By that, the ''sleaded pollax'' were Polacks, the Polish army, well arrayed in proper military order, in orderly lines.  Since this works directly to account for the spelling ''sleaded,'' which is a known variant of "sleided,"  and also since the idea works directly in reference to an army preparing for battle, I use the term "well-arrayed" in the paraphrase.  The word ''sleaded'' can certainly be taken to mean that, for plain reading.

By that, the ''sleaded pollax'' were Polacks, the Polish army, well arrayed in proper military order, in orderly lines.  Since this works directly to account for the spelling ''sleaded,'' which is a known variant of "sleided,"  and also since the idea works directly in reference to an army preparing for battle, I use the term "well-arrayed" in the paraphrase.  The word ''sleaded'' can certainly be taken to mean that, for plain reading.

More can be drawn from the lines - a "pollock'' is a fish, for example, but I'll spare you that in a regular note.  By the way, the reader should not be put off by all this.  The plain meaning of most of ''Hamlet'' is fairly easy.  Just follow along using the paraphrase.  It's only when you go digging into it that you start to feel like Theseus in the Labyrinth.

More can be drawn from the lines - a "pollock'' is a fish, for example, and "pollack" is a variant spelling - but I'll spare you any more in a regular note.  By the way, the reader should not be put off by all this.  The plain meaning of most of ''Hamlet'' is fairly easy.  Just follow along using the paraphrase.  It's only when you go digging into it that you start to feel like Theseus in the Labyrinth.

For plain reading, just take it as King Hamlet defeating a well-arrayed Polish army, under icy conditions.

For plain reading, just take it as King Hamlet defeating a well-arrayed Polish army, under icy conditions.