What does hold thy desperate hand mean in modern english?

What does hold thy desperate hand mean in modern english?

Answer #1

The English in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is a little different from today’s, yes.

‘Hold’ here meant ‘hold back, don’t use it’ (like ‘hold your breathe’)

In other words, Friar Laurence is telling Romeo to calm down and put back the sword that he (Romeo) has drawn in desperation and anger at the news from the Nurse.

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