Act Four Language: Cameron

1) 4.2 Hamlet
"I am glad of it. A knavish speech sleeps in a foolish ear."

-I'm glad that you don't understand what I am saying. Sly words are never to be understood by fools.

-These phrases give you a little view of Hamlet's real feeling towards Guildenstern and Rosencrantz. It lets you know how foolish he really finds them to be.

2) 4.4 Hamlet
"...Now, whether it be
Bestial oblivion, or some craven scruple..."

- Now whether it is animal-like madness or cowardly hesitation."

-This phrase gives you the clue that Hamlet is really beating himself up about his hesitation to avenge his father's death. You can tell that he is disappointed in himself and he doesn't understand why he has put it off for so long.

3) 4.5 Laertes

"This nothing's more than matter."

-This nonsense she is speaking means more than rational speech.

-This gives you a sense of Ophelia's true insanity. She is driven mad, much to everyone's dismay and what she says is more proof of her insanity than anyone can ever describe in rational speech.