William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” is a treasure trove of some of the most profound, memorable, and quotable lines in English literature. The tragedy, centered around the Prince of Denmark, Hamlet, as he seeks revenge for his father’s murder, explores themes of betrayal, revenge, madness, and mortality. This article curates 48 of the best quotes from “Hamlet,” providing insight into the depth and complexity of Shakespeare’s masterpiece.
1. “To be, or not to be: that is the question:” (Act 3, Scene 1)
2. “Frailty, thy name is woman!” (Act 1, Scene 2)
3. “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.” (Act 1, Scene 4)
4. “This above all: to thine own self be true.” (Act 1, Scene 3)
5. “Though this be madness, yet there is method in’t.” (Act 2, Scene 2)
6. “The lady doth protest too much, methinks.” (Act 3, Scene 2)
7. “What a piece of work is man!” (Act 2, Scene 2)
8. “There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.” (Act 1, Scene 5)
9. “Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio.” (Act 5, Scene 1)
10. “The rest is silence.” (Act 5, Scene 2)
11. “Give me that man that is not passion’s slave.” (Act 3, Scene 2)
12. “When sorrows come, they come not single spies, but in battalions.” (Act 4, Scene 5)
13. “One may smile, and smile, and be a villain.” (Act 1, Scene 5)
14. “What is a man, if his chief good and market of his time be but to sleep and feed?” (Act 4, Scene 4)
15. “Brevity is the soul of wit.” (Act 2, Scene 2)
16. “Doubt thou the stars are fire; Doubt that the sun doth move; Doubt truth to be a liar; But never doubt I love.” (Act 2, Scene 2)
17. “The play’s the thing wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the king.” (Act 2, Scene 2)
18. “Words, words, words.” (Act 2, Scene 2)
19. “Get thee to a nunnery!” (Act 3, Scene 1)
20. “Rich gifts wax poor when givers prove unkind.” (Act 3, Scene 1)
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21. “O, what a rogue and peasant slave am I!” (Act 2, Scene 2)
22. “There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” (Act 2, Scene 2)
23. “The devil hath power to assume a pleasing shape.” (Act 2, Scene 2)
24. “Sweets to the sweet.” (Act 5, Scene 1)
25. “Conscience doth make cowards of us all.” (Act 3, Scene 1)
26. “To die, to sleep—To sleep, perchance to dream.” (Act 3, Scene 1)
27. “We know what we are, but know not what we may be.” (Act 4, Scene 5)
28. “O, my offence is rank, it smells to heaven.” (Act 3, Scene 3)
29. “That it should come to this!” (Act 1, Scene 2)
30. “Madness in great ones must not unwatched go.” (Act 3, Scene 1)
31. “O villain, villain, smiling, damned villain!” (Act 1, Scene 5)
32. “A little more than kin, and less than kind.” (Act 1, Scene 2)
33. “O, what a noble mind is here o’erthrown!” (Act 3, Scene 1)
34. “How weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable seem to me all the uses of this world!” (Act 1, Scene 2).
35. “My words fly up, my thoughts remain below: Words without thoughts never to heaven go.” (Act 3, Scene 3)
36. “The time is out of joint: O cursed spite, that ever I was born to set it right!” (Act 1, Scene 5)
37. “Thus conscience does make cowards of us all.” (Act 3, Scene 1)
38. “I must be cruel, only to be kind.” (Act 3, Scene 4)
39. “What a falling-off was there!” (Act 1, Scene 5)
40. “Goodnight, sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!” (Act 5, Scene 2)
41. “The dread of something after death.” (Act 3, Scene 1)
42. “The serpent that did sting thy father’s life now wears his crown.” (Act 1, Scene 5)
43. “Give thy thoughts no tongue.” (Act 1, Scene 3)
44. “O, from this time forth, my thoughts be bloody, or be nothing worth!” (Act 4, Scene 4)
45. “The readiness is all.” (Act 5, Scene 2)
46. “Do you think I am easier to be played on than a pipe?” (Act 3, Scene 2)
47. “For in that sleep of death, what dreams may come.” (Act 3, Scene 1)
48. “There’s a divinity that shapes our ends, rough-hew them how we will.” (Act 5, Scene 2)
Conclusion
Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” is an enduring masterpiece, rich with lines that resonate deeply with themes of existence, morality, and human nature. These 48 quotes capture the essence of the play, offering insights into the characters’ psyches and the profound philosophical questions that drive the narrative. Each quote stands as a testament to Shakespeare’s genius, inviting readers to explore the depths of his work and reflect on the timeless truths it conveys.