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All Site ContentHamletAct 1Scene 3
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"fire"
Wordplay
Act 1,
Scene 3
Lines 115-120

An explanation of the fire metaphor in Act 1, Scene 3 of myShakespeare’s Hamlet.

Polonius 

Ay, springes to catch woodcocks. I do know
When the blood burns, how prodigal the soul
Lends the tongue vows. These blazes, daughter,
Giving more light than heat, extinct in both
Even in their promise as it is a-making,
You must not take for fire. From this time  

To understand this metaphor, think of a spark which lights a fire for an instant and then goes out, providing neither heat nor light. Polonius is comparing this to the promise of marriage prompted by Hamlet's burning sexual desire, a promise that is worthless by the time he has finished making it.