Often asked: When polonius says brevity is the soul of wit?

What does Polonius mean when he says Brevity is the soul of wit?

‘Brevity is the soul of wit‘ is a Shakespeare quote that has become one of his most enduring idioms. It is spoken by Polonius, in act 2, scene 2 of Hamlet. ‘Brevity’ is the soul of wit‘ means that one can say a lot more by using the minimum of language to convey something.

Who says Brevity is the soul of wit?

Intelligent speech and writing should aim at using few words. This proverb comes from the play Hamlet, by William Shakespeare.

Why is Polonius’s line I will be brief ironic?

It is ironic when Polonius says he will be brief, because he is anything but brief. This passage is just the beginning of Polonius‘ speeches in which he tries to convince Gertrude and Claudius that Hamlet is mad, but even in just these few lines we see how full of “art” he is, and how empty of substance.

What does Polonius mean when he says Though this be madness yet there is method in T?

Though this be madness, yet there is method in’t

The modern version of the phrase is: there’s method in his madness – or her madness, or my madness – and it means: there’s a sensible reason for something that seems crazy.

What does Polonius say is the soul of wit What’s the irony?

If something can be said in one sentence, Polonius will say it in a paragraph; if something can be spoken in 30 seconds, Polonius will speak it in 5 minutes. The fact that he says “brevity is the soul of wit” is an ironic self-indictment–he’s not brief, so he lacks wit.

What is T but nothing else but mad?

I will be brief: your noble son is mad. 95Mad call I it, for, to define true madness, What is ‘t but to be nothing else but mad? But let that go.

Where is the quote Brevity is the soul of wit?

It is one of the countless phrases coined by William Shakespeare. It appears in his play, Hamlet, in the second act, where Polonius says, “Since brevity is the soul of wit / And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes, I will be brief…” However, doubt about the creation of this phrase lurks among literary circles.

What does brevity mean?

: shortness of duration especially: shortness or conciseness of expression.

Why does Queen Gertrude think Hamlet is mad?

Queen Gertrude, who is Hamlet’s mother, speculates that the cause of this disturbance may be that he is in love with Ophelia, daughter of Polonius. This would be a very unequal match for a Prince of Denmark.

What piece of work is man?

“What a piece of work is man!” is a phrase within a monologue by Prince Hamlet in William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet. Hamlet is reflecting, at first admiringly, and then despairingly, on the human condition.

Is Hamlet actually insane?

Hamlet may already be going mad when the play begins, and his later decision to fake madness is just a cover for real insanity. Although several characters see the Ghost during Act One, only Hamlet hears it speak, which opens the possibility that the Ghost’s speech is a hallucination of Hamlet’s.

What is satirical about the way Polonius speaks?

What is satirical about the way Polonius speaks? He resents that Polonius is trying to spy on him and manipulate him.

What is the moral of Hamlet?

But the truth is everyone in Hamlet acts shamelessly and for us the moral of the play is the production of shame in its audience. Not too much, just enough. “Stay, Illusion!” Illusion is the only means to action.

What does Polonius think is the reason for Hamlet’s erratic behavior?

155-160). Therefore, Polonius believes that when Ophelia began to refuse Hamlet’s advances, rejecting his once-welcome overtures of love, he grew sad, then stopped eating, then stopped sleeping, became weakened, became light-headed, and, ultimately, went totally insane. Thus, Hamlet is now crazy, Polonius says.

Who said I must be cruel only to be kind?

“I must be cruel to be kind” is one of the many idioms derived from a line in a Shakespeare play – in this case it is the prince, speaking in Hamlet. To punish me with this, and this with me, That I must be their scourge and minister. I must be cruel only to be kind.