Hamlet Quotes
Ms. Fisher’s comments in red
First Period
3. Ophelia to Laertes
Act 4- Laertes returns to Denmark after his father’s death. This reveals Ophelia’s
madness to Laertes as she passes out flowers, incorrectly naming the significance of each. This
causes Laertes to be even more enraged at Hamlet. Every flower represents an idea like “love,”
“death,” and so on. Many students’ versions of the play explain the meaning of each. Discussing
their meaning is certain to raise your grade on a test. This is where strong annotation skills come
in handy.
11. Laertes to Ophelia
Act 1 –Laertes, with his impending departure, is advising Ophelia to be wary of Hamlet’s
advances. “His greatness weighed” refers to his rank as a royal prince. Laertes tells Ophelia
that, due to Hamlet’s societal position, it is not likely that his love for her is true. Because he is a
prince, even if he does love her, he will not be able to marry her. This is a plot device involving
the theme of “secrecy;” if Polonius had not seen them conversing he would not have made
Ophelia return Hamlet’s letters. Presumably, this act exacerbates Hamlet’s “insanity,” leading
him to distrust Ophelia.
16. Hamlet to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
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Act 3- This takes place after the play. These two gentlemen were (literary verb
tense mistake, should be “are”) telling Hamlet that his mother wants to see him.
They proceed to ask him what is wrong.
This quote reveals Hamlet’s intuition. He knows that his “friends” are inquiring
about his well-being only to relate what he says back to the King. This reinforces
the reader’s understanding of Hamlet’s reluctance to confide in anyone but
Horatio. Again, this relates to the theme of secrecy. It is also figurative language,
personification.
19. Hamlet to Laertes
Act 5- At the graveyard, Hamlet confesses his love for Ophelia, making it known after 4
(Write out numbers. Act Four or Act IV) Acts of mystery that he does love her. Ironically, he is
indirectly the cause of Ophelia’s death since he killed her father; this contributes to her insanity
and subsequent death.
Second Period
1. Hamlet to Horatio
Act 5 – Hamlet and Horatio came upon a grave in which Ophelia is to be buried, and they see a
skull which was once Yorick’s.(When did it cease to be Yorick’s?) Hamlet comes to the realization that
he and everyone will die one day no matter who they are. He is saying even the great Julius Caesar was
buried in the ground upon death, just like everyone else. This is a pivotal moment in Hamlet’s character
development. He is no longer the brash young man of Act One; he has developed into a thinking man, no
longer trying to force Fate’s hand but accepting the inevitable, whatever course life takes him. (Another
theme)
3. Ophelia to Laertes
Act 4 – This is Ophelia’s mad scene, and this is Laertes’ first time witnessing it. She is using the
rosemary to tell her brother to remember their father. When passing out the flowers, she identifies the
different sins that the characters have committed. She also reveals the characters’ internal emotions.
Great answer but what are their internal emotions?
10. Laertes to Ophelia
Act 1 – In preparation for Laertes to leave. Laertes gives Ophelia advice about Hamlet,
letting her know it is not wise to fall for him since he shall be great one day and may not be able
to choose his future. He shows his skepticism for Hamlet and thoughtfulness for his sister.
11. Player King to Player Queen
Act 3 – This quote shows the irony of how people did not think that Gertrude would
remarry so soon, especially to her brother-in-law; however, once the King died, she immediately
married Claudius. MAJOR PLOT DEVELOPMENT!! The play reveals Gertrude “thinks the
lady doth protest too much,” so she is seemingly oblivious to the former King’s murder, whereas
Claudius’ cry for “More light!” is a Biblical allusion that precludes his admission to God of his
guilt in the next scene. At this moment, there is no doubt for Hamlet, or the audience, of
Claudius’ guilt. That Hamlet does not act on his plan to murder Claudius at this point (which is
the climax of the play, by the way) leads the audience to the forgone conclusion that he never
will. Hamlet is a man of thought not action. (But is that bad?)
13. Hamlet to Horatio
Act 5 – Hamlet’s death. While Hamlet is being consumed by the poison, he speaks those
departing words. Hamlet sees that everything is now in God’s hands. There is nothing he can do
about it but to let him take over. Also, the truth is out; there is nothing more to say. Biblical
allusion: “It is finished.”
15. Hamlet to Himself
Act 4 – Hamlet has just encountered the ghost for the second time. Hamlet is finally
dedicated to killing Claudius. He isn’t second guessing himself. Anymore. Um, okay. I could
argue this point.
19. Hamlet to Laertes
Act 5 – When Ophelia’s burial is being discussed, and hear the actual funeral procession.
(fragment) This shows Hamlet’s true feelings for Ophelia, even though he was very angry at her for her
desire not to see him. Hamlet is such a broken soul and he’s losing everything he loves at once. (two runon sentences)
20. Hamlet to his Mother
Act 3 – Hamlet finally erupts at his mother for her actions and disloyalties toward his father. His
rage builds up and finally spills to his mother how he truly feels and she seems to be shocked. (run-on)
Third Period
11. Player King to Player Queen
Act 3- Hamlet came up with a plan to make sure the Ghost is not an evil spirit trying to
make Hamlet into a murderer. He orders the players to act out his father’s murder. This line
comes from the part of the play where the Player King asks the Player Queen not to remarry
when he is gone. By showing this play, Hamlet feels that if his uncle is guilty, then he will not be
able to sit still during the scene. (Claudius running out is the climax of the play.)
13. Hamlet to Horatio
Act 5—After gruesome killing spree
This quote serves as Hamlet’s last words spoken to Horatio while the crowd watches
Hamlet die in Horatio’s arms. Hamlet speaks before this line and asks Horatio to keep his name
and tell of his honest motives in order to protect his name and legacy. It’s fitting that he speaks
of silence because at this point in the play the major plot turning characters have all died and the
drama of the play is wiped clean. Basically, there is nothing left for Hamlet to do or say.
19.Hamlet to Laertes
Act 5- At Ophelia’s funeral. Hamlet speaks these words when he discovers that Ophelia is dead.
Laertes does not feel that Hamlet should be at the funeral, because of what all has happened.
These lines reveal that Hamlet feels guilty about his treatment towards Ophelia. He never
expressed to Ophelia that he truly loved her, but by comparing his love to that of forty thousand
brothers, he shows how much he may have loved her. (This also gives Claudius the perfect
opportunity to set Laertes up to kill Hamlet, thereby solving Claudius’ problems, or so he thinks.
It certainly fuels Laertes’ anger.)
2. Act 1- Hamlet to Self
Hamlet has just seen his father’s ghost, and he begins to question his life. In Hamlet’s
soliloquy, He(Why is “he” capitalized here?) addresses a conflict between life and death which
sets the theme and plot for the entire play.
Fourth Period
2. Hamlet to Audience
Act 1 Scene 2: The end of Claudius’s speech at dinner.
This reveals Hamlet’s feelings towards Claudius and his marriage to his mother. “That this too
solid flesh would melt” is imagery describing his desire to just fade out of existence.
3. Ophelia to Laertes
Act IV: Inside the castle
Ophelia is expressing to everyone that she can’t (Try to avoid conjunctions in formal writing.)
be the only one that is mourning her father’s death. This also sets her true madness. (Huh?)
11. Player-King to the Player-Queen
Act III: during the performance of “The Mousetrap”
The Player-King’s words to his wife hit Queen Gertrude harshly, (The only time a comma is
placed with “because” is if the dependent clause is at the beginning of the sentence.)because it
mirrors her life; she thought she would not remarry, but did as soon as her first husband died.
12. First Clown to Second Clown (Gravedigger to Other Gravedigger)
Act V: Before Ophelia’s funeral
Reveals that Ophelia was selfish for drowning herself and no one should have pity for her.
(Not to mention it is a commentary on how society has different rules for the rich than the rest of
us.)
16. Hamlet to Guildenstern
Act III
Hamlet reveals to Rozencrantz and Guildenstern that he knows that they were working for
King Claudius. Hamlet feels betrayed, which contributes to his growing madness. From this
point on, he decides not to trust as freely. (Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are foils to Horatio,
who represents true friendship and loyalty, a major theme of the play.)
19. Hamlet to Laertes
Act V
Hamlet dishonours Laertes in front of a huge crowd of people by flatly telling Laertes that he
loves Ophelia far more than anyone ever has. This causes Laertes and Hamlet to duel, which
results in both of their deaths. This reveals that Hamlet is mad, and that he truly loved Ophelia.
(Not sure how it reveals Hamlet’s madness, but it would be a fair assertion if explained in more
detail.)
Sixth Period
3. Ophelia to Laertes
Act IV
Ophelia’s madness truly comes out in this scene when she starts handing out plants to people, for
example, rosemary to Laertes, to show remembrance for their dead father.
4. Polonius to himself
Act II
Polonius realizes that Hamlet is truly mad after hearing Hamlet’s rant about old man. He also
notices that Hamlet has a certain art and “method” to his speech, and, therefore, concludes that
Hamlet is mad for the loss of his relationship with Ophelia. (Actually, the fact that there is a
“method” to Hamlet’s madness leads Polonius to further spying on him, which ultimately leads
to Polonius’ death.)
10.
Laertes to Ophelia
Act 1
He was going to college and giving first minute advice to Ophelia (pronoun-antecedent
mistake). This shows how Laertes is looking out for his sister and also how skeptical he is of
Hamlet. This conversation is a great peak at Ophelia’s and Laertes’ relationship. (Do you mean it
demonstrates the closeness between the siblings, foreshadowing the grief Laertes will feel upon
his sister’s death?)
12.
Gravedigger to Other
Act V
The gravedigger was(verb tense) upset that Ophelia got a Christian burial when she drowned,
because the upper class are just using their authority to give her one.
19.
Hamlet to Laertes
Act V, at Ophelia’s funeral after Hamlet surprises the crowd with his presence.
This shows that, in spite of Hamlet’s past erratic behavior, he still retains a strong sense of
affection for Ophelia, a character whom he has attempted to distance himself from emotional.
Despite all trials and tribulations, Hamlet’s emotional spectrum contains more than just grief and
a desire for retribution; he feels love. (Yes!)
20.
Hamlet to Polonius
Act III, after the Mouse Trap, when Hamlet confronts Gertrude on her recent duplicity.
This statement of callousness and emotional regression showcases Hamlet’s eccentric state of
mind. Where, earlier in the play, the audience would see a more emotionally considerate and
stable Hamlet, this scene shows him embracing his more insensitive side, going as far as to make
jest after just killing an anonymous man. Hamlet, in his greatest state of vulnerability and rage,
makes the grand gesture of forsaking another’s life without the slightest sign of remorse.
(College level diction and analysis-excellent!)
Seventh Period
14. Ghost to Hamlet
Act I- The Ghost tells Hamlet how he is stuck in Purgatory and how he is up against
unfathomable horrors. This reveals that the Ghost was unjustly murdered by his brother and that
does not lead to a happy afterlife. This fuels Hamlet’s rage and gives him a more concrete idea
of how death could possibly be. (“Concrete” and “possibly” are contradictory; death either is or
is not as the Ghost describes it.)
13. Hamlet to Horatio
Act V- This quote has two different meaning. First, it can mean that after Horatio tells everyone
what has happened, as Hamlet tells him to, nothing more needs to be said or added. It should be
silent. Second, it can refer to Hamlet’s death. He will now die, or rest, in silence because he has
successfully enacted his revenge. (Nice)
19. Hamlet to Laertes
Act V – This quote is said by Hamlet at Ophelia’s burial. Hamlet throughout the play has
oftentimes wondered about his own death,(Comma should not be here.) but reacts in an almost
violent way upon learning of the death of someone he loves. His words to Laertes may sting his
pride as a brother, for Hamlet says that not even “forty thousand brothers” could love Ophelia as
he did.
3. Ophelia to Laertes
Act IV – This quote occurs during Ophelia’s madness scene. She is handing out flowers. She
wants Laertes to dive back into his memories – before their father dies and into their childhood.
She wants to remember the way life used to be. She has gone mad due to the death of her father.