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.
“These _______ old ______.”
tedious, fools
“O, what a ______ and _______ slave am I!”
rogue, peasant
What does Hamlet suggest about himself as he refers to himself as a rogue and peasant slave?
He feels that he ignoble and unable to fulfill his cause of avenging prince, and also the fact that he is a slave to his hamartia of overthinking, trapped by it.
“must like a ________, unpack my _______ with _______.”
whore, heart, words
Provide A02 for the quote “must like a whore unpack my heart with words.”
This suggests that Hamlet feels cheap and undignified by the fact he cannot act but instead overthinks and speaks instead of being rageful and full of action.
What technique is used in the quote “must like a whore unpack my heart with words.”
simile
“________ of my ______.”
unpregnant, cause
What does Hamlet mean when he says he is unpregnant of his cause?
He feels emasculated due to his lack of action and purpose.
“I am _______-________ and lack ____.”
pigeon livered, gall
Why does Hamlet say that he lacks gall?
Gall was typically associated with being the storehouse of aggression and power, therefore he suggests that he lacks the aggression to avenge his father’s death.
Provide A02 for the quote “The harlot’s cheek, beautified with plastering art…. than is my deed to my most painted word.”
It suggests that his carefully crafted words are like a harlot’s plastering art (her makeup). Both are carefully crafted to conceal immorality.
“The ______ the _______, wherein I’ll catch the __________ of the ____.”
play’s, thing, conscience, king
“the ______ cheek, beautified with ___________ art….. than is my deed to my most _____________.”
harlot’s, plastering painted word
What does the rhyming couplet at the end of Act 2 suggest about Hamlet?
It suggests that he has reached a sense of resolution about seeking revenge for his father, and it is a dramatic end to the scene, introducing that we are now at the end of the play according to Freytag’s structure.
“To __, or not to __.”
be
“tis _____ in the mind, to suffer the _____ and ______ of ____________.”
nobler, slings, arrows, outrageous fortune
“sea of ______.”
troubles
What does Hamlet refer to as a sea of troubles?
Shakespeare uses a metaphor to describe how Hamlet views life as an endless struggle.
What does Hamlet refer to death as?
“the undiscovered country.”
“the ___________ country.”
undiscovered
Why does Hamlet refer to death as the undiscovered country?
Hamlet reflects a Renaissance mindset, wherby he is uncertain of what is to come after death. This contrasts the strong religious views of the time.
“the ______ hue of _____________ is __________ over with the pale cast of ___________.”
native, resolution, sicklied, thought
What does Hamlet mean by “the native hue of resolution is sicklied over with the pale cast of thought.”
it is a metaphorical reference to his hamartia of overthinking, which prevent him from acting.
What technique is used in the quote “the native hue of resolution is sicklied over with the pale cast of thought.”
colour imagery
“the power of ________ will sooner transform __________ from what it is to a _____.”
beauty, honesty, bawd
“Get thee to a __________.”
nunnery
Why does Hamlet say to Ophelia that “the power of beauty will sooner transform honesty from what it is to a bawd?”
a bawd is a brothel owner, suggesting that he beauty will taint her purity and turn her into a whore.
Provide A02 for the quote “Get thee to a nunnery.”
Hamlet suggests that Ophelia needs to go to an actual nunnery to preserve her virtue, now that she is not with him. However, nunnery is also Elizabethan slang for brothel, suggesting that she is a whore.
“be thou as chaste as _____, as pure as ____.”
ice, snow
“I have heard of your __________ well enough.”
paintings
“You _____ and ______, and you ______, you nickname _________, and make your ___________ your _________.”
jig, amble, lisp, God’s creatures, wantoness, ignorance
Provide A02 for the quote “you jig and amble, and you lisp, and nickname God’s creatures, and make your wantoness your ignorance?”
Hamlet suggests that Ophelia presents herself as childish and naive when it comes to sex, however she is fully aware.
What does Hamlet say to Ophelia in Act 3:2 to taunt her through bitter humour?
“Lady, shall I lie in your lap?”
“I mean, my head upon your lap.”
“DO you think I meant country matters?”
“how ________ my mother looks, and my ________ died within’s __________.”
cheerfully, father, two hours
“do you think I am ________ to be ________ on than a _____?”
easier, played, pipe
Why does Hamlet say to Rosencratz and Guildenstern “do you think I am easier to be played on than a pipe?”
Hamlet knows that they are working against him, so he mocks them for thinking they can play him and get information out of him.
“Let not ever, the ______ of _______ enter this ______.”
“Let me be _____, not _________.”
soul, Nero, bosom, cruel, unnatural
“O, my _________ is ______, it smells to ________.”
offence, rank, heaven
“________ business bond.”
double
“Is there not ____ enough in the _______ heavens, to wash it as ______________.”
rain, sweet, snow
“my _______, mine own ____________, my ________.”
crown, ambition, queen
What technique is used in the quote “my crown, mine own ambition, my queen?”
listing and repetition of possesive language
What does the listing in “my crown, mine own ambition, my queen,” suggest?
It emphasises how Claudius may be insincere in his repentance as he still considers the benefits of his crime which he posseses.
“O _______, as ______ as death.”
bosom, black
“heart with _______________, be ____ as sinews of the _____________.”
strings of steel, soft, new-born babe
What does the quote “and heart with strings of steel, be as soft as sinews of the new-born babe,” suggest about Claudius?
It makes him seem unrepentant. It actually reveals that he is not remorseful for what he has done and does not feel the way he should in order to truly ask for forgiveness.
“my ____ fly up, my _________ remain ______.”
fly, thoughts, below
What technique is used in the lines “Hamlet, thou hast thy father much offended.” “Mother, you have my father much offended.”
stichomythia
“Hamlet, thou has thy ______ much _______,” “________ you have my ________ much __________.”
father, much, Mother, father, offended
“Come, come, you ________ me with an ____ tongue.”
“Go, go, you _________ with a _________ tongue.”
answer, idle, question, wicked
What is the effect of stichomythia in Act 3:4?
It creates the sense of a heated argument. The quick exchange reveals annoyance at each other- Gertrude at Hamlet’s behaviour and Hamlet at Gertrude’s betrayal.
“and let me ______ your ______.”
wring, heart
Which quotes show Hamlet acting like an angered preacher, driving a confession?
“and let me wring your heart.”
“confess yourself to heaven , repent whats past.”
“takes off the ____, from the fair ________ of an innocent _____, and sets a ________ there.”
rose, forehead, love, blister
What does it mean when Hamlet says to Gertrude that she has set a blister there?
A blister is the mark of a whore, suggesting that Gertrude’s sexual appetite has corrupted her love for his father.
How does Hamlet describe his father through god-like imagery?
“Hyperion’s curls,” “the front of Jove himself,” “an eye like Mars to threaten and command.”
“an _____ like ______ to _________ and _________.”
eye, Mars, threaten, command
“This is the very _________ of your ________.”
coinage, brain
What is significant about Gertrude saying to Hamlet, “this is the very coinage of your brain.”
It suggests that the ghost is being imagined by Hamlet, which is interesting as the other characters have seen it. Could it be that Hamlet has gone mad and starts to imagine the ghost?
“Mad as the _____ and _____ when both contend.”
wind, sea
“How all ___________, do inform _________ me.”
occasions, against
Provide A02 for the quote “How all occasions do inform against me.”
Hamlet’s natural stance of self deprecation is seen here immediately. He critiques himself after every event.
“for she may strew _____________ conjectures, in ___ breeding _____.”
dangerous, ill, minds
How does the quote “for she may strew dangerous conjectures, in ill breeding minds,” present Ophelia?
It presents her as mad and a threat that needs to be controlled.
Which quotes show Ophelia asserting authority through madness?
“Say you? Nay, pray you mark.”
“Pray you mark.”
Which technique is used to show Ophelia asserting authority?
imperatives
Which aspect of Ophelia is focused on even when she is in madness? Provide quotes.
Claudius focuses on aspects of her physical apperance- her beauty.
“How do you, pretty lady?”
“Pretty Ophelia.”
“Let in the ______, that out the ______.”
maid
“Larded with _____________ which bewept to the ______ did not go.”
sweet flowers, grave
What does Ophelia mean by “Larded with sweet flowers, which bewept to the grave did not go?”
She is referring to the death of her father, describing in a traditional ballad to be a hero.
“Where is ______ king?”
this
What is the significance of Laertes saying “Where is this king?”
Laertes questions the legitimiacy of the king.
“That drop of _____ thats _____ proclaims me ________.”
blood, calm, bastard
Provide A02 for the quote “the drop of blood that’s calm proclaims me bastard.”
Laertes feels that by not pursuing revenge, he believes that would taint the honour of his father.
“To hell ___________! Vows to the ________ devil! ___________ and _______, to the ___________ pit.”
allegiance, blackest, conscience, grace, profoundest
What does the quote “To hell allegiance………” show about Laertes?
It shows that he would risk damnation to avenge his father.
What technique is used in the quote “To hell allegiance! Vows to the blackest devil! Conscience and grace to the profoundest pit!!
superlatives
What does Ophelia refer to, to highlight the corruption of the characters?
flowers- e.g.
“There’s fennel for you, and columbines.” “There’s rue for you.”
Which quotes show Claudius linking himself to Polonius, in order to flatter Laertes?
“that he which hath your noble father slain, Purs’d my life.” “I lov’d your father.”
“And gave you such a _________ report.”
“And for your ________ most ________.”
masterly, rapier, especial
What does Claudius do to flatter Laertes through deception?
He possibly builds up an anecdote, so that Laertes can feel confident about his skill and challenge Hamlet.
“Are you like the ___________ of a ________?”
painting, sorrow
What is the significance of Polonius questioning Laertes “are you like the painting of a sorrow?”
In order to stoke his anger, he suggests his anger and grief are feigned.
“To cut his ______ i’th the ______.”
throat, church
“Her clothes spread ______, and _______-_____ awhile they bore her up.”
wide, mermaid-like
“Like a ___________, native and _________.”
creature, indued
“_______ hath made it in him, a property of ___________.”
custom, easiness
Why does Horatio say about the gravediggers “Custom hath made it in him a property of easiness?”
The gravediggers are so used to death it no longer bothers them. This contrasts Hamlet who previously questioned the nature of death countlessly.
“To what _____ uses we may ________.”
base, return
“Alexander ______, Alexander was _______, Alexander _______ to dust.”
died, buried, returneth
“Imperious ______, dead and turned to _____, Might stop a _______ the keep the _____ away.”
Caesar, clay, hole, wind
What do the intertextual references that Hamlet make in the graveyard scene suggest about his views on death?
He realises how insignificant we become after death, even if one had status and power in the world such as Julias Caesar and Alexander the Great, but in death they may just be reduced to clay.
“Lay her in the ______, and from her ____ and ___________ flesh, may _______ spring.”
earth, flesh, fair, unpolluted, violets
In the final act, what is Ophelia still defined by, which is said by Laertes?
She continues to be defined by stereotypical values in innocence and purity. (“from her fair and unpolluted flesh…”)
“I have shot my ______ o’er the ______ and hurt my _______.”
arrow, house, brother
Provide A02 for the quote “I have shot my arrow o’er the house and hurt my brother.”
Hamlet acknowledges the fact that he has misdirected/misplaced his anger and hurt his brother/friend.
“Exchange ___________ with me, ______ Hamlet.”
forgiveness, noble
“I have some rights of _______ in this ________.”
memory, kingdom
What is the significance of Young Fortinbras saying that he has some rights of memory in this kingdom?
It suggests that he has some sort of lineage to the throne, and may be a suitable king for the kingdom.
“Bear Hamlet like a ________ to the ______.”
soldier, stage
What is the significance of Hamlet being beared to the stage like a soldier?
The avenging, noble prince that Hamlet strived to be throughout the play, is finally met in his death where he is raised as a figure of heroism and nobility.
