Hamlet

Sassy Hamlet

Act 3, Scene 2​

Hamlet

Right before the play begins Hamlet speaks to both Claudius and Ophelia, feeling confident in his plan. Hamlet's hubris here gives us some of the sassiest lines in the play.

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​Hamlet

Sassy Hamlet

Multiple Choice

Claudius   

How fares our cousin Hamlet?     

Hamlet

Excellent, i'faith, of the chameleon's dish; I eat the

air, promise-crammed. You cannot feed capons so.  

What is Hamlet's response to Claudius' simple question?

• I am full of hot air!

• I am a chicken!

• I eat quite well!

• I am acting crazy!

Multiple Choice

Claudius

I have nothing with this answer, Hamlet. These 

words are not mine.    

Hamlet

No, nor mine.

When Claudius says "These words are not mine" he means that he doesn't understand what Hamlet is saying, he isn't responding to Claudius' actual question. What is Hamlet's response?

• They aren't my words either because you are an idiot!

• They aren't my words either because I don't own them.

• They aren't my words either because I am an idiot!

• They aren't my words either because words are not real.

After some quips with Polonius, Hamlet goes to sit down. He has this interaction with his mother:

Gertrude

Come hither, my good Hamlet, sit by me.

Hamlet 

[Indicating Ophelia]  No, good mother, here's metal more attractive.​

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Hamlet

​Inappropriate Hamlet

Hamlet

[To Ophelia]  Lady, shall I lie in your lap?

Ophelia

No, my lord!

Hamlet   

I mean, my head upon your lap. 

Ophelia

Ay, my lord.

Hamlet   

Do you think I meant country matters?

Ophelia

I think nothing, my lord.

Hamlet   

That's a fair thought to lie between maids' legs.

Ophelia

What is, my lord?

Hamlet   

“Nothing.”    ​

Subject | Subject

Hamlet

Open Ended

Hamlet

Oh, God, your only jig-maker. What should a man do    

but be merry? For look you how cheerfully my mother

looks, and my father died within's two hours.

Ophelia  

Nay, 'tis twice two months, my lord.   

What does this interaction tell you about Hamlet's state of mind?

Hamlet is cold as ice

Hamlet   

Is this a prologue, or the posy of a ring?

Ophelia

'Tis brief, my lord.

Hamlet   

As woman's love.

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Open Ended

The play begins and we see that the character playing the Queen has a long monologue about how much she mourns her husband and must stay faithful to him. Hamlet, then, asks this of his mother:

Hamlet 

[To Gertrude] Madam, how like you this play?

Gertrude

The lady does protest too much, methinks.

Hamlet   

Oh, but she'll keep her word.

What does Gertrude's response tell us about Gertrude's state of mind? Does she see herself in the play?

Multiple Choice

Claudius then says this line about the play to Hamlet:

Claudius

Have you heard the argument? Is there no offense in't? 

Hamlet

No, no, they do but jest, poison in jest, no offense i'th' world.

What does Claudius mean when he asks if there is no offense in it?

• He is asking if there is violence in the play.

• He is asking if the argument is poor.

• He is asking if the play is supposed to be offensive.

Open Ended

Claudius   

What do you call the play?

Hamlet

"The Mousetrap."

Why does Hamlet call the play "The Mousetrap"?

Ophelia

The king rises.

Hamlet   

What, frighted with false fire?

Gertrude   

How fares my lord? 

Polonius   

Give o'er the play.

Claudius   

Give me some light. Away!

All   

Lights, lights, lights!

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Hamlet

The Play's The Thing

Hamlet

I do not well understand that — will you play upon

this pipe?

Guildenstern   

My lord, I cannot.

Hamlet   

I pray you.

Guildenstern   

Believe me, I cannot.

Hamlet   

I do beseech you.

Guildenstern   

I know no touch of it, my lord. 

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Hamlet

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Some text here about the topic of discussion

​Hamlet

'Tis as easy as lying. Govern these ventages with your finger and thumb, give it breath with your mouth, and it will discourse most excellent music. Look you, these

are the stops.

Guildenstern

But these cannot I command to any utterance of harmony. I have not the skill.

Hamlet

Why, look you now, how unworthy a thing you make of me! You would play upon me...

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