“ one may smile, and smile, and be a villain! ”
William Shakespeare, Hamlet (1623). copy citation
| Author | William Shakespeare |
|---|---|
| Source | Hamlet |
| Topic | evil smiling |
| Date | 1623 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | Written between 1599 and 1602 |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1524/1524-h/1524-h.htm |
Context
“And thy commandment all alone shall live Within the book and volume of my brain, Unmix'd with baser matter. Yes, by heaven!
O most pernicious woman! O villain, villain, smiling damned villain! My tables. Meet it is I set it down,
That one may smile, and smile, and be a villain! At least I am sure it may be so in Denmark. [Writing.]
So, uncle, there you are. Now to my word;
It is 'Adieu, adieu, remember me.'
I have sworn't. HORATIO and MARCELLUS.” source
O most pernicious woman! O villain, villain, smiling damned villain! My tables. Meet it is I set it down,
That one may smile, and smile, and be a villain! At least I am sure it may be so in Denmark. [Writing.]
So, uncle, there you are. Now to my word;
It is 'Adieu, adieu, remember me.'
I have sworn't. HORATIO and MARCELLUS.” source
Meaning and analysis
