Hamlet

My excellent good friends! How dost thou, Guildenstern?

Oh, Rosencrantz! Good lads, how do you both?

Rosencrantz

As the indifferent children of the earth.

Guildenstern

Happy in that we are not over-happy.

On Fortune's cap we are not the very button.

Hamlet

Nor the soles of her shoe?

Rosencrantz

Neither, my lord.

Read more about Act 2, Scene 2: Popup Note Index Item: "Fortune"

Polonius

You know sometimes he walks four hours together

Here in the lobby.

Gertrude

So he has indeed.

Polonius

At such a time I'll loose my daughter to him.

Be you and I behind an arras then,

Mark the encounter. If he love her not,

And be not from his reason fallen thereon,

Let me be no assistant for a state

But keep a farm and carters.

Read more about Act 2, Scene 2: Popup Note Index Item: "loose"

Polonius"Doubt thou the stars are fire,
Doubt that the sun does move,
Doubt truth to be a liar,
But never doubt I love.
Oh, dear Ophelia, I am ill at these numbers.
I have not art to reckon my groans. But that I  
love thee best, oh, most best, believe it. Adieu.
Thine evermore, most dear lady, 
Whilst this machine is to him,  Hamlet."

Read more about Act 2, Scene 2: Popup Note Index Item: "ill at these numbers"

Polonius

"To the celestial and my soul's idol, the most

‘beautified’ Ophelia" — That's an ill phrase, a vile phrase;

beautified is a vile phrase. But you shall hear —

"thus in her excellent white bosom, these ..."

Read more about Act 2, Scene 2: Popup Note Index Item: "beautified"

Polonius

My liege and madam, to expostulate

What majesty should be, what duty is,

Why day is day, night, night, and time is time —

Were nothing but to waste night, day, and time.

Therefore, since brevity is the soul of wit,

And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes,

I will be brief. Your noble son is mad.

Mad call I it, for to define true madness,

What is't but to be nothing else but mad?

But let that go.

Gertrude

Polonius

[He reads from a letter.]

Gertrude

Polonius

[He reads.]

Claudius

Polonius

Claudius

Polonius

Claudius

Gertrude

Polonius

Claudius

Polonius

[Indicating his head and shoulder]

Claudius

Polonius

Gertrude

Polonius

Claudius

[Enter Hamlet reading a book].

Gertrude

Polonius

[Exit Claudius and Gertrude.]

Read more about Act 2, Scene 2: Popup Note Index Item: "brevity is the soul of wit"

Polonius

Give first admittance to th' ambassadors.

My news shall be the fruit to that great feast.

Claudius

Thyself do grace to them and bring them in.

Read more about Act 2, Scene 2: Popup Note Index Item: "doing grace"

Claudius

Oh, speak of that! That do I long to hear.

Polonius

Give first admittance to th' ambassadors.

My news shall be the fruit to that great feast.

Claudius

Thyself do grace to them and bring them in.

Read more about Act 2, Scene 2: Popup Note Index Item: "fruit to that great feast"

Rosencrantz

Than to entreaty.

Guildenstern

We both obey,

And here give up ourselves in the full bent,

To lay our services freely at your feet

Read more about Act 2, Scene 2: Popup Note Index Item: "in the full bent"

[Enter four or five Players.]
HamletYou are welcome, masters, welcome all. I am glad to see thee well.
Welcome, good friends. [To a young actor] Oh, my old friend!
Thy face is valanced since I saw thee last. Com'st
thou to beard me in Denmark? [To a young boy actor] What,
my young lady and mistress! By'r lady, your ladyship is nearer
heaven than when I saw you last, by the altitude of a chopine. 
Pray God your voice, like a piece of uncurrent gold, be not
cracked within the ring.  [To all]  Masters, you are all 
welcome. We'll e'en to't like French falconers — fly at
anything we see. We'll have a speech straight. Come, give
us a taste of your quality. Come, a passionate speech.

Read more about Act 2, Scene 2: Popup Note Index Item: "valanced"

PoloniusI am sorry that with better heed and judgment
I had not quoted him. I fear he did but trifle
And meant to wreck thee. But beshrew my jealousy!    
It seems it is as proper to our age
To cast beyond ourselves in our opinions,    
As it is common for the younger sort
To lack discretion. Come, go we to the king.

Read more about Act 2, Scene 1: Popup Note Index Item: "cast beyond ourselves"

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Hamlet

Hamlet

Rosencrantz

Guildenstern

Hamlet

Rosencrantz

Polonius

Gertrude

Polonius

Polonius

Polonius

Polonius

Gertrude

Polonius

Gertrude

Polonius

Claudius

Polonius

Claudius

Polonius

Claudius

Gertrude

Polonius

Claudius

Polonius

Claudius

Polonius

Gertrude

Polonius

Claudius

Gertrude

Polonius

Polonius

Claudius

Claudius

Polonius

Claudius

Rosencrantz

Guildenstern

Hamlet

Polonius

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