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All Site ContentHamletAct 5Scene 1
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"upon what ground"
Wordplay
Act 5,
Scene 1
Lines 132-150

An explanation of Hamlet’s question to First Gravedigger in Act 5, Scene 1 of myShakespeare’s Hamlet.

Hamlet

[To First Gravedigger] How long have thou been grave-maker?

First Gravedigger

Of all the days i'th' year, I came to't that day that our
last King Hamlet o'ercame Fortinbras.

Hamlet   

How long is that since?

First Gravedigger

Cannot you tell that? Every fool can tell that. It was the
very day that young Hamlet was born — he that was mad 
and sent into England.

Hamlet

Ay, marry, why was he sent into England?

First Gravedigger

Why, because he was mad. He shall recover his wits there;
or if he do not, it's no great matter there.

Hamlet   

Why?

First Gravedigger

'Twill not be seen in him. There the men are as mad as he.

Hamlet

How came he mad?

First Gravedigger   

Very strangely, they say.

Hamlet   

How, strangely?

First Gravedigger   

Faith, e'en with losing his wits.

Hamlet   

Upon what ground?    

First Gravedigger

Why, here in Denmark. I have been sexton here,
man and boy, thirty years.

The wordplay in Hamlet’s question gives it two possible meanings:

  • On what basis? (Hamlet’s meaning)
  • Where? (Gravedigger’s meaning)