Hamlet Quotes Flashcards
What does the opening of the play begin with?
“Who’s there?”
Provide A02 for the quote “Who’s there?”
Opening line of the play. Introduces the theme of uncertainty. Also could be linked to the idea that Denmark is preparing for war so the guards are more alert.
“It harrows me with fear and wonder”
Horatio- the nature of the ghost is ambigious as it brings both uncertainty and fascination. AO3- audience’s fear and fascination of the supernatural.
“I am _____ at ________.”
sick, heart
What is significant about Francisco saying “I am sick at heart?”
It hints at a sense of disease and corruption within Denmark- motif of disease and decay.
“It harrows me with _____ and ________ .
fear, wonder
Provide A02 for the quote “It harrows me with fear and wonder.”
The nature of the ghost is ambigious as it unsure what the ghost will bring- it is also a reflection of the contemporary audience’s fear and fascination of the supernatural at the time.
“It bodes some _________________ to our ______.”
strange eruption, state
What does Horatio mean by the ghost boding some strange eruption to the state?
The ghost is unexpected and will perhaps cause destruction, it suggests that it is a bad omen.
“it started like a ______ thing, upon a _________ summons.”
guilty, fearful
“young _________, of unimproved_______, ___ and ____ .”
Fortinbras, mettle, hot, full
Provide A02 for the quote “Young Fortinbras, of unimproved mettle, hot and full.”
It portrays Young Fortinbras as a character of rage and thirsty for revenge to avenge his father- “those forsaid lands, so by his father lost.”
“with that ____ and ________ form.”
fair, warlike
“Though yet of ______, ___ dear brother’s _____.”
Hamlet, our, death
“to bear ___ hearts in ______.”
our, grief
“____ whole ________.”
our, kingdom
What is the effect of the repetition of the plural pronoun “our” being used by Claudius?
It provides the kingdom with t a sense of solidarity and unison to provide them with stability following the loss of their previous king Old Hamlet.
“with an __________ and __________ eye.”
auspicious, dropping
Provide A02 for the quote- “with one auspicious and dropping eye.”
Claudius intends to present himself as balanced, acknowledging the sadness of Old Hamlet’s death, whilst also looking forward to the future. However, Shakespeare subtly hints at the idea that Claudius- with one smiling and one sad eye- is two faced.
“we have here ____ to ________.”
writ, Norway,
shows that Claudius takes a more diplomatic approach.
” a little more than ___, and less than ______.”
kin, kind
“______ Hamlet, cast thy ________ colour off.”
Good, nighted
“I am too much in the ____.”
sun
“______ madam? _____, it is. I know not ______.”
Seems, Nay, seems
Why does Hamlet say to his mother “Seems madam. Nay it is. I know not seems.”
He seem surprised at the fact that no one can comprehend the depth of his grief.
What does Hamlet repeat when he addresses Gertrude?
Madam
What tone does it create when Hamlet addresses Gertrude as Madam?
It creates a sense of respect
Which quotes suggest that Hamlet’s outer appearance is a representation of his grief?
“my inky cloak” “suits of solemn black” “suits of woe”
“But I have that ______, which passes ____.”
within, show
“too, too _______ flesh would ____.”
sullied, melt
“tis an ________ garden… things ____ and _____ in nature _____ it merely.”
unweeded, rank, gross, possess
“________ to a _______.”
Hyperion, satyr
What is the significance of Hamlet comparing Old Hamlet as a Hyperion, to Claudius- a satyr?
It suggests that he views his father in a god-like light, in contrast to Claudius who he views as being driven by base desires- comparing him to a lustful half man, half goat.
“a ______ that wants discourse of ________, would’ve ______ for _______.”
beast, reason, mourned, longer
“with such ________, to such __________ sheets.”
dexterity, incestuous
“________, thy name is _______.”
Frailty, woman
“a ______ in the ______ youth of _______.”
violet, primy, nature
What does Laertes mean by “a violet in the primy youth of nature?”
He suggests that violets which are meant to represent faithfulness, are also quick to bloom and quick to die. Therefore, he suggests that Hamlet’s feelings will not last and Ophelia must be wary of them
“you speak like a _____________.”
green girl
“the ______ galls, the _______ of the _______.”
canker, infants, spring
What does Laertes suggest when he says to Ophelia, “the canker galls the infants of the spring.”
He suggests that sex is something that corrupts and taints innocence and purity.
“chaste _________.”
treasure
“____ it Ophelia, ____ it.”
fear
Provide A02 for the quote “ your chase treasure open.”
metaphor- due to the patriarchal society of the time, a women’s value lies in her virginity. It also communicates the idea of being sold or won.
“You take these ______ for ________.”
tenders, true pay
Why does Polonius say to Ophelia that she has “taken these tenders for true pay, which are not sterling?”
He orders her to raise her proce by not engaging with Hamlet which would ruin her honour and worth.
“I shall _____, my ____.”
obey, lord
What technique is used in the quote “I shall obey, my lord?”
caesura
“____ me, ________ me.”
Mark, Remember
What is the significance of the ghost using imperatives?
The ghost seemingly has more control and power over Hamlet, therefore acting as a catalyst for Hamlet’s pursuit of revenge.
Which quotes suggest that Hamlet feels he has a duty to avenge his father?
“Speak, I am bound to hear.” “Thy commandment all alone shall live.” “I have sworn’t.” “I’ll wipe away all trivial fond records….” “Haste me to know’t.. so that I may sweep to my revenge.”
“______, I am ______ to hear.”
Speak, bound
“Thy ___________, all _____ shall live.”
commandment, alone
“I’ll wipe away all _______ fond records, all saws of _______, all _____, all ________ past.”
trivial, books, forms, pressures
“______ me to know’t…. so that I may _____ to my _______.”
Haste, sweep, revenge
“to put on an ________________.”
antic disposition
“put on him what __________ you ______.”
forgeries, please
“drinking, ________, _________, quarelling, or ________.”
fencing, swearing, drabbling
What technique does Polonius use when he speaks to Reynaldo of spying on Laertes, and what is the effect?
Listing- it shows that extent that Polonius will go to spy on his son.
“O my _____, my _____, I have been so _________.”
lord, affrighted
“more _______, with less ____.”
matter, art
Which quotes suggest that Polonius is using his daughter to get closer to the king?
“go we to the king.” “I will go seek the king.”
“My ____ shall be the _______ to that great ______.”
news, fruit, feast
Which quote suggests that Polonius speaks nonsense, presenting him as foolish in Acct 2:2?
“he is mad, tis true, this true, tis pity, and pity tis tis true.”
“You are a ____________.”
fishmonger
What is the significance of Hamlet calling Polonius a fishmonger?
It is a pun- as it is slang for a a fishmonger’s daughter being a prostitute, but he could also be mocking him for his pride, for thinking that e is that significant to the king.
