Hamlet Lies and Deceit Quotes Page 3

Hamlet's old friends try to deceive him, but Hamlet sees right through it. The force (of sensing deception) is strong in this guy.

Claudius is aware of the implications of his scheming and lies. What's interesting about this passage is the way his sexist remarks align his own deception with the use of cosmetics. The king compares his "painted word[s]" (every lie he tells) to the way a "harlot" "plasters" her face with makeup. This has some serious implications for the way the play associates women with deception, which you can read about by going to "Quotes" for the theme of "Gender." While you're there, be sure to check out our discussion of Hamlet's very similar remarks about women, makeup, and deception at 3.1.12.

Hamlet seems to know that Polonius is using Ophelia as bait to spy on him. When he confronts her, Ophelia lies to him outright. What's so terrible about all this is that Ophelia has no choice in the matter – as an unmarried daughter she must obey her father's orders (to stop seeing Hamlet and, here, to participate in Polonius's deception).