Hamlet: Act 2, Scene 2
Flourish. Enter KING and QUEEN,
ROSENCRANTZ and GUILDENSTERN,
[and Attendants.]
KING
1
Welcome, dear Rosencrantz and Guildenstern!
2. Moreover that: besides the fact that.
2
Moreover that we much did long to see you,
3. use: employ.
3
The need we have to use you did provoke
4. hasty sending: sudden summons.
4
Our hasty sending. Something have you heard
5
Of Hamlet's transformation; so call it,
6. Sith: Since.
6
Sith nor the exterior nor the inward man
7
Resembles that it was. What it should be,
8
More than his father's death, that thus hath put him
9
So much from th' understanding of himself,
10
I cannot dream of. I entreat you both,
11. of so young days: from early youth.
11
That, being of so young days brought up with him,
12. sith so neighbor'd to his youth and havior: since you are so close to him in age and manners. 13. vouchsafe your rest: be pleased to stay. 14-15. so . . . pleasures: i.e., so that by your companionship [with him] you can lead him to some amusements. 16. So . . . glean: so much as you can pick up at any opportune moment. ...more 17. aught: anything. 18. open'd: revealed.
12
And sith so neighbor'd to his youth and havior,
13
That you vouchsafe your rest here in our court
14
Some little time, so by your companies
15
To draw him on to pleasures, and to gather,
16
So much as from occasion you may glean,
17
Whether aught, to us unknown, afflicts him thus,
18
That, open'd, lies within our remedy.
QUEEN
19
Good gentlemen, he hath much talk'd of you;
20
And sure I am two men there are not living
21. more adheres: is more attached.
21
To whom he more adheres. If it will please you
22. gentry: courtesy.
22
To show us so much gentry and good will
23
As to expend your time with us awhile,
24. For . . . hope: in order to support and bring to a successful outcome what I hope to accomplish [i.e., curing Hamlet of his ills]. 25-26. Your . . . remembrance: The king is promising a rich reward to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
24
For the supply and profit of our hope,
25
Your visitation shall receive such thanks
26
As fits a king's remembrance.
ROSENCRANTZ
26-29. Both . . . entreaty: i.e., because you are our king and queen, you could command us to do whatever you want, rather than ask us.
26
Both your majesties
27
Might, by the sovereign power you have of us,
28
Put your dread pleasures more into command
29
Than to entreaty.
GUILDENSTERN
29
But we both obey,
30. in the full bent: most willingly, and to our utmost capacity.
30
And here give up ourselves, in the full bent
31
To lay our service freely at your feet,
32
To be commanded.
KING
33
Thanks, Rosencrantz and gentle Guildenstern.
QUEEN
34
Thanks, Guildenstern and gentle Rosencrantz:
35
And I beseech you instantly to visit
36
My too much changed son. Go, some of you,
37
And bring these gentlemen where Hamlet is.
GUILDENSTERN
38. our presence and our practises: our company and our efforts [to help Hamlet].
38
Heavens make our presence and our practises
39
Pleasant and helpful to him!
QUEEN
39
Ay, amen!
Exeunt ROSENCRANTZ
and GUILDENSTERN,
[and Attendants.]
Enter POLONIUS.
POLONIUS
40
Th' ambassadors from Norway, my good lord,
41
Are joyfully return'd.
KING
42. still: always.
43. liege: sovereign.
43. liege: sovereign.
42
Thou still hast been the father of good news.
POLONIUS
43
Have I, my lord? I assure my good liege,
44
I hold my duty, as I hold my soul,
45
Both to my God and to my gracious king:
46
And I do think, or else this brain of mine
47. Hunts not the trail of policy: i.e., doesn't smell out the trail of statecraft.
47
Hunts not the trail of policy so sure
48
As it hath used to do, that I have found
49
The very cause of Hamlet's lunacy.
KING
50
O, speak of that; that do I long to hear.
POLONIUS
51
Give first admittance to the ambassadors;
52. fruit: dessert.
52
My news shall be the fruit to that great feast.
KING
53
Thyself do grace to them, and bring them in.
Exit POLONIUS.
54
He tells me, my dear Gertrude, he hath found
55. head: i.e., primary cause. distemper: [mental] illness.
56. doubt: suspect. main: i.e., main cause.
56. doubt: suspect. main: i.e., main cause.
55
The head and source of all your son's distemper.
QUEEN
56
I doubt it is no other but the main;
57
His father's death, and our o'erhasty marriage.
KING
58. sift him: i.e., thoroughly investigate the cause of his problem.
58
Well, we shall sift him.
Enter Ambassadors [VOLTEMAND
and CORNELIUS, with POLONIUS].
58
Welcome, my good friends!
59. our brother Norway: i.e., my fellow-king of Norway. However, the King of Norway may be a blood relation ...more
59
Say, Voltemand, what from our brother Norway?
VOLTEMAND
60. Most . . . desires: i.e., a very gracious reply to your greeting, and to what you requested. 61. Upon our first: i.e., as soon as we mentioned it ...more 62. His nephew's levies: i.e., Fortinbras' raising of a military force. 63. the Polack: the Poles; the Polish nation. ...more
60
Most fair return of greetings and desires.
61
Upon our first, he sent out to suppress
62
His nephew's levies; which to him appear'd
63
To be a preparation 'gainst the Polack;
64
But, better look'd into, he truly found
65. griev'd: aggrieved, offended.
65
It was against your highness: whereat grieved,
66. impotence: weakness.
66
That so his sickness, age and impotence
67. falsely borne in hand: deceptively taken advantage of. sends out arrests: issues cease and desist orders.
67
Was falsely borne in hand, sends out arrests
68
On Fortinbras; which he, in brief, obeys;
69. in fine: in the end.
69
Receives rebuke from Norway, and in fine
70
Makes vow before his uncle never more
71. give the assay of arms: i.e., attempt an armed action.
71
To give the assay of arms against your majesty.
72
Whereon old Norway, overcome with joy,
73. in annual fee: i.e., promised as an annual payment.
73
Gives him three thousand crowns in annual fee,
74. commission: official permission.
74
And his commission to employ those soldiers,
75
So levied as before, against the Polack:
76. herein further shown: i.e., with the details spelled out in this document.
76
With an entreaty, herein further shown,
[Giving a paper.]
77. give quiet pass: i.e., give permission to travel without any trouble.
77
That it might please you to give quiet pass
78
Through your dominions for this enterprise,
79-80. On such regards of safety and allowance / As therein are set down: with such safeguards and provisos as are written down [in the diplomatic document from the King of Norway].
79
On such regards of safety and allowance
80
As therein are set down.
KING
80. likes: pleases.
80
It likes us well;
81. at our more consider'd time: i.e., at a time when I can consider [the matter] more carefully.
81
And at our more consider'd time we'll read,
82
Answer, and think upon this business.
83
Meantime we thank you for your well-took labor.
84
Go to your rest; at night we'll feast together.
85
Most welcome home!
Exeunt Ambassadors [VOLTEMAND
and CORNELIUS].
POLONIUS
85
This business is well ended.
86. expostulate: expound upon.
86
My liege, and madam, to expostulate
87
What majesty should be, what duty is,
88
Why day is day, night night, and time is time,
89
Were nothing but to waste night, day and time.
90. wit: sound sense, eloquence.
90
Therefore, since brevity is the soul of wit,
91
And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes,
92
I will be brief. Your noble son is mad.
93
Mad call I it; for, to define true madness,
94
What is't but to be nothing else but mad?
95
But let that go.
QUEEN
95. matter: substance. art i.e., rhetorical art; empty flourishes.
95
More matter, with less art.
POLONIUS
96
Madam, I swear I use no art at all.
97
That he is mad, 'tis true: 'tis true 'tis pity;
98. figure: figure of speech. The figure of speech which Polonius uses throughout this speech (even after he has promised to use "no art") is antanaclasis, the use of the same word in different senses.
98
And pity 'tis 'tis true: a foolish figure;
99
But farewell it, for I will use no art.
100
Mad let us grant him, then: and now remains
101
That we find out the cause of this effect,
102
Or rather say, the cause of this defect,
103. For . . . cause: Polonius uses a lot of words to say that Hamlet's madness must have a cause. 104. Thus . . . thus: i.e., it remains ...more 105. Perpend: Consider.
103
For this effect defective comes by cause:
104
Thus it remains, and the remainder thus.
105
Perpend.
106
I have a daughterhave while she is mine
107
Who, in her duty and obedience, mark,
108
Hath given me this. Now gather, and surmise.
[Reads.]
109
"To the celestial and my soul's idol, the most
110. beautified: adorned with many beauties. "Beautify" was a fairly common word, and I don't know just why Polonius objects to it. ...more
110
beautified Ophelia,"
111
That's an ill phrase, a vile phrase; "beautified" is
112
a vile phrase: but you shall hear. Thus:
[Reads.]
113
"In her excellent white bosom, these, etc."
QUEEN
114
Came this from Hamlet to her?
POLONIUS
115
Good madam, stay awhile; I will be faithful.
[Reads the] letter.
116
"Doubt thou the stars are fire;
117. the sun doth move:
117
Doubt that the sun doth move;
118. Doubt: In this instance, "doubt" is used in the sense of "suspect."
118
Doubt truth to be a liar;
119
But never doubt I love.
120. ill at these numbers: bad at versifying. ...more
120
O dear Ophelia, I am ill at these numbers;
121. reckon: (1) count; (2) number metrically, as when writing verse. The "groans" to which Hamlet refers are expressions of the pain which the stereotypical love-lorn man was supposed to experience. 124. whilst this machine is to him: while his body belongs to him; i.e., my whole life.
121
I have not art to reckon my groans: but that
122
I love thee best, O most best, believe it. Adieu.
123
Thine evermore most dear lady,
124
whilst this machine is to him, Hamlet."
125
This, in obedience, hath my daughter shown me,
126. And more above, hath his solicitings, / As they fell out by time, by means and place, / All given to mine ear: i.e., and furthermore, Ophelia has told me all about Hamlet's pleas for her lovewhen they happened, how they were delivered, and in what place they happened.
126
And more above, hath his solicitings,
127
As they fell out by time, by means and place,
128
All given to mine ear.
KING
128
But how hath she
129
Received his love?
POLONIUS
129
What do you think of me?
KING
130
As of a man faithful and honorable.
POLONIUS
131. fain: willingly, gladly.
131
I would fain prove so. But what might you think,
132
When I had seen this hot love on the wing
133
As I perceived it, I must tell you that,
134
Before my daughter told mewhat might you,
135
Or my dear majesty your queen here, think,
136. play'd the desk or table-book: acted the part of a desk or notebook; ...more 137. winking: closing of the eyes. mute and dumb: The two words mean ...more 138. with idle sight: i.e., without understanding or action. 139. round: straightforwardly. 140. bespeak: address.
136
If I had play'd the desk or table-book,
137
Or given my heart a winking, mute and dumb,
138
Or look'd upon this love with idle sight;
139
What might you think? No, I went round to work,
140
And my young mistress thus I did bespeak:
141. out of thy star: above your sphere; i.e., above your lot in life.
141
"Lord Hamlet is a prince, out of thy star;
142
This must not be." And then I precepts gave her,
143. his resort: visits from him.
143
That she should lock herself from his resort,
144. tokens: love tokens; keepsakes.
144
Admit no messengers, receive no tokens.
145. took the fruits of my advice: profited by my advice; i.e., followed my advice. 146. a short tale to make: to tell the story shortly. 147. fast: refusal to eat.
145
Which done, she took the fruits of my advice;
146
And he, repelleda short tale to make
147
Fell into a sadness, then into a fast,
148. watch: sleeplessness.
148
Thence to a watch, thence into a weakness,
149. lightness: lightheadedness. declension: decline, deterioration.
149
Thence to a lightness, and, by this declension,
150
Into the madness wherein now he raves,
151
And all we mourn for.
KING
152
Do you think 'tis this?
QUEEN
152
It may be, very likely.
POLONIUS
153. fain: gladly.
153
Hath there been such a timeI'd fain know that
154
That I have positively said "'Tis so,"
155
When it proved otherwise?
KING
155
Not that I know.
POLONIUS [Pointing to his head and shoulder.]
156
Take this from this, if this be otherwise:
157. circumstances: circumstantial evidence.
157
If circumstances lead me, I will find
158
Where truth is hid, though it were hid indeed
159. center: center of the earth; i.e., the most hidden place.
159
Within the center.
KING
159. try it: test it [i.e., Polonius' theory about Hamlet's madness].
159
How may we try it further?
POLONIUS
160
You know, sometimes he walks four hours together
161
Here in the lobby.
QUEEN
161
So he does indeed.
POLONIUS
162
At such a time I'll loose my daughter to him:
163. arras: hanging tapestry.
163
Be you and I behind an arras then;
164
Mark the encounter. If he love her not
165. thereon: because of that.
165
And be not from his reason fall'n thereon,
166. Let . . . carters: i.e., let me not be an important counselor in matters of state, but run a farm and employ common laborers.
166
Let me be no assistant for a state,
167
But keep a farm and carters.
KING
167. try it: test it. King Claudius is agreeing to Polonius' plan to hide behind an arras and observe an encounter between Hamlet and Ophelia.
167
We will try it.
Enter HAMLET, [reading a book].
QUEEN
168
But, look, where sadly the poor wretch comes reading.
POLONIUS
169
Away, I do beseech you, both away:
170. board: accost. presently: at once.
170
I'll board him presently.
Exeunt King and Queen.
170
O, give me leave.
171
How does my good Lord Hamlet?
HAMLET
172. God-a-mercy: i.e., thank you.
172
Well, God-a-mercy.
POLONIUS
173
Do you know me, my lord?
HAMLET
174. fishmonger: seller of fish. Editors often explain this as slang for a pimp, but there is no evidence for that meaning in Shakespeare's day.
174
Excellent well; you are a fishmonger.
POLONIUS
175
Not I, my lord.
HAMLET
176
Then I would you were so honest a man.
POLONIUS
177
Honest, my lord!
HAMLET
178
Ay, sir; to be honest, as this world goes, is to be
179
one man picked out of ten thousand.
POLONIUS
180
That's very true, my lord.
HAMLET
181
For if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog, being a
182. good kissing carrion: flesh good enough for the sun to kiss.
182
good kissing carrionHave you a daughter?
POLONIUS
183
I have, my lord.
HAMLET
184. Conception: (1) understanding; (2) conceiving a child. Hamlet is mocking both Polonius' lack of understanding and his over-protective attitude towards Ophelia.
184
Let her not walk i' th' sun. Conception is a
185
blessing: but not as your daughter may conceive.
186
Friend, look to 't.
POLONIUS [Aside.]
187
How say you by that? Still harping on my daughter:
188
yet he knew me not at first; 'a said I was a fishmonger.
189
'A is far gone, far gone: and truly in my youth I
190
suffered much extremity for lovevery near this. I'll
191
speak to him
again.What do you read, my lord?
HAMLET
192
Words, words, words.
POLONIUS
193. What is the matter, my lord?: Polonius asks about the subject matter of Hamlet's book, but Hamlet deliberately takes the word "matter" to mean "cause for a quarrel."
193
What is the matter, my lord?
HAMLET
194
Between who?
POLONIUS
195
I mean, the matter that you read, my lord.
HAMLET
196
Slanders, sir: for the satirical rogue says here
197
that old men have grey beards, that their faces are
198. purging: discharging.
198
wrinkled, their eyes purging thick amber and
199
plum-tree gum, and that they have a plentiful lack of
200
wit, together with most weak hams: all which, sir,
201
though I most powerfully and potently believe, yet
202. honesty: decency, a fitting thing.
202
I hold it not honesty to have it thus set down, for
203
yourself, sir, should be old as I am, if like a crab
204
you could go backward.
POLONIUS [Aside.]
205. method: sense; a connection among the ideas; sequence of ideas. 206. Will you walk out of the air, my lord?: Polonius is inviting Hamlet to come inside, because fresh air was thought to be bad for an invalid, such as Hamlet, who is (in Polonius' opinion) mad. Shakespeare has apparently forgotten that the scene started inside, in the "lobby."
205
Though this be madness, yet there is method
206
in 't. Will you walk out of the air, my lord?
HAMLET
207
Into my grave.
POLONIUS [Aside.]
208
Indeed, that is out o' the air.
209. pregnant: full of meaning. happiness: a lucky expressiveness.
209
How pregnant sometimes his replies are! a happiness
210
that often madness hits on, which reason and sanity
211. prosperously be delivered of: successfully express. 212. suddenly: at once.
211
could not so prosperously be delivered of. I will
212
leave him, and suddenly contrive the means of
213
meeting between him and my daughter.My honorable
214
lord, I will most humbly take my leave of you.
HAMLET
215
You cannot, sir, take from me any thing that I will
216
more willingly part withal: except my life, except
217
my life, except my life.
POLONIUS
218
Fare you well, my lord.
HAMLET
219
These tedious old fools!
Enter GUILDENSTERN
and ROSENCRANTZ.
POLONIUS
220
You go to seek the Lord Hamlet; there he is.
ROSENCRANTZ [To Polonius.]
221
God save you, sir!
[Exit POLONIUS.]
GUILDENSTERN
222
My honored lord!
ROSENCRANTZ
223
My most dear lord!
HAMLET
224
My excellent good friends! How dost thou,
225
Guildenstern? Ah, Rosencrantz! Good lads,
226
how do ye both?
ROSENCRANTZ
227. indifferent: average, ordinary.
227
As the indifferent children of the earth.
GUILDENSTERN
228
Happy, in that we are not over-happy, on
229
Fortune's cap we are not the very button.
HAMLET
230
Nor the soles of her shoe?
ROSENCRANTZ
231
Neither, my lord.
HAMLET
232
Then you live about her waist, or in the middle of
233
her favors?
GUILDENSTERN
234. privates: (1) intimate friends; (2) private parts.
234
'Faith, her privates we.
HAMLET
235
In the secret parts of Fortune? O, most true; she
236. strumpet: slut. Fortune (i.e., chance, luck) was often called a strumpet, because she grants favors to all men, without regard to their worthiness. What news?: i.e., what's up?; what's happening?
236
is a strumpet. What news?
ROSENCRANTZ
237
None, my lord, but that the world's grown honest.
HAMLET
238
Then is doomsday near. But your news is not true.
239
Let me question more in particular: what have you,
240
my good friends, deserved at the hands of Fortune,
241
that she sends you to prison hither?
GUILDENSTERN
242
Prison, my lord!
HAMLET
243
Denmark's a prison.
ROSENCRANTZ
244
Then is the world one.
HAMLET
245. confines: places of confinement.
246. wards: cells.
246. wards: cells.
245
A goodly one, in which there are many confines,
246
wards and dungeons, Denmark being one o' the
247
worst.
ROSENCRANTZ
248
We think not so, my lord.
HAMLET
249
Why, then, 'tis none to you; for there is nothing
250
either good or bad, but thinking makes it so. To
251
me it is a prison.
ROSENCRANTZ
252
Why then, your ambition makes it one; 'tis too
253
narrow for your mind.
HAMLET
254
O God, I could be bounded in a nutshell and count
255
myself a king of infinite space, were it not that I
256
have bad dreams.
GUILDENSTERN
257
Which dreams indeed are ambition, for the very
258
substance of the ambitious is merely the shadow
259
of a dream.
HAMLET
260
A dream itself is but a shadow.
ROSENCRANTZ
261
Truly, and I hold ambition of so airy and light a
262
quality that it is but a shadow's shadow.
HAMLET
263-264. Then . . . shadows:
263
Then are our beggars bodies, and our monarchs and
264
outstretched heroes the beggars' shadows. Shall we
265. by my fay: A casual way of saying "by my faith." I cannot reason: i.e., I can't keep up this exchange of witty remarks.
265
to the court? for, by my fay, I cannot reason.
ROSENCRANTZ and GUILDENSTERN
266. We'll wait upon you: we'll accompany you and be your attendants.
266
We'll wait upon you.
HAMLET
267. sort you with: consider you to be in the same class as.
267
No such matter: I will not sort you with the rest
268
of my servants, for, to speak to you like an honest
269. dreadfully attended: execrably waited upon.
269
man, I am most dreadfully attended. But, in the
270. beaten way: familiar path. what make you at Elsinore?: what are you doing at Elsinore?
270
beaten way of friendship, what make you at Elsinore?
ROSENCRANTZ
271
To visit you, my lord; no other occasion.
HAMLET
272
Beggar that I am, I am even poor in thanks; but I
273-274. are too dear a halfpenny: too expensive at the price of a halfpenny; i.e., not worth much.
273
thank you: and sure, dear friends, my thanks are
274
too dear a halfpenny. Were you not sent for? Is it
275
your own inclining? Is it a free visitation? Come,
276. justly: honestly.
276
deal justly with me: come, come; nay, speak.
GUILDENSTERN
277
What should we say, my lord?
HAMLET
278. Why, anything, but to th' purpose: i.e., get to the point. ...more
278
Why, anything, but to th' purpose. You were sent
279
for; and there is a kind of confession in your looks
280. your modesties have not craft enough to color: i.e., your sense of shame prevents you from covering up.
280
which your modesties have not craft enough to color:
281
I know the good king and queen have sent for you.
ROSENCRANTZ
282
To what end, my lord?
HAMLET
283. conjure: entreat. Hamlet uses high-flown language to mock the hypocrisy of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. 284-285. consonancy of our youth: similarity of our ages.
286-287. by . . . withal: i.e., by whatever is more precious that a more eloquent person could come up with. even: frank, honest.
286-287. by . . . withal: i.e., by whatever is more precious that a more eloquent person could come up with. even: frank, honest.
283
That you must teach me. But let me conjure you, by
284
the rights of our fellowship, by the consonancy of
285
our youth, by the obligation of our ever-preserved
286
love, and by what more dear a better proposer could
287
charge you withal, be even and direct with me,
288
whether you were sent for, or no?
ROSENCRANTZ [Aside to Guildenstern.]
289
What say you?
HAMLET [Aside.]
290. an eye of you: an eye on you.
290
Nay, then, I have an eye of you.If you
291
love me, hold not off.
GUILDENSTERN
292
My lord, we were sent for.
HAMLET
293-294. so . . . discovery: i.e., by telling you what you want to know before you ask, I will make it unnecessary for you to be revealed as spies. 295. moult no feather: i.e., not be impaired in the least. 296-297. custom of exercises: usual athletic exercises.
293
I will tell you why; so shall my anticipation prevent
294
your discovery, and your secrecy to the king and
295
queen moult no feather. I have of latebut wherefore
296
I know notlost all my mirth, forgone all custom of
297
exercises; and indeed it goes so heavily with my
298
disposition that this goodly frame, the earth, seems to
299
me a sterile promontory, this most excellent canopy,
300. brave: splendid.
301. fretted: ornamented as with fretwork. ...more
301. fretted: ornamented as with fretwork. ...more
300
the air, look you, this brave o'erhanging firmament,
301
this majestical roof fretted with golden fire, why,
302
it appears no other thing to me than a foul and pestilent
303. piece of work: masterpiece.
303
congregation of vapors. What a piece of work is a man!
304. faculties: abilities.
304
How noble in reason, how infinite in faculties,
305. express: exact.
305
in form and moving how express and admirable,
306
in action how like an angel, in apprehension how like
307
a god! The beauty of the world, the paragon of animals!
308. quintessence: purest essence. In ancient philosophy, the "quintessence" (fifth essence) is superior to the four essences (air, fire, earth, water) of this world; it the essence of all essences. Hamlet's phrase, "quintessence of dust" is very ironic.
308
And yet, to me, what is this quintessence of dust? Man
309
delights not meno, nor woman neither, though by
310
your smiling you seem to say so.
ROSENCRANTZ
311
My lord, there was no such stuff in my
312
thoughts.
HAMLET
313
Why did you laugh then, when I said "man delights
314
not me"?
ROSENCRANTZ
315
To think, my lord, if you delight not in man, what
316. lenten entertainment: meager reception. Lent is a period of fasting. 317. coted: overtook and passed.
316
lenten entertainment the players shall receive from
317
you. We coted them on the way; and hither are they
318
coming, to offer you service.
HAMLET
319
He that plays the king shall be welcome; his majesty
320
shall have tribute of me; the adventurous knight
321. foil and target: light fencing sword and small shield. 322. gratis: without reward. humorous man: eccentric character, expressing only one trait ("humor").
321
shall use his foil and target; the lover shall not
322
sigh gratis; the humorous man shall end his part
323
in peace; the clown shall make those laugh whose
324. tickle o' th' sere: i.e., easily made to laugh. ...more 325. halt: limp. Maybe the idea is that if the lady has to omit certain offensive words, the blank verse wouldn't sound right.
324
lungs are tickle o' th' sere; and the lady shall
325
say her mind freely, or the blank verse shall halt
326
for't. What players are they?
ROSENCRANTZ
327
Even those you were wont to take delight in,
328
the tragedians of the city.
HAMLET
329. residence: i.e., staying at home in the city.
329
How chances it they travel? their residence,
330
both in reputation and profit, was better both
331
ways.
ROSENCRANTZ
332-333. inhibition: hindrance [to playing in the city]. late: recent ...more
332
I think their inhibition comes by the means of the
333
late innovation.
HAMLET
334
Do they hold the same estimation they did when I was
335. the city: Although Hamlet is set in Elsinore, castle of the Danish king, Shakespeare seems to be thinking of England, where "the city" always referred to London, the center of all political and cultural activity. are they so followed? i.e., do people still talk about them and attend their performances as they used to?
335
in the city? are they so followed?
ROSENCRANTZ
336
No, indeed, are they not.
HAMLET
337
How comes it? do they grow rusty?
ROSENCRANTZ
338. their endeavour keeps in the wonted pace: i.e., they perform as well as they ever did. 339. aery: nest. eyases: unfledged hawks. 340. cry out on the top of question: cry shrilly, dominating the controversy. 341. tyrannically clapp'd: domineeringly applauded. 342. berattle: berate, satirize. common stages: i.e., public theatres [such as Shakespeare's Globe]. ...more 344. goose-quills: pens [of satirical playwrights].
338
Nay, their endeavour keeps in the wonted pace: but
339
there is, sir, an aery of children, little eyases,
340
that cry out on the top of question, and are most
341
tyrannically clapp'd for't: these are now the
342
fashion, and so berattle the common stagesso they
343
call themthat many wearing rapiers are afraid of
344
goose-quills and dare scarce come thither.
HAMLET
345
What, are they children? who maintains 'em? how are
346. escoted: maintained, supported.
346
they escoted? Will they pursue the quality no
347-348. quality: profession [of acting]. no longer than they can sing?: i.e., only until their voices change. 348-349. grow themselves to common players: themselves become regular actors.
347
longer than they can sing? will they not say
348
afterwards, if they should grow themselves to common
349
playersas it is most like, if their means are no
350
bettertheir writers do them wrong, to make them
351. exclaim against their own succession: denounce their own future profession.
351
exclaim against their own succession?
ROSENCRANTZ
352. to do: ado.
352
'Faith, there has been much to do on both sides; and
353. tarre: incite, urge on. The verb "tarre" was usually used in connection with dog fights. 354-356. there was ... in the question: i.e., for a while it was not possible to sell a proposal for a play, unless the action contained a scene in which a poet and an actor ("player") had a fistfight. "argument": plot outline. "in the question": in the action.
353
the nation holds it no sin to tarre them to
354
controversy: there was, for a while, no money bid
355
for argument, unless the poet and the player went to
356
cuffs in the question.
HAMLET
357
Is't possible?
GUILDENSTERN
358
O, there has been much throwing about of
359
brains.
HAMLET
360. carry it away: win the day.
360
Do the boys carry it away?
ROSENCRANTZ
361-362. Hercules and his load too:
One of Hercules' twelve labors was to hold up the world in the place of Atlas. Also, the sign of the Globe theater was probably the figure of Hercules holding up the world. These two allusions say that the boy players have taken the world by storm and have taken away customers from the adult actors. 364. mouths: derisive faces.
361
Ay, that they do, my lord; Hercules and his
362
load too.
HAMLET
363
It is not very strange; for mine uncle is king of
364
Denmark, and those that would make mouths at
365
him while my father lived, give twenty, forty,
366. ducats: gold coins.
366
fifty, an hundred ducats apiece for his picture
367. in little: in miniature. 'Sblood: by his [Christ's] blood. 368. philosophy: i.e., natural philosophy, science.
367
in little. 'Sblood, there is something in this more
368
than natural, if philosophy could find it out.
flourish: trumpet fanfare.
A flourish [for the Players].
GUILDENSTERN
369
There are the players.
HAMLET
370. Your hands: i.e., shake hands.
370
Gentlemen, you are welcome to Elsinore. Your hands,
371-375. come then: i.e., come on [shake hands]. Th' appurtenance . . . yours: i.e., the formalities of giving a welcome are determined by current fashion and ceremony. So, let me observe the usual formalities, lest my more enthusiastic welcome to the playerswhich, I have to tell you, must appear very warmshould appear more sincere than my welcome to you. (Thus Hamlet bids Rosencrantz and Guildenstern welcome, while at the same time telling them that the actors will be more welcome.)
371
come then. Th' appurtenance of welcome is fashion
372
and ceremony. Let me comply with you in this garb,
373
lest my extent to the players, which, I tell you,
374
must show fairly outward, should more appear like
375
entertainment than yours. You are welcome. But my
376
uncle-father and aunt-mother are deceived.
GUILDENSTERN
377
In what, my dear lord?
HAMLET
378. I am but mad north-north-west: i.e., I am only a mad under rare conditions. ...more 379. I know a hawk from a handsaw: "Hawk" is the name of both a bird and a plasterer's tool. Also, it's possible that "handsaw" is a pun on "hernshaw," a heron. In any case, Hamlet is wittily warning Rosencrantz and Guildenstern (and via them, the King and Queen) that he is not easily deceived.
378
I am but mad north-north-west: when the wind is
379
southerly I know a hawk from a handsaw.
Enter POLONIUS.
POLONIUS
380
Well be with you, gentlemen!
HAMLET
381
Hark you, Guildenstern; and you too: at each ear a
382
hearer: that great baby you see there is not yet
383
out of his swaddling-clouts.
ROSENCRANTZ
384. Happily: Haply, perhaps.
384
Happily he's the second time come to them; for they
385. twice: i.e., for the second time.
385
say an old man is twice a child.
HAMLET
386
I will prophesy he comes to tell me of the players;
387-388. You say right, sir: o' Monday morning; 'twas so indeed: Hamlet pretends to be deeply involved in a conversation, and is expecting that Polonius will interrupt, because Polonius is so full of the importance of his news, and full of himself.
387
mark it.You say right, sir: o' Monday morning;
388
'twas so indeed.
POLONIUS
389
My lord, I have news to tell you.
HAMLET
390
My lord, I have news to tell you.
391. Roscius: Roscius (d. 62 B.C.E.) was a famous Roman actor. Hamlet is mocking Polonius. Polonius' news is old news, and Hamlet offers to tell him even older news.
391
When Roscius was an actor in Rome
POLONIUS
392
The actors are come hither, my lord.
HAMLET
393. Buzz: "Buzz" is still (C.E. 2015) a word for the newest rumor, gossip, or fad. But Hamlet is being sarcastic; Polonius' "buzz" is not really new; it is more like the idle buzzing of a fly.
393
Buzz, buzz!
POLONIUS
394
Upon mine honor
HAMLET
395. ass: donkey.
395
Then came each actor on his ass
POLONIUS
396
The best actors in the world, either for tragedy,
397. pastoral: a literary work which idealizes the simplicity and wisdom of shepherds and other rural types.
397
comedy, history, pastoral, pastoral-comical,
398
historical-pastoral, tragical-historical, tragical-
399. scene individable: play observing the unity of place.
399
comical-historical-pastoral, scene individable, or
400-401. poem unlimited: i.e., play which is not bound by the limits of neo-classical rules. ...more 401-402. For the law of writ and the liberty: i.e., for drama which follows the neo-classical rules, and for drama which is free.
400
poem unlimited: Seneca cannot be too heavy, nor
401
Plautus too light. For the law of writ and the
402
liberty, these are the only men.
HAMLET
403. Jephthah, judge of Israel: This is the title of a ballad of Shakespeare's time, from which Hamlet goes on to quote. ...more
403
O Jephthah, judge of Israel, what a treasure
404
hadst thou!
POLONIUS
405
What a treasure had he, my lord?
HAMLET
406
Why,
407
"One fair daughter and no more,
408. passing: surpassingly.
408
The which he loved passing well."
POLONIUS [Aside.]
409
Still on my daughter.
HAMLET
410
Am I not i' the right, old Jephthah?
POLONIUS
411
If you call me Jephthah, my lord, I have a daughter
412
that I love passing well.
HAMLET
413. Nay, that follows not: Literally, Hamlet means, "That's not the next verse"; figuratively, he means, "you do not understand the implications of what follows."
413
Nay, that follows not.
POLONIUS
414
What follows, then, my lord?
HAMLET
415
Why,
416. lot: chance. wot: knows. Here is the text of the ballad.
416
"As by lot, God wot,"
417
and then, you know,
418. It came to pass, as most like it was: it happened to happen, as was most likely. 419. row: stanza. chanson: song, ballad. 420. abridgment: (1) interruption; something that cuts short something else. (2) diversion, entertainment.
418
"It came to pass, as most like it was,"
419
the first row of the pious chanson will show you
420
more; for look, where my abridgement comes.
Enter the PLAYERS [four or five].
421
You are welcome, masters; welcome, all. I am glad
422
to see thee well. Welcome, good friends. O, my old
423. valanc'd: i.e., fringed with a beard. ...more
423
friend! thy face is valenc'd since I saw thee last:
424. beard: confront boldly, pick a quarrel. young lady and mistress: Hamlet is speaking to an actor who plays, or used to play, women's parts.
424
comest thou to beard me in Denmark? What, my young
425
lady and mistress! By'r lady, your ladyship is
426
nearer to heaven than when I saw you last, by the
427. chopine: Chopines were extreme platform shoes worn by women. ...more 428-429. a piece of uncurrent gold: a gold coin that is not lawful currency. ...more
427
altitude of a chopine. Pray God, your voice, like
428
a piece of uncurrent gold, be not cracked within the
429
ring. Masters, you are all welcome. We'll e'en
430. like French falconers: i.e., freely, without being too choosy. 431. straight: straightway, at once.
430
to't like French falconers, fly at any thing we see:
431
we'll have a speech straight: come, give us a taste
432. quality: professional skill.
432
of your quality; come, a passionate speech.
First Player
433
What speech, my lord?
HAMLET
434
I heard thee speak me a speech once, but it was never
435
acted; or, if it was, not above once; for the play, I
436-437. caviary to the general: caviare to the multitude, i.e., a dish too elegant for ordinary people.
436
remember, pleased not the million; 'twas caviary to
437
the general: but it wasas I received it, and others,
438-439. whose . . . mine: i.e., whose judgments in such matters carried more authority than mine did. 439. well digested in the scenes: i.e., well arranged, so that one scene leads naturally to the next. 440. set . . . cunning: written with as much discretion as skill. 441. sallets: salads, i.e., spicy jokes. 442. savory: zesty. phrase: mode of expression. 443. indict: convict.
438
whose judgments in such matters cried in the top
439
of minean excellent play, well digested in the scenes,
440
set down with as much modesty as cunning.
441
I remember, one said there were no sallets in the lines
442
to make the matter savory, nor no matter in the phrase
443
that might indict the author of affectation; but called it an
444
honest method, as wholesome as sweet, and by
445. handsome: fitting. fine: flashy.
445
very much more handsome than fine. One speech
446. 'twas Aeneas' tale to Dido: it was the story that Aeneas told to Dido. 447. and thereabout of it especially: and specially that part of it. 448. Priam's slaughter: the slaying of Priam, the elderly King of Troy. 450. Pyrrhus: cruel son of Achilles Hyrcanian beast: i.e., a ferocious tiger. 452. sable: black. The Greeks hiding in the Trojan horse blackened their skin to camouflage themselves.
446
in it I chiefly loved: 'twas Aeneas' tale to Dido;
447
and thereabout of it especially, where he speaks of
448
Priam's slaughter: if it live in your memory, begin
449
at this linelet me see, let me see:
450
"The rugged
Pyrrhus, like the Hyrcanian beast"
451
'Tis not so: it begins with Pyrrhus:
452
"The rugged Pyrrhus, he whose sable arms,
453
Black as his purpose, did the night resemble
454. lay couched: i.e., hidden, waiting in ambush.
the ominous horse: i.e., the Trojan horse.
the ominous horse: i.e., the Trojan horse.
454
When he lay couched in the ominous horse,
455
Hath now this dread and black complexion smear'd
456. heraldry | dismal: ill-boding. 456
With heraldry more dismal; head to foot
457. gules: This is heraldic term for "red." trick'd: adorned.
457
Now is he total gules; horridly trick'd
458
With blood of fathers, mothers, daughters, sons,
459. Bak'd: caked. impasted: crusted. with the parching streets: i.e., by the heat from the burning streets.
459
Bak'd and impasted with the parching streets,
460
That lend a tyrannous and damned light
461. their lord: Priam
461
To their lord's murder. Roasted in wrath and fire,
462. o'er-sized: covered over as with a coat of sizing or glue. coagulate gore: i.e., clotted blood. 463. carbuncles: deep-red jewels which shine in the dark.
462
And thus o'er-sized with coagulate gore,
463
With eyes like carbuncles, the hellish Pyrrhus
464
Old grandsire Priam seeks."
465. So, proceed you: i.e., pick up where I left off.
465
So, proceed you.
POLONIUS
466-467. with good accent and good discretion: i.e., intelligently, meaningfully.
466
'Fore God, my lord, well spoken, with good accent
467
and good discretion.
First Player
468. Anon: quickly.
468
"Anon he finds him
469
Striking too short at Greeks; his antique sword,
470
Rebellious to his arm, lies where it falls,
471. Repugnant to command: disobedient to [Priam's attempt to] control [it]. Unequal match'd: i.e., facing a foe not equal to him. 472. strikes wide: misses. 473. fell: cruel, deadly. 474. unnerved: drained of strength. senseless: insensible. Ilium: the central tower of Troy.
471
Repugnant to command. Unequal match'd,
472
Pyrrhus at Priam drives; in rage strikes wide;
473
But with the whiff and wind of his fell sword
474
The unnerved father falls. Then senseless Ilium,
475
Seeming to feel this blow, with flaming top
476. Stoops to his base: falls to its foundation.
476
Stoops to his base, and with a hideous crash
477
Takes prisoner Pyrrhus' ear: for, lo! his sword,
478. declining on: coming down on.
478
Which was declining on the milky head
479
Of reverend Priam, seem'd i' the air to stick:
480. painted: i.e., painted in a picture.
480
So, as a painted tyrant, Pyrrhus stood,
481. like a neutral to his will and matter: i.e., poised midway between intention and action.
481
And like a neutral to his will and matter,
482
Did nothing.
483. against: just before.
483
But, as we often see, against some storm,
484. rack: mass of clouds.
484
A silence in the heavens, the rack stand still,
485
The bold winds speechless and the orb below
486
As hush as death, anon the dreadful thunder
487. region: sky.
487
Doth rend the region, so, after Pyrrhus' pause,
488
Aroused vengeance sets him new a-work;
489. Cyclops: giants who worked in Vulcan's smithy, where armor was made for the gods. 490. proof eterne: eternal invincibility. 491. remorse: pity. bleeding: dripping blood.
489
And never did the Cyclops' hammers fall
490
On Mars's armor forged for proof eterne
491
With less remorse than Pyrrhus' bleeding sword
492
Now falls on Priam.
493. strumpet: slut. ...more
493
Out, out, thou strumpet, Fortune! All you gods,
494. In general synod: in a general assembly; i.e., by unanimous consent. 495. fellies: rims. her wheel: Fortune's wheel. ...more 496. nave: hub.
494
In general synod take away her power;
495
Break all the spokes and fellies from her wheel,
496
And bowl the round nave down the hill of heaven,
497
As low as to the fiends!"
POLONIUS
498
This is too long.
HAMLET
499
It shall to the barber's, with your beard. Prithee,
500. jig: comic song and dance performed after a play. tale of bawdry: raunchy story.
500
say on: he's for a jig or a tale of bawdry, or he
501
sleeps: say on: come to Hecuba.
First Player
502. mobled: muffled, hastily wrapped up.
502
"But who, O, who had seen the mobled queen"
HAMLET
503
"The mobled queen?"
POLONIUS
504
That's good; "mobled queen" is good.
First Player
505-506. threatening . . . rheum: i.e., weeping so much that it seemed she would extinguish the flames with her blinding tears. clout: cloth.
505
"Run barefoot up and down, threatening the flames
506
With bisson rheum; a clout upon that head
507
Where late the diadem stood, and for a robe,
508. o'er-teemed: worn out by childbearing. Hecuba bore most of Priam's 50 sons.
508
About her lank and all o'er-teemed loins,
509
A blanket, in the alarm of fear caught up;
510
Who this had seen, with tongue in venom steep'd,
511. state: rule, government.
511
'Gainst Fortune's state would treason have pronounced.
512
But if the gods themselves did see her then
513
When she saw Pyrrhus make malicious sport
514. mincing with his sword her husband's limbs: Marlowe, in Dido, Queen of Carthage, writes that Pyrrhus cut off Priam's hands before killing him.
514
In mincing with his sword her husband's limbs,
515
The instant burst of clamor that she made,
516
Unless things mortal move them not at all,
517. made milch the burning eyes of heaven: i.e., made the blazing stars weep milky tears. 518. passion: grief.
517
Would have made milch the burning eyes of heaven,
518
And passion in the gods."
POLONIUS
519. Look, whether he has not turned his color: i.e., note how he has gone pale.
519
Look, whether he has not turned his color and has
520
tears in's eyes. Prithee no more.
HAMLET
521
'Tis well: I'll have thee speak out the rest soon.
522
Good my lord, will you see the players well
523. bestow'd: lodged. us'd: treated.
523
bestow'd? Do you hear, let them be well us'd; for
524. abstract: summary account.
524
they are the abstract and brief chronicles of the
525
time: after your death you were better have a bad
526
epitaph than their ill report while you live.
POLONIUS
527
My lord, I will use them according to their
528
desert.
HAMLET
529. God's bodykin: by God's (Christ's) little body. This is a humorous oath.
529
God's bodykin, man, much better: use every
530
man after his desert, and who should 'scape
531. after: according to.
531
whipping? Use them after your own honor
532
and dignity: the less they deserve, the more
533
merit is in your bounty. Take them in.
POLONIUS
534
Come, sirs.
HAMLET
535
Follow him, friends: we'll hear a play
536
tomorrow.
[Exit POLONIUS with all the Players
but the First.]
537
Dost thou hear me, old friend; can you
538
play the Murder of Gonzago?
First Player
539
Ay, my lord.
HAMLET
540. ha't: have it; see it.
540
We'll ha't tomorrow night. You could,
541. for need: if necessary. study: memorize.
541
for a need, study a speech of some dozen
542
or sixteen lines, which
I would set down
543
and insert in't, could you not?
First Player
544
Ay, my lord.
HAMLET
545
Very well. Follow that lord; and look you mock him not.
[Exit First Player.]
546
My good friends, I'll leave you till night: you are
547
welcome to Elsinore.
ROSENCRANTZ
548
Good my lord!
HAMLET
549. God buy to you: God be with you; goodbye.
549
Ay, so, God buy to you.
Exeunt [ROSENCRANTZ and
GUILDENSTERN].
549
Now I am alone.
550
O, what a rogue and peasant slave am I!
551
Is it not monstrous that this player here,
552
But in a fiction, in a dream of passion,
553. conceit: imaginative conception.
553
Could force his soul so to his own conceit
554. from her working all his visage wann'd: i.e., as a result of the soul's efforts his whole face grew pale.
554
That from her working all his visage wann'd,
555
Tears in his eyes, distraction in his aspect,
556-557. his whole function suiting / With forms to his conceit: i.e., his whole being responding with actions and expressions corresponding to his imaginative conception.
556
A broken voice, and his whole function suiting
557
With forms to his conceit? and all for nothing!
558
For Hecuba!
559
What's Hecuba to him, or he to Hecuba,
560
That he should weep for her? What would he do,
561
Had he the motive and the cue for passion
562
That I have? He would drown the stage with tears
563. cleave the general ear: split the ears of all who heard him. 564. free: innocent.
563
And cleave the general ear with horrid speech,
564
Make mad the guilty and appall the free,
565
Confound the ignorant, and amaze indeed
566. The very faculties of eyes and ears: i.e., sight and hearing. 567. muddy-mettled: dull-spirited. peak: mope. 568. John-a-dreams: a sleepy, dreaming slacker. unpregnant of my cause: not brought to life by my mission.
566
The very faculties of eyes and ears. Yet I,
567
A dull and muddy-mettled rascal, peak,
568
Like John-a-dreams, unpregnant of my cause,
569
And can say nothing; no, not for a king,
570. property: i.e., the crown of Denmark.
570
Upon whose property and most dear life
571. defeat: destruction.
571
A damn'd defeat was made. Am I a coward?
572
Who calls me villain? breaks my pate across?
573
Plucks off my beard, and blows it in my face?
574-575. gives me ... lungs: i.e., calls me a pathological liar.
574
Tweaks me by the nose? gives me the lie i' the throat,
575
As deep as to the lungs? who does me this?
576. 'swounds: by God's (Christ's) wounds. I should take it: i.e., I should accept all these insults [because I deserve them]. 577-578. I . . . bitter: i.e., I have a nature that is not capable of resenting wrongs. ...more 579-580. fatted all the region kites / With this slave's offal
576
Ha! 'Swounds, I should take it: for it cannot be
577
But I am pigeon-liver'd and lack gall
578
To make oppression bitter, or ere this
579
I should have fatted all the region kites
580
With this slave's offal. Bloody, bawdy villain!
581. kindless: unnatural.
581
Remorseless, treacherous, lecherous, kindless villain!
582
O, vengeance!
583. most brave: i.e., ridiculous and cowardly. "Brave" meant both brave and handsome, but Hamlet is being sarcastic.
583
Why, what an ass am I! This is most brave,
584
That I, the son of a dear father murder'd,
585
Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell,
586
Must, like a whore, unpack my heart with words,
587. drab: female whore.
587
And fall a-cursing, like a very drab,
588. scullion: i.e., a foul-mouthed dishwasher.
589. About, my brain!: i.e., turn about, my brain, and get to work.
589. About, my brain!: i.e., turn about, my brain, and get to work.
588
A scullion! Fie upon't! foh!
589
About, my brain! Hum I have heard
590
That guilty creatures sitting at a play
591. cunning of the scene: skillful performance of a scene. 592. presently: at once; then and there.
591
Have by the very cunning of the scene
592
Been struck so to the soul that presently
593. proclaim'd their malefactions: revealed their misdeeds [via their spontaneous reactions].
593
They have proclaim'd their malefactions;
594
For murder, though it have no tongue, will speak
595. organ: means of communication.
595
With most miraculous organ. I'll have these players
596
Play something like the murder of my father
597
Before mine uncle. I'll observe his looks;
598. tent him to the quick: probe him to his vital core. blench: flinch.
598
I'll tent him to the quick. If he but blench,
599
I know my course. The spirit that I have seen
600
May be the devil, and the devil hath power
601
To assume a pleasing shape; yea, and perhaps
602
Out of my weakness and my melancholy,
603. As . . . spirits: i.e., because he has great influence on those who have a temperament such as mine. 604. Abuses: deludes. If the Ghost is deceiving Hamlet about King Claudius' guilt, and Hamlet kills him, Hamlet would be a murderer, and therefore damned.
603
As he is very potent with such spirits,
604
Abuses me to damn me. I'll have grounds
605
More relative than this: the play's the thing
606
Wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king.
Exit.