Hamlet Quotes

Long live the King! Bernardo to Franciscothe watchword(Act 1, Scene 1, Line 3)
You are the most immediate to our throne King Claudius to HamletKing is telling Hamlet not to return to school(Act 1, Scene 2, Line 113)
O, that this too, too sullied flesh would melt, thaw, and resolve itself into dew. Hamlet to himslefHe wishes he could cease to exist(Act 1, Scene 2, Lines 133-134)
Let me not think on’t; frailty, thy name is woman! Hamlet to himselfHe hates his mother and uncle’s marriageAct 1, Scene 2, Line 150)
Neither a borrower nor a lender be Polonius to LaertesDon’t borrow or lend money(Act 1, Scene 3, Line 81)
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 Polonius to LaertesIf you are true to yourself, you will be true to others. (Act 1, Scene 3, Lines 84-86)
Something is rotten in the state of Denmark Marcellus to HoratioThe ghost is an ominous omen that refers to the corruption of Denmark because of Claudius’ crime.(Act 1, Scene 4, Line 100)
As I perchance hereafter shall think meet to put an antic disposition on Hamlet to HoratioThe next time Horatio sees Hamlet, Hamlet will be acting crazy
The time is out of joint. O cursed spite that ever I was born to set it right. Hamlet to HoratioHamlet feels the weight of the world is on his shoulders.(Act 1, Scene 5, Lines 210-211)
Brevity is the soul of wit. Polonius to King and QueenIronic because Polonius is never brief(Act 2, Scene 2, Line 97)
Words, words, words. Hamlet to PoloniusHamlet is telling Polonius that he is literally reading words.(Act 2, Scene 2, Line 210)
Though this be madness, yet there is method in’t. Polonius (aside) to the audienceWhat Hamlet is saying is crazy, but it kind of makes sense.(Act 2, Scene 2, Line 221)
What a 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! the beauty of the world, the paragon of animals—and yet, to me, what is this quintessence of dust? Man delights not me— nor woman neither, though by your smiling you seem to say so. Hamlet to Rosencrantz and GuildensternHe says all the beauty in the world doesn’t mean anything to him.(Act 2, Scene 2, Line 327-334)
I am but mad north-north-west. When the wind is southerly, I know a hawk from a handsaw. Hamlet to GuildensternHamlet is only crazy when he wants to be; it is an act, and he is fully aware of what is going on.(Act 2, Scene 2, Lines 402-403)
More relative than this. The play’s the thing wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the King. Hamlet’s to himselfHamlet wants to prove the King’s guilt(Act 2, Scene 2, Lines 633-634)
How now a rat? Dead for a ducat, dead. Hamlet to tapestry (Polonius is behind it)Hamlet knows someone is listening to his conversation(Act 3, Scene 1, Line 29)
Rich gifts wax poor when givers prove unkind. Ophelia to HamletShe doesn’t want his gifts anymore because even expensive gifts are of no value if they’ve been given to by someone harsh; Hamlet’s not who she thought he was.(Act 3, Scene 1, Line 111)
Madness in great ones must not (unwatched) go. King Claudius to PoloniusThe King is worried for his own safety because of Hamlet’s madness.(Act 3, Scene 1, Line 202)
The lady doth protest too much, methinks. Queen Gertrude to HamletSpeaking during the play; thinks the woman in the play is doting on the player king too much.(Act 3, Scene 2, Line 254)
Give me some light! Away! King Claudius to gathered companyThis shows the King’s guilt which is provoked by the play.(Act 3, Scene 2, Line 295)
I will speak (daggers) to her, but use none. Hamlet to himselfHe plans to speak harshly with his mother, but he won’t physically hurt her.(Act 3, Scene 2, Line 429)
O, my offense is rank, it smells to heaven. King Claudius to himselfHe admits he is guilty of a horrible crime.(Act 3, Scene 3, Line 40)
My words fly up, my thoughts remain below; words without thoughts never to heaven go. King Claudius to himselfKing isn’t able to pray because he doesn’t believe he is guiltless.(Act 3, Scene 3, Lines 102-103)
That I essentially am not in madness, but mad in craft. Hamlet to Queen GertrudeHe is trying to convince the Queen that he is only acting, and not really mad.(Act 3, Scene 4, Lines 209-210)
Whom I will trust as I will Adders fanged. Hamlet to Queen GertrudeReferring to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern; doesn’t trust them.(Act 3, Scene 4, Line 226)
There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance. Pray you, love, remember. And there is pansies that’s for thoughts. Ophelia to LaertesOphelia is giving him these flowers (either imaginary or weeds) that have different meanings; shows she is crazy.(Act 4, Scene 5, Lines 199-201)
To cut his throat i’ th’ church. Laertes to King ClaudiusLaertes wants to kill Hamlet.(Act 4, Scene 7, Line 144)
Sweets to the sweet, farewell. Queen Gertrude to dead OpheliaSaying goodbye as she puts flowers in Ophelia’s grave(Act 5, Scene 1, Line 254)
The cat will mew, and the dog will have his day. Hamlet to everyone, especially LaertesWhat goes around, comes around.
There’s a divinity that shapes our ends, rough-hew them how we will. Hamlet to HoratioIt doesn’t matter what we do, our fates are sealed.(Act 5, Scene 2, Lines 11-12)
That I have shot my arrow o’er the house and hurt my brother. Hamlet to LaertesWith no direction and thought, he has hurt Laertes, and he’s sorry.(Act 5, Scene 2, Lines 257-258)
But I do prophesy the election lights on Fortinbras; he has my dying voice. Hamlet to everyoneHamlet predicts that Fortinbras will be the next King(Act 5, Scene 2, Lines 392-393)
Now cracks a noble heart. Good night, sweet Prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest. Horatio to Hamlet who just diedHe says bye to Hamlet and knows he’ll go to heaven(Act 5, Scene 2, Lines 396-397)