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"the owl was a baker's daughter"
Discussion
Act 4,
Scene 5
Lines 40-44

An explanation of Ophelia’s speech in Act 4, Scene 5 of myShakespeare’s Hamlet.

Claudius    

How do you, pretty lady?

Ophelia

Well God 'ild you. They say the owl was a baker's
daughter. Lord, we know what we are, but know not
what we may be. God be at your table!    

Claudius    

Conceit upon her father.

Ophelia’s remarks, “God yield (reward) you” and “God be at your table,” were common blessings. But the two sentences in between are a reference to a medieval story. In one version, Christ stops at a bakery to beg for bread, which he receives from the baker’s wife. When the baker’s daughter criticizes her mother for giving him too much, Christ turns her into an owl. What point might Ophelia be making here?