You are here

All Site ContentJulius CaesarAct 4Scene 1
Back to the Play
Word Nerd: "pricked"
Context and Language Videos
Act 4,
Scene 1
Lines 1-3b

An explanation of the origin of the word "pricked" in Act 4, Scene 1 of myShakespeare's Julius Caesar. 

myShakespeare | Julius Caesar 4.1 Word Nerd: Prick

[Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus, seated at a table.]

Antony

These many, then, shall die; their names are pricked.

Octavius

Your brother too must die. Consent you, Lepidus?

Lepidus

I do consent — 

Octavius

                          Prick him down, Antony.
Video Transcript: 

The word prick derives from a Germanic word for a small hole. Here, the word prick refers to the black dot, resembling a hole, which the three men are placing next to the names of those who will be killed. The Germanic word also referred to a long pointed instrument used to make such a hole, which is why, even by Shakespeare’s day, the word prick was slang for a penis.