You are here

Roscius
Allusion
Act 2,
Scene 2
Lines 384-387

An explanation of the allusion to Roscius in Act 2, Scene 2 of myShakespeare’s Hamlet.

Polonius

My lord, I have news to tell you ...

Hamlet   

[Interrupting] My lord, I have news to tell you. When Roscius was 
an actor in Rome ...    

Polonius

The actors are come hither, my lord.

Roscius was the most famous actor of Ancient Rome, so Hamlet is akin to saying, “Once upon a time, long, long ago…” But his real intention is to use the word “actor” before Polonius does, just to play with him.