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"brevity is the soul of wit"
Irony
Act 2,
Scene 2
Lines 86-95a

A discussion of the proverbial phrase, “brevity is the soul of wit,” in Act 2, Scene 2 of myShakespeare’s Hamlet.

Polonius

My liege and madam, to expostulate
What majesty should be, what duty is,
Why day is day, night, night, and time is time —
Were nothing but to waste night, day, and time.
Therefore, since brevity is the soul of wit, 
And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes,
I will be brief. Your noble son is mad.
Mad call I it, for to define true madness,
What is't but to be nothing else but mad?
But let that go.

Gertrude

Polonius

[He reads from a letter.]

Gertrude

Polonius

[He reads.]

Claudius 

Polonius 

Claudius

Polonius

Claudius 

Gertrude

Polonius

Claudius

Polonius     

[Indicating his head and shoulder]

Claudius

Polonius

Gertrude

Polonius

Claudius 

[Enter Hamlet reading a book].

Gertrude

Polonius

[Exit Claudius and Gertrude.]

Sound familiar? This is one of many Shakespeare’s phrases that have become proverbial. The irony here is of course that Polonius is being anything but brief.