best hamlet quotes for essay

Hamlet Quotes

Is Hamlet the most quoted William Shakespeare play of all time? Quite possibly so, and with due reason!

As with so many of his plays, William Shakespeare brings the characters in Hamlet to life with memorable dialogue and some fantastic quotes. We’ve trawled the play to pull together these famous quotes from Hamlet

Read our selection of the very best Hamlet quotes below, along with speaker, act and scene:

“ O, that this too, too solid flesh would melt , Thaw and resolve itself into a dew!”

(Hamlet, act 1 scene 2)

“Listen to many, speak to a few.”

(Polonius, act 1 scene 3)

“Neither a borrower nor a lender be, For loan oft loses both itself and friend, And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry.”

“this above all: to thine own self be true , and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”, “…though i am native here and to the manner born, it is a custom more honoured in the breach than the observance.”.

(Hamlet, act 1 scene 4)

“ Something is rotten in the state of Denmark. “

(Marcellus, act 1 scene 4)

“That one may smile and smile and be a villain.”

(Hamlet, act 1 scene 5)

“ There are more things in heaven and earth , Horatio, Than are dreamt of in our philosophy .”

“ brevity is the soul of wit. “.

(Polonius, act 2 scene 2)

“Though this be madness, yet there is method in’t.”

“there is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so.”.

(Hamlet, act 2 scene 2)

“ O, what a rogue and peasant slave am I! “

“doubt thou the stars are fire; doubt that the sun doth move; doubt truth to be a liar; but never doubt i love.”, “what a piece of work is a man how noble in reason, how infinite in faculty in form and moving how express and admirable in action how like an angel in apprehension how like a god the beauty of the world the paragon of animals and yet to me, what is this quintessence of dust man delights not me; no, nor woman neither; though by your smiling you seem to say so..”, “ to be, or not to be, that is the question .”.

(Hamlet, act 3 scene 1)

“God hath given you one face, and you make yourself another.”

“to die, to sleep – to sleep, perchance to dream – ay, there’s the rub, for in this sleep of death what dreams may come…”, “ the lady doth protest too much, methinks. “.

(Gertrude, act 3 scene 2)

“My words fly up, my thoughts remain below: Words without thoughts never to heaven go.”

(Claudius, act 3 scene 3)

“ I must be cruel only to be kind ; Thus bad begins, and worse remains behind.”

(Hamlet, act 3 scene 4)

“ How all occasions do inform against me, and spur my dull revenge. “

(Hamlet, act 2 scene 4)

“ Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio: A fellow of infinite jest. “

(Hamlet, act 5 scene 1)

“If it be now, ’tis not to come: if it be not to come, it will be now: if it be not now, yet it will come: the readiness is all.”

(Hamlet, act 5 scene 2)

“The rest is silence.”

“goodnight, sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest”.

(Horatio, act 5 scene 2)

“Now cracks a noble heart. Good-night, sweet prince; And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest. ”

We have separate pages dedicated to Hamlet soliloquys and Hamlet monologues , which include the text with an analysis of other famous Hamlet quotes, such as:

“ Oh my offence is rank, it smells to heaven “

(Spoken by Claudius, Act 3 Scene 3)

“ Now might I do it pat “

(Spoken by Hamlet, Act 3 Scene 3)

Are we missing any great William Shakespeare Hamlet quotes? Let us know your favourite quotes from Hamlet in the comments section below!

Read Hamlet quotes translated into modern English

See All Hamlet Resources

Shakespeare Quotes by Play

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Pinterest 2

Not sure if I understood your question properly but it sound like: ‘There’s no art to find the mind’s construction in the face’ from Macbeth

Pansies , they are for thoughts . Rosemary for remembrance

I have forgotten the rest of the verse. over 60 years since i learned it

The dog will have his day. Undiscovered country Sweets to the sweet

Long live the king!

How could you forget that, my dear friends.

The play’s the thing Wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the King

50 Important Quotes You Should Pay Attention to in Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’

To be or not to be quote - Hamlet Quotes featured image

Have to write up an essay on Hamlet , but are struggling to pick quotes to analyse?

Guess what? We’ve come up with exactly what you need — a list of 50 quotes spread across 5 different themes that can help to inspire your ideas when writing about Hamlet.

Keep reading to discover the best quotes you’ll want to remember!

Passion VS Reason Appearance VS Reality Hamlet Quotes about Philosophy – Freewill VS Determinism Corruption Gender Imbalance

Download our list of Hamlet Quotes

Passion VS Reason

#1: “O, that this too, too sullied flesh would melt, / Thaw, and resolve itself into a dew.” Act 1, Scene 2 Techniques: Soliloquy, metaphor, iambic pentameter Characters: Hamlet (speaker) Analysis: It reflects Hamlet’s state of mind, which is filled with despair and a sense of hopelessness. The phrase “O, that this too, too sullied flesh would melt” can be interpreted as an expression of Hamlet’s desire to escape the troubles that surround him, including his father’s death, his mother’s remarriage, and his own sense of disillusionment with the world. The word “sullied” suggests that Hamlet sees his own physical form as tainted or impure. The fact that he wishes for his flesh to “melt, Thaw, and resolve itself into a dew” suggests a desire for release from his physical body and his earthly troubles. The metaphor of melting and turning into dew implies a transformation or purification, as if Hamlet longs to shed his human form and become something more ethereal and pure. Overall, this quote captures the sense of despair and disillusionment that Hamlet feels at the beginning of the play. It sets the tone for his journey throughout the rest of the play as he grapples with issues of life, death, and morality.

#2: “If thou didst ever thy dear father love…Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder.” Act 1, Scene 5 Techniques: Motif, breaking of iambic pentameter, coercive tone Characters: Ghost (speaker), Hamlet

#3: “O, what a rogue and peasant slave am I!” Act 2, Scene 2 Techniques: Contrast, exclamation Characters: Hamlet (speaker) Analysis: The line expresses Hamlet’s feelings of self-loathing and inadequacy. He is calling himself a “rogue” and a “peasant slave,” meaning that he feels like a low-born, dishonest person, and a servant or slave to his own base desires. The line is often interpreted as a manifestation of Hamlet’s internal struggle and his distress over his own inability to act on his desires and bring about revenge for his father’s murder. Hamlet is feeling a sense of worthlessness and feels like he is a slave to his own weaknesses.

#4: “So, as a painted tyrant, Pyrrhus stood, / And like a neutral to his will and matter, / Did nothing” Act 2, Scene 2 Techniques: Mythological allusion, breaking of iambic pentameter, dramatic foil (to Hamlet) Characters: First player (speaker), the Court

#5: “the play’s the thing / Wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the king.” Act 2, Scene 3 Techniques: Rhyme, metafiction, consonance Characters: Hamlet (speaker)

#6: “The spirit that I have seen / May be the devil: and the devil hath power / To assume a pleasing shape” Act 3, Scene 2 Techniques: Biblical allusion, consonance, blank verse Characters: Hamlet (speaker) Analysis: Hamlet is expressing his uncertainty and fear that the ghost may not be a benign spirit, but rather a deceitful entity with the ability to appear attractive and alluring. The quote highlights Hamlet’s uncertainty about the true nature of the ghost, and his suspicion that it may be a malicious entity with the power to manipulate and deceive. This line is often seen as an example of Hamlet’s philosophical and introspective nature, as well as his skepticism about the motivations of the ghost and his willingness to question the supernatural events he witnesses.

#7: “How all occasions do inform against me, / And spur my dull revenge!” Act 4, Scene 4 Techniques: Hyperbole, soliloquy, exclamation Characters: Hamlet (speaker)

#8: “but one part wisdom/ And ever three parts coward”. Act 4, Scene 4 Techniques: Contrast Characters: Hamlet (speaker)

#9: “My thoughts be bloody, or be nothing worth!” Act 4, Scene 4 Techniques: Repetition, parallelism Characters: Hamlet (speaker) Analysis: It reflects Hamlet’s intense desire for revenge against his uncle Claudius, who he believes has murdered his father and taken his throne. The phrase “My thoughts be bloody, or be nothing worth!” can be interpreted as an expression of Hamlet’s determination to follow through with his plan for revenge, regardless of the consequences. The word “bloody” suggests that Hamlet is willing to resort to violence in order to achieve his goal. He is so consumed by his desire for revenge that he is willing to risk everything, including his own life, to make it happen. The phrase “or be nothing worth!” emphasises the seriousness of Hamlet’s commitment to this course of action. For him, if he does not follow through with his plan for revenge, his thoughts and his very existence would be meaningless. Overall, this quote captures the sense of desperation and determination that drives Hamlet’s actions throughout the play. It also reflects the underlying theme of the play, which is the corrupting influence of revenge and the destructive consequences that can result from it.

#10: “Conscience and grace to the profoundest pit / I dare damnation” Act 4, Scene 5 Techniques: Biblical allusion, alliteration, dramatic foil Characters: Laertes (speaker), King Claudius

#11: “[Revenge] warms the very sickness of my heart” Act 4, Scene 7 Techniques: Dramatic foil, personification Characters: Laertes (speaker), King Claudius

#12: “To cut his throat I’ the church” Act 4, Scene 7 Techniques: Parataxis, truncated sentence, declarative tone Characters: Laertes (speaker), King Claudius, Hamlet

Appearance VS Reality

Hamlet Analysis, Themes, Quotes, Characters, Summary - Context

#13: “With mirth in funeral and dirge in marriage” Act 1, Scene 2 Techniques: Antithesis, paradox, contrast Characters: King Claudius (speaker), Gertrude

#14: “Why seems it so particular with thee?” Act 1, Scene 2 Techniques: Euphemism, motif Characters: Queen Gertrude (speaker), Hamlet

#15: “This above all, to thine own self be true.” Act 1, Scene 3 Techniques: Irony Characters: Polonius (speaker), Laertes

#16: “The will of my most seeming-virtuous queen” Act 1, Scene 5 Techniques: Motif, characterisation Character: Ghost (Speaker), Hamlet

#17: “The serpent that did sting thy fathers life / Now wears his crown” Act 1, Scene 5 Techniques: Metaphor, biblical reference Characters: Ghost (speaker), King Claudius, Hamlet

#18: “To put an antic disposition on,” Act 1, Scene 5 Techniques: Euphemism, foreshadowing Characters: Hamlet (speaker)

#19: “I am but mad north-north-west. When the wind is southerly, / I know a hawk from a handsaw” Act 2, Scene 2 Techniques: Free verse, repetition, consonance Characters: Hamlet (speaker), Polonius, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern

#20: “Madness in great ones must not unwatched go” Act 3, Scene 1 Techniques: Metonymy Characters: King Claudius (speaker), Polonius

#21: “Do it, England; / For like the hectic in my blood he rages / And thou must cure me” Act 4, Scene 3 Techniques: Simile, metonymy Characters: King Claudius (speaker)

#22: “Laertes was your father dear to you? / Or are you like a painting of a sorrow, / A face without a heart?” Act 4, Scene 7 Techniques: Dramatic foil, metaphor, rhetorical question, coercive tone Characters: King Claudius (speaker), Laertes

Hamlet Quotes about Philosophy – Freewill VS Determinism

Free will through the symbol of birds flying

#23: “What if it tempt you toward the flood, my lord, / Or to the dreadful summit of the cliff…deprive your sovereignty of reason and draw you into madness?” Act 1, Scene 4 Techniques: Foreshadowing, metaphor, iambic pentameter Characters: Horatio (Speaker), Ghost, Hamlet

#24: “The time is out of joint: O cursed spite, / that I was born to ever set it right!” Act 1, Scene 5 Techniques: Rhyme, symbolism Characters: Hamlet (speaker)

#25: “What a piece of work is a man, how noble in reason…—and yet, to me, what is this quintessence of dust?” Act 2, Scene 2 Techniques: Rhetorical question, memento mori (“dust”) Characters: Hamlet (speaker) Analysis: Hamlet is marvelling at the complexity and capabilities of human beings, but also questioning their ultimate worth and significance. The phrase “quintessence of dust” is a metaphor for the fleeting and transitory nature of human life. Hamlet is considering the dichotomy between the seemingly limitless potential of human reason and the ultimate mortality of all living beings. The line is often seen as a testament to Hamlet’s philosophical and introspective nature, as well as his search for meaning in the face of mortality. The quote is widely regarded as one of Shakespeare’s most famous musings on the human condition.

#26: “To die, to sleep; To sleep: perchance to dream” Act 3, Scene 1 Techniques: Tricolon, metaphor (“dream”) Characters: Hamlet (speaker)

#27: “Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer/The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,/Or to take arms against a sea of troubles/And, by opposing, end them.” Act 3, Scene 1 Techniques: Soliloquy, metaphor Characters: Hamlet (speaker)

#28: “Imperious Caesar, dead and turned to clay,/ might stop a hole, to keep the wind away” Act 5, Scene 1 Techniques: Historical allusion, rhyme, iambic pentameter Characters: Hamlet (speaker), Horatio

#29: “Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio: a fellow of infinite jest,… Where be your gibes now? your/gambols? your songs? your flashes of merriment that were wont to set the table on a roar?” Act 5, Scene 1 Techniques: Memento mori, free verse, caesura Characters: Hamlet (speaker), Yorick, Horatio

#30: “Is’t not to be damned/ To let this canker of out nature come / in further evil?” Act 5, Scene 2 Techniques: Metaphor, biblical reference Characters: Hamlet (speaker), Horatio

#31: “There’s a divinity that shapes our ends” Act 5, Scene 2 Techniques: Biblical reference, double entendre (“ends”) Characters: Hamlet (speaker), Horatio Analysis: Hamlet is suggesting that there is a force beyond human control that shapes our lives and determines the outcome of our actions. The word “divinity” refers to a god or gods, implying that this shaping power may be divine in nature. The line is often seen as an expression of Hamlet’s belief in a greater purpose or destiny guiding the events of the world. It is also interpreted as a commentary on the idea of predestination, which holds that the future is set and cannot be altered by human actions. The quote is considered one of Shakespeare’s most famous expressions of the idea of fate and its role in shaping human lives.

#32: “There’s a special / providence in a fall of a sparrow” Act 5, Scene 2 Techniques: Biblical reference, metaphor, metonym Characters: Hamlet (speaker), Horatio

#33: “The rest is silence.” Act 5, Scene 2 Techniques: Parataxis, metaphor Characters: Hamlet (speaker), Horatio

Corruption

Hamlet Analysis, Themes, Quotes, Characters, Summary - The Final Act

#34: “And I am sick at heart” Act 1, Scene 1 Techniques: Metaphor, motif Characters: Fransisco (speaker), Bernardo

#35: “’tis an unweeded garden/which grows to seed things rank and gross in nature” Act 1, Scene 2 Techniques: Biblical reference (to Eden), metaphor, free verse Characters: Hamlet (speaker)

#36: “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark” Act 1, Scene 4 Techniques: Metaphor Characters: Marcellus (speaker) Analysis: Marcellus is using the phrase “something is rotten” to suggest that there is a pervasive sense of corruption or decay in the state, and that something is deeply wrong with the political and social order. The line is often interpreted as a commentary on the moral decay and corruption present in the court of Denmark, as well as a broader critique of political and societal institutions. The quote has become one of Shakespeare’s most famous expressions of the idea that something is amiss in a particular place or situation. It is often used in a general sense to describe a situation where there is an underlying sense of corruption or decay, regardless of the specific context or location.

#37: “But two months dead!…So excellent a king; that was, to this, Hyperion to a satyr; so loving to my mother” Act 1, Scene 2 Techniques: Hyperbole, mythological allusion Characters: Hamlet (speaker)

#38: “You were sent for – and/ there is a kind of confession in your looks which your modesties/ have not craft enough to colour. I know the good king and queen have sent for you.” Act 2, Scene 2 Techniques: Free verse, consonance Characters: Hamlet (Speaker), Rosencrantz and Guildenstern

#39: “O, villain, villain, smiling, damnèd villain!” Act 1, Scene 5 Techniques: Diacope Characters: Hamlet (speaker) Analysis: Hamlet is expressing his anger and frustration at Rosencrantz’s treachery, as well as his disbelief that someone he trusted could betray him in such a manner. The phrase “smiling, damnèd villain” is an expression of Hamlet’s shock and disbelief at Rosencrantz’s seemingly cheerful demeanour in the face of his treachery. Hamlet is suggesting that the smile on Rosencrantz’s face makes his betrayal all the more treacherous, as it suggests that he is taking pleasure in his actions. The line is often seen as a commentary on the theme of betrayal in “Hamlet,” as well as a testament to Hamlet’s capacity for anger and bitterness in the face of disappointment. It is considered one of the most memorable expressions of anger and betrayal in Shakespeare’s works.

#40: “My words fly up, my thoughts remain below/Words without thoughts never to heaven go” Act 3, Scene 3 Techniques: Rhyme, iambic pentameter Characters: King Claudius (speaker)

#41: “Here is your husband; like a mildew’d ear, / Blasting his wholesome brother.” Act 3, Scene 4 Techniques: Simile, contrast Characters: Hamlet (speaker), King Claudius, King Hamlet, Gertrude

#42: “Now cracks a noble heart. Good night, sweet prince/And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.” Act 5, Scene 2 Techniques: Metaphor, biblical reference Characters: Horatio (speaker), Hamlet

Gender Imbalance Quotes from Hamlet

#43: “Frailty, thy name is woman!” Act 1, Scene 2 Techniques: Dramatic irony, exclamation Characters: Hamlet (speaker), Queen Gertrude

#44: “Affection? Pooh! /You speak like a green girl,” Act 1, Scene 3 Techniques: Symbolism of green Characters: Polonius (speaker), Ophelia

#45: “What’s Hecuba to him, or he to Hecuba/That he should weep for her?” Act 2, Scene 2 Techniques: Dramatic contrast, mythological reference Characters: Hamlet (speaker), Queen Gertrude Characters: Hamlet (speaker), Ophelia

#46: “I’ll loose my daughter to him” Act 2, Scene 2 Techniques: Objectification Characters: Polonius (speaker), Ophelia Analysis: Polonius is speaking about his daughter Ophelia and her relationship with Hamlet. The phrase “I’ll loose my daughter to him” can be interpreted as an expression of Polonius’ willingness to allow Ophelia to pursue a romantic relationship with Hamlet, despite his reservations about Hamlet’s intentions. The word “loose” suggests that Polonius sees Ophelia as something to be released or given away, rather than as an independent individual with her own desires and agency. The fact that Polonius is willing to “loose” his daughter to Hamlet also reveals his desire for social advancement and political power. By aligning himself with Hamlet, Polonius hopes to gain favor with the king and increase his own influence at court. Overall, this quote reflects the complex power dynamics and social expectations at play in the world of ‘Hamlet.’ It also highlights the ways in which fathers, particularly those in positions of power, may use their daughters as pawns in their own political games.

#47: “Get thee to a nunnery! Why wouldst thou be a breeder of sinners?” Act 3, Scene 1 Techniques: Innuendo, rhetorical question, double entendre

#48: “Nay, but to live / In the rank sweat of an enseamed bed / Stew’d in corruption, honeying and making love / Over the nasty sty,” Act 3, Scene 4 Techniques: Metaphor, contrast Characters: Hamlet (speaker), Queen Gertrude, King Claudius

#49: “There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance; pray, love, remember: and there is pansies. that’s for thoughts.” Act 4, Scene 5 Techniques: Symbolism, tricolon Characters: Ophelia (speaker), King Claudius

#50: “for shame! Young men will do’t…they are to blame” Act 4, Scene 5 Techniques: Rhyme Characters: Ophelia (speaker) Analysis: It is a commentary on the actions of young men and their tendency towards impulsive and reckless behaviour. The phrase “for shame” is an expression of disapproval or condemnation, while the reference to “young men” suggests that this impulsive and reckless behaviour is a particular problem among the young. The line is often interpreted as a criticism of the irresponsibility and lack of judgement that is often associated with youth. It suggests that young men are prone to engaging in dangerous and irresponsible behaviour, and that this behaviour is a source of shame and blame for the community. The concept is often seen as a commentary on the broader themes of youth and age in “Hamlet,” and a reflection of the societal attitudes towards young people during Shakespeare’s time. The line is considered one of the most memorable expressions of criticism in Shakespeare’s works, and continues to be relevant today as a commentary on the challenges faced by young people in society.

On the hunt for quotes from other texts aside from Hamlet?

Check out our list of quotes for the following texts:

Frankenstein
Lord of the Flies
Blade Runner
Pride and Prejudice
The Stranger
To Kill a Mockingbird
Never Let Me Go
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
The Crucible
The Memory Police

We’ve also got articles specifically on plays written by Shakespeare which you can access below:

The Merchant of Venice
Romeo and Juliet
The Tempest
Much Ado About Nothing
A Midsummer Night’s Dream

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Hamlet: Key Quotes Explained

By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)

As Hugh Leonard once said, ‘ Hamlet is a terrific play, but there are way too many quotations in it.’ So many lines from Shakespeare’s Hamlet have become famous to people who have never read, studied, or watched the play.

As a result, these quotations are often misquoted, taken out of context, or misinterpreted. So let’s take a closer look at some of the most important quotations in Hamlet , offering an explanation of each quotation as we go.

‘To be, or not to be: that is the question’.

Arguably the most famous quotation in the whole of Hamlet , this line begins one of Hamlet’s darkest and most philosophical soliloquies. Yet interestingly, in the first printing of Hamlet, the lines were quite different (see the image from the Quarto, below right): ‘To be, or not to be: that is the question’ was instead ‘To be, or not to be, I [i.e., ‘aye’, or ‘yes’] there’s the point’.

This version may have been actors or audience-members misremembering the lines from the play and trying to reconstruct them from memory.

Many commentators interpret Hamlet’s line as a meditation on whether he should end his life or not. But things are not quite so straightforward. What makes ‘To be or not to be’ such a cryptic utterance is that the lines telegraph the full thought which Hamlet is mulling over.

Should ‘To be or not to be’ be silently completed by us as ‘To be alive or not to be alive’ or as ‘To be an avenger or not to be an avenger’ (bringing in the revenge plot of the play)?

The problem is that the lines which follow, far from being specifically about the pros and cons of going on living, can actually be used to support either interpretation.

To ‘suffer / The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, / Or to take arms against a sea of troubles / And by opposing end them’ sounds like somebody wondering whether to carry on living or to end it all, but these lines might just as easily refer to Hamlet’s dilemma over whether to accept the challenge mounted by the Ghost (avenge his murdered father) or to stand by and passively let things play out as ‘fortune’ decrees.

We have discussed the whole soliloquy here .

‘O that this too too solid flesh would melt’.

This line (in some editions, ‘O, that this too too sullied flesh would melt’ while, in some others, ‘O, that this too too sallied flesh would melt’, based on the various early printings of the play) also sees Hamlet wishing he could be relieved of his burden.

Whether we render the word as ‘solid’, ‘sullied’, or ‘sallied’, the meaning is the same: Hamlet wishes that his own body would just melt away. If only it could just dissolve into a dew, and he could cease to exist, he could leave all the problems of living behind.

We have analysed this soliloquy here .

‘Get thee to a nunnery!’

Get thee to a nunnery! Why wouldst thou be a breeder of sinners? I am myself indifferent honest but yet I could accuse me of such things that it were better my mother had not borne me.

In this quotation, Hamlet tells Ophelia – with whom he has previously been romantically involved – to go to a convent and become a nun, swearing off men, marriage, and bearing children. After all, all women who give birth to men are breeders of ‘sinners’, because all men are sinners.

It has been suggested that Hamlet is using ‘nunnery’ here as (ironic) slang for ‘brothel’, and there is some evidence for ‘nunnery’ being in use at the time with this meaning. The more immediate problem with such an interpretation, in relation to ‘Get thee to a nunnery’, is that Hamlet is trying to persuade Ophelia not to breed, so taking ‘nunnery’ at face value as ‘convent’ here makes more sense.

We have analysed this passage in more detail here .

‘The lady doth protest too much, methinks’.

In Act 3 Scene 2, the Players or actors visiting the castle put on a play for the royal court. At Hamlet’s request, they agree to perform a play he himself has given them, whose plot closely mirrors what the Ghost reported happened (i.e., Hamlet’s father was murdered by his uncle).

When Hamlet asks his mother, Gertrude, what she think of the play, she responds, ‘The lady doth protest too much, methinks’, referring to the Queen in the play and her claims that she loves the King and would remain loyal to him even after his death.

However, as so often with famous quotations from Hamlet , there are several ways to interpret this line; we’ve discussed them here .

‘Something is rotten in the state of Denmark’.

A minor character named Marcellus speaks this famous line in Act 1 of Hamlet . It means, of course, that something isn’t right: something in the state or kingdom is amiss.

‘There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, / Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.’

One of the most widely debated (and misunderstood) quotations in Hamlet , this one is spoken by the title character, during Act 1 Scene 5 just after Hamlet has met with the Ghost. Horatio tells him that the whole appearance of the Ghost is ‘wondrous strange’, and Hamlet responds with these famous lines, which mean (roughly) that ‘there is more out there than we were mortals can possibly conceive or imagine’.

But it’s far from clear that Hamlet is attacking his friend for his narrow-mindedness here. Indeed, the First Folio printed ‘our philosophy’ rather than ‘your’, and even if Hamlet did say ‘your’, he may have been using it in a colloquial sense (i.e., ‘your’ = ‘your average human understanding’).

We discuss the quotation in more detail here .

‘What a piece of work is a man! How noble in reason, how infinite in faculty!’

In another of Hamlet’s celebrated speeches, he marvels at the remarkable work of nature that is a human being. But to Hamlet, who has ‘lost all [his] mirth’, he can find no joy in this wonderful creation – in himself or in other human beings – because he is feeling down. As he puts it, ‘man delights not me.’

‘Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio.’

Another of the most famous quotations from the play, and worth explaining. In the famous ‘Gravedigger scene’, Hamlet stumbles upon the skull of his father’s jester, who used to entertain young Hamlet when he was a child. Holding the skull, Hamlet tells Horatio that he has fond memories of Yorick, who seemed to embody the joy of living with his jests and japes.

But where are his jokes now? Everyone dies, no matter how ‘alive’ they are today. Hamlet’s meditation on mortality is a memento mori : a reminder to us, and to himself, that life is finite and we all die.

We have analysed the whole speech here .

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1 thought on “Hamlet: Key Quotes Explained”

It is “solid flesh”. I checked, but I like your “sallied flesh” better. Love Hamlet and want to read it again after you have so enthusiastically described.

Hamlet Quotes

Famous quotes from hamlet.

A little more than kin, and less than kind.

Neither a Borrower Nor a Lender Be ; For loan oft loses both itself and friend, and borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry.

There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.

What a piece of work is man! how noble in reason! how infinite in faculty! in form and moving how express and admirable! in action how like an angel! in apprehension how like a god! the beauty of the world, the paragon of animals !

The play ’s the thing wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the king.

The lady doth protest too much , methinks.

To be, or not to be: that is the question.

Do you think I am easier to be played on than a pipe?

I will speak daggers to her, but use none.

Now cracks a noble heart. Good night sweet prince; / And flights of angels sing thee to they rest!

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by William Shakespeare

Hamlet quotes and analysis.

O, that this too too solid flesh would melt, / Thaw, and resolve itself into a dew, / Or that the Everlasting had not fixed / His canon 'gainst self-slaughter. O God, God, / How weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable / Seem to me all the uses of this world! Act One scene two, ll. 129-34

Hamlet's first soliloquy finds him more melancholic, more desperate, than at any other point in the play. In the beginning, his motives and feelings are clear in a way that they never are after his encounter with the ghost. Hamlet is simply disgusted that his mother, who had appeared to be so much in love with his father, has married Claudius, her vastly inferior former brother-in-law. For Hamlet as the play opens, existence itself is a burden; he wishes that the body could simply melt away and free him from his torment. Although sometimes his rhetoric in the ensuing Acts resonates with this first declaration of misery, Hamlet's sincerity becomes much more difficult to judge once he has received his supernatural charge. His moods become more manic, his language more explosive and punning, and his motivation becomes infinitely mysterious. Here, though, freed from the need to act on his thoughts and feelings (he even says, at the end of the speech, "But break my heart, for I must hold my tongue"), he is truly in his miserable element.

By the way, the first line of this speech reads differently in different editions. Some editors follow the second quarto and admit "sallied flesh" (or even "sullied flesh"). Others follow the first folio and put "solid flesh." The emphasis is either on the flesh's innate depravity or on its frustrating solidity. Because Hamlet expresses a desire that the flesh go from a firm and resilient to something like a liquid or gaseous state, I have opted for "solid" as more consistent with the elemental imagery of the passage.

There, my blessing with thee, / And these few precepts in thy memory / Look thou character. Give thy thoughts no tongue, / Nor any unproportioned thought his act. Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar. / Those friends thou hast, and their adoption tried, / Grapple them unto thy soul with hoops of steel, / But do not dull thy palm with entertainment / Of each new-hatched, unfledged courage. [...] Neither a borrower nor a lender be, / For loan oft loses both itself and friend, / And borrowing dulls th' edge of husbandry. / This above all, to thine own self be true, / And it must follow as the night the day / Thou canst not then be false to any man. Act One scene three, ll. 55-80

Beloved of refrigerator magnet and bumper sticker companies everywhere, Polonius' advice to Laertes puts the critic in a double bind. On the one hand, there is no denying that his advice is often sound, if generally cliched and obvious, and very memorably expressed. On the other, the speech must be read in context, and when done so it becomes deeply ironic. One phrase in particular is very rich coming from Polonius -- "to thine own self be true, / And it must follow as the night the day / Thou canst not then be false to any man." Polonius is, of course, the quintessential false man. He is forever plotting strategems and eavesdropping behind the arras. That he nevertheless feels comfortable positing that one should be true to oneself (whatever that means) and thereby never false to any man is a testament to his shallow disregard for the deeper import and meaning of his language. Polonius mouths words without meaning them. He is windy and empty. And this speech in particular, with its smug certainties, serves as a stark contrast to Hamlet's searching, questioning, endless attempts at self-exploration.

I have of late -- but wherefore I know not -- lost all my mirth, forgone all custom of exercises; and indeed it goes so heavily with my disposition, that this goodly frame the earth seems to me a sterile promontory, this most excellent canopy the air, look you, this brave o'er-hanging firmament, this majestical roof fretted with golden fire, why it appeareth nothing to me but a foul and pestilent congregation of vapors. What a piece of work is man, how noble in reason; how infinite in faculties, in form and moving; how express and admirable in action; how like an angel in apprehension; how like a god: the beauty of the world, the paragon of animals. And yet to me, what is this quintessence of dust? Act Two scene two, ll. 282-92

Speaking to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, Hamlet here sums up the central paradox of the "quintessence of dust," mankind -- at once the most sublime of creatures, and no better than the lowest. Paradoxically, Hamlet uses his angel-like apprehension to determine the worthlessness of man. He at once places his species in a standard Renaissance cosmos, rising hierarchically from the earth to the heavens, and denies this hierarchy. This speech is often cited as a statement of Hamlet's deep melancholy -- similar to the soliloquy in Act One -- but here his melancholy is far larger than his present circumstances. His melancholy is metaphysical in nature and cosmic in scope. Already, he has outgrown the generic task before him, to kill his uncle, and has used the occasion of revenge and madness to explore much larger questions about the place of humanity in the universe.

O, what a rogue and peasant slave am I! / Is it not monstrous that this player here, / But in a fiction, in a dream of passion, / Could force his soul so to his own conceit / That from her working all his visage wanned; / Tears in his eyes, distraction in his aspect, / A broken voice, and his whole function suiting / With forms to his conceit? And all for nothing, / For Hecuba! Act Two scene two, ll. 506-14 ff.

Hamlet's second soliloquy, given after the player has recited the woeful story of Priam's death and Hecuba's grief, explores the nature of performance. How can it be, he asks, that this player can summon up such apparently genuine feeling for a fiction, for a dream, while I (Hamlet) cannot manage to rally my spirits to action in a just cause? Hamlet's speech is very carefully constructed, with reason prevailing for the first long stretch of rhetoric until Hamlet's passion ironically overwhelms him and he explodes, "Fie upon't! foh! / About, my brains." (Hamlet does have a kind of passion after all -- not for revenge, but for expanding upon the lust and depravity of Claudius and Gertrude.) Notice how questions dominate the soliloquy. "Am I a coward? / Who calls me villain, breaks my pate across, / Plucks off my beard and blows it in my face, / Tweaks me by the nose, gives me the lie i'th'throat / As deep as to the lungs? Who does me this?" Hamlet is completely incapable of explaining or changing his character; he can merely eloquently wonder at it. Again, his apprehension is god-like, but what good does it do him?

To be, or not to be, that is the question: / Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer / The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, / Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, / And by opposing end them. To die, to sleep -- / No more. And by a sleep to say we end / The heartache, and the thousand natural shocks that Flesh is heir to. 'Tis a consummation / Devoutly to be wished. To die, to sleep -- / To sleep, perchance to dream. Ay, there's the rub. / For in that sleep of death what dreams may come / When we have shuffled off this mortal coil / Must give us pause. Act Three scene one, ll. 56-68 ff.

Here are the most famous words in the play, and likely in all of western literature. Many have taken the speech to be a contemplation of suicide. "To be or not to be" -- that is, "to live or to kill myself." There are some features of the speech that seem to shore this reading up. The speech does suggest that death is a highly attractive destination, and that the only thing that keeps us miserable mortals from seeking it out is the fear of "what dreams may come" in the hereafter. But certainly the speech is more than a simple suicide note. If he is thinking about suicide, he is most definitely contemplating it in the abstract, as a topic of interest more than as an actual option for his own life.

Some critics have decided that the speech is not about suicide at all. To take one example, the eighteenth-century critic Samuel Johnson suggested that the soliloquy is more generally about death, and about the risk of death in a moment of decisive action, than about suicide. He writes, "Hamlet, knowing himself injured in the most enormous and atrocious degree, and seeing no means of redress, but such as must expose him to the extremity of hazard, meditates on his situation in this manner: Before I can form any rational scheme of action under this pressure of distress, it is necessary to decide, whether, after our present state, we are to be or not to be." In other words, Johnson thinks that the speech is really very consistent with the mounting action in the play. Hamlet, in his view, has come to a point where he must decide whether he is willing to put his life on the line, as he surely must, in order to attack the king. The linchpin of this question is -- after we die, do we continue to exist, or do we stop existing? To be, or not to be. If we simply stop existing, certainly the risk is worth the comfort of oblivion. But if, in the hereafter, we retain our minds, our sensibilities, we must pause before leaping into so uncertain, so potentially horrific a fate.

Speak the speech, I pray you, as I pronounced it to you, trippingly on the tongue; but if you mouth it as many of our players do, I had as lief the town-crier spoke my lines. Nor do not saw the air too much with your hand thus, but use all gently, for in the very torrent, tempest, and as I may say, whirlwind of your passion, you must acquire and beget a temperance that may give it smoothness. [...] Suit the action to the word, the word to the action, with this special observance that you o'erstep not the modesty of nature; for anything so o'erdone is from the purpose of playing, whose end both at the first, and now, was and is, to hold as 'twere the mirror up to nature, to show virtue her own feature, scorn her own image, and the very age and body of the time his form and pressure. Act Three scene two, ll. 1-20 ff.

Hamlet's advice to the players may well be taken for Shakespeare's own theory of theater. Indeed, Hamlet is filled with such metatheatrical moments, from the play-within-a-play to the gossip about the London stage; it's not a stretch at all to here the bard's voice behind Hamlet's. The speech's most significant moment, in terms of aesthetic theory, is the passage that begins, "for anything so o'erdone is from the purpose of playing." Hamlet reveals the primeval roots of theater as he understands them -- to act as a mirror on both the universal and the particular levels, reflecting both human nature across centuries and the peculiar habits of a given time in history. Overacting, clowing, and mugging might gain a moment's applause, but these things are not valuable beyond immediate gratification. Indeed, they run counter to the deepest nature of theater, which is to depict humanity not in a grotesque form, but as it actually is.

Oh, my offence is rank, it smells to heaven; / It hath the primal eldest curse upon't, / A brother's murder. Pray can I not, / Though inclination be as sharp as will. / My stronger guilt defeats my strong intent, / And like a man to double business bound, / I stand in pause where I shall first begin, / And both neglect. What if this cursed hand / Were thicker than itself with brother's blood, / Is there not rain enough in the sweet heavens / To wash it white as snow? Act Three scene three, ll. 36-46 ff.

This is the only soliloquy in Hamlet that does not belong to the title character. In it we finally learn for certain that Claudius is guilty of the murder charged to him. We also learn, perhaps, a little bit of sympathy for this simple, murderous and lustful man. He is, briefly at least, capable of looking into his soul with the same questioning, searching self-examination that Hamlet displays elsewhere. And he does admit the impossible logic of his situation. He cannot truly repent while he still possesses the fruits of his sin, his brother's crown and wife. His situation, then, becomes at least somewhat pitiful, and his motivations much clearer.

Hamlet, in this scene, is not nearly so sympathetic. He comes upon Claudius in his attempt to pray and decides not to murder him for fear that his soul, being in a state of repentance, might ascend to heaven. Speaking of his cruel reasoning in this moment, Samuel Johnson wrote, "This speech, in which Hamlet, represented as a virtuous character, is not content with taking blood for blood, but contrives damnation for the man that he would punish, is too horrible to be read or to be uttered."

How all occasions do inform against me, / And spur my dull revenge! What is a man, / If his chief good and market of his time / Be but to sleep and feed? A beast, no more. / Sure he that made us with such large discourse, / Looking before and after, gave us not / That capability and godlike reason / To fust in us unused. Now whether it be / Bestial oblivion, or some craven scruple / Of thinking too precisely on th' event -- / A thought which, quartered, hath but one part wisdom / And ever three parts coward -- I do not know / Why yet I live to say 'This thing's to do', / Sith I have cause, and will, and strength, and means, / To do't. Act Four scene four, ll. 32-46 ff.

This, Hamlet's final soliloquy, is much like "O, what a rogue and peasant slave am I." It is another meditation on the inscrutability of his failure to act when he has so much reason to do so. Whereas in the earlier soliloquy, the passion of an actor for an imaginary griever, Hecuba, occasioned Hamlet's self-reproaches, here the sight of Fortinbras' army marching to contest a worthless piece of land fixes his mind and leads him to wonder at himself. With Hecuba, the emphasis is on feeling; with Fortinbras, the emphasis is on honor. In both cases, though, Hamlet sees men who have petty or fictional objects, and who nevertheless rise to great things; whereas he, with his very palpable reasons for action and feeling, cannot manage to summon any such accomplishment. Of course, as always, he is not sure why this is the case (and nor are we, not really), but he shows the uncertain searching of modern subjectivity in his attempt to formulate this very confusion.

Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio -- a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy. He hath bore me on his back a thousand times, and now how abhorred in my imagination it is! My gorge rises at it. Here hung those lips that I have kissed I know now how oft. Where be your gibes now, your gambols, your songs, your flashes of merriment that were wont to set the table on a roar? Not one now to mock your own grinning? Quite chop-fallen? Now get you to my lady's chamber, and tell her, let her paint an inch thick, to this favor she must come. Make her laugh at that. Act Five scene one, ll. 159-67

Harold Bloom has suggested that despite his protestations of his dead father's greatness, Hamlet did not really have a very happy household growing up. His father was, indeed, a great military ruler, off conquering and governing conquered lands. Bloom suggests that the closest thing Hamlet had to an affectionate father was likely Yorick, the court jester, from whom he likely learned his excellent wit, his macabre sense of humor, and many more of his most Hamlet-esque characteristics. We need not go so far to see the strange mixture of affection and disgust that Yorick's skull give rise to in Hamlet. This is a moment of pure and deep contemplation of death. The fact of mortality is, so to speak, staring Hamlet in the face. Yorick's skull is a very powerful memento mori, a reminder of death -- no matter how much you try to stave off aging, Hamlet says, you're inevitably doomed to be like Yorick, a dirty and lipless skull buried in the ground, forgotten by all but the gravediggers. This sort of reminder was quite common in the Renaissance, with its plagues and its widespread starvation. Death was much more familiar to them than it is to us. Nevertheless, despite our modern dreams of scientific immortality, the universal truth of this final destination still holds.

HOR. If your mind dislike anything, obey it. I will forestall their repair hither, and say you are not fit. HAM. Not a whit. We defy augury. There is special providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be now, 'tis not to come. If it be not to come, it will be now. If it be not now, yet it will come. The readiness is all. Since no man of aught he leaves knows, what is't to leave betimes? Let be. Act Five scene two, ll. 192-8

This exchange seems to capture in its essence the changed Hamlet that we see in Act Five scene two. No longer is Hamlet his old questioning, searching, tormented, macabre self. Now he has almost a zen-like acceptance of things as they are. What will be will be. All the world, at this point, seems to exist within a greater order -- perhaps an unknowable order, but an order nonetheless. The speech, while short, contains several rich paradoxes. First, Hamlet claims that there is rhyme and reason to the slightest events of the universe -- there is "special providence in the fall of the sparrow." At the same time, he asserts that we know nothing of the world -- "no man of aught he leaves knows." So all things are rich with meaning, yet we know not what such meaning might be. Thus Hamlet closes the play in a quiet and mysterious counter-poise with fate. He no longer attempts to understand the unknowable, but accepts it as such; indeed, he accepts unknowability as an inescapable condition of all existence. What good is it, then, to roil one's guts over future plans? On the contrary, not the action, but the readiness, is all.

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Hamlet Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Hamlet is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Closely examine Hamlet’s most famous soliloquy on page 137 (lines 57-91). Summarize the arguments he is contemplating in this speech.

What act and scene are you referring to?

Describe Fortinbras based on what Horatio says.

Do you mean in Act 1? Based upon Horatio's description, young Fortinbras is bold, inexperienced, and willing to do anything to regain his father's lost lands.

Why is a clock mentioned in Hamlet. There weren’t any clock’s in Hanlet’s time.

Yes I've heard this question before. This is called an anachronism. It is an inconsistency in some chronological arrangement. In this case, there were clocks in Shakespeare’s time but not in Hamlet's. Shakespeare wrote it in because he thought it...

Study Guide for Hamlet

Hamlet study guide contains a biography of William Shakespeare, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

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Essays for Hamlet

Hamlet essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Hamlet by William Shakespeare.

Through Rose Colored Glasses: How the Victorian Age Shifted the Focus of Hamlet
Q to F7: Mate; Hamlet's Emotions, Actions, and Importance in the Nunnery Scene
Before the Storm
Haunted: Hamlet's Relationship With His Dead Father
Heliocentric Hamlet: The Astronomy of Hamlet

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Hamlet Quotes

Home — Guides — Hamlet — Hamlet Quotes: Memorable Lines

by William Shakespeare

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Hamlet: Quotes

Table of contents.

“To be or not to be, that is the question.” (Act III, Scene 1)

This quote is arguably the most famous line in the play and is spoken by Hamlet as he contemplates suicide. It reflects his internal struggle and the philosophical questions he is grappling with, namely the nature of existence and the fear of the unknown. This quote also touches on the themes of life, death, and morality that are central to the play.

“Frailty, thy name is woman!” (Act I, Scene 2)

This quote is spoken by Hamlet in a soliloquy as he laments his mother's hasty marriage to his uncle, Claudius. It reflects his anger and disappointment at his mother's supposed lack of loyalty to his father, and his disillusionment with the female sex as a whole. This quote highlights the gender roles and expectations of the time period, as well as the theme of betrayal.

“The play's the thing wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king.” (Act II, Scene 2)

This quote is spoken by Hamlet as he decides to use a play within the play to expose Claudius's guilt for killing his father. It reflects Hamlet's cunning and strategy, as well as his desire for revenge. This quote also touches on the theme of appearance versus reality, as Hamlet plans to use the play to reveal the truth behind the facade of the court.

“What a piece of work is man! How noble in reason, how infinite in faculties, in form and moving how express and admirable, in action how like an angel, in apprehension how like a god!” (Act II, Scene 2)

This quote is spoken by Hamlet in a soliloquy as he reflects on the nature of humanity. It reflects his admiration for human beings and their potential, but also his disappointment in their capacity for corruption and deceit. This quote also touches on the theme of human nature and the contrast between the idealized view of humanity and the reality of human behavior.

“I am but mad north-north-west. When the wind is southerly, I know a hawk from a handsaw” (Act II, Scene 2)

This quote reveals Hamlet's state of mind and his tendency to feign madness. He is aware of his madness and knows when to control it. The quote also reveals Hamlet's intelligence and his ability to manipulate people.

“There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” (Act II, Scene 2)

This quote is spoken by Hamlet in a conversation with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern as he reflects on the nature of perception and reality. It reflects his philosophical view that good and bad are subjective and dependent on individual perspective. This quote also touches on the theme of appearance versus reality and the idea that reality can be manipulated or distorted by perception.

“Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio, a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy” (Act V, Scene 1)

This quote is spoken by Hamlet as he holds the skull of his childhood friend Yorick. The quote reflects Hamlet's deep sadness and sense of loss as he confronts his own mortality. It also reveals Hamlet's sense of nostalgia and his connection to his past.

“The readiness is all” (Act V, Scene 2)

This quote is spoken by Hamlet as he prepares to face his fate in the final scene of the play. The quote reflects Hamlet's acceptance of his fate and his willingness to face it head-on. It also reveals Hamlet's growth and development as a character throughout the play, as he has moved from a state of indecision and despair to a state of acceptance and resolve.

“Though yet of Hamlet our dear brother's death The memory be green” (Act I, Scene 2)

In this quote, Claudius addresses the court and acknowledges the recent death of King Hamlet, his brother. The use of the phrase "our dear brother" suggests that Claudius is attempting to establish a sense of unity with the court and present himself as a mourning brother. However, the phrase "the memory be green" implies that Claudius is already thinking about the future, and his true intentions will be revealed later in the play.

“O, my offence is rank, it smells to heaven. It hath the primal eldest curse upon 't, a brother's murder.” (Act III, Scene 3)

Claudius speaks this line in a soliloquy, revealing his guilt and shame over his crime of killing his own brother, King Hamlet. The use of the metaphor "it smells to heaven" suggests that Claudius believes that his sin is so great that even God will not forgive him. Additionally, the phrase "a brother's murder" emphasizes the betrayal of family and the magnitude of his crime.

“Madness in great ones must not unwatched go.” (Act III, Scene 1)

Claudius says this line to Polonius, expressing his concern about Hamlet's behavior. However, this quote can also be interpreted as Claudius trying to cover up his own guilt by suggesting that Hamlet's behavior is due to madness rather than the truth about King Hamlet's murder. The use of the word "unwatched" suggests that Claudius is aware of the potential danger of Hamlet's actions and is trying to take measures to protect himself.

“How smart a lash that speech doth give my conscience.” (Act III, Scene 1)

In this quote, Claudius reflects on Hamlet's play, which portrays a murder similar to the one he committed. The phrase "smart a lash" suggests that Claudius is feeling the pain of his guilty conscience being exposed through the play. This quote reveals the internal conflict that Claudius is experiencing as he struggles to maintain his power and conceal his crime.

“It is the poisoned cup. It is too late.” (Act V, Scene 2)

Claudius speaks this line when he realizes that his plan to have Hamlet killed has backfired, and he has accidentally poisoned Queen Gertrude. The phrase "too late" implies that Claudius has come to the realization that his actions have led to his own downfall, and that there is nothing he can do to change the outcome. This quote highlights Claudius' sense of remorse and his acknowledgement of the consequences of his actions.

“Good Hamlet, cast thy nighted color off, and let thine eye look like a friend on Denmark” (Act I, Scene 2)

Gertrude speaks this line to Hamlet early in the play, urging him to stop mourning his father's death and move on with his life. The use of the phrase "nighted color" suggests that Hamlet's black clothing and melancholy demeanor are bringing darkness to the court of Denmark. Gertrude's plea for him to look like a "friend" on Denmark is also significant, as it shows her desire to maintain a sense of unity and order in the court.

“O Hamlet, speak no more. Thou turn'st mine eyes into my very soul, and there I see such black and grained spots as will not leave their tinct” (Act III, Scene 4)

Gertrude speaks this line after Hamlet's intense confrontation with her in her chamber, in which he accuses her of betraying his father and urges her to repent. The phrase "turn'st mine eyes into my very soul" suggests that Hamlet's words have touched Gertrude deeply, causing her to confront her own guilt and shame. The image of "black and grained spots" further emphasizes her sense of moral corruption, as these marks are seen as impossible to remove.

“The lady doth protest too much, methinks” (Act III, Scene 2)

Gertrude speaks this line during a performance of a play that parallels her own situation, in which a queen is suspected of murdering her husband. The phrase "protest too much" implies that the character's denial of guilt is unconvincing, and Gertrude's use of the line suggests that she may be aware of her own complicity in her husband's death. This quote has become a well-known phrase in English language to indicate when someone's denial seems excessive.

“All that lives must die, passing through nature to eternity” (Act I, Scene 2)

Gertrude speaks this line to Hamlet as a reflection on the inevitability of death. The phrase "passing through nature to eternity" suggests that death is a natural part of life and leads to a higher spiritual realm. Gertrude's acceptance of death contrasts with Hamlet's preoccupation with it and his desire for revenge, highlighting their differing attitudes towards mortality.

“Sweets to the sweet: farewell” (Act V, Scene 1)

Gertrude speaks this line as she is dying, having been poisoned by the drink meant for Hamlet. The phrase "sweets to the sweet" is an allusion to an earlier scene in which Gertrude gives flowers to Ophelia, and suggests a connection between the two women. Gertrude's use of the phrase also serves to emphasize her love for her son and her sense of remorse for her past actions.

“This above all: to thine own self be true, / And it must follow, as the night the day, / Thou canst not then be false to any man.” (Act I, Scene 3)

This quote is perhaps Polonius's most famous line. It is spoken to his son Laertes as a piece of advice before Laertes leaves for France. Polonius emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself, and suggests that doing so will make it impossible to be false to others. However, Polonius's tendency to be hypocritical and meddle in other people's affairs suggests that he does not always follow his own advice.

“Brevity is the soul of wit.” (Act II, Scene 2)

This is another well-known quote from Polonius. He uses this line to justify his own long-winded speeches, arguing that being brief is not always the best way to convey one's meaning. However, his own speeches are often tedious and rambling, suggesting that he is not as wise as he thinks he is.

“Though this be madness, yet there is method in't.” (Act II, Scene 2)

This line is spoken by Polonius after he witnesses Hamlet's erratic behavior in Act II. Polonius is convinced that Hamlet's madness is not entirely genuine, and that there is a method to his madness. However, his assessment of Hamlet's mental state is incorrect, and he underestimates the extent of Hamlet's despair and grief.

“And thus do we of wisdom and of reach, / With windlasses and with assays of bias, / By indirections find directions out.” (Act II, Scene 1)

Polonius speaks these lines to Reynaldo, a servant whom he has sent to spy on Laertes in Paris. Polonius suggests that it is sometimes necessary to be indirect in order to achieve one's goals, and that using deceit and manipulation can be a form of wisdom. This quote underscores Polonius's Machiavellian tendencies and his willingness to sacrifice his own values for the sake of achieving his aims.

“What do you read, my lord?” (Act II, Scene 2)

This seemingly innocuous question is one of Polonius's most significant lines in the play. He asks Hamlet what he is reading, and when Hamlet responds, Polonius interprets his answer as a sign of madness. This interaction sets in motion Polonius's attempts to spy on Hamlet and figure out what is wrong with him. Polonius's tendency to meddle in other people's affairs becomes a recurring theme throughout the play, leading to his ultimate downfall. This quote also highlights the theme of appearance versus reality, as Polonius uses Hamlet's response to make a false assumption about his mental state.

“O, what a noble mind is here o'erthrown!” (Act III, Scene 1)

Ophelia says this line after witnessing Hamlet's erratic behavior in her presence. The quote reflects her sadness at seeing Hamlet's descent into madness and her realization that his once noble mind has been lost.

“There's rosemary, that's for remembrance.” (Act IV, Scene 5)

In this scene, Ophelia gives herbs and flowers to the King and Queen, symbolically representing various emotions and themes. This line specifically references rosemary, which is traditionally associated with remembrance and memory. Ophelia is likely thinking of her own memories of Hamlet and their lost love.

“Lord, we know what we are, but not what we may be.” (Act IV, Scene 5)

Ophelia says this line while distributing her herbs and flowers to various characters. The quote reflects the uncertainty and unpredictability of life, suggesting that people cannot know their true potential or what they may become.

“He is dead and gone, lady. He is dead and gone. At his head a grass-green turf, at his heels a stone.” (Act IV, Scene 5)

Ophelia sings this haunting song as she is driven to madness after the death of her father. The song symbolizes death and the transience of life, with the green turf representing new life and the stone representing the permanence of death.

“Goodnight, ladies; goodnight, sweet ladies; goodnight, goodnight.” (Act IV, Scene 5)

Ophelia says this line as she exits the scene after singing her haunting song. The quote has a melancholic tone, as if Ophelia is saying goodbye to life and the people around her. The repetition of "goodnight" reinforces this idea of finality and farewell.

“I am thy father's spirit, doomed for a certain term to walk the night, and for the day confined to fast in fires till the foul crimes done in my days of nature are burnt and purged away.” (Act I, Scene 5)

This quote is the first introduction of The Ghost in the play. The Ghost reveals that he is the spirit of Hamlet's father and that he is doomed to walk the earth until his sins are purged away. This quote sets up the central conflict of the play, as Hamlet must avenge his father's murder and purge the sins committed by Claudius.

“Murder most foul, as in the best it is, but this most foul, strange and unnatural.” (Act I, Scene 5)

In this quote, The Ghost describes his murder as "most foul" and "strange and unnatural." The use of these adjectives emphasizes the severity of the crime committed against him and adds to the sense of injustice felt by The Ghost and Hamlet.

“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.” (Act I, Scene 5)

The Ghost warns Hamlet not to seek revenge against his mother, Queen Gertrude, for her involvement in the murder. Instead, The Ghost asks Hamlet to leave her to her own conscience and the "thorns" that torment her. This quote highlights the complexity of the characters' relationships and adds depth to their motivations.

“If thou didst ever thy dear father love...Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder.” (Act I, Scene 5)

This quote is the central request of The Ghost to Hamlet. He implores Hamlet to seek revenge for his murder and emphasizes the importance of their relationship as father and son. This quote sets up Hamlet's central conflict and gives him a clear goal for the rest of the play.

“Adieu, adieu, adieu. Remember me.” (Act I, Scene 5)

This final quote of The Ghost emphasizes his departure from Hamlet's life and his continued presence as a memory. The repetition of "adieu" adds to the sense of finality and the weight of The Ghost's departure. This quote also emphasizes the theme of memory and the impact of the past on the present.

“And so have I a noble father lost, / A sister driven into desperate terms, / Whose worth, if praises may go back again, / Stood challenger on mount of all the age / For her perfections.” (Act IV, Scene 7)

Laertes speaks these lines upon his return to Denmark upon hearing of his father's death and his sister's madness. The quote shows Laertes' intense grief and frustration at the loss of his loved ones, and his desire for revenge. He views his father and sister as noble and virtuous, and is determined to avenge their deaths.

“To cut his throat i' th' church.” (Act IV, Scene 7)

Laertes utters this line when discussing his plan to kill Hamlet with Claudius. The quote shows Laertes' extreme anger and desire for revenge, as he is willing to commit such a heinous act even in a sacred place like a church.

“That drop of blood that's calm proclaims me bastard.” (Act IV, Scene 5)

Laertes speaks these lines when he is accusing Claudius of being responsible for his father's death. The quote is a metaphor, with Laertes claiming that a calm blood drop can only belong to a bastard child, suggesting that Claudius is illegitimate and thus not fit to be king.

“O heat, dry up my brains! Tears seven times salt, / Burn out the sense and virtue of mine eye!” (Act IV, Scene 5)

Laertes speaks these lines when he is mourning his father's death. The quote shows the intensity of Laertes' grief and despair, as he wishes his tears could burn out the pain in his heart and mind.

“Let come what comes, only I'll be revenged / Most thoroughly for my father.” (Act IV, Scene 5)

Laertes speaks this line when he is plotting his revenge against Hamlet for his father's death. The quote shows Laertes' unwavering determination to seek vengeance and his single-minded focus on avenging his father's death, even if it means his own destruction.

Revenge quotes in Hamlet

“Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder” (Act I, Scene 5)

This quote, spoken by the Ghost, sets the stage for the theme of revenge in Hamlet. The Ghost is urging Hamlet to seek revenge for his murder, which he claims was committed by Claudius. This quote establishes revenge as the driving force behind Hamlet's actions throughout the play.

“Now could I drink hot blood, / And do such bitter business as the day / Would quake to look on” (Act III, Scene 2)

Hamlet speaks these words after his confrontation with his mother in her chamber, during which he mistakenly kills Polonius. This quote represents the intense desire for revenge that Hamlet is experiencing, as he is willing to commit violent acts in order to achieve his goal.

“O from this time forth, / My thoughts be bloody, or be nothing worth!” (Act IV, Scene 4)

In this quote, Hamlet is expressing his determination to seek revenge for his father's murder. He has just learned that Fortinbras is leading an army through Denmark to fight for a worthless piece of land, and he contrasts this with his own mission to avenge his father's death. This quote emphasizes the all-consuming nature of Hamlet's desire for revenge.

“To cut his throat i' th' church” (Act IV, Scene 7)

Laertes speaks these words as he is plotting with Claudius to kill Hamlet. This quote represents the extreme lengths to which Laertes is willing to go in his quest for revenge. It also underscores the corruption and immorality that revenge can inspire in people.

“The rest is silence” (Act V, Scene 2)

These are Hamlet's final words in the play, spoken just before he dies. The quote represents the resolution of the theme of revenge, as Hamlet has finally achieved his goal of killing Claudius. It also highlights the high cost of revenge, as it has led to the deaths of many characters, including Hamlet himself.

Appearance vs Reality

“Seems, madam? Nay, it is. I know not 'seems'” (Act I, Scene 2)

In this quote, Hamlet challenges the idea of appearance vs reality. He refuses to put on a façade and claims that what he appears to be is exactly what he is. He emphasizes the importance of authenticity and reveals his distrust of those who put on a false front.

“One may smile, and smile, and be a villain” (Act I, Scene 5)

Hamlet's comment to himself after his first encounter with the Ghost highlights the theme of appearance vs reality. He is warning himself not to be fooled by the appearance of others, as the smiling face of someone can hide their true intentions, as is the case with his uncle, Claudius.

“To be honest, as this world goes, is to be one man picked out of ten thousand.” (Act II, Scene 2)

Polonius speaks these lines to his son, Laertes, as he prepares to leave for France. The quote represents the theme of appearance vs reality by showing how rare it is for someone to be truly honest in the world. Polonius, who is known for his manipulative and deceptive ways, advises his son to pretend to be someone he is not in order to get ahead in life.

“The serpent that did sting thy father's life / Now wears his crown.” (Act I, Scene 5)

The Ghost's appearance in the play sets the stage for the theme of appearance vs reality. It reveals the truth of King Hamlet's murder and the false appearance of Claudius as the new king. The quote highlights the irony that the same person who killed the previous king is now wearing his crown.

“This above all: to thine own self be true, / And it must follow, as the night the day, / Thou canst not then be false to any man.” (Act I, Scene 3)

Polonius advises his son, Laertes, to be true to himself in this quote. The advice is given in a context that highlights the theme of appearance vs reality, as Polonius is known to be manipulative and deceptive. The quote emphasizes the importance of authenticity and warns against putting on false appearances.

Hamlet: Madness Quotes

This line is spoken by Polonius as he observes Hamlet's behavior, trying to determine whether his madness is genuine or feigned. The line represents the theme of madness in the play, as it suggests that even in Hamlet's seemingly irrational actions, there is a method or purpose.

“O, that this too, too sullied flesh would melt, Thaw and resolve itself into a dew, Or that the Everlasting had not fixed His canon 'gainst self-slaughter.” (Act I, Scene 2)

This quote is spoken by Hamlet as he reflects on his own desire for death, expressing his own sense of madness and despair. The quote represents the theme of madness in the play, as it shows the mental anguish and instability that Hamlet experiences.

“Get thee to a nunnery.” (Act III, Scene 1)

This line is spoken by Hamlet to Ophelia, who he believes has betrayed him. The line represents the theme of madness in the play, as it shows Hamlet's irrational and erratic behavior, as well as his tendency to lash out at those around him.

“I am but mad north-north-west: when the wind is southerly I know a hawk from a handsaw.” (Act II, Scene 2)

This quote is spoken by Hamlet to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern as he discusses his own madness. The line represents the theme of madness in the play, as it shows the complexity of Hamlet's mental state and his awareness of his own condition.

This line is spoken by King Claudius as he discusses his concerns about Hamlet's behavior with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. The line represents the theme of madness in the play, as it suggests that even those in positions of power are susceptible to mental illness and that it must be carefully monitored.

“"Frailty, thy name is woman!” (Act I, Scene 2)

This famous quote is spoken by Hamlet in his soliloquy, reflecting on his mother's quick remarriage to his uncle after his father's death. It is often interpreted as a misogynistic statement, implying that women are weak and easily swayed. However, it can also be seen as a critique of the societal expectations placed on women, who were expected to be subservient and obedient to men.

“Get thee to a nunnery” (Act III, Scene 1)

In this scene, Hamlet berates Ophelia for her supposed infidelity and tells her to enter a convent. The line has been interpreted in different ways, with some seeing it as evidence of Hamlet's misogyny and others as a way of protecting Ophelia from the corrupt and deceitful world of men.

“I have heard of your paintings too, well enough. God hath given you one face, and you make yourselves another.” (Act III, Scene 1)

Hamlet speaks this line to Ophelia, accusing her of wearing makeup to deceive men. This quote can be seen as an example of the theme of appearance versus reality, as well as a criticism of the societal expectations placed on women to conform to certain standards of beauty.

“O, most wicked speed, to post / With such dexterity to incestuous sheets!” (Act I, Scene 2)

These lines are spoken by Hamlet in his first soliloquy, reflecting on his mother's hasty marriage to his uncle. The phrase "incestuous sheets" highlights the taboo nature of the marriage, and it can be argued that the theme of women is tied to the larger theme of corruption and moral decay in the play.

“There's rosemary, that's for remembrance; pray, love, remember; and there is pansies, that's for thoughts.” (Act IV, Scene 5)

In this scene, Ophelia is handing out flowers and herbs that represent different emotions and memories. This quote can be interpreted as a commentary on the limited agency of women in the play, as Ophelia is reduced to symbolic gestures and tokens rather than being allowed to express herself fully.

“Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio; a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy; he hath borne me on his back a thousand times; and now, how abhorred in my imagination it is! My gorge rises at it. Here hung those lips that I have kissed I know not how oft. Where be your gibes now? Your gambols? Your songs? Your flashes of merriment, that were wont to set the table on a roar? Not one now to mock your own grinning? Quite chap-fallen?” (Act V, Scene 1)

This quote is spoken by Hamlet as he holds the skull of Yorick, the court jester who has died. Hamlet's reflection on Yorick's mortality is a reminder of the inevitability of death, and it prompts him to contemplate the idea of an afterlife. The reference to "sin" and "damnation" in the quote is a nod to the religious beliefs of the time, which emphasized the importance of living a virtuous life in order to secure a place in heaven.

“The serpent that did sting thy father's life / Now wears his crown.” (Act I, Scene 5)

The Ghost speaks this line to Hamlet, revealing that he was murdered by his own brother, Claudius. The reference to the serpent alludes to the story of Adam and Eve in the Bible, where the serpent tempts Eve to eat the forbidden fruit and brings sin into the world. The quote suggests that Claudius's actions were not only morally wrong but also a violation of divine law.

“"Blessed are those / Whose blood and judgment are so well commingled / That they are not a pipe for Fortune's finger / To sound what stop she please.” (Act III, Scene 2)

In this soliloquy, Hamlet reflects on the idea of fortune, or fate, and how it affects people's lives. The reference to "blood and judgment" suggests that those who are both emotionally and intellectually balanced are less likely to be at the mercy of fortune. The quote also implies that those who are virtuous are more likely to be blessed by God.

Hamlet: Corruption Quotes

“Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.” (Act I, Scene 4)

This line is spoken by Marcellus and highlights the pervasive corruption within the Danish court. The use of the word "rotten" implies decay and moral degradation, indicating that there is something fundamentally wrong with the state of affairs in Denmark. The line also sets the stage for the themes of corruption and decay that are pervasive throughout the play.

“That one may smile, and smile, and be a villain.” (Act I, Scene 5)

Hamlet says this line in response to his mother's suggestion that he stop grieving for his father. The quote illustrates the theme of appearance versus reality and highlights the idea that someone can appear to be virtuous and honorable while simultaneously engaging in corrupt behavior. This idea is reinforced throughout the play as characters like Claudius and Polonius manipulate those around them for their own gain.

In this quote, Hamlet is suggesting that he is not truly mad, but rather pretending to be in order to carry out his revenge plot. This idea of deception and corruption is further reinforced by the fact that the characters in the play are constantly hiding their true intentions from each other. The quote highlights the idea that there is a fine line between sanity and madness, and that deception and manipulation are pervasive themes throughout the play.

“This above all: to thine own self be true.” (Act I, Scene 3)

Polonius says this line as he is giving advice to his son Laertes. While on the surface, the line appears to be a straightforward message about the importance of being honest and true to oneself, it also highlights the theme of corruption and deceit. Throughout the play, characters like Polonius and Claudius are constantly lying to themselves and others, revealing the moral decay that has infected the Danish court.

“The lady doth protest too much, methinks.” (Act III, Scene 2)

Queen Gertrude says this line in response to a play that Hamlet has staged in order to expose Claudius's guilt. The quote highlights the idea that people who protest their innocence too much are often hiding something, and reinforces the idea of pervasive corruption within the Danish court. The line also speaks to the theme of appearance versus reality, as characters in the play often hide their true intentions and motivations behind a façade of virtue and respectability.

“I am pigeon-liver'd and lack gall.” (Act II, Scene 2)

This quote is spoken by Hamlet as he reflects on his own lack of action in avenging his father's murder. He compares himself to a pigeon, a bird known for its timidity and lack of courage, and admits that he lacks the necessary courage and determination to take action.

“Our wills and fates do so contrary run / That our devices still are overthrown; / Our thoughts are ours, their ends none of our own.” (Act III, Scene 2)

These lines are spoken by Hamlet as he reflects on the difficulty of taking action in a world where the forces of fate and destiny seem to be working against him. He suggests that even when we make plans and take action, we cannot always control the outcome, as fate may intervene and thwart our efforts.

“The time is out of joint: O cursed spite, / That ever I was born to set it right!” (Act I, Scene 5)

This quote is spoken by Hamlet as he reflects on the enormity of the task before him in avenging his father's murder. He feels overwhelmed by the weight of his responsibility and the difficulty of his task, and laments that he was born into a world where such a task is necessary.

“"How stand I then, / That have a father killed, a mother stained, / Excitements of my reason and my blood, / And let all sleep, while to my shame I see / The imminent death of twenty thousand men, / That for a fantasy and trick of fame / Go to their graves like beds, fight for a plot / Whereon the numbers cannot try the cause, / Which is not tomb enough and continent / To hide the slain?” (Act IV, Scene 4)

This quote is spoken by Hamlet as he reflects on the futility of his own inaction in the face of the impending invasion of Norway. He compares his own failure to take action and avenge his father's murder to the meaningless deaths of the soldiers who fight for an empty plot of land.

“O, from this time forth, / My thoughts be bloody, or be nothing worth!” (Act IV, Scene 4)

This quote is spoken by Hamlet as he resolves to take action and avenge his father's murder. He recognizes that his previous inaction has led to the deaths of many innocent people and that he must now act decisively if he hopes to put things right. The line is a clear expression of the play's theme of action vs inaction, as Hamlet recognizes the importance of taking action and the consequences of failing to do so.

“But break my heart, for I must hold my tongue.” (Act I, Scene 2)

This quote is spoken by Hamlet in the opening scene of the play, as he laments his father's death and his mother's hasty remarriage to his uncle, Claudius. The setting of this scene is significant, as it takes place in the castle of Elsinore, a dark and foreboding place that reflects the sense of grief and unease that permeates the play. The line "But break my heart" suggests that Hamlet is deeply emotional and passionate, but the fact that he must "hold [his] tongue" indicates that he is also constrained by the political and social expectations of his position.

This famous line is spoken by Marcellus as he and Horatio stand guard outside the castle of Elsinore, watching for the ghost of Hamlet's father. The setting of this scene is significant, as it highlights the corruption and decay that pervades the court of Denmark. The use of the word "rotten" suggests that the problem is deeply rooted and pervasive, and the fact that Marcellus feels the need to make this statement indicates that the corruption is widely recognized and acknowledged.

“To be, or not to be: that is the question.” (Act III, Scene 1)

This soliloquy is spoken by Hamlet in a secluded part of the castle, away from the prying eyes of his courtiers. The setting of this scene is significant, as it underscores the sense of isolation and despair that Hamlet feels as he contemplates the meaning of life and death. The fact that he is alone suggests that he is free to express his true feelings and thoughts without fear of judgment or censure, and the fact that he is in a dark and secluded place suggests that his thoughts are dark and troubling. The setting also emphasizes the contrast between Hamlet's internal struggles and the superficiality and artificiality of the courtly world around him.

This is one of the most well-known quotes from Hamlet, and it is often cited as an example of the play's use of symbolism. The quote is spoken by Marcellus, one of the guards at Elsinore Castle, as he and his companions discuss the appearance of the Ghost. The line is symbolic of the decay and corruption that permeates the entire play, both in the political system of Denmark and in the personal relationships of the characters.

“The time is out of joint. O cursed spite, that ever I was born to set it right!” (Act I, Scene 5)

Hamlet speaks this line after he has been visited by the Ghost, who reveals that he was murdered by his own brother, Claudius. The line is symbolic of the chaos and disorder that has taken hold of Denmark since Claudius's ascension to the throne, and it foreshadows the violence and bloodshed that will ensue as Hamlet seeks revenge for his father's death.

Hamlet speaks these words to Ophelia as he berates her for her supposed infidelity. The line is symbolic of the patriarchal society in which the play is set, where women are expected to be chaste and obedient to men. It also foreshadows the tragic end that Ophelia will meet later in the play, as she is driven to madness and eventually drowns herself.

“There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, / Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.” (Act I, Scene 5)

Hamlet speaks these words to his friend Horatio as they discuss the appearance of the Ghost. The line is symbolic of the play's exploration of the supernatural, and it suggests that there are forces at work in the universe that are beyond human understanding. It also highlights Hamlet's philosophical nature, and his willingness to question the status quo.

“Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio, a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy.” (Act V, Scene 1)

Hamlet speaks these words as he holds the skull of Yorick, a court jester who has long been dead. The skull is symbolic of the inevitability of death, and it serves as a reminder to Hamlet of his own mortality. It also highlights the theme of the fleeting nature of life, and the fact that all things must eventually pass away.

“Seems, madam? Nay, it is; I know not 'seems.'” (Act I, Scene 2)

This line is spoken by Hamlet to his mother, Queen Gertrude, when she comments on his behavior and implies that he is only pretending to be mad. Hamlet responds with this ironic statement, emphasizing that his madness is not an act but rather a genuine state of mind. The use of irony highlights the contrast between appearance and reality and how it can be difficult to discern the truth.

“My lord, we were sent for." "I will tell you why; so shall my anticipation prevent your discovery, and your secrecy to the king and queen moult no feather.” (Act II, Scene 2)

In this exchange between Polonius and Hamlet, Polonius tries to get to the bottom of Hamlet's behavior by asking why he sent for the actors. Hamlet responds with an ironic statement, implying that he knows the real reason and that he will reveal it to Polonius before he has a chance to discover it himself. This use of irony highlights the power dynamic between Hamlet and Polonius, with Hamlet seeming to hold all the cards.

Hamlet utters this line to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern when they ask him how he is doing. The use of irony here is that Hamlet is pretending to be philosophical and detached, but in reality, he is deeply disturbed and struggling with his own thoughts and emotions. The statement also highlights the theme of appearance versus reality, as what appears to be a calm and collected statement is really a reflection of Hamlet's inner turmoil.

“O, my offense is rank, it smells to heaven; / It hath the primal eldest curse upon't, / A brother's murder.” (Act III, Scene 3)

Claudius speaks these lines in a soliloquy, reflecting on his guilt for the murder of his brother, King Hamlet. The use of irony is that Claudius acknowledges the gravity of his sin and how it has cursed him, yet he continues to hold onto his power and even tries to repent through prayer. The irony highlights the corrupt nature of the character and the gap between his words and actions.

“Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio, a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy. He hath borne me on his back a thousand times, and now, how abhorred in my imagination it is!” (Act V, Scene 1)

In this scene, Hamlet holds the skull of Yorick, the court jester, and reflects on the fleeting nature of life. The use of irony here is that Hamlet had previously mocked Polonius for being a "jester" and for being old and foolish. However, he now mourns the loss of Yorick, showing the irony of how one's opinion of someone can change when confronted with mortality. The symbol of the skull also highlights the theme of death and decay throughout the play.

“To die, to sleep; / To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub;” (Act III, Scene 1)

This quote is a metaphor that compares death to sleep. Hamlet is contemplating suicide and the possibility of death being a release from the pain and struggles of life. The use of the metaphor suggests that death is a form of rest, but also implies that there may be unknown consequences to the act of dying, just as there may be unknown consequences to the act of falling asleep and dreaming.

This is a metaphorical statement made by Marcellus as he and Horatio discuss the appearance of the ghost. The metaphor is used to suggest that there is something deeply wrong with the political and moral state of Denmark. The image of something rotting suggests decay and corruption, which can be applied to the actions of Claudius and the court, as well as the supernatural presence of the ghost.

“O, my offense is rank, it smells to heaven.” (Act III, Scene 3)

This is another metaphorical statement made by Claudius as he reflects on his guilt over killing King Hamlet. The metaphor compares Claudius's offense to a foul smell that rises to the heavens, implying that it is a serious sin that will not go unnoticed. The use of the metaphor reinforces the idea that there are consequences to one's actions, and that even if one can conceal their wrongdoing from others, they cannot escape the judgement of a higher power.

“Hyperion to a satyr” (Act I, Scene 2)

In this metaphorical allusion, Hamlet compares his father, King Hamlet, to the god Hyperion, who was associated with light and wisdom, and his uncle, Claudius, to a satyr, a mythological creature often associated with drunkenness and lechery. This allusion highlights Hamlet's contempt for Claudius and his reverence for his father.

“To what base uses we may return, Horatio!” (Act V, Scene 1)

In this allusion, Hamlet is referencing the story of Alexander the Great, who, according to legend, on his deathbed, instructed his followers to scatter his ashes in the wind so that his body could return to the earth. This allusion highlights the fleeting nature of human life and the inevitability of death.

“Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio” (Act V, Scene 1)

In this famous scene, Hamlet holds the skull of his court jester, Yorick, and reminisces about their time together. This allusion to Yorick serves as a powerful symbol of the transience of life and the inevitability of death. It also underscores Hamlet's own journey from youth to maturity and his realization that death comes for everyone, regardless of station or class.

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Hamlet Quotes

BERNARDO: Who’s there? FRANCISCO: Nay, answer me: stand and unfold yourself.

– William Shakespeare

For this relief much thanks: ’tis bitter cold, And I am sick at heart.

Not a mouse stirring.

What, has this thing appeared again tonight?

This bodes some strange eruption to our state.

In the most high and palmy state of Rome, A little ere the mightiest Julius fell, The graves stood tenantless, and the sheeted dead Did squeak and gibber in the Roman streets.

And then it started like a guilty thing Upon a fearful summons.

It faded on the crowing of the cock. Some say that ever ‘gainst that season comes Wherein our Saviour’s birth is celebrated, The bird of dawning singeth all night long: And then, they say, no spirit dare stir abroad; The nights are wholesome; then no planets strike, No fairy takes, nor witch hath power to charm, So hallow’d and so gracious is the time.

But, look, the morn, in russet mantle clad, Walks o’er the dew of yon high eastward hill.

Though yet of Hamlet our dear brother’s death The memory be green, and that it us befitted To bear our hearts in grief and our whole kingdom To be contracted in one brow of woe… Therefore our sometime sister, now our queen, The imperial jointress to this warlike state, Have we, as ’twere with a defeated joy, – With an auspicious and a dropping eye, With mirth in funeral and with dirge in marriage, In equal scale weighing delight and dole, – Taken to wife. Nor have we herein barr’d Your better wisdoms, which have freely gone With this affair along.

The memory be green.

With an auspicious and a dropping eye, With mirth in funeral and with dirge in marriage, In equal scale weighing delight and dole.

The head is not more native to the heart.

A little more than kin, and less than kind.

Not so, my lord; I am too much i’ the sun.

All that lives must die, Passing through nature to eternity.

Seems, madam! Nay, it is; I know not "seems."

But I have that within which passeth show; These but the trappings and the suits of woe.

‘Tis sweet and commendable in your nature, Hamlet, To give these mourning duties to your father: …but to persever In obstinate condolement is a course Of impious stubbornness; ’tis unmanly grief; It shows a will most incorrect to heaven, A heart unfortified, a mind impatient, An understanding simple and unschool’d.

‘Tis a fault to Heaven, A fault against the dead, a fault to nature, To reason most absurd.

Why, ’tis a loving and a fair reply: Be as ourself in Denmark. Madam, come; This gentle and unforced accord of Hamlet Sits smiling to my heart: in grace whereof, No jocund health that Denmark drinks to-day, But the great cannon to the clouds shall tell, And the king’s rouse the heavens all bruit again, Re-speaking earthly thunder.

O, that this too too solid flesh would melt, Thaw and resolve itself into a dew! Or that the Everlasting had not fix’d His canon ‘gainst self-slaughter! O God! God! How weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable Seem to me all the uses of this world!

‘Tis an unweeded garden That grows to seed; things rank and gross in nature Possess it merely.

That it should come to this!

So excellent a king; that was, to this, Hyperion to a satyr; so loving to my mother That he might not beteem the winds of heaven Visit her face too roughly.

Why, she would hang on him, As if increase of appetite had grown By what it fed on.

Frailty, thy name is woman!

A little month.

Like Niobe, all tears.

My father’s brother, but no more like my father Than I to Hercules.

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Famous Hamlet Quotes & Expert Analysis

March 21, 2024

If you’re here, you’ve probably been asked to read Shakespeare’s longest play, Hamlet . Don’t worry if you’re feeling overwhelmed – it’s not an easy play. First, I’d recommend you take a look at this scene-by-scene summary , then, when you know what’s going on, come back and we can identify, discuss, and analyze some specific quotes in Hamlet that will enrich your understanding of the “melancholy Dane.”

Famous Hamlet Quotes

Act i, scene ii.

After we meet the ghost of Hamlet’s father in the first scene of act I, scene II introduces us to Hamlet, Gertrude (the Queen, Hamlet’s mother), Claudius (the King, Hamlet’s Uncle), Polonius, and his son Laertes. In this scene, everyone wants to know why Hamlet is still so moody two months after his father’s death. As Claudius tells Hamlet, death is normal – to wallow in prolonged sadness is “unmanly grief.” The queen then asks Hamlet directly, “Why seems it so particular with thee?” to which Hamlet replies,

Seems, madam! Nay, it is; I know not seems. ’Tis not alone my inky cloak, good mother, Nor customary suits of solemn black, Nor windy suspiration of forc’d breath, No, nor the fruitful river in the eye, Nor the dejected haviour of the visage, Together with all forms, moods, shows of grief, That can denote me truly. These indeed seem, For they are actions that a man might play; But I have that within which passeth show; These but the trappings and the suits of woe.

Famous Hamlet Quotes (Continued)

Quite simply, Hamlet is insisting that his melancholy is more than just skin deep. Any outward sign of grief (e.g., “suits of solemn black,” “dejected haviour of the visage,” or “windy suspirations”) is mere semblance. According to Hamlet, his grief is the real deal – he “[has] that within which passeth show.”

On first read, this could feel a tad petulant. (You can almost picture Hamlet rolling his eyes and huffing off, and slamming the door to his room, yelling, “You just don’t get me, mom!”) But let’s give Hamlet the benefit of the doubt. He’s having a tough time – his father’s dead and his mother has jumped into bed with his uncle.

It’s clear that in this quote Hamlet is insisting that his melancholy is genuine. He’s not merely an “inky cloak” and “suits of solemn black” – he’s got very real grief. At the same time, I want to read something deeper into this moment. For me, it feels like Hamlet is insisting on the legibility of the world. It’s not just that he’s genuinely sad – I think he is trying to reassure himself that the world is comprehensible. For the world to be legible, the inner must match the outer – the signified must match the signifier – he wants to insist that appearance must correspond to reality. At this moment of personal and political chaos, Hamlet needs for there to be a knowable relation between essence and appearance.

Act I, Scene II (cont.)

After Hamlet describes his melancholy, Claudius asks Hamlet to reconsider going to Wittenberg, a request that Hamlet agrees to. When everyone leaves the stage, Hamlet delivers this banger of a soliloquy:

O that this too too solid flesh would melt,

Thaw, and resolve itself into a dew!

Or that the Everlasting had not fix’d

His canon ’gainst self-slaughter. O God! O God!

How weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable

Seem to me all the uses of this world!

Fie on’t! Oh fie! ’tis an unweeded garden

That grows to seed; things rank and gross in nature

Possess it merely. That it should come to this!

But two months dead—nay, not so much, not two:

So excellent a king; that was to this

Hyperion to a satyr; so loving to my mother,

That he might not beteem the winds of heaven

Visit her face too roughly. Heaven and earth!

Must I remember? Why, she would hang on him

As if increase of appetite had grown

By what it fed on; and yet, within a month—

Let me not think on’t—Frailty, thy name is woman!

A little month, or ere those shoes were old

With which she followed my poor father’s body

Like Niobe, all tears.—Why she, even she—

O God! A beast that wants discourse of reason

Would have mourn’d longer,—married with mine uncle,

My father’s brother; but no more like my father

Than I to Hercules. Within a month,

Ere yet the salt of most unrighteous tears

Had left the flushing in her galled eyes,

She married. O most wicked speed, to post

With such dexterity to incestuous sheets!

It is not, nor it cannot come to good.

But break, my heart, for I must hold my tongue.

(Firstly, I’d recommend you check out the Royal Shakespeare Company ’s performance of this soliloquy. You’d be surprised how much easier it is to understand Shakespeare’s language when it’s performed.)

This soliloquy sketches the dramatic motivations of the entire play. Let’s look at it more closely. Hamlet begins by ruing his existence. He’d like his flesh to “melt away” and regrets that God prohibits suicide (“self-slaughter”). The cause of his despair is the fact that the world has gone to seed. The world is “an unweeded garden” in which “things rank and gross in nature / Possess it merely [completely].” It’s worth pausing to think about why Hamlet is upset. He’s not upset at his father’s death – rather, Hamlet is upset because the rules and structure of his world have been upended.

We understand the nature of this disorder in the next few lines. What bothers Hamlet is not the death of his father but the fact that “within a month…[my mother] married with mine uncle.” In other words, at the heart of Hamlet is the dissolution of a son’s image of his mother’s love for his father. Now, one can certainly wonder at Gertrude’s personal motivations for marrying Claudius, but ultimately, marrying Claudius is a political act. The king’s death isn’t just a personal tragedy – it’s a political crisis for Denmark. So while Hamlet sees his mother’s choice as “frailty,” in reality, Gertrude’s choice lends political stability to Claudius’s rule. Given the choice between individual commitments (love for a spouse) and political commitments (the Danish monarchy), Gertrude chooses the political – which enrages Hamlet.

Act I, Scene III

If Hamlet is all melancholy and grief, Polonius is his optimistic foil. In scene III, as his son Laertes prepares to leave for France, Polonius delivers the following lines:

This above all,—to thine own self be true;

And it must follow, as the night the day,

Thou canst not then be false to any man.

On the surface, this is good (if cliché) advice. Indeed, these words have become a commonplace maxim for self-assured individualism. ( They even made it into Clueless . ) However, given that the play characterizes Polonius as a bit of a fool, I’m inclined to read this quote as a Polonius merely performing the wise father for his son. This reading is supported by the fact that Polonius subsequently tells his servant Reynaldo to spy on Laertes in France.

Act I, Scene IV

Though the play introduces the ghost of Hamlet’s father in the first scene, it’s not until scene IV that Hamlet actually talks to it. Marcellus and Horatio bring Hamlet to where the ghost first appeared. The ghost appears again and beckons Hamlet to follow it. Horatio and Marcellus (wisely) tell Hamlet not to go with the spooky ghost that looks like his dad. Hamlet doesn’t listen and follows the ghost, at which point Marcellus says,

“Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.”

There’s no doubt that this quote speaks to the crisis in Denmark brought about by Claudius’s usurpation of the Danish throne. At the same time, the specific context of this quote tells us a bit more. As I mentioned above, the ghost refuses to speak – instead, he gestures to Hamlet to follow him. Horatio and Marcellus try to stop Hamlet, who threatens them and breaks away. Horatio then says that Hamlet “waxes desperate with imagination [delusion].” Only then does Marcellus say his famous line. When viewed in context, this famous line speaks both to the general state of Denmark and to the fact that the heir to the Danish throne is delusionally desperate to converse with his dead father.

Act I, Scene V

After his conversation with the ghost (during which the ghost tells Hamlet that Claudius killed him), Horatio and Marcellus find Hamlet in a distressed state. Hamlet makes them swear to never speak of what they’ve seen and then says the following:

The time is out of joint. O cursed spite,

That ever I was born to set it right.

Nay, come, let’s go together.

It’s easy to say that this is just a medical metaphor expressing that something is wrong in Denmark and that Hamlet is going to fix it. However, following Derrida , I can’t help wanting to do something more with this quote.

Let’s remember that Hamlet’s perception of his present has been disrupted by a ghost. Quite literally, the past has come back to haunt him. Add to this the ghost’s final words – “Adieu, adieu, adieu. Remember me.” Ultimately, Hamlet’s promise to remember the ghost is his motivation for the entire play. He strives in all his actions to make visible the memory of his father – as king, as father, as husband.

Understood in this way, Hamlet’s madness becomes more legible. Knowing what he does, Hamlet is a man out of time. Not only is he cursed with knowing, but, given the fact that he learned this truth from a ghost , it’s unlikely that anyone will ever believe him. Indeed, perhaps the final scene of the play, in which everyone dies, is the only way to set it right.

Act II, Scene II

Claudius and Gertrud are understandably concerned about Hamlet’s behavior. They send for Hamlet’s school chums, Rosencranz and Guildenstern, in the hopes that they can cheer him up (or at least figure out what’s wrong with him). Here is how Hamlet describes his mood:

“I have of late, but wherefore I know not, lost all my mirth, forgone all custom of exercises; and indeed, it goes so heavily with my disposition that this goodly frame the earth, seems to me a sterile promontory…What a piece of work is man, how noble in reason, how infinite in faculties, in form and moving, how express and admirable; in action how like an angel, in apprehension, how like a god: the beauty of the world, the paragon of animals. And yet, to me, what is this quintessence of dust?”

Understandably, the line “What a piece of work is man…in action how like an angel, in apprehension, how like a god” is the most famous part of this excerpt. Less familiar is Hamlet’s declaration that the beauty of man is, for him, the “quintessence of dust.” This sentiment certainly aligns with Hamlet’s more general obsession with the “ashes to ashes” materiality of the world and its creatures. (As a case in point, look no further than his conversation with the gravediggers in Act V.)

Even less familiar is the line that comes after “quintessence of dust.” Hamlet, seeing that Rosencranz is smiling, asks him, “Man delights not me; no, nor woman neither, though by your smiling you seem to say so.” Rosencranz then tells Hamlet that a troupe of actors is coming to the castle, at which Hamlet brightens. That Hamlet should swing from “quintessence of dust” to looking forward to a play is, at first, puzzling. This swing becomes clearer when Hamlet talks about the skills of the principal actor. Hamlet contrasts his own emotional paralysis with the feelings of the player. He wonders how the actor is able to summon such semblance of feeling without anything real behind it.

Famous Hamlet Quotes & Analysis – In sum…

Shakespeare’s longest play has everything you’d want in a drama – ghosts, pirates, poison, and existential musings on the inevitability of death. If you want to know more about Hamlet , I strongly suggest you check out this post on Hamlet’s famous “ To be or not to be…” soliloquy ). And if talking about Shakespeare is something you can see yourself doing for four years, check out this list of the best colleges for creative writing .

Hamlet Quotes & Analysis – Additional Resources

You may also find the following blogs to be relevant and useful:

1984 Book Summary
To Kill a Mockingbird Summary
Lord of the Flies Summary
AP Lit Reading List – the Best 50 Books
AP Lit Score Calculator
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Devon Wootten

Devon holds a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing & International Relations, an MFA in Poetry, and a PhD in Comparative Literature. For nearly a decade, he served as an assistant professor in the First-Year Seminar Program at Whitman College. Devon is a former Fulbright Scholar as well as a Writing & Composition Instructor of Record at the University of Iowa and Poetry Instructor of Record at the University of Montana. Most recently, Devon’s work has been published in Fugue , Bennington Review , and TYPO , among others.

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Hamlet Quotes Curator

Copied the quote:, hamlet quotes + their meanings/explanations.

"Hamlet Quotes" refers to a compilation of notable lines and dialogues from William Shakespeare's renowned play, Hamlet. These quotes encapsulate the depth and complexity of the characters, the intricacies of the plot, and the underlying themes explored throughout the play.

Ranging from introspective soliloquies to poignant exchanges between characters, the "Hamlet Quotes" offer profound insights into human nature, morality, and the human condition. As a result, they have become iconic and widely studied, continuing to captivate readers and theatergoers alike with their timeless relevance and poetic brilliance.

Below are various hamlet quotes with their meanings/explanations;

Hamlet Quotes + Their Meanings/Explanations

“God hath given you one face, and you make yourself another.” – Hamlet

As humans, we are constantly creating and redefining ourselves. It is a natural part of our development as individuals. We grow, learn, and change based on the interactions we have with the world around us. However, some people choose to do this process in an unhealthy way. They try to change their appearance to match what they believe is the “ideal” version of themselves. This can be incredibly damaging psychologically and emotionally.

“Now cracks a noble heart. Good night, sweet prince; and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.” – Hamlet

The quote reflects the sadness that the characters feel after killing each other. The quote can be seen as a metaphor for how life suddenly ends and all that is left is death.

“So full of artless jealousy is guilt, It spills itself in fearing to be spilled.” – Hamlet

Jealousy has always been a difficult emotion to understand. It is often portrayed as a mindless, destructive force, but in reality it is a complex and nuanced emotion. One of the things that makes jealousy so tricky to understand is that it can be full of artless jealousy or guilt. The former is more outwardly displayed and can involve feelings of spite and anger, while guilt is more inwardly felt and involves feelings of self-loathing and regret.

“There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.” – Hamlet

The world is full of surprises waiting to be discovered. From the most unlikely of places, there can be found beauty and wisdom waiting to be discovered. The world is a huge place and it's only through exploration that we can find out all that it has to offer. Life is too short to not explore and see what's out there.

“To die: to sleep; No more; and by a sleep to say we end the heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks that flesh is heir to, ‘tis a consummation devoutly to be wish’d.” – Hamlet

For most of us, however, death is something that we fear and dread. We want to live forever, or at least as long as possible. But death is inevitable - sooner or later, we all must face it head-on.

“If your mind dislikes anything obey it.” – Hamlet

If you have a mind that dislikes anything, then it is time to start obeying it. You need to find something that you like and focus on that. Once you find something that you like, then you can focus on what makes that thing good. When you do this, your mind will start to like the things that are good for you.

“But break, my heart, for I must hold my tongue.” – Hamlet

This quote Is a metaphor for speaking one's mind. He believes that it is important to be able to express oneself freely, even if it means breaking someone's heart.

“Where love is great, the little doubts are fear; Where little fears grow great, great love grows there.” – Hamlet

Love is a feeling that fills one with warmth and happiness. It is the perfect emotion that can make anyone feel good. However, love also has its challenges. One of the biggest challenges in love is overcoming fear. When fear is present, it can prevent couples from being able to have a strong relationship. However, when love is great, the little doubts are fear; and great love grows where little fears grow.

“He is dead and gone, lady, he is dead and gone; At his head a grass-green turf, at his heels a stone.” – Hamlet

He is dead and gone, lady, he is dead and gone; At his head a grass-green turf, at his heels a stone. The poet writes of the man who has passed away. He has seen the world and experienced all that life has to offer. He is now gone and can never come back.

“Our wills and fates do so contrary run.” – Hamlet

We often assume that the things we do will have a direct impact on our future, but that's not always the case. In fact, many of the things we do don't actually have any direct effect on our lives at all.

“There is special providence in the fall of a sparrow.” – Hamlet

There is something special about the fall of a sparrow. It always seems to bring good luck and happiness to those who see it. This may be because of the symbolism associated with this season. The leaves on the trees are changing colors, and the weather is getting colder. All of these things remind us that life is going to change soon.

“I must, like a whore, unpack my heart with words.” – Hamlet

He is unsure how to unpack his heart with words. This sentiment is echoed by many people, and for good reason. Words can be powerful tools, but often we don't know how to use them correctly.

“It is not nor it cannot come to good.” – William Shakespeare, Hamlet

The quote is used to describe the impossibility of a positive outcome in a situation. This quote is often used when someone has made a decision that they know will not lead to a desirable outcome.

“There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” -Hamlet

This is one of the most important messages that we can learn in life. The power of our thoughts can determine whether we are happy or sad, successful or unsuccessful. Our thoughts are what create our reality.

“Madness in great ones must not unwatch go.” – Hamlet

Thoughts of madness tend to plague great minds for a reason. It is the birthplace of creativity, inspiration, and innovation. Unfortunately, for many great ones, this creativity and inspiration can end up in madness. This is not something that should be taken lightly as it can have serious consequences both mentally and physically. Those who are afflicted with madness must be watched carefully to make sure they do not go off the deep end.

“To be, or not to be: that is the question.” – Hamlet

The quote is from William Shakespeare's play, Hamlet. It is usually translated to "To be or not to be, that is the question" but there are other translations that are more accurate. In the play, Hamlet is struggling with whether or not he should kill himself. He has been told by his father that he will either be a great king or a great prince, but he doesn't know if he can be both.

“This is the very ecstasy of love, whose violent property or does itself and leads the will to desperate undertakings.” – Hamlet

Ecstasy is a feeling of intense pleasure or joy. Some people experience ecstasy when they are in the midst of an intimate relationship, when they are listening to music or when they are experiencing some other form of pleasure. Ecstasy can be a very violent property, and it often leads the will to desperate undertakings.

“Remember me.” – Hamlet

The world is a small place. You never know when you're going to meet someone again. That's why it's important to take the time to remember people. Sometimes, we meet someone and they quickly leave our lives. We can't help but wonder what might have been if we remembered them better.

“Tis in my memory lock’d, And you yourself shall keep the key of it.” -Hamlet

The poem is about a man who loves a woman who is married to someone else. The man wants to tell her how he feels, but he doesn't know how to do it. He also doesn't want to hurt her feelings.

“One may smile, and smile, and be a villain.” – Hamlet

Smiling can be seen as a friendly gesture, but it is also a way to conceal one's true feelings. Psychologists have long known that smiling can influence people's moods, and recent research has shown that it can even make people more aggressive. In one study, participants were asked to perform a task that required them to make decisions quickly. Those who had been instructed to smile while doing the task made more decisions that were considered harmful than those who had been instructed not to smile.

“If it is now, ’tis not to come. If it is not to come, it will be now. If it is not now, yet it will come-the readiness is all.” -Hamlet

The quote is used to reassure people that what they are doing is best for them and their future.

“The lady doth protest too much, methinks.” -Hamlet

The quote, "The lady doth protest too much, methinks," is one that has been used throughout history. It is often used to describe people who are overreacting or who are not taking the situation seriously. This quote is often used to make a point or to criticize someone.

“My words fly up, my thoughts remain below: Words without thoughts never to heaven go.” – Hamlet

Thoughts are the engine that drives our actions, and without them, we may find ourselves stuck in ruts or unable to progress. The ability to think clearly and creatively is essential for success in any field, and can be learned through practice. By regularly engaging in thoughtful activities, we can help propel our minds to new heights.

“Thou know’st ‘tis common; all that lives must die, Passing through nature to eternity.” – Hamlet

Death is a natural process that happens to everyone. Birth and death are the two opposite ends of life. Death is the end of one life, but the beginning of another. All living things go through a cycle of dying and being reborn.

“Words, words, words.” -Hamlet

Words are powerful. They can define who we are and what we stand for. They can make us feel happy or sad, loved or hated. They can help us connect with others and express our feelings. But words also have the power to hurt, damage, and even kill. What we say matters, and it can have a powerful impact on others. So it's important to be careful what words we use and how we say them.

“Bad deeds will be revealed, no matter how people try to hide them.” – William Shakespeare, Hamlet

People often try to hide their bad deeds, but it's impossible to keep them secret forever. In fact, some secrets will eventually be revealed, no matter how hard people try to keep them buried. These secrets can lead to criminal charges, and sometimes even jail time.

“Doubt thou the stars are fire; Doubt that the sun doth move; Doubt truth be a liar; But never doubt I love.” – Hamlet

No matter what people say, doubt is always a part of life. Unfortunately, it can take over and make us question everything we know. We may doubt the stars are fire, the sun moves, or even the truth. But no matter how much doubt we feel, we should never doubt that we love. These five simple words are the foundation of our entire lives and should never be doubted.

“I shall speak daggers to her, but I will use none.” – Hamlet

The quote is attributed to Shakespeare. It is a famous line from his play "Othello." The play is about a man who is jealous and angry towards his wife.

“The very substance of the ambitious is merely the shadow of a dream.” – William Shakespeare, Hamlet

Dreams are a product of the human imagination. They are what we make of them and how we interpret them. Some dreams are just simple fantasies, some are prophetic and some represent our own personal journey. Dreams can be helpful in terms of learning and growth, but they can also be dangerous if not managed correctly.

“There is neither good nor bad, but thinking makes it so.” – Hamlet

Every person has their own perspective, and unless you share the same one as them, you will likely never see things from their perspective. This is why it is so important to think for yourself and not just blindly follow the opinion of others. The truth is, there is neither good nor bad, but thinking makes it so.

“Get thee to a nunnery.” -Hamlet

Nuns have been around for centuries and have played an important role in society. They are known for their calm demeanor, intelligence, and strong sense of community. Despite being known for their serenity, many nuns also dedicate themselves to social activism. There are many different types of nuns, including cloistered nuns who live in a convent or other type of religious community, and peripatetic nuns who travel around to provide services.

“For some must watch, while some must sleep so runs the world away.” – William Shakespeare, Hamlet

It has been said that some must watch, while some must sleep so runs the world away. For many people, work is their life and they cannot afford to miss even a single day of it. However, for others there is a certain peace and tranquility that can be found sleeping. Regardless of how you choose to spend your time, there are some shows that are definitely worth watching.

“Rich gifts wax poor when givers prove unkind.” – Hamlet

Giving someone a gift is supposed to be a heartfelt gesture of goodwill, but for some people, it seems that the act of generosity can quickly become tainted when the giver is unkind.

“I must be cruel only to be kind; thus bad begins, and worse remains behind.” – Hamlet

The quote is often used to describe the theory that bad things happen as a result of good intentions. The theory goes that if somebody is kind to someone else, that person may inadvertently cause that person to do something bad in return.

“A knavish speech sleeps in a fool’s ear.” – Hamlet

A knavish speech sleeps in a fool's ear. It is the kind of talk that delights in betrayal, cunning and gamesmanship - the very qualities that make it so dangerous. The proverb goes that wisdom is better than weapons of war, but this wisdom can often be thwarted by a clever enemy. As any seasoned strategist will tell you, the best way to foil your opponent's plans is to know what they are before they even happen.

“Nature is fine in love, and where ’tis fine, it sends some precious instance of itself after the thing it loves.” – William Shakespeare, Hamlet

Love is a powerful emotion that can be felt by both people in a relationship. It can make people feel happy and satisfied, even when they're facing difficult times. However, love also has its own set of challenges and problems. One of the most common issues couples face is disagreements about how to spend their time together. In order to avoid arguments, it's important for both people to respect each other's opinions.

“The Devil hath power to assume a pleasing shape.” – Hamlet

The devil has the power to assume a pleasing shape. In this way, he is able to deceive and mislead those who would oppose him. He can also take on the form of an angel or a saint, in order to gain the trust of those he wishes to deceive. The devil is also known for his cunning and his ability to lie in wait for unsuspecting victims.

“To be honest, as this world goes, is to be one man picked out of ten thousand.” – Hamlet

The odds are against you, and no matter how hard you try, you'll never be able to change that. But that doesn't mean you can't have a good life - if you approach life with the right attitude.

“Conscience doth make cowards of us all.” – Hamlet

The conscience is often seen as a hindrance to the actions that we take in life. However, the conscience can also be a source of strength for those who have it. The conscience can be a source of comfort and guidance when we are faced with difficult decisions. It can also be a source of motivation to act in accordance with our values and beliefs.

“Listen to many, speak to few.” – Hamlet

There are many benefits to speaking with a few people rather than listening to many. For one, it can be more efficient. When speaking with a few people, you can get more out of them since they will have more to share. Additionally, when listening to many people, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and distracted. By speaking with a few people, you can gain a better understanding of their perspective and what they have to say.

“I loved Ophelia. Forty thousand brothers could not, with all their quantity of love, make up my sum.” – Hamlet

In William Shakespeare's play, Hamlet, Ophelia speaks these words to her father, Polonius: " Forty thousand brothers could not with all their quantity of love, make up my sum." This quote has been interpreted in many ways. Some believe that Ophelia means that her love is greater than the love of all her brothers combined. Others think that she is saying that her love is infinite.

“To die, to sleep-to sleep perchance to dream-ay, there’s the rub, for in this sleep of death what dreams may come.” – Hamlet

Many believe that when we die, our consciousness transfers to the afterworld. Some believe that this is a happy place where we can live happily ever after. Others believe that this is a place of pain and suffering. No one really knows for sure what happens when we die. What we do know is that death is a sleep that can also bring us dreams.

“A man may fish with the worm that hath eat of a king, and eat of the fish that hath fed of that worm.” – Hamlet

This quote is often used to illustrate the principle that it is okay to take advantage of someone who is better than you. In this case, the worm is taking advantage of the fish, which are feeding off of it.

“There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance. Pray you, love, remember.” – Hamlet

There is rosemary, which is for remembrance. Pray you, love, remember and keep it with you always. Carry it with you in your heart. Remember the happy moments and the sad ones; remember who you used to be and who you are now. The rosemary will remind you of all the good times and will keep you from forgetting the people who mean the most to you.

“If we are true to ourselves, we can not be false to anyone.” – Hamlet

We must live our lives in accordance with our values, and if we do this, then others will also be true to themselves and be honest with us. This is the foundation of relationships - when both people are living by their values, they can trust and respect one another. When we're dishonest with ourselves, it's difficult to be honest with others, and eventually this creates distance between us.

“Let the doors be shut upon him, that he may play the fool nowhere but in’s own house.” – Hamlet

The phrase aptly describes one of the key dangers of narcissism: that it can lead to self-imposed isolation.

“Sweets to the sweet.” – Hamlet

When someone says "sweets to the sweet," they are likely referring to something that is pleasant and enjoyable. The phrase has been around for centuries and is still used today. It is often used as a way to show appreciation for something or someone.

“Give me that man that is not passion’s slave, and I will wear him in my heart’s core, in my heart of heart, as I do thee.” -Hamlet

Passion is something that can be both a good and bad thing. On the one hand, it can help us to feel alive and engaged in the world around us. On the other hand, too much passion can lead to reckless behavior or even hurt others.

“Sir, in my heart there was a kind of fighting that would not let me sleep.” – Hamlet

“He was a man, take him for all in all, I shall not look upon his like again.” -Hamlet

quote: "He was a man, take him for all in all, I shall not look upon his like again." These are the words of a man who has seen and experienced much in life. He speaks from personal experience, and what he has to say is worth listening to.

“You cannot, sir, take from me anything that I will more willingly part withal: except my life, except my life, except my life.” – Hamlet

The phrase is a line from the play Macbeth. The line is often used as a metaphor for how valuable something is to the speaker. This phrase is often used in negotiations where someone wants to protect something they value.

“No, no, he is dead, Go to thy death-bed: He will never come again.” – Hamlet

In this quote, he is warning the young couple that their love will never be requited and that they should go to their deathbed with the hope that they will be reunited in the afterlife.

“There’s a divinity that shapes our ends, Rough-hew them how we will.” – Hamlet

Whether we realize it or not, this all-powerful force is constantly at work in the world around us. From the moment we are born, fate is guiding us towards our destiny. And whether we like it or not, there is no escaping the hand of fate.

“Death, the undiscovered country, from whose bourn no traveler returns.” – Hamlet

Death is a topic that is often avoided by people, but it should not be. It is a natural part of life and should not be feared. Death should also not be the only thing we fear, because it is destined to happen to everyone. We should instead fear the things that we cannot control, such as our health and how we die. Death should not be the undiscovered country, because there are many things that still remain unknown about it.

“She is so conjunctive to my life and soul.” – Hamlet

This quote from a man speaks to the profound connection he has with his wife. He loves her deeply and considers her a vital part of his life. She provides stability and balance to his life, making it all feel much more complete.

“When sorrows come, they come not single spies. But in battalions!” – Hamlet

When sorrows come, they come in battalions. They come as a group, as an overwhelming force that can crush your spirit and take away your hope. But you don't have to be alone when these feelings arrive. There are people who care about you and will support you during this time. Reach out to them, and let them know that you need their help.

“Though this be madness, yet there is method in’t.” – Hamlet

Though this be madness, there is a method in the madness. This is what some may call a lucid dream, and it is one of the most fascinating experiences a person can have. Lucid dreams are dreams in which the dreamer is aware that they are dreaming and able to control their dreams. In a lucid dream, you can interact with your dreams and even make decisions that affect the course of the dream.

“There are daggers in men’s smiles.” – William Shakespeare, Hamlet

Daggers in men's smiles are a reality for many women. These hidden knives can often cause pain and hurt, especially when they're left unsaid. Women have been socialized to be hypersensitive to any hint of male hostility or aggression. They may interpret a benign smile as an insult or threat, when in reality the man may not even be aware of what he's doing.

“The rest, is silence.” – Hamlet

This quote conveys the idea that life is full of mysteries that we can never fully understand.

“A little more than kin, a little less than kind.” – Hamlet

In the animal kingdom, kin are the closest thing to family. They are there for support and help when needed, and will defend their territory and offspring fiercely. In humans, however, kin often falls short of fulfilling that role. Humans are meant to be more than just family; we're supposed to be a little more than kin, a little less than kind. Kin may provide emotional support, but they don't always offer financial help or practical assistance. That's where charity comes in.

“Too much of water hast thou, poor Ophelia, And therefore I forbid my tears.” -Hamlet

Water can be seen as a symbol of life. In the quote, "Too much of water hast thou, poor Ophelia," Shakespeare is warning her that she should not cry too much because it will make her look weak. He is also saying that she does not have enough water to support her tears and so he forbids them.

“This above all: to thine own self be true.” – Hamlet

Self-confidence is a key ingredient to success. It can be cultivated by fostering a positive self-image, setting personal goals, and taking pride in accomplishments. One of the most important things we can do to build self-confidence is to be authentic and truthful to ourselves. This means being true to our thoughts, feelings, and intentions. If we're honest with ourselves, we can develop trust in our own abilities and become more resilient when faced with challenges.

“O God, I could be bound in a nutshell, and count myself a king of infinite space-were it not that I have bad dreams.” – Hamlet

The quote is often used to describe how limited a human's life can be if they allow themselves to be trapped in a situation where they have no control.

“Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.” -Hamlet

Denmark's welfare system is in deep trouble and it's not just because of the country's ballooning budget deficit. Systemic problems with the way Denmark delivers social services have created a populace that is increasingly resentful and angry. Denmark's generous welfare system has become a major source of its economic woes, as people are no longer willing to work hard in order to receive government assistance.

“Lord, we know what we are, but know not what we may be.” – Hamlet

The quote, "Lord, we know what we are, but know not what we may be.." delves into the idea of identity, and how it can change over time. It discusses how people can be unaware of their potential, and how God sees all of us - both good and bad.

“More matter with less art.” – Hamlet

This quote sums up his opinion on the matter/art debate. He believes that more matter with less art is best, as this will produce more efficient results. This is because more efficient methods will be used to achieve the desired outcome, which in turn will save time and money.

“Give every man thine ear, but few thy voice; Take each man’s censure but reserve thy judgment.” – Hamlet

Every man has an opinion, but few have the courage to speak up. Take each man's criticism, but reserve your judgment. It is important to give everyone your ear, but be selective about what you say out loud. It is often better to withhold your opinion until you have more information. Only then can you form a fair and unbiased judgment.

“Brevity is the soul of wit.” – Hamlet

Humor is often based on the use of brevity. When we are able to communicate our thoughts in a concise manner, we are able to create humor. There are many different types of humor, but brevity is often the soul of wit. With so many distractions in our society, it is important to be able to communicate with others in a way that is easy to understand. By using brevity, we can focus on the message and not on the delivery.

“To be or not to be that is the question.” – William Shakespeare, Hamlet

The decision to be or not to be has been pondered by the greatest minds for centuries. To some, it seems like a trivial question - something that is easily resolved with a simple answer. But to others, it represents an eternal question that can never be answered.

“Give thy thoughts no tongue.” – Hamlet

Thought is the root of all action. It is the first step in any journey and the beginning of wisdom. The ability to think for yourself is the key to success. We should never forget that. Thinking without words is one of the most important skills we can learn. It is a way to connect with ourselves and our thoughts. It is also a way to communicate with others. Thought can be powerful because it can change our lives.

Other Quotes

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107 Exceptional Hamlet Essay Topics: Questions & Prompts

Every academic paper starts with a captivating idea, and Hamlet research paper or essay shouldn’t be an exception. In the list below, our team has collected unique and inspiring topics for you. You can use them in your writing or develop your own idea according to the format.

Here are some Hamlet essay topics for you:

Elaborate on the weather in Denmark. How does it reflect the state of affairs and mood in the country? How does it change throughout the play? Start this Hamlet essay by describing the foggy weather in the first scene and gradually provide more examples as evidence.
Think of irony in Hamlet . How and for what purposes did Shakespeare incorporate it in the play? Provide examples of the lines and situations that can be considered ironic.
Reflect on Gertrude’s marriages. Why did she marry Claudius? Did they have an affair when King Hamlet was alive? Or did she agree on the new marriage to help the country?
Compare and contrast Claudius and King Oedipus from Oedipus the King . What character traits do they share? Who is a better politician? Why?
Explain whether you think Gertrude is on Hamlet’s or Claudius’ side. Did she switch the side by the end of the play? Analyze her conversation with Hamlet and how she later told Claudius that Hamlet was mad. Why did she drink the suspicious (poisoned) wine?
Analyze the fact that dying Hamlet asked Horatio to spread his story. Will Horatio retell it without changes? Can he tell the truth about what happened at all?
Examine an approach to violence in Hamlet . Are violence and aggression excessive in the play? How do characters react to it? Comment on how violence is mainly linked to vengeance.
Consider the Ghost of Old Hamlet and all his appearances in Hamlet . Who saw him? Who do you think can see him? In your Hamlet essay, analyze every scene where he occurred and elaborate on why he did so.
Talk about the relationship between Gertrude and Old Hamlet. Analyze what we know about their marriage and her reaction to her husband’s death. Did Gertrude see the Ghost in the scene with Hamlet? Could she have pretended that she didn’t?
If Hamlet had survived, would he have been a good king? Analyze his strengths and weaknesses concerning the matter. Did he prove to be a good leader or politician in the play? Consider that Fortinbras explicitly stated that Hamlet could’ve become a good ruler.
Elaborate on the way Hamlet killed Polonius in act 3, scene 4. Why did Hamlet act so quickly and calmly when he hesitates to kill his enemy, Claudius? Was this murder intentional? Did Hamlet regret it or freak out about it?
Explore Hamlet’s mental state. How did grief affect him? His depression and suicidal tendencies are apparent. How do they change throughout the play?
Compare Hamlet’s attitude towards the only women in the play, Ophelia and Gertrude. Why does he shame both of them for their sexual relationships? Examine his dialogues with his mother and his (ex)girlfriend, where he expresses cruelty. Elaborate on how his mother’s remarriage affected his relationships with the women.
Examine the madness that Hamlet may or may not obtain. Thanks to his dialogue with Horatio, we know that he fakes his insanity. But could it have changed by the end of the play? What could’ve caused it? Analyze the evidence of his abnormal behavior and whether you can consider it natural, not acted.
Analyze how Hamlet reflects on suicide. Provide examples from the soliloquies where Hamlet presumably tells the truth about his feelings. He considers suicide as an option, way out of the situation. Why doesn’t he commit it? Or was his death close to suicide?
Consider whether the Ghost exists or not. A few people have seen him, but may it have been a case of mass hysteria? Hamlet may have gone mad over the death of his father and his mother’s remarriage. What if he imagined his dialogues with deceased King Hamlet? Provide evidence for that opinion or refute it.
Elaborate on Hamlet’s trust issues. He suspects everyone from the start except for one person. Why does Hamlet trust Horatio? Analyze how the prince never lies during their conversations, even when the truth is a little insane. Why does Horatio believe everything he says?
Examine friendship in Hamlet . Most of the relationships in the play are based on manipulation and benefit. Who can you see as friends in Hamlet ? Reflect on whether Hamlet values his friendship with Horatio. What can you say about Hamlet’s friends from childhood?
Analyze the literary period during which Shakespeare came up with Hamlet . What features of the Elizabethan era does he illustrate in the play? Examplify various scenes and dialogues to prove your point.
Consider prominent theatrical productions of Hamlet . How did they change over the centuries? What does modern theatre do that the Medieval one could not? Did theatrical performances evolve?
Compare and contrast the original play and Lion King by Disney corporation. What are the key differences that were made in the cartoon? Why did Disney decide to come up with them? Analyze which version do you like more and why.
Comment on the theme of death and mortality What events and objects made Hamlet obsessed with death? Elaborate on the role that religion plays in his considerations concerning the matter.
Examine Claudius’ soliloquy . What’s its role in the play? What’s the crucial idea of his speech? Elaborate on the reasons why Claudius, the villain, has a soliloquy in Hamlet .
Analyze all the symbols of death in the play What symbols from Hamlet refer to mortality? Speculate whether you can call fences, poison, unweeded gardens, flowers, and so on a symbol of death.
Explore the conflicts of Hamlet . The play combines inner and outer conflicts, which are addressed mainly through Hamlet’s monologues. List the fundamental oppositions and lines that exemplify them.
Reflect on Hamlet’s relationship with Gertrude Why is he upset with her? How does it affect his actions and opinion about all the women? Does Gertrude love her son?
Analyze the setting of the play. Does the fact that Hamlet takes place in Denmark play any crucial role? Speculate why Shakespeare may have decided upon this country and support your opinion with evidence.
Elaborate on Hamlet’s relationship with Ophelia. Does the prince consider her significant? Does he care about her? Compare how he treated Ophelia before and after her death.
Comment on Hamlet’s religious beliefs Does religion have an impact on the prince’s decisions? Why is Hamlet considered a protestant? Prove your point by providing evidence from the play.
Reflect on the theme of revenge Why does everyone value revenge in the play? Why do people passionately seek it in the society presented in Hamlet ? Elaborate on what impact it has on the characters’ motivations and decisions.
Consider the language of Hamlet . Explain that Shakespeare’s play is well-known for its rich language and broad vocabulary. He composed a few characters who pay close attention to the words they say and hear. Why is language crucial for Hamlet?
Examine Fortinbras. Who is he? Why is he a character foil for Hamlet? Analyze why he succeeded in everything he did and even became the king of Denmark.
Analyze imagery and descriptions in the play. How does Shakespeare enhance each scene by alternating descriptions of the weather and nature? Provide examples of prominent images presented in the play and elaborate on their purpose.
Compare Hamlet to Oedipus Rex . What do the characters of the famous plays have in common? Do they have a similar goal? Elaborate on how their character traits affect the endings of the respective plays.
Explore the deception in Hamlet . What things and events are built on lies? Why and how do characters try to manipulate each other throughout the whole play?
Elaborate on the imagery of rot and diseases How do unweeded gardens reflect the state of affairs? Explain how ill atmosphere foreshadows and represents problems caused by the actions of the royal court’s members.
Comment on the role of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern in the play. Speculate whether they are simply comic relief characters or they have another purpose in Hamlet . Why did Shakespeare decide that he needed such characters in the play?
Analyze Gertrude’s attitude towards Ophelia. Elaborate on the scenes where Gertrude communicates with Ophelia and mentions her. What does the queen think of her and her relationships with Hamlet? How does Gertrude comments on Ophelia’s death?
Compare Hamlet’s and Horatio’s character traits. In what ways are they different and similar? What Horatio’s qualities Hamlet explicitly admires and lacks?
Speculate on Shakespeare’s opinion about theatre. Examine a few references to the English stage of the Elizabethan era that the author put in the play in Act 2. How does he comment on the theatre of his own time through Hamlet’s lines of dialogue?
Explore the relationships between Hamlet and Claudius. Why does Hamlet suspect his uncle from the start? Does Claudius think of Hamlet as dangerous? When does he become highly aware of his nephew’s capabilities?
Consider the death of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. When and how did they die? Why does a reader find out about it after the deaths of the royal family members? Speculate on the reasons why it was structured to be so anticlimactic. Why did W. S. Gilbert write a short comic play about them?
Analyze the reception and comprehension of Hamlet . Why is it one of the most popular Shakespeare’s plays even today? Is it still relevant? Explain why nowadays our understanding of the play differs from the one from the writer’s era.
Comment on the appearance vs. reality in Hamlet . Why do so many characters pretend to have another personality or obtain character traits that they don’t have? Why does Hamlet see through the pretense?
Elaborate on Ophelia’s death . Was it a suicide, how gravediggers presumed, or an accident, as Gertrude claimed? Explain in your Hamlet essay the reasons for Ophelia to commit suicide. Did she have a choice?
Reflect on political corruption. What characters represent corrupted politicians in the play? How do they manipulate public opinion?
Analyze one movie adaptation of Hamlet . Write about the changes that were made in the film version. What differences from the play did you like? What changes were you surprised to see?
Examine the political situation in the play. What war did Fortinbras lead? Why? How does it affect Denmark during the play and after it’s the last scene?
Explore the role of women in Hamlet . The play presents the social norms that were relevant for people of this period. What parts of women’s lives did men explicitly control? Provide examples from the play.
Compare Laertes and Hamlet . Laertes is known as Hamlet’s character foil. Examine similarities and differences in their character traits.
Consider the doubt and indecisiveness of Hamlet . Why are such traits uncommon for the genre? What do they say about the prince as a character? Explain how these qualities affect the plot and Hamlet’s thought process.
Elaborate on the symbolism in the play. Finding symbolism can be challenging as the interpretations differ. Some individuals consider particular objects as symbols, while others don’t. What do you view as examples of symbolism in the play? Why? What role do they play in understanding the story?
Reflect on the Oedipus complex. Comment on whether Hamlet has it or not. Provide evidence from the play, especially from the scene with Gertrude, to prove your point. How can this idea be approached on the stage? Find examples of theatrical productions where Hamlet and Gertrude had a conversation in her closet.
Compare and contrast Claudius and Polonius. What character traits do they have in common? Explain how they are not who they are trying to appear. Who is better at lying and manipulating others? Why?
Examine how revenge affected characters in Hamlet . Three characters wish to avenge their fathers: Laertes, Hamlet, and Fortinbras. How does revenge affect their lives? Who succeeded in getting their revenge?
Consider the family theme. What role does family play for various characters? Elaborate on how blood ties motivate multiple characters.
Reflect on Yorick’s role in the play. Who was Yorick? What impact did he have on Hamlet during the prince’s childhood and present time? Elaborate on how Yorick led Hamlet to his last soliloquy.
Analyze the religious conflict of the play. How did events from Shakespeare’s time affect the theme of religion? Explain how Hamlet presents the conflict between Protestantism and Catholicism through the prince and King Hamlet.
Comment on the theme of madness. Who went mad in the play? Compare Hamlet’s and Laerte’s insanity to Ophelia’s one. How was her madness different from the other examples?
Explore Polonius’ character. What was Polonius’ motivation throughout the play? Whom did he manipulate, and why? Explain why he tried to appear a good person and a parent.
Elaborate on the reasons why Hamlet is the protagonist of the story. What makes him a tragic hero? Why is he considered a good person after every crime he committed and every cruel thing he said to his mother and Ophelia?
Think of the conflict of good and evil. What imagery is associated with each of them in the play? Does evil spread like a disease?
Explain how Hamlet differs from other plays of Shakespeare’s time . What new features and connections within the story did the writer present? How did Shakespeare make characters contribute to the plot?
Analyze the “To be or not to be” speech. It’s one of the most famous lines in history, but what meaning is behind it? Elaborate on the circumstances around the monologue and whether Hamlet is partially lying.
Reflect on performances of Hamlet. Choose a couple of performances on the stage or in a movie and compare them. Whose version of the character you prefer and why?
Elaborate on the movie Ophelia (2018). What’s intriguing about a story told from Ophelia’s point of view? Exemplify the differences from the original play and how the change of perspective affected the story.
Explore Hamlet’s obsession with inaction and action . What stops Hamlet from acting decisively? Exemplify situations from the play when characters act quickly, without any doubt compared to Hamlet’s almost constant hesitance.
Compare Hamlet and King Lear. What similar character traits have an impact on the respective plays? Can we call the prince and the king victims of the social norms?
Think of how the play’s themes are relevant nowadays . Which of them remained timeless, relevant for any period? Are any themes become obsolete and useless in today’s world? Elaborate on each theme separately with examples from the play.
Reflect on Hamlet’s mood swings . Provide examples of how the prince’s mood affects his actions and speech. What can and did influence his mood?
Examine Polonius’ death. Why was he hiding behind the tapestry during the scene? Was it his idea? How did he die? Elaborate on irony in the way he was murdered. How did it affect the plot?
Analyze Hamlet as an actor. Is he good at playing a character? Elaborate on his dialogue with the First Player and his opinion about acting.
Consider the motif of betrayal. Who betrays Hamlet? Explain how the attitude towards this act varies from character to character. How does Hamlet’s betrayal affect Ophelia?
Explore the connection between honor and revenge . Explain why it’s the principal motivation for such characters as Hamlet, Laertes, and Fortinbras. Comment on scenes where it reveals itself through actions and conversations.
Elaborate on Hamlet’s death. Was it the only logical conclusion for Hamlet’s psychological and emotional development? Was he satisfied?
Comment on the genre of the play . Can we call it revenge tragedy without any reservation? How did Shakespeare ruin the genre by Hamlet ?
Compare Hamlet and the Ghost. What can you say about the language that the characters use? List the lines that state that Hamlet and the Ghost look similar.
Think of the father-son relationships in the play . Analyze the relationships between Hamlet and King Hamlet and compare them to those of Laertes and Polonius. Which features are common for both of them?
Elaborate on the name Hamlet . What does it mean? What’s its country of origin? Add a sentence or two about Amleth.
Consider allusions to historical figures in the play. Why does Hamlet mention Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar in act 5? Why did Shakespeare include allusions at all?
Examine soliloquies in Hamlet . What’s their role in the play? Provide lines from soliloquies that let us dive into the thoughts and intentions of a character. Does anyone lie during such a speech?
Compare the two film adaptations of the play. Elaborate on different film techniques and alterations of the plot. Concentrate on one scene in particular and explain what changes were made.
Explore Hamlet’s nihilism. When does Hamlet start to display features that are inherent to this school of thought? Explain how the prince came to nihilism, what pushed him to this.
List the most painful moments of Hamlet’s life and elaborate on them. Include events that happened before the first act and within the play. Prove your point with evidence from the prince’s lines.
Think of what poison represents. What does it refer to? Who dies from poison in the play?
Consider the play from the public’s perspective. How does Claudius manipulate the public’s opinion? What do people think of the new king and Hamlet?
Compare and contrast Gertrude and Ophelia. What traits do they have in common? Explain differences and similarities in their affection towards Hamlet. Who controls these women?
Elaborate on the villain of the story. Who can be considered an antagonist of the play? Why do some people regard Hamlet as a villain?
Imagine how Hamlet could’ve reacted to modern society. What aspects of the future would he appreciate? What social norms would shock him? Would he be more comfortable in our period?
Evaluate all the relationships in Hamlet’s life. What’s the most significant one? Why? What relationships changed throughout the play?
Comment on contradictions in the play. What contradictions does Hamlet face? Is he himself a contradictory character? Provide examples of Hamlet’s contradictions
Explore the fencing in the last scene of Hamlet . What does it contribute to the story? Does it affect the end of the duel?
Elaborate on the gravediggers. How did their job affect their attitude towards death? Comment on their humor and whether it’s a coping mechanism. Does it illustrate their perception of life?
Compare Claudius and King Hamlet. What qualities differentiate them? What do they have in common? Speculate on who was a more talented politician and a better leader.
Think of comic relief in Hamlet . Comment on how Polonius, Osric, gravediggers, and Hamlet’s dialogues with them enlighten the mood. Was the humor appropriate for revenge tragedies before Shakespeare?
Consider foreshadowing in the play. What events are foreshadowed early on in Hamlet ? Present lines and features from act 1 that indicate the tragic end.
Elaborate on justice and truth . How does Shakespeare show attitude towards justice common for this time? Does Hamlet approach fairness differently from the others? Elaborate on how Hamlet both pursue the truth and ignores it.
Examine the “Get thee to a nunnery, go.” sentence. Why did Hamlet say so to Ophelia? What made the prince think that she was vicious?
Comment on Hamlet’s cruelty. When does Hamlet become cruel towards other characters? Is he cruel towards himself? Analyze situations where Hamlet talks viciously and whether it’s intentional or not.
Explore Hamlet’s character . Why is the prince such an unusual figure for revenge tragedies? Explain how Shakespeare created the hero who struggles to act with firmness and constantly reflects on his actions and decisions. Is he easy to understand and relate to?
Analyze the play within the play. What’s its role in plot development? Why did Hamlet let the play take place? Explain what scene he added and why. Elaborate on the title The Mousetrap .
Examine the consequences of revenge . What conclusion does Shakespeare provide for the theme of revenge? Explain how does it influence the deaths of Hamlet and Laertes, the absolute victory of Fortinbras.
Reflect on Hamlet’s hesitance to kill Claudius . Why does he consider murdering his uncle in act 1? What stops him? Illustrate all the occasions when Hamlet could’ve killed Claudius but didn’t, and one time he did. What pushed him in the end?
Compare Claudius to Laertes. Are there any similarities? How do these characters form an alliance by the end of the play?
Comment on Gertrude’s guiltiness . Hamlet considers his mother guilty of too many crimes, but was she guilty of anything? Speculate whether she participated in King Hamlet’s murder or had an affair with Claudius before her husband’s death. Was she loyal to Hamlet?
Elaborate on the “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark …“ line. Who says it? Explain the context of the line, its meaning, and what it foreshadows.
Examine Polonius’ advice to Laertes. Provide its meaning and reflect on Polonius’ intentions. Why is this speech ironic?

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Hamlet – important character quotes

NOTE: Don’t waste time learning off what act and scene each quote is from, it won’t gain you any extra marks in the exam. Just have a general sense of where they belong chronologically eg ‘In the nunnery scene…’ or ‘In the prayer scene…’ or ‘In the gravedigger’s scene…’

Act 1, scene 2 – Claudius conducts affairs of state, begs Hamlet not to be so melancholy, and Gertrude asks him to stay with them instead of returning to college.

“ A little more than kin and less than kind ” – Hamlet, aside. Reveals disgust at his new ‘relationship’ to his uncle/step-father Claudius

“ I have that within me which passes show/ these but the trappings and the suits of woe ” – Hamlet to Gertrude. Here Hamlet distinguishes between genuine grief (his own) and false grief (Gertrude/Claudius).

“ I shall in all my best obey you, madam ” – Hamlet to Gertrude . He deliberately snubs Claudius, and reluctantly obeys his mother.

“ that the Everlasting had not fixed/ His canon against self-slaughter ” – Hamlet He is so depressed that he contemplates suicide, but won’t go through with it because it’s a sin.

“ Frailty, thy name is woman ” – Hamlet, soliloquy. His opinion of women has plummeted following his mother’s hasty remarriage.

“O most wicked speed, to post/ With such dexterity to incestuous sheets!/ It is not nor it cannot come to good/ But break my heart, for I must hold my tongue ” – Hamlet, soliloquy. He feels constrained not to complain, but is disgusted by their relationship. The marriage of such close relatives would have been regarded as incest in Shakespearean times. It is doubly revolting because they don’t even wait until Hamlet’s Snr’s body is cold in the grave, thus showing a profound lack of respect for his memory.

“I shall not look upon his like again” – Hamlet to Horatio. Hamlet’s admiration for his father is clear. Hamlet believes that he is irreplaceable. Ironic comment because he will meet his father again (as a ghost) in the very next scene!

“I doubt some foul play…/Foul deeds will rise/ Though all the earth o’erwhelm them to men’s eyes” – Hamlet. The appearance of his father’s ghost makes him suspicious, but he is confident that he will discover the truth.

Act 1, scene 4 – Hamlet waits in darkness for the ghost to appear, whilst the sounds of revelry from Claudius’ court ring in the background.

“ oft it chances in particular men/ the stamp of one defect/ his virtues else be they as pure as grace/ shall in the general censure take corruption/ from that particular fault ” – Hamlet’s soliloquy revealing his intellectual side commenting on the reputation of Danes for being drunkards, he notes that men may be blessed with many gifts, abilities and virtues, but their one fault may be their downfall. A small element of evil can corrupt an otherwise virtuous individual.

Act 1, scene 5 – Hamlet meets his father’s ghost and learns the truth.

“ Haste me to know it, that I with wings as swift/ As meditation or the thoughts of love/ May sweep to my revenge ” – Hamlet to the ghost. Hamlet wants to know the details of the crime so he can immediately seek revenge.

“ From the table of my memory/ I’ll wipe away all trivial fond records…/And thy commandment all alone shall live/ Within the book and volume of my brain ” He swears to erase everything from his memory except this urgent demand for revenge

“ O most pernicious woman/ O villain, villain, smiling damned villain!…/ One may smile, and smile and be a villain/ At least I am sure it may be so inDenmark ” – Hamlet to himself He equally blames his mother (for her betrayal) and Claudius (for the crime) and reiterates an idea from Marcellus earlier on that “ something is rotten in the state of Denmark”.

“ No, you will reveal it ” – Hamlet to Horatio. At first he refuses to tell his best friend, Horatio, what he has discovered. Although he quickly changes his mind, this reveals the beginnings of his paranoia.

“ There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio/ Then are dreamt of in your philosophy ” –Hamlet to Horatio. The supernatural atmosphere increases as Hamlet maintains that science and rationality cannot explain everything in the universe.

“ The time is out of joint. O cursed spite/ That ever I was born to set it right !” He comments that the state of Denmark has been afflicted with a terrible sickness, and laments the fact that it is his fate/destiny to find the cure.

Act 2, scene 2 – Claudius sends Rosencrantz & Guildenstern to discover the cause of Hamlet’s madness; Hamlet fobs them off. They introduce a group of players to cheer him up, and he comes up with a plan to prove Claudius’ guilt.

“ It appeareth nothing to me but a foul and pestilent congregation of vapours ”. Hamlet to Rosencrantz & Guildenstern, revealing his disillusionment with the world.

“ My uncle-father, and aunt-mother, are deceived…/ I am but mad north-north-west ” – Hamlet to Ros & Guild. He reveals that he is only a little/only occasionally mad to his old school friends.

“ Oh what a rogue and peasant slave am I…/ Am I a coward…/I am pigeon-livered and lack gall/ To make oppression bitter ” – Hamlet soliloquy. Hamlet berates himself, having seen the passion of the players, for not acting on his own passionate desire for revenge.

“ The spirit that I have seen/ May be a devil…/I’ll have grounds/More relative than this ” – Hamlet soliloquy. He reveals part of the reason for his hesitancy (afraid to trust the ghost’s word), and resolves to have firmer evidence of his uncle’s guilt before he inflicts punishment.

“ the play’s the thing/ wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the king ” – Hamlet. He decides that the best way to test Claudius’ guilt is to make him face his own crime in the form of a play, and then watch for his reaction.

Act 3, scene 1 – the ‘nunnery scene’ opens with a meditation on life and death. Ophelia has been sent by Polonius/Claudius to speak to Hamlet so that they can test the theory that his madness is due to unrequited love. Hamlet is cruel and cynical towards her, either (a) because he realises she’s in league with Polonius/Claudius or (b) because he’s so disgusted with the idea of love/marriage following his mother’s betrayal of his father’s memory.

“ To be or not to be, that is the question/ Whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer/ The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune/ Or to take arms against a sea of troubles/ And by opposing, end them ” –Hamlet wonders which is preferable, life or death. At this point he sees life as nothing more than pain and suffering. Later in this speech he suggests that all that stops us from killing ourselves is the fear of the unknown – “ the dread of something after death”

“ Thus conscience does make cowards of us all/ And thus the native hue of resolution/ Is sicklied o’er with the pale cast of thought/ And enterprises of great pitch and moment/ With this regard their currents turn awry/ And lose the name of action ” – Hamlet soliloquy. The opening sentence can mean two things. First, that reflecting on the implications of an action can make us afraid of performing it (as he’s afraid of killing Claudius) or secondly, that our moral voice makes us fear doing what we know is morally wrong (committing murder). Our natural hot blooded reaction is cooled by over-analysing the issue.

“ No, not I, I never gave you aught ” – Hamlet to Ophelia as she attempts to return gifts that he gave her in the past. His response may suggest that he views this ‘new’ Ophelia as a stranger. His view of women has certainly suffered.

“ I did love you once ” – Hamlet to Ophelia “ Indeed, my lord, you made me believe so ” – Ophelia to Hamlet “ You should not have believed me…I loved you not ” – Hamlet to Ophelia “ I was the more deceived ” – Ophelia to Hamlet “ Get thee to a nunnery…if thou dost marry, I’ll give thee this plague for thy dowry: be thou as chaste as ice, as pure as snow ” Hamlet to Ophelia. Hamlets’ bitterness towards women generally, and towards his ex-lover Ophelia specifically is revealed in this scene. He ridicules her rejection of him, suggesting she is now only fit for a nunnery, where she can guard her virginity forever! It has been suggested that Hamlet knows that her father is hiding behind the arras. he may also suspect sudden change of heart was motivated by Polonius’ accusation that he only wanted her so he could steal her virginity and he is insulted that she thought so little of him.

“ If thou wilt marry, marry a fool, for wise men know well enough what monsters you make of them ” – Hamlet to Ophelia, offering a further critique of women.

Act 3, scene 2 – Hamlet tests and confirms Claudius’ guilt with the performance of “The Murder of Gonzago”. Ros & Guild and Polonius deliver the message that Gertrude wants to see him in her chamber.

“ Is this a prologue…? – Hamlet to Ophelia “ ’Tis brief my Lord ” – Ophelia to Hamlet “ As woman’s love ” – Hamlet to Ophelia. His obsession with his mother’s “ o’er hasty marriage ” is affecting his view of all women, and making him particularly cruel to Ophelia.

“ Lady shall I lie in your lap?”….. “did you think I meant country matters?” “That’s a fair thought to lie between maid’s legs ” Hamlet to Ophelia. He engages in sexual inuendo, suggesting that she, not he, is the one fixated on sex. Again, he is probably still hurt that she thought his only interest in her was sexual and broke off their relationship as a result.

“ Your majesty, and we that have free souls, it touches us not ” Hamlet during the play.

“ He poisons him I’ th’ garden for his estate…You shall see anon how the murderer gets the love of Gonzago’s wife ” – Hamlet to Claudius. Hamlet goads Claudius into a reaction, commenting repeatedly on the performance of the play (within a play) ‘the murder of Gonzago’. However, he makes a mistake when he makes the murderer in the play the King’s nephew. The members in the court who are watching the play don’t know that Claudius killed his brother, so they are likely to interpret this as Hamlet threatening to kill his uncle Claudius.

“ My wit’s deceased ” “ Sir, I lack advancement” “Do you think I am easier to be played on than a pipe ?”. Hamlet no longer views Rosencrantz & Guildenstern as friends, and refuses to give them a straight answer when they again try to probe the reasons for his madness/melancholy.

“ Let me be cruel, not unnatural; I will speak daggers to her, but use none ” Hamlet in soliloquy resolves not to put his feelings into action – he has promised the ghost of his father that he won’t punish Gertrude for Claudius’ crime. We are still unclear as to whether or not Gertrude was involved in his father’s murder but Hamlet seems convinced that she was.

Act 3, scene 3 – the prayer scene

“ Why this is hire and salary, not revenge ” – Hamlet soliloquy. He decides that if he kills Claudius at prayer, he’ll be acting like nothing more than a hired assassin. If Claudius goes to heaven, his punishment will be nought and Hamlet’s revenge will be incomplete.

“ Then trip him that his heels may kick at heaven/ And that his soul may be as damned and black/ As hell whereto he goes ” ” – Hamlet soliloquy. He resolves to wait until he is certain that Claudius will go to hell, by killing him when he’s committing a sin.

Act 3, scene 4 – Hamlet’s meeting with Gertrude, where he accidentally kills Polonius.

“ Hamlet, thou hast thy father much offended ” – Gertrude to Hamlet

“ Mother, you have my father much offended ” – Hamlet to Gertrude. Hamlet refuses to allow his mother to lecture him on correct behaviour.

“ Have you forgot me?” – Gertrude

“ You are the queen, your husband’s brother’s wife/ And would it were not so, you are my mother ” – Hamlet. Gertrude, shocked by his lack of respect, asks if he has forgotten that he is speaking to his mother. Hamlet’s disgust springs from the religious belief that the marriage of such close relatives as Gertrude and Claudius is wrong and incestuous.

“ A bloody deed – almost as bad, good mother/ As kill a king and marry with his brother ” – Hamlet to Gertrude. Hamlet’s response to his crime is cold and unemotional. He is so obsessed with the crimes of his uncle and mother, that he feels his own (he has just killed Polonius) pale into insignificance. He seems to think that his mother was involved in (or had previous knowledge of) the plot to kill his father Hamlet Snr. (Note: her response suggests she knew nothing of it)

“ Thou wretched, rash, intruding fool, farewell! / I took thee for thy better ”. Hamlet’s major emotion following his murder of Polonius is disappointment because he hoped it was Claudius hiding behind the arras. He seems unaffected by the fact that he has murdered a (largely) innocent man, and suggests that Polonius got what he deserved for being a meddlesome fool!

“ Have you eyes? You cannot call it love, for at your age/ The hey day in the blood is tame, it’s humble/ And waits upon the judgement, and what judgement/ Would step from this to this ?”. Hamlet forces his mother to look at two portraits of her lovers– one of his father, one of Claudius. He cannot understand how she could be satisfied with the pathetic replacement she has found.

“ A murderer & a villain…a vice of kings/ A cutpurse of the empire & the rule ”. Hamlet’s assessment of Claudius’ character, designed to torture his mother with guilt. (Cutpurse = Thief)

“ Do you see nothing there ?”. Hamlet is amazed that Gertrude cannot see the ghost. She becomes convinced that he is truly mad.

“ Confess yourself to heaven. Repent what’s past, avoid what is to come ”. Hamlet begs his mother to repent her sins. He wants to save her soul proving he still loves her.

“ For this same lord I do repent; but heaven hath pleased it so/ To punish me with this, and this with me/ That I must be their scourge and minister ”. Hamlet realises that he will eventually be punished for his crime, but he is also convinced that it is the will of the Gods that he be their instrument of vengeance and punishment. (Polonius’ deceit has been punished by Hamlet.) He no longer worries what is right and wrong – he has convinced himself that getting revenge is what God wants him to do.

“ I essentially am not in madness/ But mad in craft ”. Hamlet reveals to his mother that his madness is nothing more than an act, but warns her not to reveal this fact to her husband Claudius.

“ I’ll lug the guts into the neighbour room ”. Hamlet’s lack of respect for the dead makes us wonder if his remorse was genuine.

Act 4, scene 2 – Hamlet describes his old school friends as sponges, that soak up everything the King says. However, in the end, they will be cast aside: “ When he needs what you have gleaned, it is but squeezing you, and sponge, you shall be dry again ”

Act 4, scene 3 – Claudius quizzes Hamlet about the whereabouts of Polonius’ body and tells him he is to be sent toEngland‘ for his own safety’ , as there he can avoid punishment for the crime he has committed.

“ In heaven. Send hither to see. If your messenger find him not there, seek him i’ th’ other place yourself ”. It is threatening comments like this that convince Claudius that Hamlet is a threat to him and must be disposed of.

Act 4, scene 4 – Hamlet meets a Norwegian officer, who tells him of Fortinbras’ expedition to capture a small patch of land fromPoland. Hamlet then compares himself unfavourably to Fortinbras (although Shakespeare doesn’t necessarily agree – he seems to be ridiculing Fortinbras’ meagre justification for waging war).

“ What is a man/ If his chief good and market of his time/ Be but to sleep and feed? A beast no more…. Sith I have cause, and will, and strength, and means to do it… Rightly to be great/ Is not to stir without great argument/ But greatly to find quarrel in a straw/When honour’s at the stake/ How stand I then/ That have a father killed, a mother stained/ Excitements of my reason and my blood/ And let all sleep? While to my shame I see/ The imminent death of twenty thousand men/ That for a fantasy or trick of fame/ Go to their graves like beds, fight for a plot/ Whereon the numbers cannot try the cause ”

He knows that there is more to life than serving one’s bodily desires, otherwise we are no better than animals. He realises that he has no excuse for his inaction. He argues that the true sign of greatness can be seen in a man (like Fortinbras) who will fight over a trifle when his honour is at stake. By comparison, Hamlet sees his own inaction, when he has every reason to seek revenge, as pathetic. He is ashamed. However, the audience may be less sure of the righteousness of Fortinbras’ actions – he is, after all, causing the imminent death of 20,000 men for ‘a fantasy or a trick of fame’.

“ O from this time forth/ My thoughts be bloody, or be nothing worth ”. Hearing of Fortinbras’ leads to a further resolution to get revenge for once & for all.

Act 4, scene 6 – we hear from Horatio that Hamlet has escaped and is returning toDenmark.

Act 4, scene 7 – Claudius convinces Laertes that Hamlet killed his father, and devises a plan to get rid of him in a faux fencing match.

Act 5, scene 1 – the graveyard scene, where Hamlet muses on the nature of life and death, accidentally comes across Ophelia’s funeral, and fights with Laertes.

“ That skull had a tongue in it, and could sing once…This might be the pate of a politician, which this ass now o’er-reaches; one that would circumvent God ”. Hamlet muses on the idea that even those who attempt to by-pass God’s law and morality, cannot escape the inevitability of death.

“ Get you to my lady’s chamber, and tell her, let her paint an inch thick, to this favour she must come ”. However she paints her face, a lady will end up looking no more attractive than this skull (the irony of this thought lies in his ignorance of the fact that the grave is being dug for Ophelia). He again muses on the pointlessness of our worldly concerns, as none of us can avoid death. He later muses that many great leaders, like Alexander and Caesar, also ended up in the grave, just as the king, Claudius enters.

“ What is he whose grief bears such an empha sis?”. Again, Hamlet feels offended by what he sees as false and over the top protestations of grief.

“ I loved Ophelia. Forty thousand brothers/ Could not with all their quantity of love/ Make up the sum ” Hamlet feels the nature and quality of his love was more powerful than Laertes’. It is possible that his attack on Laertes is motivated by utter shock that Ophelia is dead and a combination of guilt and rage when Leartes implies that Hamlet may be partially to blame. He cannot bear the thought that he may have contributed to the death of this woman he loved and so lashes out.

Act 5, scene 2 – the fencing match between Hamlet and Laertes, which ultimately leads to the completion of Hamlet’s revenge, and the death of all of the major characters in the play.

“ There’s a divinity that shapes our ends/ Rough-hew them how we will ”. He now believes in a divine purpose behind everything that human beings do, in the idea that (even if we don’t know it at the time) there is a grand pattern. All of his recent good luck appears to Hamlet as proof that he has been saved from death for a greater purpose – to get revenge on Claudius and thus serve him with the divine justice he deserves for his crimes.

“ He should those bearers put to sudden death/ not shriving-time allowed ” Hamlet’s deceitful replacement of Claudius’ letter to the King of England with one of his own ordering the execution of Ros. & Guild, and his lack of remorse at their deaths reveals how morally tainted he has become in the course of the play by the deception and betrayal that surrounds him.

“ They are nor near my conscience, their defeat/ Does by their own insinuation grow ” Hamlet feels that they have only got what they deserved for getting mixed up with a villain like Claudius. He assumes that they knew about the plot to have him killed.

“ He that hath killed my king, and whored my mother/ Popped in between th’ election and my hopes/ Thrown out his angle for my proper life ” This is a summary of all of Hamlet’s grievances with Claudius – he killed his father, turned his mother into a slut, prevented Hamlet from gaining the throne, and then attempted to have him killed.

“ I am very sorry, good Horatio/ That to Laertes I forgot myself/ For by the image of my cause I see/ The portraiture of his ”. Hamlet regrets his row with Laertes, because he realises that Laertes has a just reason for seeking vengence, and that in thus they are very much alike.

“ I will win for him if I can; if not, I will gain nothing but my shame and the odd hits ”. Hamlet casually accepts the invitation to a duel, as though he has nothing to lose

“ Thou wouldst not think how ill’s here about my heart… a kind of gaingiving as would perhaps trouble a woman ”. He is filled with a sense of foreboding, his spirit is troubled, but he suspects this is no more than womanly cowardice and superstition.

“ If it be now ‘tis not to come; if it be not to come, it will be now; if it be not now, yet it will come ”. Hamlet has lost all fear of death – he believes that if his time has come, there is nothing he can do about it. (Que sera, sera, whatever will be will be).

“ Give me your pardon sir, I have done you wrong…What I have done…I here proclaim was madness ”. Hamlet asks Laertes to forgive him, he did not knowingly kill his father.

“ How does the queen?…O villainy. Ho, let the door be locked…The point envenomed too?/ Then venom to thy work .” Hamlet stabs the King, then forces him to drink poison. His mother’s death finally provokes Hamlet to action. It is fitting that Claudius is killed with the weapons he himself poisoned in order to kill Hamlet.

“ Heaven make thee free of it ” Hamlet offers Laertes forgiveness as he lies dying.

“ If thou didst ever hold me in thy heart/ Absent thee from felicity awhile/ And in this harsh world draw thy breath in pain/ To tell my story ”. Hamlet begs Horatio on his deathbed to tell the truth to the world and thus protect his memory beyond the grave.

“ I do prophesy th’ election lights/ On Fortinbras. He has my dying voice…the rest is silence ”. Hamlet’s final words reveal his noble concern for the future of the kingdom, even as he lies dying.

After his death great tributes are paid to him by both Horatio & Fortinbras. Horatio says “goodnight sweet prince and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest” and Fortinbras comments “ Bear Hamlet like a soldier to the stage ; For he was likely, had he been put on, To have proved most royal “.

No more can be said of Hamlet – the rest is silence.

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Essays About Hamlet: Top 5 Examples and 10 Prompts

To write or not to write? To discover interesting topic ideas for your next essay, see below our round-up of helpful essays about Hamlet and writing topic prompts.

The tragedy of Hamlet , Prince of Denmark, is arguably the most famous work of William Shakespeare – or perhaps in the world of literature. A play revolving around love, betrayal, madness, and revenge, Hamlet is a masterpiece that opens with the murder of the King of Denmark. The ghost of the king will go on to appear before his son Hamlet throughout the play, seeking his help for vengeance by killing the new king, Hamlet’s uncle.

Written from 1600 to 1601 with five acts and published in a quarto edition, Hamlet has since been a beloved on the theatrical stages and modern film adaptations, becoming Shakespeare’s longest play and one of the most quoted in many art forms with its “To be or not to be” soliloquy.

Read on to see our essays and prompts about Hamlet.

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Top 5 Essay Examples

1. ”review: in a powerful ‘hamlet,’ a fragile prince faces his foes” by maya phillips, 2. “the concept of madness in hamlet by shakespeare” by cansu yağsız, 3. “analyzing the theme of religion in william shakespeare’s ‘hamlet’” by journey holm, 4. “ophelia, gender and madness” by ellaine showalter, 5. “the hamlet effect” by holly crocker, 1. the beginnings of hamlet, 2. was hamlet mad or not, 3. physicians’ diagnosis of hamlet, 4. feminism in the eyes of ophelia, 5. religion in hamlet, 6. oedipal complex in hamlet, 7. imageries in hamlet, 8. shakespeare’s language in hamlet, 9. an analysis of “to be or not to be” , 10. hamlet as a philosophical work.

“Hamlet” is one of the Shakespeare plays that most suffers from diminishing returns — adaptations that try too hard to innovate, to render a classic modern and hip.”

With the many theatrical adaptations of Hamlet, it may be a tall order for production companies to add new flairs to the play while being faithful to Shakespeare’s masterpiece. But Robert Icke, a theater director, stuns an audience with his production’s creative and technical genius, while Alex Lawther, his actor, offers a refreshing, charismatic portrayal of Hamlet.

“The cause of these three characters’ madness are trauma and unrequited love. They also have a spot in common: a devastating loss of someone significant in their lives… In my view, Shakespeare wrote about these characters’ madness almost like a professional about psychology, making the causes and consequences of their madness reasonable.”

Madness is the most apparent theme in Hamlet, affecting the main character, Hamlet, his love interest, Ophelia, and her brother, Laertes. The novel is most reflective of Shakespeare’s attraction to the concept of madness, as he was said to have personally studied its causes, including unrequited love, trauma from losses, and burnout.

“…I will argue that Hamlet’s hesitance to avenge his father’s death comes from something deeper than a meditation on another man’s life, a sort of faith. I will use three scenes in Shakespeare’s Hamlet to establish that the reason for Hamlet’s hesitance is religion and the fear of his own eternal damnation in hellfire.”

The essay builds on a pool of evidence to prove the religiousness of Hamlet. But, mainly, the author underscores that it is Hamlet’s religious reflections, not his alleged mental incapacity, that stifle him from performing his duty to his father and killing his murderer.

“Shakespeare gives us very little information from which to imagine a past for Ophelia… Yet Ophelia is the most represented of Shakespeare’s heroines in painting, literature and popular culture.”

The essay walks readers through the depictions of Ophelia in various stages and periods, particularly her sexuality. But the fascination for this heroine goes beyond the stage. Ophelia’s madness in the play has paved the way for constructive concepts on insanity among young women. She has also inspired many artists of the Pre-Rapahelite period and feminists to reimagine Hamlet through the lens of feminism.

“… [A]s the shame-and-troll cycle of Internet culture spins out of control, lives are ruined. Some of these lives are lesser, we might think, because they are racist, sexist, or just unbelievably stupid. Shakespeare’s Hamlet cautions us against espousing this attitude: it is not that we shouldn’t call out inane or wrong ideas… He errs, however, when he acts as if Polonius’s very life doesn’t matter.”

An English professor rethinks our present moral compass through the so-called “Hamlet Effect,” which pertains to how one loses moral standards when doing something righteous. Indeed, Hamlet’s desire for retribution for his father is justifiable. However, given his focus on his bigger, more heroic goal of revenge, he treats the lives of other characters as having no significance.

10 Writing Prompts For Essays About Hamlet

Essays About Hamlet written by Shakespeare

It is said that Shakespeare’s primary inspiration for Hamlet lies in the pages of François de Belleforest’s Histories Tragique, published in 1570 when Shakespeare was six years old. For your historical essay, determine the similarities between Belleforest’s book and Hamlet. Research other stories that have helped Shakespeare create this masterpiece.

Hamlet is the most fascinating of Shakespeare’s heroes for the complexity of his character, desire, and existential struggle. But is Hamlet sane or insane? That question has been at the center of debates in the literary world. To answer this, pore over Hamlet’s seven soliloquies and find lines that most reveal Hamlet’s conflicting thoughts and feelings.

Physicians have long mused over Hamlet’s characters like real people. They have even turned the cast into subjects of their psychiatric work but have come up with different diagnoses. For this prompt, dig deep into the ever-growing pool of psychoanalysis commentaries on Hamlet. Then, find out how these works affect future adaptations in theaters.

Throughout the play, Ophelia is depicted as submissive, bending to the whims of male characters in the play. In your essay, explain how Ophelia’s character reflects the perception and autonomy of women in the Elizabethan era when the play was created. You can go further by analyzing whether Shakespeare was a misogynist trapping his heroine into such a helpless character or a feminist exposing these realities.

Hamlet was written at a time London was actively practicing Protestantism, so it would be interesting to explore the religious theme in Hamlet to know how Shakespeare perceives the dominant religion in England in his time and Catholicism before the Reformation. First, identify the religions of the characters. Then, describe how their religious beliefs affected their decisions in the scenes.

Father of psychoanalysis Sigmund Freud proposes that Hamlet is hesitant to kill Claudius due to his Oedipus Complex, which grows with him in his adult years. An Oedipus Complex pertains to a male infant’s repressed desire to take possession of his mother from his father, who is viewed as a rival. First, write your analysis on whether you agree with Freud’s view. Then, gather evidence from passages of the play to agree or argue otherwise.

Hamlet in an “inky cloak” to signify his grief, a Denmark under Claudius linked to corruption and disease — these are just some imageries used in Hamlet. Find other imageries and explain how they achieved their dramatic effect on highlighting the moods of characters and scenes.

During Shakespeare’s time, playwrights are expected to follow the so-called Doctrine of Decorum which recognizes the hierarchy in society. So the gravediggers in Hamlet spoke in prose, as Hamlet does in his mad soliloquies. However, Shakespeare breaks this rule in Hamlet. Find dialogues where Shakespeare allowed Hamlet’s characters to be more distinct and flexible in language.

In the “To be or not to be” soliloquy, Hamlet contemplates suicide. Why do you think these lines continue to be relevant to this day even after centuries since Shakespeare? Answer this in your essay by elaborating on how Hamlet, through these lines, shares the suffering of the “whips and scorns of time” and our innate nature to endure.

In your essay, evaluate the famous philosophies that resound in Hamlet. For example, with the theme of suicide, Hamlet may echo the teachings of Seneca and the movement of Stoicism , who view suicide as freedom from life’s chains. One may also find traces of Albert Camus’s lessons from the Myth of Sisyphus, which tells of a human’s ability to endure.

Interested in learning more? Check out our essay writing tips . If you’re still stuck, check out our general resource of essay writing topics .

Hamlet: List of Essential Quotations for Leaving Cert

You may also like: Complete Guide: H1 Leaving Cert English Notes and Sample Answers

I am too much in the sun (Hamlet to Claudius)

the funeral baked meats did coldly furnish forth the marriage tables (Hamlet to Horatio)

Frailty, thy name is woman! (Hamlet to himself)

“Seems,” madam? Nay, it is. I know not “seems.” (Hamlet to Gertrude)

For if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog, being a god kissing carrion. (Hamlet to Polonius)

like a mildew’d ear (Hamlet to Gertrude)

To let this canker of our nature come In further evil? (Hamlet to Horatio)

I essentially am not in madness, but mad in craft (Hamlet to Gertrude)

To put an antic disposition on (Hamlet to Ghost)

O cursèd spite, That ever I was born to set it right! (Hamlet to Ghost)

The serpent that did sting thy father’s life now wears his crown (Ghost about Claudius)

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Hamlet Quotes: Read 30 Memorable Quotes From Hamlet ️
Thou canst not then be false to any man.". (Polonius, act 1 scene 3) "…though I am native here. And to the manner born, it is a custom. More honoured in the breach than the observance.". (Hamlet, act 1 scene 4) " Something is rotten in the state of Denmark. (Marcellus, act 1 scene 4)
50 Important Quotes You Should Pay Attention to in Hamlet
The Stranger. To Kill a Mockingbird. Never Let Me Go. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. The Crucible. The Memory Police. We've also got articles specifically on plays written by Shakespeare which you can access below: The Merchant of Venice. Romeo and Juliet.
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Hamlet Quotes About Life. "If we are true to ourselves, we can not be false to anyone.". "Brevity is the soul of wit.". "There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so.". "My words fly up, my thoughts remain below; / Words without thoughts never to heaven go.". "That one may smile and smile and be a villain.".
Important Quotes from Hamlet: Madness & Corruption Explored
Hamlet, Act 1 Scene 2. This is one of the most critical of Hamlet's madness quotes in the play. He proclaims these words after getting to know about Gertrude's marriage with Claudius. Being too concerned about his mother's decision to marry his uncle, Prince gets furious. The main reason for Hamlet's concerns is Gertrude's instant ...
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'To be, or not to be: that is the question'. Arguably the most famous quotation in the whole of Hamlet, this line begins one of Hamlet's darkest and most philosophical soliloquies.Yet interestingly, in the first printing of Hamlet, the lines were quite different (see the image from the Quarto, below right): 'To be, or not to be: that is the question' was instead 'To be, or not to ...
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Quote #4. What a piece of work is man! how noble in reason! how infinite in faculty! in form and moving how express and admirable! in action how like an angel! in apprehension how like a god! the beauty of the world, the paragon of animals! (Act II, Scene, II). Hamlet utters these lines in his first soliloquy.
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Hamlet study guide contains a biography of William Shakespeare, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. Best summary PDF, themes, and quotes.
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Hamlet Quotes. Doubt thou the stars are fire; Doubt that the sun doth move; Doubt truth to be a liar; But never doubt I love. This above all: to thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man. There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
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Revenge quotes in Hamlet "Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder" (Act I, Scene 5) This quote, spoken by the Ghost, sets the stage for the theme of revenge in Hamlet. The Ghost is urging Hamlet to seek revenge for his murder, which he claims was committed by Claudius.
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Like. "If we are true to ourselves, we can not be false to anyone.". ― William Shakespeare, Hamlet. tags: polonius. 442 likes. Like. "What piece of work is a man, how noble in reason, how infinite in faculties, in form and moving, how express and admirable in action, how like an angel in apprehension, how like a god!
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The head is not more native to the heart. - William Shakespeare. Hamlet, Act 1, Scene 2. Claudius tells Polonius' son Laertes that his relationship with Polonius is as close as that of the head to the heart. A little more than kin, and less than kind. - William Shakespeare.
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Hamlet. "O, villain, villain, smiling, damnèd villain!". ( Act l, Scene 5) Hamlet. "Frailty, thy name is woman!". ( Act l, Scene 2) Hamlet. "But, good my brother, /Do not, as some ungracious pastors do, /Show me the steep and thorny way to Heaven /Whiles, like a puffed and reckless libertine, /Himself the primrose path of dalliance ...
Famous Hamlet Quotes & Expert Analysis
Famous Hamlet Quotes (Continued) Quite simply, Hamlet is insisting that his melancholy is more than just skin deep. Any outward sign of grief (e.g., "suits of solemn black," "dejected haviour of the visage," or "windy suspirations") is mere semblance. According to Hamlet, his grief is the real deal - he " [has] that within which ...
Shakespeare's Hamlet essay, summary, quotes and character analysis
Master Shakespeare's Hamlet using Absolute Shakespeare's Hamlet essay, plot summary, quotes and characters study guides. Plot Summary: A quick review of the plot of Hamlet including every important action in the play. An ideal introduction before reading the original text. Commentary: Detailed description of each act with translations and ...
70 Hamlet Quotes + Their Meanings/Explanations
The former is more outwardly displayed and can involve feelings of spite and anger, while guilt is more inwardly felt and involves feelings of self-loathing and regret. "There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.". - Hamlet. The world is full of surprises waiting to be discovered.
107 Exceptional Hamlet Essay Topics: Questions & Prompts
107 Exceptional Hamlet Essay Topics: Questions & Prompts. Every academic paper starts with a captivating idea, and Hamlet research paper or essay shouldn't be an exception. In the list below, our team has collected unique and inspiring topics for you. You can use them in your writing or develop your own idea according to the format.
Hamlet
He deliberately snubs Claudius, and reluctantly obeys his mother. "that the Everlasting had not fixed/ His canon against self-slaughter" - Hamlet He is so depressed that he contemplates suicide, but won't go through with it because it's a sin. "Frailty, thy name is woman" - Hamlet, soliloquy.
Hamlet Essays
Quotes Quotes in Context ... If King Hamlet had had Hamlet's best interests at heart, he would have stayed dead and buried. ... Hamlet and the Imitation of Revenge," Critical Essays on Hamlet. New ...
Essays About Hamlet: Top 5 Examples And 10 Prompts
Top 5 Essay Examples. 1. "Review: In A Powerful 'Hamlet,' A Fragile Prince Faces His Foes" by Maya Phillips. "Hamlet" is one of the Shakespeare plays that most suffers from diminishing returns — adaptations that try too hard to innovate, to render a classic modern and hip.".
Hamlet: List of Essential Quotations for Leaving Cert
Frailty, thy name is woman! (Hamlet to himself) "Seems," madam? Nay, it is. I know not "seems." (Hamlet to Gertrude) For if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog, being a god kissing carrion. (Hamlet to Polonius) like a mildew'd ear (Hamlet to Gertrude) To let this canker of our nature come.
Hamlet Quotes
3.2 Hamlet (5th soliloquy) 'Let not ever/... The soul of Nero enter this firm bosom.'. - Nero was a Roman emperor who killed his mother by ripping out her womb. - he does not wish to follow this. 3.2 Hamlet (5th soliloquy) 'I will speak... daggers to her, but use none;'. Study with Quizlet and memorise flashcards containing terms like Marcellus ...

Hamlet Quotes

“ O, that this too, too solid flesh would melt , Thaw and resolve itself into a dew!”

“Listen to many, speak to a few.”

“Neither a borrower nor a lender be, For loan oft loses both itself and friend, And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry.”

“ Something is rotten in the state of Denmark. “

“That one may smile and smile and be a villain.”

“ There are more things in heaven and earth , Horatio, Than are dreamt of in our philosophy .”

“Though this be madness, yet there is method in’t.”

“ O, what a rogue and peasant slave am I! “

“God hath given you one face, and you make yourself another.”

“My words fly up, my thoughts remain below: Words without thoughts never to heaven go.”

“ I must be cruel only to be kind ; Thus bad begins, and worse remains behind.”

“ How all occasions do inform against me, and spur my dull revenge. “

“ Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio: A fellow of infinite jest. “

“If it be now, ’tis not to come: if it be not to come, it will be now: if it be not now, yet it will come: the readiness is all.”

“The rest is silence.”

“Now cracks a noble heart. Good-night, sweet prince; And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest. ”

“ Oh my offence is rank, it smells to heaven “

“ Now might I do it pat “

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