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From "thou" to "you"
Context and Language Videos
Act 3,
Scene 4
Lines 9-13

A discussion of the change from "thou" to "you" in Act 3, Scene 4 of myShakespeare's Hamlet. 

myShakespeare | Hamlet 3.4 From "Thou" to "You"

Hamlet   

Now mother, what's the matter?

Gertrude

Hamlet, thou have thy father much offended.

Hamlet

Mother, you have my father much offended.

Gertrude

Come, come, you answer with an idle tongue. 

Hamlet

Go, go, you question with an wicked tongue.
Video Transcript: 

RALPH:  Hamlet's quick-witted replies to his mother in this exchange use language that's almost identical to hers, but that makes her out to be the one in trouble, and not him..

SARAH:  These short, repetitive lines also build up the pace and cause the tension and excitement in this scene to grow.

RALPH:  Also, Sarah, it's worth pointing out how Gertrude switches, after her first lines, from using the familial "thou" form to the "you" form when she is speaking to Hamlet.

SARAH:  That's right, Ralph.  The "thou" form is more intimate — and it's also normally how a mother would speak to a son.  Similarly, Hamlet would ordinarily use the "you" form, since it's more formal, and indicates respect.  

RALPH:  But what Hamlet's saying isn't respectful at all!

SARAH:  Exactly — and so Gertrude changes to "you", as well, which is more distant — all the better to express her displeasure at his rude response.