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"actor on his ass"
Allusion and Wordplay
Act 2,
Scene 2
Line 390

An explanation of the phrase “actor on his ass” in Act 2, Scene 2 of myShakespeare’s Hamlet.

Hamlet

Then came each actor on his ass.    

“Then came each actor on his ass” is probably an allusion to a line from a popular ballad, but Hamlet’s engaging in some wordplay, too. In restating Polonius' last lines, "The actors are come hither...upon my honor,” Hamlet sarcastically equates Polonius's honor with his ass.