Osric is a minor yet important character in Hamlet.
Osric first appears in Act V, Scene ii. He was sent by the king, to invite Hamlet to a duel with Laertes, during which the conspirators plan to murder Hamlet.
Osric presides over the duel and acts as referee. During the course of the play all of the people who have been brought into King Claudius’ plot against Hamlet die.
Osric is the sole survivor.
Osric’s Lines in Hamlet
| # | Act, Scene, Line | Speech text |
| 1 | V,2,3737 | Your lordship is right welcome back to Denmark. |
| 2 | V,2,3745 | Sweet lord, if your lordship were at leisure, I should impart a thing to you from his Majesty. |
| 3 | V,2,3749 | I thank your lordship, it is very hot. |
| 4 | V,2,3751 | It is indifferent cold, my lord, indeed. |
| 5 | V,2,3753 | Exceedingly, my lord; it is very sultry, as ’twere- I cannot tell how. But, my lord, his Majesty bade me signify to you that he has laid a great wager on your head. Sir, this is the matter- |
| 6 | V,2,3758 | Nay, good my lord; for mine ease, in good faith. Sir, here is newly come to court Laertes; believe me, an absolute gentleman, full of most excellent differences, of very soft society and great showing. Indeed, to speak feelingly of him, he is the card or calendar of gentry; for you shall find in him the continent of what part a gentleman would see. |
| 7 | V,2,3770 | Your lordship speaks most infallibly of him. |
| 8 | V,2,3773 | Sir? |
| 9 | V,2,3777 | Of Laertes? |
| 10 | V,2,3781 | I know you are not ignorant- |
| 11 | V,2,3784 | You are not ignorant of what excellence Laertes is- |
| 12 | V,2,3787 | I mean, sir, for his weapon; but in the imputation laid on him by them, in his meed he’s unfellowed. |
| 13 | V,2,3790 | Rapier and dagger. |
| 14 | V,2,3792 | The King, sir, hath wager’d with him six Barbary horses; against the which he has impon’d, as I take it, six French rapiers and poniards, with their assigns, as girdle, hangers, and so. Three of the carriages, in faith, are very dear to fancy, very responsive to the hilts, most delicate carriages, and of very liberal conceit. |
| 15 | V,2,3801 | The carriages, sir, are the hangers. |
| 16 | V,2,3807 | The King, sir, hath laid that, in a dozen passes between yourself and him, he shall not exceed you three hits; he hath laid on twelve for nine, and it would come to immediate trial if your lordship would vouchsafe the answer. |
| 17 | V,2,3812 | I mean, my lord, the opposition of your person in trial. |
| 18 | V,2,3818 | Shall I redeliver you e’en so? |
| 19 | V,2,3820 | I commend my duty to your lordship. |
| 20 | V,2,3909 | Ay, my good lord. |
| 21 | V,2,3928 | A hit, a very palpable hit. |
| 22 | V,2,3954 | Nothing neither way. |
| 23 | V,2,3959 | Look to the Queen there, ho! |
| 24 | V,2,3961 | How is’t, Laertes? |
| 25 | V,2,4011 | Young Fortinbras, with conquest come from Poland, To the ambassadors of England gives This warlike volley. |
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Link will appear as Hanson, Marilee. "Osric" https://englishhistory.net/shakespeare/character/osric/, February 24, 2022