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"sound", "compass"
Double Meaning
Act 3,
Scene 2
Lines 342-343

Double meanings of the words "sound" and "compass" in Act 3, Scene 2 of myshakespeare's Hamlet.

Hamlet

mystery, you would sound me from my lowest note to the
top of my compass. And there is much music, excellent

Hamlet is engaging in the double meanings of the words “sound” and “compass”. You can make a sound with a musical instrument from its lowest note to the top of its range (compass). But sounds can also mean to probe, and compass can mean cunning; Guildenstern is probing Hamlet to find out why he’s being so cunning.