1. Financial Resources: Means can refer to financial resources, wealth, or income. For example, in "The Taming of the Shrew," Petruchio says, "I tell you what, Petruchio is my name, / And wealthier in this place than Battista is. / My father was a lord of good repute, / Standing as fair as any in the court, / For means and quality" (Act 1, Scene 2).
2. Resources or Assets: Means can also refer to general resources, assets, or advantages that someone possesses. In "The Merchant of Venice," Portia says, "You stand within his danger, do you not?" and Bassanio replies, "Ay, so he says" (Act 3, Scene 2). Portia then suggests that Bassanio borrow money from Antonio to pay Shylock, and says, "My purpose was not to have seen you here / But much importuned by my father’s means" (Act 3, Scene 2). In this case, 'means' refers to the resources or financial backing provided by Portia's father.
3. Methods or Measures: Means can refer to methods, strategies, or measures taken to achieve something. In "Hamlet," the Ghost of King Hamlet says, "But, howsoever thou pursuest this act, / Taint not thy mind, nor let thy soul contrive / Against thy mother aught. Leave her to heaven, / And to those thorns that in her bosom lodge, / To prick and sting her. Take thy father’s ghost / For counsel in thy business. The time is out. / Now, swear" (Act 1, Scene 5). In this passage, 'means' refers to the methods or actions that Hamlet should take in pursuing revenge against his father's murderer.
4. Motive or Intention: Means can also refer to the underlying motive, purpose, or intention behind an action. In "Macbeth," Macbeth says, "Yet do I fear thy nature. / It is too full o’ the milk of human kindness / To catch the nearest way. Thou wouldst be great, / Art not without ambition, but without / The illness should attend it. What thou wouldst highly, / That wouldst thou holily. Wilt thou not play false, / And yet wouldst wrongly win? Th’ attempt and not the deed / Confounds us. Hark! I am called. My dearest partner / Of greatness, that which thou wouldst highly, / That wouldst thou holily. Wilt thou not play false, / And yet wouldst wrongly win? Th’ attempt and not the deed / Confounds us. Hark! I am called. My dearest partner / Of greatness, that which now we want, and know / How to attain the means" (Act 1, Scene 5). In this speech, Macbeth explores the conflict within himself regarding the means (i.e., the methods or actions) he would need to take to achieve his ambition.
These are just a few examples of the different meanings of 'means' in Shakespeare's works. The specific meaning in each case depends on the context and the overall dialogue or scene in which the word is used.