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Questions and Answers
Who says 'Stay! Speak, speak! I charge thee, speak'?
Who says 'Stay! Speak, speak! I charge thee, speak'?
Horatio
Who is the speaker of the line 'A little more than kin and less than kind'?
Who is the speaker of the line 'A little more than kin and less than kind'?
Hamlet
What does Hamlet want to happen to his 'too solid flesh'?
What does Hamlet want to happen to his 'too solid flesh'?
He wishes it would melt and resolve into a dew.
What exclamation does Hamlet make about women in relation to his mother?
What exclamation does Hamlet make about women in relation to his mother?
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What advice does Polonius give to Laertes?
What advice does Polonius give to Laertes?
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Who says, 'Something is rotten in the state of Denmark'?
Who says, 'Something is rotten in the state of Denmark'?
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What does the Ghost urge Hamlet to do?
What does the Ghost urge Hamlet to do?
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The line 'The serpent that did sting thy father's life / Now wears his crown' refers to whom?
The line 'The serpent that did sting thy father's life / Now wears his crown' refers to whom?
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'The time is out of joint! O cursed spite that ever I was born to set it right.' What does this refer to?
'The time is out of joint! O cursed spite that ever I was born to set it right.' What does this refer to?
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Who says 'Brevity is the soul of wit'?
Who says 'Brevity is the soul of wit'?
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Who responds with 'More matter with less art'?
Who responds with 'More matter with less art'?
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What does Polonius note about Hamlet's madness?
What does Polonius note about Hamlet's madness?
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'What a piece of work is a man,' is said by whom?
'What a piece of work is a man,' is said by whom?
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What does Hamlet mean by 'The play is the thing / Wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king'?
What does Hamlet mean by 'The play is the thing / Wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king'?
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What existential question does Hamlet pose?
What existential question does Hamlet pose?
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What does Hamlet advise Ophelia with 'get thee to a nunnery'?
What does Hamlet advise Ophelia with 'get thee to a nunnery'?
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Who declares 'Madness in great ones must not unwatched go'?
Who declares 'Madness in great ones must not unwatched go'?
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What does Gertrude say that reveals her awareness of deceit?
What does Gertrude say that reveals her awareness of deceit?
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What metaphor does Hamlet use to express his frustration with Guildenstern?
What metaphor does Hamlet use to express his frustration with Guildenstern?
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What does Hamlet mean by 'I will speak daggers to her, but use none'?
What does Hamlet mean by 'I will speak daggers to her, but use none'?
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Who states 'O my offense is rank, it smells to heaven'?
Who states 'O my offense is rank, it smells to heaven'?
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What does Claudius mean when he says, 'My words fly up, my thoughts remain below. / Words without thoughts never to heaven go.'?
What does Claudius mean when he says, 'My words fly up, my thoughts remain below. / Words without thoughts never to heaven go.'?
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What does Hamlet say to Gertrude that expresses his disappointment?
What does Hamlet say to Gertrude that expresses his disappointment?
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What vow does Hamlet make in 'O, from this time forth / My thoughts be bloody or be nothing worth!'?
What vow does Hamlet make in 'O, from this time forth / My thoughts be bloody or be nothing worth!'?
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Who sings 'He is dead and gone, lady, he is dead and gone'?
Who sings 'He is dead and gone, lady, he is dead and gone'?
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What does Gertrude describe of Ophelia's death?
What does Gertrude describe of Ophelia's death?
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What does Laertes declare regarding Ophelia's death?
What does Laertes declare regarding Ophelia's death?
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What does Gertrude say as she scatters flowers over Ophelia's coffin?
What does Gertrude say as she scatters flowers over Ophelia's coffin?
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Who expresses the line 'The cat will mew and the dog will have his day'?
Who expresses the line 'The cat will mew and the dog will have his day'?
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What confession does Laertes make to Osric?
What confession does Laertes make to Osric?
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What does Gertrude exclaim before dying?
What does Gertrude exclaim before dying?
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Who accuses the king in the line 'The king, the king's to blame.'?
Who accuses the king in the line 'The king, the king's to blame.'?
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What is Horatio's final wish for Hamlet?
What is Horatio's final wish for Hamlet?
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Who says 'Let four captains / Bear Hamlet like a soldier to the stage'?
Who says 'Let four captains / Bear Hamlet like a soldier to the stage'?
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Study Notes
Key Quotes from Hamlet
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"Stay! Speak, speak! I charge thee, speak"
- Spoken by Horatio to the ghost of King Hamlet, highlighting the uncertainty of the ghost's identity.
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"A little more than kin and less than kind."
- Hamlet’s aside regarding Claudius, reflecting his distaste for being related to someone he perceives as usurping authority.
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"O that this too too solid flesh would melt, that, and resolve itself into a dew."
- Hamlet’s first soliloquy expresses deep despair, contemplating existence but not death.
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"Frailty, thy name is woman!"
- Hamlet’s condemnation of Gertrude's quick remarriage after King Hamlet's death, showcasing his feelings of betrayal.
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"Neither a borrower nor a lender be; this above all - to thine own self be true."
- Polonius offers practical advice to Laertes about financial and personal integrity, emphasizing self-honesty.
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"Something is rotten in the state of Denmark."
- Marcellus conveys the sense of unease and corruption in Denmark following King Hamlet’s death.
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"Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder."
- The ghost orders Hamlet to avenge his death, setting the main plot into motion.
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"The serpent that did sting thy father’s life / Now wears his crown."
- The ghost reveals to Hamlet that Claudius is responsible for his murder, symbolizing betrayal.
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"The time is out of joint! O cursed spite that ever I was born to set it right."
- Hamlet expresses frustration and a sense of fate, feeling burdened by the task of vengeance.
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"Brevity is the soul of wit."
- Polonius reflects on the importance of concise communication while discussing Hamlet’s madness.
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"More matter with less art."
- Gertrude reprimands Polonius for being overly verbose, indicating a struggle for clarity in communication.
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"Though this be madness, yet there is method in’t."
- Polonius recognizes that Hamlet’s apparent insanity may have a deeper purpose or reasoning.
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"What a piece of work is a man, how noble in reason, how infinite in faculties..."
- Hamlet contemplates human nature and the complexity of mankind, showcasing his disillusionment.
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"The play is the thing / Wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the king."
- Hamlet plans to stage a play that mimics King Hamlet’s murder to confirm Claudius's guilt.
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"To be or not to be; that is the question..."
- Hamlet’s famous soliloquy poses the existential dilemma of life and death.
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"Get thee to a nunnery. Why wouldst thou be a breeder of sinners?"
- Hamlet instructs Ophelia to avoid motherhood, criticizing the corruption of the world around them.
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"Madness in great ones must not unwatched go."
- Claudius expresses concern over Hamlet’s erratic behavior, indicating that power can breed insecurity.
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"The lady doth protest too much, methinks."
- Gertrude comments on the overacting of the Player Queen, possibly reflecting her own feelings of guilt.
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"Do you think I am easier to be played on than a pipe?"
- Hamlet rebuffs Guildenstern’s manipulations, asserting his control over his own fate.
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"I will speak daggers to her, but use none."
- Hamlet vows to confront Gertrude with harsh words yet refrains from physical harm, indicating internal conflict.
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"O my offense is rank, it smells to heaven."
- Claudius confesses his guilt over murdering his brother, showcasing his moral turmoil.
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"My words fly up, my thoughts remain below. / Words without thoughts never to heaven go."
- Claudius acknowledges that his prayers lack sincerity, revealing his internal conflict.
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"O shame, where is the blush!"
- Hamlet confronts Gertrude about her marriage, questioning her moral integrity.
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"O, from this time forth / My thoughts be bloody or be nothing worth!"
- Hamlet resolves to pursue vengeance, indicating a shift in his mindset towards brutal resolution.
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"He is dead and gone, lady, he is dead and gone."
- Ophelia sings about death, reflecting her mental decline caused by grief.
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"...herself / Fell in the weeping brook. Her clothes spread wide, and mermaid-like."
- Gertrude describes Ophelia’s drowning, depicting it as both tragic and delicate.
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"Too much water hath thou poor Ophelia."
- Laertes expresses regret over Ophelia's death without wanting to shed more tears for her.
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"Sweets to the sweet! Farewell."
- Gertrude scatters flowers over Ophelia's grave, showcasing her sorrow and loss.
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"The cat will mew and the dog will have his day."
- Hamlet reflects on fate's unpredictable nature, suggesting that all roles will be reversed.
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"I am justly killed with my own treachery."
- Laertes acknowledges his part in the tragedy of deaths surrounding Hamlet.
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"The drink, the drink! I am poisoned."
- Gertrude’s final moments reveal her accidental consumption of poison, heightening the tragedy.
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"The king, the king's to blame."
- Laertes blames Claudius for the ruin brought upon their lives, showcasing the cycle of betrayal.
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"Good night, sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest."
- Horatio bids farewell to Hamlet, symbolizing respect and mourning at his death.
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"Let four captains / Bear Hamlet like a soldier to the stage."
- Fortinbras acknowledges Hamlet’s nobility and prescribes a soldier's burial, emphasizing honor.
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Description
Test your understanding of key quotes from Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' with these flashcards. Each card highlights a significant line and its context, helping you grasp the play's themes and character dynamics. Perfect for literature students or fans of classic drama!
