Hamlet

Act 3, Sc. 2, lines 211-224: Summarize the Player Queen's response. What can the audience infer about each speaker's attitude toward human nature?

Player Queen. An anchor's cheer in prison be my scope,

Each opposite, that blanks the face of joy,

Meet what I would have well and it destroy,

both here and hence pursue me lasting strife,

If, once a widow, ever I be a wife.

Hamlet. If she should break it now.

Player King. 'Tis deeply sworn. Sweet, leave me here awhile,

My spirits grow dull, and fain I would beguile

The tedious day with sleep.

Player Queen. Sleep rock thy brain,

And never come mischance between us twain.

{Exit. He sleeps]

Hamlet. Madam, how like you this play?

Queen. The lady doth protest too much, methinks.

Hamlet. Oh, but she'll keep her word.

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The player king acknowledges that his wife will re-marry should he die. The player queen is shocked at such a thought. Unlike Gertrude, she mocks the thought of marrying again.

If, once a widow, ever I be a wife.