Jonathan O'Neill’s Reviews > Hamlet: Revised Edition > Status Update
Jonathan O'Neill
is 31% done
POLONIUS
My liege and madam, to expostulate
What majesty should be, what duty is,
Why day is day, night night, and time is time,
Were nothing but to waste night, day and time;
Therefore, brevity is the soul of wit
And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes.
I will be brief: your noble son is mad.
Mad call I it, for to define true madness,
What is't but to be nothing else but mad?
But let that go.
[cont]
— 14 hours, 58 min ago
My liege and madam, to expostulate
What majesty should be, what duty is,
Why day is day, night night, and time is time,
Were nothing but to waste night, day and time;
Therefore, brevity is the soul of wit
And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes.
I will be brief: your noble son is mad.
Mad call I it, for to define true madness,
What is't but to be nothing else but mad?
But let that go.
[cont]
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Jonathan’s Previous Updates
Jonathan O'Neill
is 26% done
The finale to Prokofiev's 'Hamlet, Op.77', 'Fortinbras' Final March'... Wow! It's sublime, assertive, heroic and cathartic in a sweeping, cleansing way. However, it's also devastating with a sense of mourning and a subtly nagging ominousness beneath the surface. Bravo, Prokofiev! Bravo!
— Aug 27, 2026 07:48PM
Jonathan O'Neill
is 25% done
POLONIUS
'[I know] in part him, but', you may say, 'not well.
But if't be he I mean he's very wild,
Addicted so and so', and there put on him
What forgeries you please. Marry, none so rank
As may dishonour him – take heed of that –
But, sir, such wanton, wild and usual slips
As are companions noted and most known
To youth and liberty
REYNALDO
As gaming, my lord?
[...cont]
— Aug 27, 2026 07:10AM
'[I know] in part him, but', you may say, 'not well.
But if't be he I mean he's very wild,
Addicted so and so', and there put on him
What forgeries you please. Marry, none so rank
As may dishonour him – take heed of that –
But, sir, such wanton, wild and usual slips
As are companions noted and most known
To youth and liberty
REYNALDO
As gaming, my lord?
[...cont]
Jonathan O'Neill
is 16% done
I feel like every one of Polonius' lines are quotable and want to commit them all to memory! Here's one I could use on my own daughters one day when warning of the affectations of those treacherous young men:
POLONIUS
...
Do you believe [Hamlet's] 'tenders', as you call them?
OPHELIA
I do not know, my lord, what I should think.
POLONIUS
Marry, I will teach you; think yourself a baby
[cont.]
— Aug 24, 2026 12:01AM
POLONIUS
...
Do you believe [Hamlet's] 'tenders', as you call them?
OPHELIA
I do not know, my lord, what I should think.
POLONIUS
Marry, I will teach you; think yourself a baby
[cont.]
Jonathan O'Neill
is 8% done
HAMLET
Ay, madam, [death] is common.
QUEEN GERTRUDE
If it be,
Why seems it so particular with thee?
HAMLET
'Seems', madam — nay it is, I know not 'seems'.
'Tis not alone my inky cloak, cold mother,
Nor customary suits of solemn black,
Nor windy suspiration of forced breath,
No, nor the fruitful river in the eye,
Nor the dejected haviour of the visage,
[...]
— Aug 21, 2026 07:15AM
Ay, madam, [death] is common.
QUEEN GERTRUDE
If it be,
Why seems it so particular with thee?
HAMLET
'Seems', madam — nay it is, I know not 'seems'.
'Tis not alone my inky cloak, cold mother,
Nor customary suits of solemn black,
Nor windy suspiration of forced breath,
No, nor the fruitful river in the eye,
Nor the dejected haviour of the visage,
[...]
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You're really hitting some of the high points lately—C&P, Hamlet. Incredible works of literature. It's nice to re-experience these vicariously through your notes.
Ah, it's great to be getting back into the thick of it, John! I had to put the books down for a bit cos I just wasn't getting any time on the piano but C&P and now Hamlet have been a lovely little reminder of how much joy I get from literature as well. At the moment piano is being pushed to the side again so I really need to try and find a good balance there. In terms of incredible works of literature, I want to make some headway on the Greek tragedians as well as Shakespeare over the next couple of months. Onto Sophocles after a couple more from William. :) Good to hear from you, John. I hope you're doing well!
More matter with less art.
POLONIUS
Madam, I swear I use no art at all.
That he’s mad, ‘tis true, ‘tis true ‘tis pity,
And pity ‘tis ‘tis true: A foolish figure!
But farewell it, for I will use no art.
[…]