Sponges

Page 193
lines 15-21
Hamlet:
"Ay, sir, that soaks up the King's countenance,
his rewards, his authorities. But such officers do the
King best service in the end. He keeps them like <an
ape> an apple in the corner of his jaw, first mouthed,
to be last swallowed. When he needs what you have
gleaned, it is but squeezing you, and, sponge, you
shall be dry again."

Hamlet's dry, sarcastic nature shows itself in this passage. His superior education is also highlighted. Hamlet has, in past scenes, talked around Rosencrantz and Guildenstern and this is no different. He insults them.

In this passage, Hamlet tells Rosencrantz and Guildenstern that they are like "sponges". They "soak up the King's countenance, his rewards, his authorities" as in they just absorb all of the King's money and praise. He says they are "an ape", which shows how barbaric and stupid he views them. They are "an apple in the corner of his jaw" and that implies the King has total control and can just chomp on them any time he wants. When the King needs what they have "gleaned", or done for him then the King will use him. But once he's done "squeezing" them, or using them, he will leave them and they will be "dry", or not needed.

This passage shows Hamlet's true disgust for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern's antics and their blind obedience to the King. He uses his upper education to use a metaphor comparing them to a sponge. He has called them out in the past and this time is no different.