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Notes on Act II, scene iii
dark lantern: lantern which could be shuttered to keep in the light
list: listen, hark
stratagem: deceptive plan
several wards: separate rooms
part: I must find out about it
intelligence: information
freeze: stop coming in
mole: someone who digs or mines underneath
setting a figure: in the previous scene Antonio says he will work out the horoscope for his son. Now to excuse his actions he says he is using astrology to determine where the jewels are hidden.
radical: can their whereabouts be determined by astrology?
sooth: truth
Spanish fig: an obscene gesture, with thumb between the first two fingers
imputation: accusation
conceit: opinion
ruin: if Antonio pulls this "tree" (Bosola) up by the roots, it may fall on him and crush him instead
set my hand to't: I'll swear to what I've said in writing
letters: either two letters that he was carrying, or a handkerchief with his initials embroidered on it.
safe: I'll make sure you are under arrest
colour: disguise; a cover story for the duchess' keeping to her room
quit: acquitted yourself of any wrongdoing
base: lowly
false friend: referring to his dark lantern, used in underhanded dealings at night
Anno Dom[ini].: "in the year of our Lord" (A. D.)
decimo nono Decembris: December 19
lord of the first house: the planet that controls the boy's destiny
combust: burned up, being too close to the sun
short life: ironically, this oldest son is the only family member who survives at the end of the play
human sign: the human zodiac signs are Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Aquarius
Caetera non scrutantur: the rest is obscure.
precise: particular
bawd: pimp, procurer of her lovers; Bosola does not yet suspect that Antonio is actually her husband, probably assuming that she would not stoop to a relationship with someone lower than herself in social status.
cas'd: locked up; this is the reason why everyone was confined to their rooms.
posts: hastens
galls: bitterness will overcome their feelings (emotions were thought to reside in the liver--much like we think of the heart)
wise: lust tries to disguise itself in many ways, but seldom succeeds
