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"idle"
Wordplay
Act 3,
Scene 2
Lines 84b-88

An explanation of the pun on “idle” in Act 3, Scene 2 of myShakespeare’s Hamlet.

Horatio

                                             Well, my lord. 
If he steal aught the whilst this play is playing
And 'scape detected, I will pay the theft.

Hamlet 

They are coming to the play. I must be idle.    
Get you a place.

The pun on the term “idle” can be read two ways:

  • mad (Hamlet’s pretended madness)
  • unoccupied (Hamlet needs to greet his guests arriving for the performance.)