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It means just the same thing it means nowadays: to get sick from exposing oneself to the cold. Nowadays we understand this to be a virus which we become susceptible to during cold weather. In Shakespeare's day it was thought that standing or remaining immobile in a cold place would bring on the disease. Shakespeare uses this phrase in the following places:
"Let him walk from whence he came, lest he catch cold on's feet." (Comedy of Errors, 3,1)
"Nay, an thou canst not smile as the wind sits, thou'lt catch cold shortly." (King Lear, 1, 4)
"You will catch cold, and curse me." (Troilus and Cressida, 4,2)
"Nay, I was taken up for laying them down: Yet here they shall not lie, for catching cold." (The Two Gentlemen of Verona, 1, 2)
The quotations from Comedy of Errors and Two Gentlemen of Verona are most helpful. In Errors, Dromio tells the other Antipholus not to wait around the door to be let in, because if he does so he will stand around so long that he will catch cold. In Two Gents, Lucetta suggests that the torn pieces of Proteus's love-letter will catch cold if they are left on the ground.
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What does Shakespeare mean by the word in?
He means "in". Shakespeare's English is still English and "in" means "in". "In fair Verona" (Romeo and Juliet) means just what it says: in the city of Verona. When Lady Macbeth says, "What? In our house?" it means exactly what you think it does.
What does Shakespeare mean when he says an eyesore?
An eyesore is something that is unattractive to look at, ugly. Makes your eyes sore..
Who says to be or not ot be that is the question?
Shakespeare
How does the narrator in sonnet 130 describe the eye of his mistress?
Shakespeare says: 'My mistress's eyes are nothing like the sun'
What does Shakespeare mean when he says they have made worm's meat out of me?
Mercutio says this as he is dying. Once buried, the worms will feed upon him. Hence, "they have made worm's meat out of me" means they have killed him/sent him to the grave.
What does it mean when a guy says he's cold?
It means that he could be mean or heartless, or maybe he is just cold like freezing
What does Shakespeare mean by the word in?
He means "in". Shakespeare's English is still English and "in" means "in". "In fair Verona" (Romeo and Juliet) means just what it says: in the city of Verona. When Lady Macbeth says, "What? In our house?" it means exactly what you think it does.
What do you mean by the phrase No other playwright mentions birds more than Shakespeare?
It means exactly what it says.
What does Shakespeare mean when he says an eyesore?
An eyesore is something that is unattractive to look at, ugly. Makes your eyes sore..
What does professor oak mean when he says i think you will catch more Pokemon by going fishing?
There are some pokemon you can only catch by fishing.
Who says to be or not ot be that is the question?
Shakespeare
How does the narrator in sonnet 130 describe the eye of his mistress?
Shakespeare says: 'My mistress's eyes are nothing like the sun'
What does it mean when water is super cold?
the scientific term says it will grow into columns and plates
What does it mean when someone says you could have a bug?
The phrase refers to someone who has a cold or the flu .
Who said 'parting is such sweet sorrow?
Juliet says this in Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet.
What does it mean when a girl says she is feeling cold while talking to you?
She might actually be cold, but try putting your arm around her shoulders.
Who says that there is nothing in name?
William Shakespeare
