“ Words without thoughts never to heaven go. ”
William Shakespeare, Hamlet (1623). copy citation
| Author | William Shakespeare |
|---|---|
| Source | Hamlet |
| Topic | words guilt honesty |
| Date | 1623 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, Act III, Scene 3 |
| Note | Written between 1599 and 1602 Claudius line |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1524/1524-h/1524-h.htm |
Context
“And that his soul may be as damn'd and black As hell, whereto it goes. My mother stays.
This physic but prolongs thy sickly days. [Exit.]
The King rises and advances. King. My words fly up, my thoughts remain below. Words without thoughts never to heaven go. [Exit.]
SCENE IV. Another room in the Castle.
Enter Queen and Polonius. Polonius. He will come straight. Look you lay home to him,
” source
This physic but prolongs thy sickly days. [Exit.]
The King rises and advances. King. My words fly up, my thoughts remain below. Words without thoughts never to heaven go. [Exit.]
SCENE IV. Another room in the Castle.
Enter Queen and Polonius. Polonius. He will come straight. Look you lay home to him,
” source
Meaning and analysis
Kwize Master
Hamlet hesitates to kill Claudius to avenge his father's death, but as Claudius is praying, he decides to find a more suitable time. Indeed, if he kills him now, Claudius would risk having his sins absolved. Claudius, who has not seen Hamlet, then stands up and acknowledges that his prayers are pointless because they are not sincere, and that his lack of remorse makes them meaningless.
useful
useless
