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In Hamlet what does Hamlet mean when he says 'The King is a thing'?
Wiki User
∙ 7y ago
In Shakespeare's time, "thing" was slang for a penis. What women have, on the other hand, is "no thing" or "nothing". This puts a different slant on the title of the play "Much Ado about Nothing".
Thus when Hamlet says to Horatio, "The King is a thing", Horatio is somewhat shocked by this lèse majesté and says "A thing, my Lord?". Hamlet pretends to have been using the more innocent meaning of the word by completing it with "of shreds and patches". But we know and Horatio knows what he really meant.
Wiki User
∙ 7y ago
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∙ 14y agoa show within a show
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What is Claudius' relationship to Prince Hamlet in Shakespeare's play?
Gertrude's first husband was King Hamlet. King Hamlet was the brother of Claudius. This makes Claudius and Gertrude in-laws. After Claudius murders King Hamlet, he marries Gertrude, so they are then husband and wife.
What does Hamlet tell Rosencrantz and Guildenstern is the cause of his problem?
He says, "I lack advancement." He doesn't really mean it though; he is playing with them.
Did Gertrude die?
She drank poison.
Who says O Hamlet what a falling off was there?
The Ghost, in Hamlet, Act 1 Scene 5
What explanations does Gertrude offer for Polonius murder?
Hamlet was crazy. She follows Hamlet's instructions and says that "Hamlet hath in madness Polonius slain."
What character in the play Hamlet says break the ice?
Nobody. Horatio does say that the late King Hamlet "smote the sledded Polacks on the ice." but it is hardly the same thing.
Who said this and What is it mean I'll call thee hamlet king father royal Dane?
Hamlet says this in Act I Scene 4 of Hamlet. He is talking to the ghost of his father who up to this point hasn't said a word. Hamlet is trying to figure out how to address him in order to make him speak. If he calls him by his name, Hamlet, will he respond? How about father? King? Royal Dane? Whatever he says, the ghost starts talking right away.
Who arranges for Hamlet to be killed in England?
Claudius arranged for Rosencrantz And Guildenstern to take Hamlet to England with a letter that says to kill Hamlet. The letter is to be given to the King of England, but Hamlet steals the letter on the boat ride over, and replaces it with one that says to kill the bearer of this letter.
Did Hamlet say to be or not to be?
He did indeed. It's the most famous thing he says. He says it in Act III Scene 1 of the play.
What does Hamlet mean when he calls Rosencrantz a sponge?
Hamlet calls Rosencrantz a "sponge" because he always does as Cladius pleases. He obeys him no matter what. He has no thoughts of his own--he just sucks up the thoughts and plans of the king and they come out when he is squeezed. Hamlet says that like a sponge once Claudius is done with him, he will get rid of him.
Who says thou art a villain to who and when?
The line "Thou art a villain" is spoken by Hamlet to Claudius in Act 4, Scene 2 of William Shakespeare's play "Hamlet." Hamlet confronts Claudius about his guilt in the murder of King Hamlet.
What do you think Hamlet means when he says mother you have my father much offended?
Hamlet is referring to his real father, who is dead, not his step-father. He means that his mother has insulted the memory of her late husband, the deceased king, by marrying Hamlet's uncle soon after the late king's death.
At the end of Hamlet does Horatio become king?
No, Fortinbras does as declared by Hamlet and Fortinbras. Fortinbras is on his way back from Poland and is expecting to see the king and say that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern were executed, but instead he sees everyone dead and says it is his right to be king. Fortinbras then orders a funeral for Hamlet.
What is Claudius' relationship to Prince Hamlet in Shakespeare's play?
Gertrude's first husband was King Hamlet. King Hamlet was the brother of Claudius. This makes Claudius and Gertrude in-laws. After Claudius murders King Hamlet, he marries Gertrude, so they are then husband and wife.
Who says to be or not to be out of Shakespeares plays?
Hamlet says it to himself in the play: The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke
How guilty is Hamlet's mother?
She feels very guilty and she tells Hamlet so. Hamlet asked her to not reveal that he is not really crazy. She then protects Hamlet for the murder of Polonius by telling the king that Hamlet has gone mad. However, it is clear that Gertrude is not as guilty as you might think. She was not aware of the fact that Claudius had killed her first husband for her until Hamlet says "Almost as bad, dear mother, as to kill a king and marry with his brother." "To kill a king?" she asks. She had no idea. Nevertheless she was the motive, or part of the motive for the crime, and this makes her feel guilty.
What does Hamlet tell Rosencrantz and Guildenstern is the cause of his problem?
He says, "I lack advancement." He doesn't really mean it though; he is playing with them.
