...hurry. . . [She disappears.POLONIUS follows her off.} J/HAMLET: [Suddenly serious, intense.] "I am but mad north-northwest. When the wind is southerly, I know a hawk from a handsaw. I'll have these players play something like The murder of my father before mine uncle. I'll observe...

...literature's most famous quotations, Hamlet, apropos of his supposed insanity, declares, "I am but mad north-northwest; when the wind is southerly I know a hawk from a handsaw." The traditional explanation for this puzzling metaphor is that "handsaw" was a misprint for "hernshaw,"...

...But my uncle-father and aunt-mother are deceived. Guildenstern In what, my dear lord? Hamlet I am but mad north-north-west. When the wind is southerly I know a hawk from a handsaw. The Tragedie of Hamlet 85 Ham. What are they Children? Who maintains 'em? How are they escoted? Will...

...Ham.: But my uncle-father and aunt-mother are deceived. Guild.: In what, my dear lord? Ham.: I am but mad north-north-west. When the wind is southerly, I know a hawk from a handsaw. (2.2.372-75) No longer stoking Rosencrantz and Guildenstern's (and Claudius's) ambition theory, Hamlet...

...it not that I have bad dreams. (Act II, Sc. ii, lines 253-5) Hamlet: I am but mad north-north west. When the wind is southerly, I know a hawk from a handsaw. (Act II, Sc. ii, lines 377-8) Hamlet: What's Hecuba to him, or he to her, That he should weep for her?...

...aunt-mother are deceived. Guildenstern In what, my dear lord? Hamlet I am but mad north -north-west: when the wind is southerly I know a hawk from a handsaw. [Enter POLONIUS] Polonius Well be with you, gentlemen! Hamlet Hark you, Guildenstern; — and you too;...

...fat rump and potato-finger, tickles these together! Fry, lechery, fry! Thersites — TC V.ii I am but mad north-north-west: when the wind is southerly I know a hawk from a handsaw. Hamlet — Hamlet II. ti She that's a maid now, and laughs at my departure, Shall not be a maid long,...

...said, "Do you think Hamlet was mad?" Dirk, who sat behind her tapped her on the shoulder. "'I am but mad north-north-west. When the wind is southerly, I know a hawk from a handsaw.' Hamlet knew what he was doing." Five hands shot up. "In quotes only," said William. A bell rang, ending...

...even though the film is fantasy, its maker projects class. The title is taken from Hamlet's "I am but mad north-north-west; when the wind is southerly, I know a hawk from a handsaw." North by Northwest is the apt clue to the displaced geography andimprobable plot. As Pauline Kael says,...

...of misunderstandings' (p. 188). view with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to proclaim that he was 'but mad north-northwest; when the wind is southerly, I know a hawk from a handsaw' (2.2.379-8o), and then bolted towards the closed double doors to throw them open to welcome the players....