Student Question

What is the significance of the following quote?

Whose whisper o’er the world’s diameter
As level as the cannon to his blank
Transports his poisoned shot, may miss our name
And hit the woundless air.

Quick answer:

This quote, spoken by King Claudius in Act IV, Scene 1, reflects his anxiety about the potential spread of slander following Hamlet's killing of Polonius. Claudius uses the metaphor of a "poisoned shot" to express his fear that damaging words could circulate globally and harm his reputation. He hopes to deflect blame onto Hamlet by publicizing Hamlet's actions, thereby protecting his own image while sending Hamlet away.

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This line is spoken in Act IV, Scene 1. It is spoken by King Claudius to Queen Gertrude. He is talking about what must be done with Hamlet now that Hamlet has killed Polonius.

To understand the significance, you have to know what it is that Claudius is talking about here. He is talking about "slander." He is saying that slander (I think he simply means any words that will make him look bad) can go all the way around the world and still hit its target. He is hoping that it will miss him and hit only air.

So he is very worried about what people are going to say about him given what Hamlet has done. He hopes that by sending Hamlet away and by telling all the important people that Hamlet killed Polonius, he will make people think badly of Hamlet and not think badly of him (Claudius).

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