About Dest Expertise I am a politics major and Shakespeare is an interest more than an academic study. I am able to answer questions of greater depth on Shakespearean tragedies than on his other plays. Among his tragedies, I am most comfortable on Hamlet and Macbeth, and in these two plays I should be able to tackle most questions. I am afraid I can only give barest minimum answers on his histories and comedies though given some time, I would be able to provide decent answers for his sonnets
Experience Oh goodness, I have placed myself on vacation for a very long time. That's largely because I am academically trained in history and political science of Europe and Shakespeare is really just an interest. Recently writing my dissertation had taken up all my time.
My scope in Shakespeare is limited to the tragedies, because that is my area of interest. I am possibly also more familiar with the historical background in which Shakespeare wrote, since history is after all my home ground.
Question In this play there is a line - in what is supposed to be a song - that goes: "converting all
your sounds of woe: Into Hey, nonny, nonny"
Now, I have checked through many internet sites, and - although the terms "hey, nonny, nonny" seem to be well-known and often quoted, nobody seems to know what it really means, and - specially - where does it come from.
Do you have any idea about this?
Answer Heylo!
It is a mere stroke of luck that I have a vague speculation on the subject not because I read Shakespeare but because I study music.
It is likely to refer to nothing more than a refrain in a song. In English folk songs and even more so in Scottish ones, there is a popular refrain: "Heigh, heigh a nonny-no", which is often inserted as a bridge between verses. I took this meaning and went to read the supposed song "Sigh no more, ladies" and it does make sense, largely because a refrain like 'heigh nonny-nonny' or 'hey nonny-no' is traditionally found only in funny, bawdy, or generally, light hearted songs. In fact there is a tendency among folk musicians to classify old jigs, reels, fiddling, ale music as 'Heigh nonny nonny' (think folk revival festivals) as opposed to more angsty ballads of death and doom.
Incidentally, someone said, I just can't locate who, nonny-nonny is no more than 'yeah, yeah, yeah' in modern music.
However, music aside, Shakespeare may also be punning on the idea of 'nonny-nonny'. The phrase can be used as a euphemism for vulva, ie a woman's privates (which is also the way it is used in the song within the link I sent you) though as the Oxford English Dictionary says, it is an obsolete and rare use of the term 'nonny-nonny'. Read in light of the song as well, 'nonny-no' can also refer to something 'trifle and unimportant', another definition courtesy of OED.
OED has no records of where the phrase 'nonny-nonny' comes from, but I reckon its roots lie with songs. It is probably as difficult to trace as 'yeah-yeah-yeah'.
