Quotes Part One
"For who would bear the whips and scorns of time, Th' oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely, The pangs of despised love, the law's delay, The insolence of office, and the spurns That patient merit of th' unworthy takes, When he himself might his quietus make With a bare bodkin?"
Who says this quote, and what does it mean?
Hamlet
This quote means, "People are so scared to die that they are willing to deal with a lot of bad stuff on Earth during life: oppression, mean people, bad politicians, etc."
"Nothing at all, yet all that is I see."
Who says this, and what are they talking about?
Gertrude... she can't see the ghost that Hamlet just talked to!
What is the name of the play within the play?
The Mousetrap
In Act 3, Hamlet talks to the ghost again while with his mother. How does his mother react?
She does not see the ghost, and she thinks Hamlet is crazy.
Who does Hamlet kill at the end of Act 3?
Polonius
"O, what a noble mind is here o'erthrown! The courier's, soldier's, scholar's, eye, tongue, sword, Th' expectancy and rose of the fair state, The glass of fashion and the mould of form, Th' observed of all observers, quite quite down!"
Who says this quote, and what event directly preceded this quote?
Ophelia says the quote. This quote happens right after Ophelia meets with Hamlet as several individuals look on. This meeting was coordinated after Polonius told King Claudius and Queen Gertrude about Hamlet's madness and love for Ophelia.
"Do not forget. This visitation Is but to whet thy almost blunted purpose."
Who says this, and what does it mean?
The ghost says this. He is telling Hamlet to not forget that he needs to avenge his father's death. Don't forget your purpose, Hamlet!
What character represents Claudius in the play?
Lucianus
What difficult concepts is Hamlet wrestling with in his "to be or not to be" soliloquy?
Is it better to live or die?
Life is bad, but death is scary!
What does Hamlet ask the Queen to do at the end of Act 3?
He asks her to act normal and to tell King Claudius that he is not crazy.
"In second husband let me be accurst! None wed the second but who killed the first."
Who says this quote? What does it mean?
The Player Queen says this quote. It means that only a bad wife would get remarried after the death of their husband, and they are basically as bad as a murderer if they do.
"O, my offence is rank, it smells to heaven; It hath the primal eldest curse upon't, A brother's murder."
Who says this, and what are they saying?
King Claudius says this. He is admitting that he killed Hamlet, and he feels very guilty about it.
What does the queen think of the Player Queen in Hamlet's play?
She thinks she is too much. She is very critical of her.
What does Hamlet compare King Claudius to in Act 3 Scene 4 when he is talking to Queen Gertrude?
A mildewed ear
Where is Hamlet sent off to at the end of Act 3 and who with?
England -- Guildenstern and Rosencrantz
"I like him not, nor stands it safe with us To let his madness range. Therefore prepare you. I your commission will forthwith dispatch, And he to England shall along with you."
Who says this, what does it mean, and what is happening in the story when it is said?
King Claudius says this. It means that he dislikes Hamlet, and his craziness is dangerous. He think he needs to go to England immediately with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. This is after Claudius has watched Hamlet's play, and he is very upset by it.
"I am still possessed Of those effects for which I did the murder -- My crown, mine own ambition, and my queen. May one be pardoned and retain th' offence?"
Who says this, and what does it mean?
King Claudius says this. He feels guilty, but he does not think that God will forgive him if he prays. He does not think that he will be forgiven because he does not want to give up the crown, his wife, or his new life.
"Faith, I must leave thee, love, and shortly too; My operant powers their functions leave to do. And thou shalt live in this fair world behind, Honored, beloved and haply one as kind For husband shalt thou--"
Who says this quote from the play? What does it mean?
She is telling Hamlet that she cannot see the ghost that he is talking to. She is implying that he is crazy.
What is Horatio asked to do during the play by Hamlet?
He is asked to analyze and observe the king.
"My lord, he's going to his mother's closet. Behind the arras I'll convey myself To hear the process."
Who says this? What does it mean? What eventually happens to this person?
Polonius says this. It means he is going to go hide behind a curtain to listen to Gertrude and Hamlet's conversation. Polonius will eventually die behind this curtain.
"Thou wrteched, rash, intruding fool, farewell! I took thee for they better. Take thy fortune."
Who says this? Who do they say it to? What event directly precedes this?
Hamlet says this to Polonius. He says it right after stabbing and killing Polonius.
"So think thou wilt no second husband wed, But die thy thoughts when thy first lord is dead."
Who says this in the play? What does it mean?
The Player King. This means that he thinks that the Player Queen will change her mind about remarrying, and she will decide to get a second husband after his death.
Who is Hamlet going with to England at the end of Act 3?
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
At the end of Act 3 Scene 1, what is Claudius' and Polonius' plan for dealing with Hamlet?
Claudius wants to send Polonius to England, but Polonius urges him to allow the Queen to have one last conversation with Hamlet. Polonius will listen in on that conversation. If Hamlet truly is crazy, he will be sent to England.