Exploring Word Repeated By Hamlet Before Solid Flesh
When it comes to literature, William Shakespeare is one of the most renowned authors of all time. His works have been analyzed, critiqued, and studied for centuries, and they continue to fascinate readers to this day. One of Shakespeare's most well-known works is Hamlet, a tragedy about a prince's struggle with revenge, death, and madness. Within the play, there is a phrase that Hamlet repeats multiple times: "words, words, words". What does this phrase mean, and why does Hamlet keep repeating it? Let's take a look at the context of the phrase and its meaning.
The Meaning of "Words, Words, Words"
The phrase "words, words, words" appears in Act II, Scene II of Hamlet. In this scene, Hamlet is speaking with Polonius, a courtier of King Claudius. Polonius is trying to give Hamlet advice about his melancholy, which Hamlet is not interested in hearing. In response, Hamlet says "words, words, words" in an exasperated tone. Through this phrase, Hamlet is expressing his frustration with Polonius's advice, as well as his disdain for the court's superficial conversations. He is essentially saying that words are meaningless, and that talk is cheap.
The Significance of "Words, Words, Words"
The phrase "words, words, words" is significant because it reflects Hamlet's state of mind at this point in the play. He is exhausted with the court's false flattery and empty promises, and he is desperate for something real and substantial. This is why, shortly after uttering this phrase, he begins to describe the concept of solid flesh: "That is the very painting of your fear. This is the air-drawn dagger which, you said, led you to Duncan. O, these flaws and starts, impostors to true fear, would well become a woman's story at a winter's fire, authorized with a sneer, but not in the world of solid flesh.”
Here, Hamlet is expressing his longing for something that is real and tangible, rather than something that is ephemeral and insubstantial. This longing is further highlighted when he says, "O, that this too too solid flesh would melt, thaw, and resolve itself into a dew". Through this phrase, Hamlet is expressing his wish to escape his physical form and be free from the world's constraints and limitations. This longing for something more meaningful is at the heart of the phrase "words, words, words".
Conclusion
The phrase "words, words, words" is repeated by Hamlet before he speaks of solid flesh. Through this phrase, Hamlet is expressing his frustration with the court's superficial conversations and his longing for something real and substantial. This phrase is significant because it highlights Hamlet's state of mind at this point in the play, and it serves as an important reminder of his desire for something more meaningful. In the words of Hamlet himself, "words, words, words".