"that means mischief"
Language
Act 3,
Scene 2
Lines 129-131
Ophelia
Hamlet
Ophelia
This phrase is Hamlet’s translation of “miching mallico,” a phrase he has invented. He also suggests that the dumbshow indicates that the play deals with mischief, criminal activity. And finally, by revealing the plot of the play, the actors are ruining Hamlet’s attempt to surprise Claudius.