Hamlet Steaminess Rating

R

There's a whole lot of sex in this play but, it's not particularly sexy, especially when Hamlet imagines his mother's bed as a "nasty sty." Here's how Hamlet explains to his mom why she should stop sleeping with her new husband (who is also her brother-in-law): "Nay, but to live / In the rank sweat of an enseamed bed, / Stew'd in corruption, honeying and making love / Over the nasty sty…" (3.4.103-106). Yuck. But, what do you expect from a drama whose main character – that would be Hamlet – is obsessed with and disgusted by his mother's love life?

Hamlet's unhealthy view of sexuality also spills over into his own romantic relationship. Eventually, Hamlet views all women as promiscuous and unfaithful and he takes it out on Ophelia while they watch the performance of The Mousetrap (3.2.14). For more on the implications of Hamlet's bawdy word play and his verbal attack on Ophelia, check out our discussion of "Quotes" on "Sex" and "Gender."

HAMLET
Lady, shall I lie in your lap?
Translation: In public, Hamlet is suggesting that he lie on top of Ophelia, as if they were having sex.
OPHELIA
No, my lord.
Translation: What is wrong with you? Jerk.
HAMLET
I mean, my head upon your lap.
Translation: I just meant I wanted to lay my head on your lap. Why are you getting so worked up?
OPHELIA
Ay, my lord.
Translation: Sigh.
HAMLET
Do you think I meant country matters?
Translation: "Country matters" is slang for sex. Why? Primarily because it plays on the offensive slang "cunt," which is built into the word "country." Shakespeare is notorious for this kind of pun.
OPHELIA
I think nothing, my lord.
Translation: I'd rather not keep talking about this and I can't acknowledge your sexual innuendo because that would suggest that I, an unmarried maid, know a little too much about sex.
HAMLET
That's a fair thought to lie between maids' legs.
Translation: In Shakespeare's time, "nothing" was another slang word for female genitalia.
OPHELIA
What is, my lord?
Translation: Stop messing with me!
HAMLET
Nothing.
Translation: Pretty self-explanatory.
(3.2.14)