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"fashion"
Wordplay
Act 1,
Scene 3
Lines 110-112

An explanation of the wordplay on “fashion” in Act 1, Scene 3 of myShakespeare’s Hamlet.

Ophelia

My lord, he has importuned me with love
In honorable fashion. 

Polonius 

Ay, ‘fashion’ – you may call it. Go to, go to.

Shakespeare takes advantage of multiple meanings in this moment of wordplay:

  • “Fashion” can refer to manner of doing something, which is how Ophelia is using it.
  • Or it can refer to a false social front, which is what Polonius means.