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The Great Gatsby
Hamlet

Free Literature Study Guides
The Great Gatsby
Hamlet

Hamlet Deceit and Lies Quotes

Mad as the sea and wind, when both contend
Which is the mightier: in his lawless fit,
Behind the arras hearing something stir,
Whips out his rapier, cries, ‘A rat, a rat!’
And, in this brainish apprehension, kills
The unseen good old man.

– William Shakespeare

Hamlet, Act 4, Scene 1. Gertrude says this in response to Claudius who asks how is Hamlet. She tells him that her son is quite mad and has killed Polonius. But Hamlet has already told her that he is not mad, but is pretending to be, and asked her not to reveal this to Claudius. So she tells Claudius a lie.

To draw apart the body he hath killed.
Over whom his very madness, like some ore
Among a mineral of metals base,
Shows itself pure: he weeps for what he has done.

– William Shakespeare

Hamlet, Act 4, Scene 1. Gertrude certainly displays a mother’s unconditional love for her son here, as she lies through her teeth about Hamlet’s remorse and tears over killing Polonius. Hamlet showed no remorse and called Polonius a “fool.” Gertrude uses a simile to compare the remorseful Hamlet to a pure metal that stands out from the other surrounding base minerals.

But we will ship him hence, and this vile deed
We must, with all our majesty and skill,
Both countenance and excuse.

– William Shakespeare

Hamlet Act 4, Scene 1. Claudius tells Gertrude that they will send Hamlet away to England so that they can explain about his slaying of Polonious. Claudius makes out that he is trying to protect Hamlet. What he omits is that he is having Hamlet shipped to England to be executed, because he fears him and thinks that he is a danger to him.

Do it, England.

– William Shakespeare

Hamlet, Act 4, Scene 3. In this soliloquy Claudius is speaking to the King of England, hoping that the letter he has secretly conveyed will result in the English King executing Hamlet. He has lied to his wife Gertrude and Hamlet about this, suggesting istead that he is sending Hamlet away to England to protect him from any harm he may face after killing Polonius.

I once did hold it, as our statists do,
A baseness to write fair, and laboured much
How to forget that learning; but, sir, now
It did me yeoman’s service.

– William Shakespeare

Hamlet, Act 5, Scene 2. Hamlet once thought it foolish to write in the ornamental style like the state bureaucrats, and worked hard to forget what had he learned of that style. But that learning became useful to him, when he replaced Claudius’ letter ordering his execution with his own forgery.

He should the bearers put to sudden death,
Not shriving-time allow’d.

– William Shakespeare

Hamlet, Act 5, Scene 2. Hamlet shows his deadly deceptiveness when he recounts to Horatio how he had his two friends, Guildenstern and Rosencrantz executed. In the letter they bore from Claudius requesting Hamlet’s execution once in England, he changed his name to theirs so they would be executed instead.

The king, sir, hath laid, that in a dozen passes between yourself and him, he shall not exceed you three hits: he hath laid on twelve for nine; and it would come to immediate trial, if your lordship would vouchsafe the answer.

– William Shakespeare

Hamlet, Act 5, Scene 2. Osric lies to Hamlet about the fight proposal with Laertes. He outlines the odds, the King has bet that in a dozen rounds between Hamlet and Laertes, Laertes won’t beat Hamlet by more than three hits. What he leaves out is that Laertes’ sword will be unbated and poisoned.

I am satisfied in nature,
Whose motive, in this case, should stir me most
To my revenge: but in my terms of honour
I stand aloof.

– William Shakespeare

Hamlet, Act 5, Scene 2. Laertes says Hamlet’s apology has soothed his anger at Hamlet for killing his father. But the damage to his honor gives him good reason for seeking revenge. Here Laertes lies, as he exacts a dishonorable revenge when he uses a poisoned rapier in a duel.

Horatio, I am dead;
Thou livest; report me and my cause aright
To the unsatisfied.

– William Shakespeare

Hamlet, Act 5, Scene 2. As Hamlet is dying, he asks his friend Horatio to share the truth of what has happened. He wants Horatio to live and stops him from committing suicide so he can tell Hamlet’s story and preserve his reputation.

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