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All Site ContentHamletAct 2Scene 2
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"doing grace"
Wordplay
Act 2,
Scene 2
Lines 51-53

An explanation of wordplay in Act 2, Scene 2 of myShakespeare’s Hamlet.

Polonius

Give first admittance to th' ambassadors.
My news shall be the fruit to that great feast.    

Claudius

Thyself do grace to them and bring them in.    

In this moment of wordplay, the phrase “doing grace” can be read in two ways:

  • Saying grace before a meal
  • Showing respect

(Family saying grace before a meal, Antoon Claeissens, c. 1575-1599)