The word “marry (v.)” originated in c.1300 from the Old French word “marier”, meaning to give (offspring) in marriage. The Oxford English Dictionary defines “marry” in fourteen ways, most commonly referring to a join in marriage or a unity of some sort. However, another use of the word “marry” is as an interjection, which has been deemed obsolete and archaic in modern times. “Marry” as an interjection originated as a common oath in the Middle Ages (mid-14th century). It was used a variant of the mother of Jesus Christ, Virgin Mary, typically known as a minced oath, a form of cursing, for its corruption of the name of the Virgin Mary. The Oxford English Dictionary defines “marry (interj.)” as (1) expressing surprise, astonishment, outrage, etc., or (2) used to give emphasis to one’s words, often in response to a question, expressing surprise that it should be asked.
Throughout the play, Shakespeare mainly uses “marry” as an interjection as seen in the line Hamlet says to Horatio “Aye, marry, is’t:/ But to my mind, though I am native here/ And to the manner born, it is a custom/ More honored in the breach than the observance (I.4.13-16).” As Horatio hears trumpets go off in the distance, in celebration of the king guzzling down German wine, Horatio asks Hamlet whether the ruckus is a custom. Hamlet responds with “Aye, marry, is’t,” which would literally translate to “Yes, indeed, it is.” The translation of “marry” in the excerpt would most closely fit in with the second definition of “marry” as an interjection. Hamlet uses “marry” as a response to Horatio’s question. Additionally, “marry” is used as an interjection during the dialogue between Polonius and Renaldo, when Polonius states “Marry, well said, very well said (II.1.6).” In this case, “marry” could be translated as “excellent”, expressing either astonishment or contentment. From these two excerpts, it can be seen that Shakespeare uses “marry” mostly as an interjection rather than the verb form. However, in Act III, the meaning of “marry” begins to vary as Hamlet speaks to Ophelia.
In Act III, Hamlet pushes Ophelia to become a nun as he says “If thou dost marry, I’ll give thee this plague for thy dowry: be thou as chaste as ice, as pure as snow, thou shalt not escape calumny. Get thee to a nunnery, do: farewell. Or, if thou wilt needs marry, marry a fool; for wise men know well enough what monsters you make of them. To a nunnery, go; and quickly too. Farewell (III.1.131-134).” All instances of the word “marry” in this passage refer to the current definition of marry, which is to enter into the state of matrimony.
Shakespeare varies the meaning of “marry” passage to passage. More specifically, in the presence of Ophelia, the “marry” that is used as a form of corruption, of the name of the Virgin Mary, is not said. Understanding the meaning and history of the word “marry”, augments the idea of Ophelia as the allegorical depiction of the Virgin Mary and of the play Hamlet as an Annunciation parody.
Wow, this was an great post. It is interesting to see how the use of “marry” changes depending on character interactions. Also, the fact that the word was used a corruption of the Virgin Mary, with the addition of an additional r is pretty mind-blowing. It really disrupts some of the dialogue between Hamlet and Ophelia once the definition is more understood.