Famous Hamlet Quotes

Hamlet is considered to be one of the best plays of William Shakespeare. Hamlet deals with themes like death, revenge, murder, treachery, moral corruption, and incest. Prince Hamlet finds himself in a situation where he has to kill his father's brother, who he believes is responsible for his father's death.

Though Hamlet is a person of superior intelligence, his indecisive nature becomes the reason for his tragic death. Apart from the plot, theme, and characters of the play, what makes Hamlet a favorite among people even after several centuries is the splendid lines written by, Shakespeare. People make use of these lines in their everyday conversation.

To be or not to be is undeniably one of the most prominent Hamlet quotes. This single line spoken by Hamlet reveals the indecisiveness that goes on inside his mind. This is also a quote which has been interpreted and discussed endlessly by scholars of English literature. There are several other quotes listed here.

Though this be madness, yet there is method in 't. ~ Polonius, Act II, Scene II

The lady doth protest too much, methinks. ~ Gertrude, Act III, Scene II

A little more than kin, and less than kind. ~ Hamlet, Act I, Scene II

The play's the thing wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king. ~ Hamlet, Act II, Scene II

Let me be cruel, not unnatural; I will speak daggers to her, but use none. ~ Hamlet, Act III, Scene II

All that lives must die, passing through nature to eternity. ~ Gertrude, Act I, Scene II

Beggar that I am, I am even poor in thanks. ~ Hamlet, Act II, Scene II

When sorrows come, they come not single spies, but in battalions. ~ Act IV, Scene V

My words fly up, my thoughts remain below;
Words without thoughts never to heaven go. ~ Claudius, Act III, Scene III

I say, we will have no more marriages: those that are married already, - all but one, - shall live; the rest shall keep as they are. ~ Hamlet, Act III, Scene I

O, woe is me; To have seen what I have seen, see what I see! ~ Ophelia, Act III, Scene I

O! my offense is rank, it smells to heaven. ~ Claudius, Act III, Scene III

I must be cruel, only to be kind: Thus bad begins and worse remains behind. ~ Hamlet, Act III, Scene IV

Good-night, ladies; good-night, sweet ladies; good-night, good-night. ~ Hamlet, Act IV, Scene V

Too much of water hast thou, poor Ophelia, And therefore I forbid my tears. ~ Laertes, Act IV, Scene VII

Doubt thou the stars are fire; Doubt that the sun doth move; Doubt truth to be a liar; But never doubt I love. ~ Hamlet, Act II, Scene II

Rich gifts wax poor when givers prove unkind. ~ Ophelia, Act III, Scene II

Hear you, sir;
What is the reason that you use me thus?
I loved you ever: but it is no matter;
Let Hercules himself do what he may,
The cat will mew and dog will have his day. ~ Hamlet, Act V, Scene I

Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice;
Take each man's censure, but reserve thy judgment. ~ Polonius, Act I, Scene III

Give me that man
That is not passion's slave, and I will wear him
In my heart's core, ay, in my heart of heart. ~ Hamlet, Act III, Scene I

This above all - to thine own self be true;
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man. ~ Polonius, Act I, Scene III

Neither a borrower nor a lender be;
For loan oft loses both itself and friend,
And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry.

This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man. ~ Polonius, Act I, Scene III

That I, the son of a dear father murdered,
Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell,
Must like a whore unpack my heart with words,
and fall a-cursing like a very drab. ~ Hamlet, act II, Scene II

My hour is almost come
When I to sulphrous and tormenting flames
Must render up myself. ~ Ghost, Act I, Scene V

The serpent that did sting thy father's life
Now wears his crown. ~ Ghost, Act I, Scene V

Soft you now!
The fair Ophelia! - Nymph, in thy orisons
Be all my sins remember'd. ~ Hamlet, Act III, Scene I

Now might I do it pat, now he is praying;
And now I'll do 't: and so he goes to heaven;
And so am I reveng'd. ~ Hamlet, Act III, scene III

I'm lost in it, my lord. But let him come;
It warms the very sickness in my heart,
That I shall live and tell him to his teeth,
'Thus didest thou. ~ Laertes, Act IV, Scene VII

I lov'd Ophelia: forty thousand brothers
Could not, with all their quantity of love,
Make up my sum. ~ Hamlet, Act V, Scene I

Lay her i' the earth:
And from her fair and unpolluted flesh
May violets spring! ~ Laertes, Act V, Scene I

These are some of the famous quotes that are the highlight of the Hamlet play. These lines reflect the thoughts and feelings of the characters and take the play forward.