Modern meaning: Nice = pleasant, agreeable, enjoyable.
Shakespearean meaning: Nice = foolish, silly, simple, or naive. It often carries a sense of being easily tricked or manipulated.
Examples from Shakespeare:
* "A nice man, methinks, is a fool." (As You Like It) - This highlights the old meaning of "nice" as being synonymous with foolishness.
* "A nice derision, a mere flourish." (Henry V) - Here, "nice" implies something superficial and without substance.
* "O, she is a nice and delicate creature!" (The Merry Wives of Windsor) - In this case, "nice" might suggest the character is a bit foolish or gullible.
Important note: The meaning of "nice" can vary depending on the context. Sometimes it can be used in a more neutral sense, closer to "delicate" or "refined."
Bottom line: When encountering "nice" in Shakespeare, it's best to look at the context and consider the possibility of it meaning something other than "pleasant."