Hamlet quote meaning

I hold my duty as I hold my soul, Both to my God and to my gracious King; And I do not think–or else this brain of mine Hunts not the trail of policy so sure As it hath used to do–that I have found The very cause of Hamlet’s lunacy. Act 2Polonius has come before Claudius to let him know that Hamlet has gone mad because Polonius has prevented him from spending time with Ophelia – and he is madly in love with her.Significance: Polonius has inserted himself into a situation that he doesn’t belong, and his meddling in Hamlet’s affairs is what leads to his own death – and the subsequent death of Ophelia.
Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet. Mine and my father’s death come not upon thee, Nor thine on me! Act 5 Meaning: Asks Hamlet to forgive him, says that Polonius’ and Laertes’ death was not Hamlet’s fault, and that Hamlet’s death was not Laertes fault.Significance: Laertes is trying to make amends wit Hamlet before they both die
But, good my brother Do not, as some ungracious pastors do, Show me the steep and thorny way to Heaven Whilst, like a puffed and reckless libertine, Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads And recks not his own rede. Act 1 Meaning:Ophelia tells Laertes that she will keep his advice close to heart, but he needs to practice what he tells her as well. Before this line he told Ophelia to value her virtue and virginity.Significance: Laertes before this tells ophelia to value her virtue and Ophelia points out that he needs to follow his own advice. This shows that men and women are treated differently during this time period.
Thus was I, sleeping, by a brother’s hand Of life, of crown, of Queen, at once dispatched– Cut off even in the blossoms of my sin, Unhouseled, disappointed, unaneled, No reckoning made, but sent to my account With all my imperfections on my head. Act 1Meaning: The King was sleeping, and Claudius murdered him before he could repent his sins.Significance: First time this is revealed to Hamlet
My words fly up, my thoughts remain below. Words without thoughts never to Heaven go. Act 3He wants to go to Heaven, but he’s not willing to give up what he got from his sins.Shows that Claudius is selfish and not truly kindhearted.
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. Act 3Hamlet gives the player directions on how to act in the play (specifically) The players need to portray what Hamlet thinks happened with his Fathers death. Decides whether Hamlet should act on revenge or not
Sweets to the sweet! Farewell! I hoped thou shouldst have been my Hamlet’s wife; I thought thy bride-bed to have deck’d sweet maid, And not have strew’d they grave. Act 5Meaning: Throwing flowers on to Ophelia’s grave, wishes Ophelia would have been her daughter in lawSignificance: Highlights Gertrude and Ophelia’s tragic situations, ironic because Hamlet has killed the girl his mother wanted him to marry.
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. Act 5Hamlet is dying and tells Horatio to not kill himself. Horatio can tell the story of the past events truthfully and not change it to be biased towards one person or anotherSignificance: Hamlet wants someone to explain what truly happened. It is the play’s resolution.
O Gertrude, Gertrude, When sorrows come, they come not in single spies, But, in battalions! First, her father slain; Next, your son gone, and he most violent author Of his own remove. Act 5When bad things happen they happen all at once. Everything was gradual but eventually everything happened all at once, showed how Hamlet is a tragic hero.
O Hamlet, thou hast cleft my heart in twain. Act 3Meaning: Gertrude feels hurt and guilty because of Hamlet’s confrontation.Significance: Shows Gertrude’s human emotions – she feels bad about marrying Claudius and what she has put her son through. Her loyalties are divided between Hamlet and Claudius.
O God, I could be bounded in a nutshell and count myself a king of infinite space, were it not that I have bad dreams. Act 2He could live in a nutshell and still be a king.Significance: Denmark is not a good place – there is much negativity. A person could be totally happy as long as they don’t think bad things.
August 28, 2019