Eugène Delacroix became interested in Shakespeare’s Hamlet after seeing a performance of the play in Paris in 1827. Between 1834 and 1843, he produced a series of sixteen lithographs that illustrate the story, thirteen of which he initially published as a portfolio in 1843. The impressions at the High were printed between 1843 and 1864. This print depicts the scene where the courtier Polonius discovers Hamlet deep in contemplation of his situation. Polonius, who believes the prince to be lovesick, confronts him, and Hamlet mocks the older man. The caption quotes part of their exchange, “What do you read, my lord? [. . .] Words, words, words.”