English Hamlet Quote Test Flashcards
“A little more than kin, a little less than kind.” (Act I, Scene ii)
Context, significance, modern-day context
This is said by Young Hamlet, he says it to Claudius when Claudius asks him why he is still so glum about his father’s death. By saying this, Hamlet is saying that it’s a little weird that he’s his uncle yet his moms husband, and that Claudius doesn’t seem to care much for Hamlet at all. He is also saying how, no matter how hard Claudius tries, he will never be Old King Hamlet or even close to it. This relates to step parents and how often times the children have trouble adapting to the new parent, especially when they are older.
“Frailty, thy name is woman.” (Act I, Scene ii)
Context, significance, modern-day context
This is said by Hamlet during his soliloquy. He is denouncing his mom for getting married so quickly after his fathers death. He is describing as all women as weak and frail. This still applies to modern day society with sexism.
“Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice.” (Act I, Scene iii)
Context, significance, modern-day context
This is said by Polonius to Laertes while he is preparing to leave for France. He is giving Laertes a lot of advice on how to act and present himself in France. In this specific line, he emphasizes the importance of listening and being discerning in what he says. This relates to when parents give their children advice, especially when they go off to college. A parents job still is to guide their child down the right path so they don’t make mistakes.
“Your bait of falsehood takes this carp of truth.” (Act II, Scene I)
Context, significance, modern-day context
This is again said by Polonius to Reynoldo. He has conjured up a “master” plan to spy on Laertes while he’s in France. When Polonius says this line, he says to use lies to help uncover the truth about Laertes. So basically, Polonius wants Reynoldo to spread false rumors about Laertes to see if anyone says “oh yea I heard that too”. This applys to modern day high schools and people spreading rumors about others to make that person look bad.
“Brevity is the soul of wit.” (Act II, Scene ii)
Context, significance, modern-day context
Polonius says this to the king in queen when they are alone. By saying this, he describes how intelligent people can use only a few words to express something. He says this because he wants to sound intelligent to the king and queen and is ironic because Polonius is seen as a man of many words and often repeats himself. Also, very rarely does he say or do something wise. This reminds me of Jafar and how he tries to come up with master plans and seem really smart, but often messes them up because he didn’t think them all the way through.
“Words words words.” (Act II, Scene ii)
Context, significance, modern-day context
This is said by Hamlet, and sums up what Hamlet is kind of doing. Hamlet says this when asked what he is reading to try and fein madness. However, it sums up exactly what the whole play is about. Talking about what you’re going to do and not doing it. Hamlet is the biggest victim of this up until the last act, all he does it say what he is going to do, and then procrastinates and never ends up actually doing it. This relates a lot to politics and politicians always saying they’re going to do this and that but it rarely ever ends up getting done.
“What a piece of work is a man!” (Act II, Scene ii)
Context, significance, modern-day context
Hamlet says this during another one of his soliloquies. In this moment, he is reflecting on the nature of humanity and human nature, which is something he does semi-often. Hamlet is marveling at the complexities of humans. However, while doing so he has a distasteful tone and also recognizes humans faults. This reminds me of TED talks where people contemplate different topics and not only talk about the good but the bad as well.
“Get thee to a nunnery.” (Act III, Scene I)
Context, significance, modern-day context
This is said by Hamlet to Ophelia when she is acting as bait. By saying this, he is saying a double entendre. It seems as if he thinks no one will want to have children with her so she should just go to a nunnery and give her life to god. However, he is also telling her that men as cruel beings and perhaps going to a nunnery would be the safest option for her to keep her purity. This relates a lot to women and how many don’t cherish their virginity to the point that many fathers have to almost shelter their daughters to protect them.
“The lady doth protest too much, methinks.” (Act III, Scene ii)
Context, significance, modern-day context
This is said by the Queen when everyone is watching the plays. She says this when Hamlet asks her how she is liking the play. Gerturde is trying to say that the player queens promises are too excessive and insistent to be credible. This line highlights the dramatic irony with Gerturde and quickly remarrying after her husbands death. This relates to widows and how women often have different ways of dealing with their grief and often get hate for it.
“My words fly up, my thoughts remain below. Words without thoughts never to heaven go.” (Act III, Scene iii)
Context, significance, modern-day context
This is said by Claudius after he is done praying to god. He is praying in hopes of relieving his body of the sin of murder. He is praying because of the play Hamlet had the players put on to hopefully cause Claudius to make some sort of movement to expose what he did. However, he knows that since he is still King and has all the power and his wife, no matter how hard he prays, he will never be forgiven until he gives up what he gained. This reminds me of when people on death row are about to be executed and they suddenly start praying even though they never believed or were dedicated to god to try and cleanse their souls.
“I must be cruel, only to be kind.” (Act III, Scene iv)
Context, significance, modern-day context
This line is said by Hamlet to his mom when he scolds her for remarrying too quickly. He is saying that he is only causing harm for her own good. Hamlet hopes that by saying mean things, he will make his mom realize remarrying so quickly was wrong. This relates to tough love, which people often do. If someone cares about you and doesn’t want you to be stupid, they will probably give you tough love so you understand what not to do.
“Lord, we know what we are, but know not what we may be.” (Act IV, Scene v)
Context, significance, modern-day context
Ophelia says this. This quote relates to the struggle of many of the characters in the means that each character knows who they are, but as the future unfolds and tragic events happen, they don’t know what they are capable of. This relates to modern-day fairy tales and stories of superheroes. Many times something traumatic happens to them and then they unlock something inside of them that makes them powerful.
“Alas, poor Yorick. I knew him, Horatio: a fellow of infinite jest.” (Act V, Scene i)
Context, significance, modern-day context
This is said by Hamlet when he is in the gravesite. The gravemaker is juggling skulls and shows one to Hamlet. Hamlet is told the skull was Yoricks and starts reminiscing about him as the old gesture. This moment is a big moment for Hamlet because it helps him realize that no matter what you do in life, everyone returns back to bones in the earth as nothing. This relates to people mourning by looking at old photo albums, pictures and videos to remind ourselves of the people who died.
“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.” (Act V, Scene ii)
Modern-day context
This is also a huge turning point for Hamlet. Hamlet says this to Horatio when Horatio asks if he is sure he wants to jump right into his plan. Instead of Hamlet trying to delay further he says if it doesn’t happen now, it’ll happen later, if it doesn’t happen later, it will happen eventually. He is admitting that there is no point in waiting anymore as it will come at one point or another. Humanity as a whole should always be ready for the unexpected. For example, Covid, new presidents, and changes to our world. Humanity has no control over these events so people should constantly be ready.
“The rest is silence.” (Act V, Scene ii)
Context, significance, modern-day context
These are Hamlets last words when he is dying. At this point in time, Hamlet is accepting death and the unknown that follows. This was something he often contemplating earlier in the play. This line could also suggest that he longed for death and can finally be at peace. He is also recognizing that while the whole time hes been saying words words words, and now he is left with silence. This relates to the constant movement of modern-day society. people are constantly doing things and the world would probably benefit from a day of silence and relaxation.
