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"A piece of him"
Wordplay
Act 1,
Scene 1
Lines 18c-19b

An explanation of wordplay in the phrase, “a piece of him” in Act 1, Scene 1 of myShakespeare’s Hamlet.

Bernardo

                                                                          Say,
What, is Horatio there?

Horatio

                                           A piece of him. 

Bernardo

Marcellus 

Bernardo

Marcellus

Horatio

Bernardo

Horatio

Bernardo

[Enter a ghostly figure dressed in splendid armor – see note, line 40]

Marcellus 

Bernardo 

Marcellus

Bernardo 

Horatio 

Bernardo

Marcellus

Horatio 

Marcellus

Bernardo

Horatio   

[Exit Ghost.]

Marcellus  

Bernardo

Horatio 

Marcellus

Horatio   

Marcellus 

Horatio 

Marcellus

Horatio

[Re-enter the ghost.]
[The ghost spreads its arms.]
[The cock crows.]

Marcellus 

Horatio 

[They strike at the Ghost but their spears seem to pass through it without any effect]

Bernardo

Horatio 

[Exit Ghost.]

Marcellus

Bernardo 

Horatio  

Marcellus 

Horatio 

Marcellus 

[Exit.]

The wordplay is that this phrase can be read in two ways:

  • Horatio is shriveled because of the cold.
  • Only part of Horatio is excited about having to come out on a cold night for the purpose we'll soon discover.