1. Average or Intermediate Quality: 'Mean' can refer to something that is in the middle or average in terms of quality or status. For example, in "Much Ado About Nothing," Benedick says, "I am a plain-dealing villain; I am trusted with a muzzle and enfranchised with a clog; therefore, I am a man of some honesty, who, having no other means to be commended, holds his honesty to be his best commodity." Here, 'means' refers to qualities or attributes that would make a person commendable.
2. Moderate or Mediocre: 'Mean' can also mean something that is moderate, ordinary, or unexceptional. For example, in "The Merchant of Venice," Shylock says, "My meaning in saying he is a good man, is to have you understand me that he is sufficient. Yet his means are in supposition: he hath an argosy bound to Tripolis, another to the Indies; I understand these vessels are of what we call good report for fortune." In this context, 'means' refers to Shylock's assessment of Antonio's financial situation, which he considers to be moderate.
3. Method or Intentions: 'Mean' can be used to refer to a method or course of action, or to someone's intentions or purposes. For example, in "Hamlet," Claudius says, "But, soft, methinks I scent the morning air; Brief let me be. Sleeping within my orchard, My custom always of the afternoon, Upon my secure hour, thy uncle stole, With juice of cursed hebenon in a vial, And in the porches of mine ears did pour The leperous distilment, whose effect Holds such an enmity with blood of man That swift as quicksilver it courses through The natural gates and alleys of the body, And with a sudden vigor it doth posset And curd, like eager droppings into milk, The thin and wholesome blood. So did it mine, And a most instant tetter barked about, Most lazar-like, with vile and loathsome crust, All my smooth body." Here, 'mean' refers to Claudius's method of poisoning his brother, King Hamlet.
4. Financial Resources or Wealth: 'Mean' can also refer to someone's financial resources or wealth. For example, in "King Lear," Edmund says, "Some villain hath done me wrong. To take my life? My life? No, panting breath Would hurt my murderer more. Yet I suspect There is no honest creature else would take Such pains for my concern as Edmund was But that particular love exceeds the kindness In every man his. Let me know who, I may avenged on him. Come to the buttery; There eat and drink, and let the kettle boil. Come; sirrah, I'll fetch it; let it cool there." Here, 'means' refers to the resources that Edmund has at his disposal.
5. Social or Moral Status: 'Mean' can be used to refer to someone's social or moral status. For example, in "The Tempest," Prospero says, "Our revels now are ended. These our actors, As I foretold you, were all spirits, and Are melted into air, into thin air; And, like the baseless fabric of this vision, The cloud-capped towers, the gorgeous palaces, The solemn temples, the great globe itself, Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve, And, like this insubstantial pageant faded, Leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff As dreams are made on, and our little life Is rounded with a sleep. Sir, I am vexed; Bear with my weakness; my old brain is troubled. Be not disturbed with my infirmity. If you be pleased, retire into my cell, And there repose; a turn or two I'll walk, To still my beating mind." Here, Prospero uses 'means' to refer to the social status of his actors, who are spirits rather than humans.
Overall, the meaning of 'mean' in Shakespeare's plays depends on the context in which it is used, and it can refer to average quality, moderation, intentions, financial resources, or social status.