Question

What is the significance of this quote in Shakespeare's Hamlet? "I have of late—but wherefore I know not..."

I have of late—but wherefore I know not—
lost all my mirth, forgone all custom of exercises; and indeed,
it goes so heavily with my disposition that this goodly frame,
the earth, seems to me a sterile promontory; this most
excellent canopy, the air, look you, this brave o'erhanging(305)
firmament, this majestical roof fretted with golden fire,
why, it appears no other thing to me than a foul and pestilent
congregation of vapours. What a piece of work is a man! how
noble in reason! how infinite in faculty! in form and moving
how express and admirable! in action how like an angel! in(310)
apprehension how like a god! the beauty of the world, the
paragon of animals! And yet to me what is this quintessence
of dust? Man delights not me—no, nor woman nei-
ther, though by your smiling you seem to say so.

Answer 1

This line shows Hamlet becoming more and more philosophical and confused (especially “I know not” phrase).

Step-by-step explanation:

This excerpt is from Shakespeare’s Hamlet (Act ii, Scene ii). In this scene Hamlet, when joined by his childhood friends, becomes more philosophical. Firstly he himself is not sure about the truthfulness of the story narrated by the Ghost (Hamlet’s father). Secondly his philosophical approach to consider the implications of revealing this truth publicly is making him confused.