrupt a departure from the brutish coarseness and grossness of the middle age mummeries--"miracle plays" and "mysteries"--or as being too refined or elaborate for the groundlings who swaggered and swilled beer, or the lords and maids of honor who ogled and flirted in the contemporary barns called "play-houses" in the days of Elizabeth.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading There is nothing in the first which surprises: which impresses us as too abrupt a departure from the brutish coarseness and grossness of the middle age mummeries--"miracle plays" and "mysteries"--or as being too refined or elaborate for the groundlings who swaggered and swilled beer, or the lords and maids of honor who ogled and flirted in the contemporary barns called "play-houses" in the days of Elizabeth.

the quality of disagreeing; being unsuitable and inappropriate

From this reading But that the proprietor of one of these barns should have found it to his profit to have overshot the intelligence of his audience by creating a Hamlet, a Lear, Brutus, and Macbeth--the action of whose roles are intellectual rather than scenic--for his players, or an Ophelia, Isabella, or Catharine for the small boys employed to render his female parts, is an incongruity--to put it mildly--which arrests our credulity at once.

of or associated with or requiring the use of the mind

From this reading But that the proprietor of one of these barns should have found it to his profit to have overshot the intelligence of his audience by creating a Hamlet, a Lear, Brutus, and Macbeth--the action of whose roles are intellectual rather than scenic--for his players, or an Ophelia, Isabella, or Catharine for the small boys employed to render his female parts, is an incongruity--to put it mildly--which arrests our credulity at once.

the ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience

From this reading But that the proprietor of one of these barns should have found it to his profit to have overshot the intelligence of his audience by creating a Hamlet, a Lear, Brutus, and Macbeth--the action of whose roles are intellectual rather than scenic--for his players, or an Ophelia, Isabella, or Catharine for the small boys employed to render his female parts, is an incongruity--to put it mildly--which arrests our credulity at once.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading HE English Renaissance Drama seems naturally to group itself into two grand divisions: the Elizabethan drama and--Shakespeare.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading There is nothing in the first which surprises: which impresses us as too abrupt a departure from the brutish coarseness and grossness of the middle age mummeries--"miracle plays" and "mysteries"--or as being too refined or elaborate for the groundlings who swaggered and swilled beer, or the lords and maids of honor who ogled and flirted in the contemporary barns called "play-houses" in the days of Elizabeth.

the queen of Castile whose marriage to Ferdinand of Aragon in 1469 marked the beginning of the modern state of Spain; they instituted the Spanish Inquisition in 1478 and sponsored the voyages of Christopher Columbus in 1492 (1451-1504)

From this reading But that the proprietor of one of these barns should have found it to his profit to have overshot the intelligence of his audience by creating a Hamlet, a Lear, Brutus, and Macbeth--the action of whose roles are intellectual rather than scenic--for his players, or an Ophelia, Isabella, or Catharine for the small boys employed to render his female parts, is an incongruity--to put it mildly--which arrests our credulity at once.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading But that the proprietor of one of these barns should have found it to his profit to have overshot the intelligence of his audience by creating a Hamlet, a Lear, Brutus, and Macbeth--the action of whose roles are intellectual rather than scenic--for his players, or an Ophelia, Isabella, or Catharine for the small boys employed to render his female parts, is an incongruity--to put it mildly--which arrests our credulity at once.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading HE English Renaissance Drama seems naturally to group itself into two grand divisions: the Elizabethan drama and--Shakespeare.

British artist and writer of nonsense verse (1812-1888)

From this reading But that the proprietor of one of these barns should have found it to his profit to have overshot the intelligence of his audience by creating a Hamlet, a Lear, Brutus, and Macbeth--the action of whose roles are intellectual rather than scenic--for his players, or an Ophelia, Isabella, or Catharine for the small boys employed to render his female parts, is an incongruity--to put it mildly--which arrests our credulity at once.

plural of “lord” — terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God

From this reading There is nothing in the first which surprises: which impresses us as too abrupt a departure from the brutish coarseness and grossness of the middle age mummeries--"miracle plays" and "mysteries"--or as being too refined or elaborate for the groundlings who swaggered and swilled beer, or the lords and maids of honor who ogled and flirted in the contemporary barns called "play-houses" in the days of Elizabeth.

king of Scotland (died in 1057)

From this reading But that the proprietor of one of these barns should have found it to his profit to have overshot the intelligence of his audience by creating a Hamlet, a Lear, Brutus, and Macbeth--the action of whose roles are intellectual rather than scenic--for his players, or an Ophelia, Isabella, or Catharine for the small boys employed to render his female parts, is an incongruity--to put it mildly--which arrests our credulity at once.

plural of “maid” — a female domestic

From this reading There is nothing in the first which surprises: which impresses us as too abrupt a departure from the brutish coarseness and grossness of the middle age mummeries--"miracle plays" and "mysteries"--or as being too refined or elaborate for the groundlings who swaggered and swilled beer, or the lords and maids of honor who ogled and flirted in the contemporary barns called "play-houses" in the days of Elizabeth.

engage in

From this reading The utmost that the Shakespeareans propose to do--the utmost they attempt--is to make out William Shakespeare to have been an Elizabethan Dramatist.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading But the Elizabethan Dramatist was a man who catered to the Elizabethan play-goer.

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading There is nothing in the first which surprises: which impresses us as too abrupt a departure from the brutish coarseness and grossness of the middle age mummeries--"miracle plays" and "mysteries"--or as being too refined or elaborate for the groundlings who swaggered and swilled beer, or the lords and maids of honor who ogled and flirted in the contemporary barns called "play-houses" in the days of Elizabeth.

to a moderate degree

From this reading But that the proprietor of one of these barns should have found it to his profit to have overshot the intelligence of his audience by creating a Hamlet, a Lear, Brutus, and Macbeth--the action of whose roles are intellectual rather than scenic--for his players, or an Ophelia, Isabella, or Catharine for the small boys employed to render his female parts, is an incongruity--to put it mildly--which arrests our credulity at once.

any amazing or wonderful occurrence

From this reading There is nothing in the first which surprises: which impresses us as too abrupt a departure from the brutish coarseness and grossness of the middle age mummeries--"miracle plays" and "mysteries"--or as being too refined or elaborate for the groundlings who swaggered and swilled beer, or the lords and maids of honor who ogled and flirted in the contemporary barns called "play-houses" in the days of Elizabeth.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There is nothing in the first which surprises: which impresses us as too abrupt a departure from the brutish coarseness and grossness of the middle age mummeries--"miracle plays" and "mysteries"--or as being too refined or elaborate for the groundlings who swaggered and swilled beer, or the lords and maids of honor who ogled and flirted in the contemporary barns called "play-houses" in the days of Elizabeth.

plural of “mystery” — something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained

From this reading There is nothing in the first which surprises: which impresses us as too abrupt a departure from the brutish coarseness and grossness of the middle age mummeries--"miracle plays" and "mysteries"--or as being too refined or elaborate for the groundlings who swaggered and swilled beer, or the lords and maids of honor who ogled and flirted in the contemporary barns called "play-houses" in the days of Elizabeth.

as might be expected

From this reading HE English Renaissance Drama seems naturally to group itself into two grand divisions: the Elizabethan drama and--Shakespeare.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading There is nothing in the first which surprises: which impresses us as too abrupt a departure from the brutish coarseness and grossness of the middle age mummeries--"miracle plays" and "mysteries"--or as being too refined or elaborate for the groundlings who swaggered and swilled beer, or the lords and maids of honor who ogled and flirted in the contemporary barns called "play-houses" in the days of Elizabeth.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading There is nothing in the first which surprises: which impresses us as too abrupt a departure from the brutish coarseness and grossness of the middle age mummeries--"miracle plays" and "mysteries"--or as being too refined or elaborate for the groundlings who swaggered and swilled beer, or the lords and maids of honor who ogled and flirted in the contemporary barns called "play-houses" in the days of Elizabeth.

past form of “ogle” — look at with amorous intentions

From this reading There is nothing in the first which surprises: which impresses us as too abrupt a departure from the brutish coarseness and grossness of the middle age mummeries--"miracle plays" and "mysteries"--or as being too refined or elaborate for the groundlings who swaggered and swilled beer, or the lords and maids of honor who ogled and flirted in the contemporary barns called "play-houses" in the days of Elizabeth.

on one occasion

From this reading But that the proprietor of one of these barns should have found it to his profit to have overshot the intelligence of his audience by creating a Hamlet, a Lear, Brutus, and Macbeth--the action of whose roles are intellectual rather than scenic--for his players, or an Ophelia, Isabella, or Catharine for the small boys employed to render his female parts, is an incongruity--to put it mildly--which arrests our credulity at once.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading But that the proprietor of one of these barns should have found it to his profit to have overshot the intelligence of his audience by creating a Hamlet, a Lear, Brutus, and Macbeth--the action of whose roles are intellectual rather than scenic--for his players, or an Ophelia, Isabella, or Catharine for the small boys employed to render his female parts, is an incongruity--to put it mildly--which arrests our credulity at once.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But that the proprietor of one of these barns should have found it to his profit to have overshot the intelligence of his audience by creating a Hamlet, a Lear, Brutus, and Macbeth--the action of whose roles are intellectual rather than scenic--for his players, or an Ophelia, Isabella, or Catharine for the small boys employed to render his female parts, is an incongruity--to put it mildly--which arrests our credulity at once.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading There is nothing in the first which surprises: which impresses us as too abrupt a departure from the brutish coarseness and grossness of the middle age mummeries--"miracle plays" and "mysteries"--or as being too refined or elaborate for the groundlings who swaggered and swilled beer, or the lords and maids of honor who ogled and flirted in the contemporary barns called "play-houses" in the days of Elizabeth.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading But that the proprietor of one of these barns should have found it to his profit to have overshot the intelligence of his audience by creating a Hamlet, a Lear, Brutus, and Macbeth--the action of whose roles are intellectual rather than scenic--for his players, or an Ophelia, Isabella, or Catharine for the small boys employed to render his female parts, is an incongruity--to put it mildly--which arrests our credulity at once.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The utmost that the Shakespeareans propose to do--the utmost they attempt--is to make out William Shakespeare to have been an Elizabethan Dramatist.

having an upper part projecting beyond the lower

From this reading But that the proprietor of one of these barns should have found it to his profit to have overshot the intelligence of his audience by creating a Hamlet, a Lear, Brutus, and Macbeth--the action of whose roles are intellectual rather than scenic--for his players, or an Ophelia, Isabella, or Catharine for the small boys employed to render his female parts, is an incongruity--to put it mildly--which arrests our credulity at once.

the local environment

From this reading But that the proprietor of one of these barns should have found it to his profit to have overshot the intelligence of his audience by creating a Hamlet, a Lear, Brutus, and Macbeth--the action of whose roles are intellectual rather than scenic--for his players, or an Ophelia, Isabella, or Catharine for the small boys employed to render his female parts, is an incongruity--to put it mildly--which arrests our credulity at once.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But the Elizabethan Dramatist was a man who catered to the Elizabethan play-goer.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There is nothing in the first which surprises: which impresses us as too abrupt a departure from the brutish coarseness and grossness of the middle age mummeries--"miracle plays" and "mysteries"--or as being too refined or elaborate for the groundlings who swaggered and swilled beer, or the lords and maids of honor who ogled and flirted in the contemporary barns called "play-houses" in the days of Elizabeth.

plural of “player” — a person who participates in or is skilled at some game

From this reading But that the proprietor of one of these barns should have found it to his profit to have overshot the intelligence of his audience by creating a Hamlet, a Lear, Brutus, and Macbeth--the action of whose roles are intellectual rather than scenic--for his players, or an Ophelia, Isabella, or Catharine for the small boys employed to render his female parts, is an incongruity--to put it mildly--which arrests our credulity at once.

plural of “play” — a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage

From this reading There is nothing in the first which surprises: which impresses us as too abrupt a departure from the brutish coarseness and grossness of the middle age mummeries--"miracle plays" and "mysteries"--or as being too refined or elaborate for the groundlings who swaggered and swilled beer, or the lords and maids of honor who ogled and flirted in the contemporary barns called "play-houses" in the days of Elizabeth.

the excess of revenues over outlays in a given period of time (including depreciation and other non-cash expenses)

From this reading But that the proprietor of one of these barns should have found it to his profit to have overshot the intelligence of his audience by creating a Hamlet, a Lear, Brutus, and Macbeth--the action of whose roles are intellectual rather than scenic--for his players, or an Ophelia, Isabella, or Catharine for the small boys employed to render his female parts, is an incongruity--to put it mildly--which arrests our credulity at once.

make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading The utmost that the Shakespeareans propose to do--the utmost they attempt--is to make out William Shakespeare to have been an Elizabethan Dramatist.

(law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business

From this reading But that the proprietor of one of these barns should have found it to his profit to have overshot the intelligence of his audience by creating a Hamlet, a Lear, Brutus, and Macbeth--the action of whose roles are intellectual rather than scenic--for his players, or an Ophelia, Isabella, or Catharine for the small boys employed to render his female parts, is an incongruity--to put it mildly--which arrests our credulity at once.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading But that the proprietor of one of these barns should have found it to his profit to have overshot the intelligence of his audience by creating a Hamlet, a Lear, Brutus, and Macbeth--the action of whose roles are intellectual rather than scenic--for his players, or an Ophelia, Isabella, or Catharine for the small boys employed to render his female parts, is an incongruity--to put it mildly--which arrests our credulity at once.

on the contrary

From this reading But that the proprietor of one of these barns should have found it to his profit to have overshot the intelligence of his audience by creating a Hamlet, a Lear, Brutus, and Macbeth--the action of whose roles are intellectual rather than scenic--for his players, or an Ophelia, Isabella, or Catharine for the small boys employed to render his female parts, is an incongruity--to put it mildly--which arrests our credulity at once.

(used of persons and their behavior) cultivated and genteel

From this reading There is nothing in the first which surprises: which impresses us as too abrupt a departure from the brutish coarseness and grossness of the middle age mummeries--"miracle plays" and "mysteries"--or as being too refined or elaborate for the groundlings who swaggered and swilled beer, or the lords and maids of honor who ogled and flirted in the contemporary barns called "play-houses" in the days of Elizabeth.

the period of European history at the close of the Middle Ages and the rise of the modern world; a cultural rebirth from the 14th through the middle of the 17th centuries

From this reading HE English Renaissance Drama seems naturally to group itself into two grand divisions: the Elizabethan drama and--Shakespeare.

cause to become

From this reading But that the proprietor of one of these barns should have found it to his profit to have overshot the intelligence of his audience by creating a Hamlet, a Lear, Brutus, and Macbeth--the action of whose roles are intellectual rather than scenic--for his players, or an Ophelia, Isabella, or Catharine for the small boys employed to render his female parts, is an incongruity--to put it mildly--which arrests our credulity at once.

plural of “role” — the actions and activities assigned to or required or expected of a person or group

From this reading But that the proprietor of one of these barns should have found it to his profit to have overshot the intelligence of his audience by creating a Hamlet, a Lear, Brutus, and Macbeth--the action of whose roles are intellectual rather than scenic--for his players, or an Ophelia, Isabella, or Catharine for the small boys employed to render his female parts, is an incongruity--to put it mildly--which arrests our credulity at once.

used of locations; having beautiful natural scenery

From this reading But that the proprietor of one of these barns should have found it to his profit to have overshot the intelligence of his audience by creating a Hamlet, a Lear, Brutus, and Macbeth--the action of whose roles are intellectual rather than scenic--for his players, or an Ophelia, Isabella, or Catharine for the small boys employed to render his female parts, is an incongruity--to put it mildly--which arrests our credulity at once.

third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading HE English Renaissance Drama seems naturally to group itself into two grand divisions: the Elizabethan drama and--Shakespeare.

English poet and dramatist considered one of the greatest English writers (1564-1616)

From this reading HE English Renaissance Drama seems naturally to group itself into two grand divisions: the Elizabethan drama and--Shakespeare.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The utmost that the Shakespeareans propose to do--the utmost they attempt--is to make out William Shakespeare to have been an Elizabethan Dramatist.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading But that the proprietor of one of these barns should have found it to his profit to have overshot the intelligence of his audience by creating a Hamlet, a Lear, Brutus, and Macbeth--the action of whose roles are intellectual rather than scenic--for his players, or an Ophelia, Isabella, or Catharine for the small boys employed to render his female parts, is an incongruity--to put it mildly--which arrests our credulity at once.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading But that the proprietor of one of these barns should have found it to his profit to have overshot the intelligence of his audience by creating a Hamlet, a Lear, Brutus, and Macbeth--the action of whose roles are intellectual rather than scenic--for his players, or an Ophelia, Isabella, or Catharine for the small boys employed to render his female parts, is an incongruity--to put it mildly--which arrests our credulity at once.

plural of “surprise” — the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you

From this reading There is nothing in the first which surprises: which impresses us as too abrupt a departure from the brutish coarseness and grossness of the middle age mummeries--"miracle plays" and "mysteries"--or as being too refined or elaborate for the groundlings who swaggered and swilled beer, or the lords and maids of honor who ogled and flirted in the contemporary barns called "play-houses" in the days of Elizabeth.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There is nothing in the first which surprises: which impresses us as too abrupt a departure from the brutish coarseness and grossness of the middle age mummeries--"miracle plays" and "mysteries"--or as being too refined or elaborate for the groundlings who swaggered and swilled beer, or the lords and maids of honor who ogled and flirted in the contemporary barns called "play-houses" in the days of Elizabeth.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There is nothing in the first which surprises: which impresses us as too abrupt a departure from the brutish coarseness and grossness of the middle age mummeries--"miracle plays" and "mysteries"--or as being too refined or elaborate for the groundlings who swaggered and swilled beer, or the lords and maids of honor who ogled and flirted in the contemporary barns called "play-houses" in the days of Elizabeth.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading But that the proprietor of one of these barns should have found it to his profit to have overshot the intelligence of his audience by creating a Hamlet, a Lear, Brutus, and Macbeth--the action of whose roles are intellectual rather than scenic--for his players, or an Ophelia, Isabella, or Catharine for the small boys employed to render his female parts, is an incongruity--to put it mildly--which arrests our credulity at once.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading But that the proprietor of one of these barns should have found it to his profit to have overshot the intelligence of his audience by creating a Hamlet, a Lear, Brutus, and Macbeth--the action of whose roles are intellectual rather than scenic--for his players, or an Ophelia, Isabella, or Catharine for the small boys employed to render his female parts, is an incongruity--to put it mildly--which arrests our credulity at once.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading HE English Renaissance Drama seems naturally to group itself into two grand divisions: the Elizabethan drama and--Shakespeare.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There is nothing in the first which surprises: which impresses us as too abrupt a departure from the brutish coarseness and grossness of the middle age mummeries--"miracle plays" and "mysteries"--or as being too refined or elaborate for the groundlings who swaggered and swilled beer, or the lords and maids of honor who ogled and flirted in the contemporary barns called "play-houses" in the days of Elizabeth.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading But that the proprietor of one of these barns should have found it to his profit to have overshot the intelligence of his audience by creating a Hamlet, a Lear, Brutus, and Macbeth--the action of whose roles are intellectual rather than scenic--for his players, or an Ophelia, Isabella, or Catharine for the small boys employed to render his female parts, is an incongruity--to put it mildly--which arrests our credulity at once.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The utmost that the Shakespeareans propose to do--the utmost they attempt--is to make out William Shakespeare to have been an Elizabethan Dramatist.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading HE English Renaissance Drama seems naturally to group itself into two grand divisions: the Elizabethan drama and--Shakespeare.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading There is nothing in the first which surprises: which impresses us as too abrupt a departure from the brutish coarseness and grossness of the middle age mummeries--"miracle plays" and "mysteries"--or as being too refined or elaborate for the groundlings who swaggered and swilled beer, or the lords and maids of honor who ogled and flirted in the contemporary barns called "play-houses" in the days of Elizabeth.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading HE English Renaissance Drama seems naturally to group itself into two grand divisions: the Elizabethan drama and--Shakespeare.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading There is nothing in the first which surprises: which impresses us as too abrupt a departure from the brutish coarseness and grossness of the middle age mummeries--"miracle plays" and "mysteries"--or as being too refined or elaborate for the groundlings who swaggered and swilled beer, or the lords and maids of honor who ogled and flirted in the contemporary barns called "play-houses" in the days of Elizabeth.

of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity

From this reading The utmost that the Shakespeareans propose to do--the utmost they attempt--is to make out William Shakespeare to have been an Elizabethan Dramatist.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading But the Elizabethan Dramatist was a man who catered to the Elizabethan play-goer.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading There is nothing in the first which surprises: which impresses us as too abrupt a departure from the brutish coarseness and grossness of the middle age mummeries--"miracle plays" and "mysteries"--or as being too refined or elaborate for the groundlings who swaggered and swilled beer, or the lords and maids of honor who ogled and flirted in the contemporary barns called "play-houses" in the days of Elizabeth.

which person or people

From this reading There is nothing in the first which surprises: which impresses us as too abrupt a departure from the brutish coarseness and grossness of the middle age mummeries--"miracle plays" and "mysteries"--or as being too refined or elaborate for the groundlings who swaggered and swilled beer, or the lords and maids of honor who ogled and flirted in the contemporary barns called "play-houses" in the days of Elizabeth.

belonging to which person

From this reading But that the proprietor of one of these barns should have found it to his profit to have overshot the intelligence of his audience by creating a Hamlet, a Lear, Brutus, and Macbeth--the action of whose roles are intellectual rather than scenic--for his players, or an Ophelia, Isabella, or Catharine for the small boys employed to render his female parts, is an incongruity--to put it mildly--which arrests our credulity at once.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The utmost that the Shakespeareans propose to do--the utmost they attempt--is to make out William Shakespeare to have been an Elizabethan Dramatist.