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All Site ContentHamletAct 3Scene 2
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"steal", "theft"
Wordplay
Act 3,
Scene 2
Lines 85-86

Horatio's use of words relating to a robbery in Act 3, Scene 2 of myshakespeare's Hamlet.

Horatio

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

Horatio engages in a bit of wordplay by using words relating to a robbery in his promise to watch Claudius closely. If Claudius gets away with anything (“steals aught”) then Horatio will be responsible (“pay the theft”).