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All Site ContentHamletAct 1Scene 3
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"Carve for himself"
Allusion
Act 1,
Scene 3
Lines 14-24

An explanation of the phrase, “Carve for himself” in Act 1, Scene 3 of myShakespeare’s Hamlet.

Laertes

Grows wide withal. Perhaps he loves you now,  
And now no soil nor cautel does besmirch
The virtue of his will. But you must fear,
His greatness weighed, his will is not his own
For he himself is subject to his birth.
He may not, as unvalued persons do, 
Carve for himself, for on his choice depends
The sanctity and health of this whole state; 
And therefore must his choice be circumscribed
Unto the voice and yielding of that body
Whereof he is the head. Then if he says he loves you, 

This line alludes to the common phrase, “to be one’s own carver,” In other words, to be a law unto oneself.