Words Words Words

1. III.i "We are arrant knaves all;..."
   Definition: A dishonest or unscrupulous man
   Here Hamlet is basically telling Ophelia that he never loved her and that all his advances and actions towards her were a lie. He tells her that she is crazy for believing that he was true to her and that men are all dishonest. She should have nothing to do with them, and in fact, should get herself to a convent. That way she will not have to deal with liars like himself. 
2. III.i "...thou shalt not escape calumny..."
   Definition: A false or slanderous statement
   After Hamlet informs Ophelia of the lie she has been believing this whole time, he tells her that if you does indeed get married one day, she will not be able to escape the untrue ways of marriage. Love is all but a lie for him and I think this reveals much more about Hamlet. The fact that everything that has been happening to him has overwhelmed and clouded his judgement therefore giving him a distorted perception on something he used to feel strongly for: Ophelia.
3. III.ii "it offends me to the soul to hear a robustious, periwig-pated fellow..."
   Definition: Wig-wearing
   Hamlet is speaking to the players and telling them how they should perform their roles. He asks of them that they not be so overly dramatic that they become loud and obnoxious. He does not appreciate the "wig-wearers" and states that it offends him. He seems to be somewhat passionate over how these actors are to portray his scene. Possibly so they get it just right for a wanted reaction from Claudius, so Hamlet will finally know whether he can seek revenge or not.
4. III.ii "Excellent, i' faith, of the chameleon's dish."
   Definition: Chameleons were thought to live off the air; eat air
   This phrase that Shakespeare decided to use is somewhat ironic. The dialogue is being held between King Claudius and Hamlet. Chameleons were thought to eat air, but as Hamlet and Shakespeare also meant the heir like the heir to a thrown. Hamlet was the heir to the thrown of Denmark before Claudius married Gertrude. This "chameleons dish" can make reference to the heir that was taken away from Hamlet.
5. III.iii "He took my father grossly, full of bread..."
   Definition: In the full enjoyment of the world
   Hamlet is speaking to himself as he sees Claudius kneeling before him. He wants to kill him right there, but since he appears to be praying, would end up going to heaven, which is the opposite of what Hamlet wants for his uncle. He is telling himself that Claudius took King Hamlet's life in a time when he was not in any religious state; he was not praying or fasting. Shakespeare makes a biblical allusion because Ezekiel 16:49 says, "Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness."

xoxo,

Kara Slug