Actionable Takeaways from Hamlet by William Shakespeare

Hamlet is famously known as the “Shakespearean Lion King”—uncle kills father, nephew seeks revenge, existential crises ensue.

• Action: If you ever sense a Scar-like figure in your life, learn from Simba/Hamlet: lean on true allies, confront wrongdoings, and protect your pride (family, purpose).

Ok - Sorry - I had to add that. I have grown to love Hamlet after not understanding it in high school.

Here are my favorite quotes and actionable takeaways.

1. “Youth to itself rebels” / “Reeks not his own rede”

• Takeaway: We often ignore our own good advice (or that of others).

  • Action: Whenever you catch yourself ignoring words of wisdom—especially your own—pause, reflect, and course-correct.

2. “Give the thought no tongue … Give every man thy ear but few thy voice … neither a borrower nor a lender be … to thine own self be true”

• Takeaway: Shakespeare’s formula for success in relationships:

  1. Think before you speak.

  2. Listen more, talk less.

  3. Avoid money entanglements that jeopardize friendships.

  4. Stay true to your values.

• Action: Apply these four guidelines in everyday life—particularly in tough conversations or financial dealings.

3. “When the blood burns, how prodigal the soul lends the tongue vowels.”

• Takeaway: When passion flares, we often say more than we should.

• Action: Recognize emotional surges and hit pause before responding. Let cooler heads prevail.

4. “Therefore, since brevity is the soul of wit…”

• Takeaway: Say more by saying less; clarity and succinctness shine.

• Action: Strip away the fluff in your writing and speech. Let your point land clean and direct.

5. “Though this be madness, yet there is method in’t…”

• Takeaway: Even in chaos, there can be strategy. What appears random might have hidden design.

• Action: Don’t dismiss unconventional ideas. Look deeper for the logic or opportunity behind them.

6. “Why, then, ’tis none to you, for there is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so. To me, it is a prison.”

• Takeaway: Perspective is everything; your mindset can turn a situation into a prison or a playground.

• Action: Reframe obstacles. Instead of “I’m trapped,” think, “I’m being tested,” or “I have time to grow.”

7. “What a piece of work is a man, how noble in reason… how like a god…”

• Takeaway: Human potential is vast; we’re capable of extraordinary feats intellectually and spiritually.

• Action: Embrace your own capabilities. Challenge yourself with higher goals and trust your capacity to achieve them.

8. “To be or not to be…”

• Takeaway: The ultimate reflection on whether to endure hardship or fight against it.

• Action: When facing a tough call, weigh whether enduring a struggle is more worthwhile than taking bold action to change your fate.

9. “Take these again, for to the noble mind rich gifts wax poor when givers prove unkind”

• Takeaway: Kindness matters more than material value; gifts mean little if the giver’s heart isn’t genuine.

• Action: If you’re giving, give from the right place. If you’re receiving, consider the intention behind the gift.

10. “Would you play upon me…”

• Takeaway: Don’t let others manipulate you like a puppet or an instrument.

• Action: Recognize signs of manipulation. If you sense someone is trying to “play” you, set boundaries or walk away.

11. “I must be cruel only to be kind”

• Takeaway: Sometimes tough love is necessary; real compassion can be firm, not coddling.

• Action: When you have to give difficult feedback or make a hard decision, do it with empathy—but be direct.

12. “What is a man if his chief good and market of his time be but to sleep and feed?”

• Takeaway: A life of mere existence (eating, sleeping, drifting) wastes our higher potential.

• Action: Seek purpose. Dedicate time to something bigger—learning, creativity, service, or passion projects.

13. “…rightly to be great is not to stir without great argument, but greatly to find quarrel in a straw when honors at the stake.”

• Takeaway: True greatness is not about picking fights, but defending what matters—even if it seems small.

• Action: Know your non-negotiable principles. Defend them wholeheartedly, even if the issue looks insignificant to outsiders.

14. “My thought be bloody or be nothing worth!”

• Takeaway: Hamlet decides it’s time for decisive action, no more half measures.

• Action: When you’ve done the soul-searching and you know the path, go all in. Don’t sabotage yourself with indecision.

15. “Lord, we know what we are but know not what we may be”

• Takeaway: We’re aware of our current selves but not always our future potential.

• Action: Believe in your capacity to evolve. Challenge your perceived limitations.

16. “When sorrows come they come not single spies but in battalions”

• Takeaway: Bad luck often strikes in clusters.

• Action: During tough seasons, brace for more but don’t despair. Stay resilient and seek support.

17. “Is it possible Ophelia’s wits should be as mortal as an old man’s life?”

• Takeaway: Sanity and well-being can be fragile; tragedy can unravel us quickly.

• Action: Check in with yourself and others. Don’t underestimate the mental and emotional toll of grief or stress.

18. “A fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy…”

• Takeaway: Even the most joyful souls (like Yorick) are mortal; life is precious and fleeting.

• Action: Appreciate moments of laughter and play, knowing they are finite. Use humor as a bridge in relationships.

19. “The cat will mew and dog will have his day”

• Takeaway: People (and animals) do what’s natural to them; truth and justice eventually emerge.

• Action: Trust that authentic natures can’t be hidden forever. Integrity has a way of surfacing.

20. “…but to know a man well were to know himself”

• Takeaway: Truly understanding another person is as challenging as deeply understanding your own self.

• Action: Cultivate self-awareness. The more you understand yourself—your motives, biases, insecurities—the better you relate to others.

21. “…the readiness is all…”

• Takeaway: Being prepared—mentally, emotionally, morally—is everything.

• Action: Stay sharp. Embrace every moment as if it matters, because it does.

22. “Good night, sweet prince”

• Takeaway: A tender farewell, a recognition that death is part of the journey.

• Action: Cherish your loved ones. End conversations or part ways with kindness.

23. “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead”

• Takeaway: Minor characters can get caught in big consequences—be mindful who you align with.

• Action: In complex power struggles, be aware of the risks. Don’t let blind loyalty land you in trouble.