“Madness in great ones must not unwatched go.” | Claudius to Hamlet: great minds are dangerous when they go mad; to protect the country we need to watch the “insane” Hamlet! |
“Give me that man that is not passion’s slave, and I will wear him in my heart’s core, ay in my heart of heart, as I do thee.” | Hamlet to Horatio: Hamlet cares about Horatio so much because he is not the kind of person that is controlled by emotions |
“Give me some light. Away!” | Claudius: he wants the play to stop (literally, turn on the lights) and he is secretly feeling guilty for murdering King Hamlet (needing the light of heaven in his life). |
“I’ll take the ghosts’ word for a thousand pound.” | Hamlet to Horatio: Hamlet trusts the ghosts’ word now because of Claudius’ reaction. Hamlet now has enought evidence to get revenge. |
“I will speak daggers to her but use none.” | Hamlet: he will verbally abuse Gertrude, and will try his hardest not to physically abuse her. He must confront his mother regarding her bad choices of marrying Claudius and marrying him with such haste. |
“My words fly up, my thoughts remain below. Words without thoughts never to heaven go.” | Claudius (praying): he wants to be forgiven, but knows he will not be granted divine forgiveness since he is not sincere in his prayers. He feels guilty for his actions, but he enjoys his life and the benefits of his sin (the crown, the queen) and he will not give these benefits up. |
“I must be cruel only to be kind; Thus bad begins, and worse remains behind.” | Hamlet to Gertrude: he has to do bad things in to end the bad things currently going on—he must bluntly explain her bad choices to her. |
“…my two school fellows, whom I will trust as I will adders fangs.” | Hamlet to Gertrude: he trust R&G as much as he trusts a venomous snake, knowing that they were sent by the king and queen, who want to know the true cause of Hamlet’s madness. |
Hamlet Quotes Act III
August 20, 2019