illustrated portrait of English playwright and poet William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare

Start Free Trial

Student Question

In which play did Shakespeare use the phrase "bag and baggage?"

Quick answer:

Shakespeare used the phrase "bag and baggage" in the play As You Like It. This phrase, originating from a military context, referred to soldiers retreating with their belongings. In the play, it is used to suggest making an honorable retreat with essential items, though not necessarily all possessions, indicating a strategic withdrawal while maintaining dignity and retaining valuable resources.

Expert Answers

An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

The quotation by William Shakespeare that you are referring to was found in the play As You like it. It is based on an old military saying. "Bag and baggage" meant both men and their personal and/or military materials.  It was used in the context of armies being able to retreat with some semblance of order, without leaving their goodies behind for the enemy to use or loot.

Shakespeare uses it like this:

"Let us make an honorable retreat, though not with bag and baggage, yet with scrip and scrippage."

"Scrip" is another word for what we would call paper money, or maybe even checks.  The idea here is that they would be retreating honorably, and though leaving their stuff behind, they would be bringing their cash.

Get Ahead with eNotes

Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.

Get 48 Hours Free Access
Approved by eNotes Editorial