“Thou doth protest too much”: changed usage? [closed]
OED
Protest (v.)
3.b. intransitive. To make a formal or emphatic declaration or statement. Now rare or merged in sense 6a.
1603 W. Shakespeare Hamlet iii. ii. 219 Ham. Madam, how do you like this play? Queene The Lady protests too much.
6.a. intransitive. Originally: to make a formal (often written) declaration against a proposal, decision, etc.; to complain, remonstrate. Now usually: to express disapproval or dissent; to object to something. Also in extended use.