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"incontinency"
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Act 2,
Scene 1
Lines 28-35a

An explanation of the word “incontinency” in Act 2, Scene 1 of myShakespeare’s Hamlet.

Polonius

Faith, no, as you may season it in the charge.
You must not put another scandal on him,
That he is open to incontinency —
That's not my meaning. But breathe his faults so quaintly
That they may seem the taints of liberty,
The flash and outbreak of a fiery mind,
A savageness in unreclaimèd blood,
Of general assault.

In modern usage, “incontinent” means lacking control over bodily functions. In Shakespeare’s day, “incontinent” implied a lack of self-control, particularly over sexual desire. According to Polonius, accusing Laertes of a lack of sexual restraint in social settings would dishonor him, but saying that Laertes visits brothels is quite okay.