Hamlet

1. Context

T HE MOST INFLUENTIAL WRITER in all of English literature, William Shakes eare !as "orn in #$%& to a su''essful mi((le) 'lass glo*e)maker in Stratfor()u on)A*on, Englan(+ Shakes eare atten(e( grammar s'hool, "ut his formal e(u'ation ro'ee(e( no further+ In #$,- he marrie( an ol(er !oman, Anne Hatha!a., an( ha( three 'hil(ren !ith her+ Aroun( #$/0 he left his famil. "ehin( an( tra*ele( to Lon(on to !ork as an a'tor an( la.!right+ 1u"li' an( 'riti'al su''ess 2ui'kl. follo!e(, an( Shakes eare e*entuall. "e'ame the most o ular la.!right in Englan( an( art)o!ner of the 3lo"e Theater+ His 'areer "ri(ge( the reigns of Eli4a"eth I 5rule(#$$,6#%078 an( 9ames I 5rule( #%076#%-$8, an( he !as a fa*orite of "oth monar'hs+ In(ee(, 9ames grante( Shakes eare:s 'om an. the greatest ossi"le 'om liment ". "esto!ing u on its mem"ers the title of ;ing:s Men+ Wealth. an( reno!ne(, Shakes eare retire( to Stratfor( an( (ie( in #%#% at the age of fift.)t!o+ At the time of Shakes eare:s (eath, literar. luminaries su'h as <en 9onson haile( his !orks as timeless+ Shakes eare:s !orks !ere 'olle'te( an( rinte( in *arious e(itions in the 'entur. follo!ing his (eath, an( ". the earl. eighteenth 'entur. his re utation as the greatest oet e*er to !rite in English !as !ell esta"lishe(+ The un re'e(ente( a(miration garnere( ". his !orks le( to a fier'e 'uriosit. a"out Shakes eare:s life, "ut the (earth of "iogra hi'al information has left man. (etails of Shakes eare:s ersonal histor. shrou(e( in m.ster.+ Some eo le ha*e 'on'lu(e( from this fa't that Shakes eare:s la.s !ere reall. !ritten ". someone else=Fran'is <a'on an( the Earl of O>for( are the t!o most o ular 'an(i(ates="ut the su ort for this 'laim is o*er!helmingl. 'ir'umstantial, an( the theor. is not taken seriousl. ". man. s'holars+ In the a"sen'e of 're(i"le e*i(en'e to the 'ontrar., Shakes eare must "e *ie!e( as the author of the thirt.)se*en la.s an( #$& sonnets that "ear his name+ The lega'. of this "o(. of !ork is immense+ A num"er of Shakes eare:s la.s seem to ha*e trans'en(e( e*en the 'ategor. of "rillian'e, "e'oming so influential as to rofoun(l. affe't the 'ourse of Western literature an( 'ulture e*er after+ Written (uring the first art of the se*enteenth 'entur. 5 ro"a"l. in #%00 or#%0#8, Hamlet !as ro"a"l. first erforme( in 9ul. #%0-+ It !as first u"lishe( in rinte( form in #%07 an( a eare( in an enlarge( e(ition in#%0&+ As !as 'ommon ra'ti'e (uring the si>teenth an( se*enteenth 'enturies, Shakes eare "orro!e( for his la.s i(eas an( stories from earlier literar. !orks+ He 'oul( ha*e taken the stor. of Hamlet from se*eral ossi"le sour'es, in'lu(ing a t!elfth)'entur. Latin histor. of ?enmark 'om ile( ". Sa>o 3rammati'us an( a rose !ork ". the Fren'h !riter Fran@ois (e <elleforest, entitle( Histoires Tragiques. The ra! material that Shakes eare a ro riate( in !riting Hamlet is the stor. of a ?anish rin'e !hose un'le mur(ers the rin'e:s father, marries his mother, an( 'laims the throne+ The rin'e reten(s to "e fee"le)min(e( to thro! his un'le off guar(, then manages to kill his un'le in re*enge+ Shakes eare 'hange( the em hasis of this stor. entirel., making his Hamlet a hiloso hi'all. min(e( rin'e !ho (ela.s taking a'tion "e'ause his kno!le(ge of his un'le:s 'rime is so un'ertain+ Shakes eare !ent far "e.on( making un'ertaint. a ersonal 2uirk of Hamlet:s, intro(u'ing a num"er of im ortant am"iguities into the la. that e*en the au(ien'e 'annot resol*e !ith 'ertaint.+ For instan'e, !hether Hamlet:s mother, 3ertru(e, shares in Alau(ius:s guiltB !hether Hamlet 'ontinues to lo*e O helia e*en as he s urns her, in A't IIIB !hether O helia:s (eath is sui'i(e or a''i(entB !hether the ghost offers relia"le kno!le(ge, or seeks to (e'ei*e an( tem t HamletB an(, erha s most im ortantl., !hether Hamlet !oul( "e morall. Custifie( in taking re*enge on his un'le+ Shakes eare makes it 'lear that the stakes ri(ing on some of these 2uestions are enormous=the a'tions of these 'hara'ters "ring (isaster u on an entire king(om+ At the la.:s en( it is not e*en 'lear !hether Custi'e has "een a'hie*e(+ <. mo(if.ing his sour'e materials in this !a., Shakes eare !as a"le to take an unremarka"le re*enge stor. an( make it resonate !ith the most fun(amental themes an( ro"lems of the Renaissan'e+ The Renaissan'e is a *ast 'ultural henomenon that "egan in fifteenth)'entur. Ital. !ith the re'o*er. of 'lassi'al 3reek an( Latin te>ts that ha( "een lost to the Mi((le Ages+ The s'holars !ho enthusiasti'all. re(is'o*ere( these 'lassi'al te>ts !ere moti*ate( ". an e(u'ational an( oliti'al i(eal 'alle( 5in Latin8 humanitas=the i(ea that all of the 'a a"ilities an( *irtues e'uliar to human "eings shoul( "e stu(ie( an( (e*elo e( to their furthest e>tent+ Renaissan'e humanism, as this mo*ement is no! 'alle(, generate( a ne!

interest in human e> erien'e, an( also an enormous o timism a"out the otential s'o e of human un(erstan(ing+ Hamlet:s famous s ee'h in A't II, DWhat a ie'e of !ork is a manE Ho! no"le in reason, ho! infinite in fa'ult., in form an( mo*ing ho! e> ress an( a(mira"le, in a'tion ho! like an angel, in a rehension ho! like a go(=the "eaut. of the !orl(, the aragon of animalsEF 5II+ii+-/76-/G8 is (ire'tl. "ase( u on one of the maCor te>ts of the Italian humanists, 1i'o (ella Miran(ola:s Oration on the Dignity of Man. For the humanists, the ur ose of 'ulti*ating reason !as to lea( to a "etter un(erstan(ing of ho! to a't, an( their fon(est ho e !as that the 'oor(ination of a'tion an( un(erstan(ing !oul( lea( to great "enefits for so'iet. as a !hole+ As the Renaissan'e s rea( to other 'ountries in the si>teenth an( se*enteenth 'enturies, ho!e*er, a more ske ti'al strain of humanism (e*elo e(, stressing the limitations of human un(erstan(ing+ For e>am le, the si>teenth)'entur. Fren'h humanist, Mi'hel (e Montaigne, !as no less intereste( in stu(.ing human e> erien'es than the earlier humanists !ere, "ut he maintaine( that the !orl( of e> erien'e !as a !orl( of a earan'es, an( that human "eings 'oul( ne*er ho e to see ast those a earan'es into the DrealitiesF that lie "ehin( them+ This is the !orl( in !hi'h Shakes eare la'es his 'hara'ters+ Hamlet is fa'e( !ith the (iffi'ult task of 'orre'ting an inCusti'e that he 'an ne*er ha*e suffi'ient kno!le(ge of=a (ilemma that is ". no means uni2ue, or e*en un'ommon+ An( !hile Hamlet is fon( of ointing out 2uestions that 'annot "e ans!ere( "e'ause the. 'on'ern su ernatural an( meta h.si'al matters, the la. as a !hole 'hiefl. (emonstrates the (iffi'ult. of kno!ing the truth a"out other eo le=their guilt or inno'en'e, their moti*ations, their feelings, their relati*e states of sanit. or insanit.+ The !orl( of other eo le is a !orl( of a (iffi'ult. of li*ing in that !orl(+ earan'es, an(Hamlet is, fun(amentall., a la. a"out the

2.

Plot Overview

O N A ?AR; WINTER NI3HT, a ghost !alks the ram arts of Elsinore Aastle in ?enmark+ ?is'o*ere( first ". a air of !at'hmen, then ". the s'holar Horatio, the ghost resem"les the re'entl. (e'ease( ;ing Hamlet, !hose "rother Alau(ius has inherite( the throne an( marrie( the king:s !i(o!, Hueen 3ertru(e+ When Horatio an( the !at'hmen "ring 1rin'e Hamlet, the son of 3ertru(e an( the (ea( king, to see the ghost, it s eaks to him, (e'laring ominousl. that it is in(ee( his father:s s irit, an( that he !as mur(ere( ". none other than Alau(ius+ Or(ering Hamlet to seek re*enge on the man !ho usur e( his throne an( marrie( his !ife, the ghost (isa ears !ith the (a!n+ 1rin'e Hamlet (e*otes himself to a*enging his father:s (eath, "ut, "e'ause he is 'ontem lati*e an( thoughtful ". nature, he (ela.s, entering into a (ee melan'hol. an( e*en a arent ma(ness+ Alau(ius an( 3ertru(e !orr. a"out the rin'e:s errati' "eha*ior an( attem t to (is'o*er its 'ause+ The. em lo. a air of Hamlet:s frien(s, Rosen'rant4 an( 3uil(enstern, to !at'h him+ When 1olonius, the om ous Lor( Aham"erlain, suggests that Hamlet ma. "e ma( !ith lo*e for his (aughter, O helia, Alau(ius agrees to s . on Hamlet in 'on*ersation !ith the girl+ <ut though Hamlet 'ertainl. seems ma(, he (oes not seem to lo*e O heliaI he or(ers her to enter a nunner. an( (e'lares that he !ishes to "an marriages+ A grou of tra*eling a'tors 'omes to Elsinore, an( Hamlet sei4es u on an i(ea to test his un'le:s guilt+ He !ill ha*e the la.ers erform a s'ene 'losel. resem"ling the se2uen'e ". !hi'h Hamlet imagines his un'le to ha*e mur(ere( his father, so that if Alau(ius is guilt., he !ill surel. rea't+ When the moment of the mur(er arri*es in the theater, Alau(ius lea s u an( lea*es the room+ Hamlet an( Horatio agree that this ro*es his guilt+ Hamlet goes to kill Alau(ius "ut fin(s him ra.ing+ Sin'e he "elie*es that killing Alau(ius !hile in ra.er !oul( sen( Alau(ius:s soul to hea*en, Hamlet 'onsi(ers that it !oul( "e an ina(e2uate re*enge an( (e'i(es to !ait+ Alau(ius, no! frightene( of Hamlet:s ma(ness an( fearing for his o!n safet., or(ers that Hamlet "e sent to Englan( at on'e+ Hamlet goes to 'onfront his mother, in !hose "e('ham"er 1olonius has hi((en "ehin( a ta estr.+ Hearing a noise from "ehin( the ta estr., Hamlet "elie*es the king is hi(ing there+ He (ra!s his s!or( an( sta"s through the fa"ri', killing 1olonius+ For this 'rime, he is imme(iatel. (is at'he( to Englan( !ith Rosen'rant4 an( 3uil(enstern+ Ho!e*er, Alau(ius:s lan for Hamlet in'lu(es more than "anishment, as he has gi*en Rosen'rant4 an( 3uil(enstern seale( or(ers for the ;ing of Englan( (eman(ing that Hamlet "e ut to (eath+ In the aftermath of her father:s (eath, O helia goes ma( !ith grief an( (ro!ns in the ri*er+ 1olonius:s son, Laertes, !ho has "een sta.ing in Fran'e, returns to ?enmark in a rage+ Alau(ius 'on*in'es him that Hamlet is to "lame for his father:s an( sister:s (eaths+ When Horatio an( the king re'ei*e letters from Hamlet in(i'ating that the rin'e has returne( to ?enmark

after irates atta'ke( his shi en route to Englan(, Alau(ius 'on'o'ts a lan to use Laertes: (esire for re*enge to se'ure Hamlet:s (eath+ Laertes !ill fen'e !ith Hamlet in inno'ent s ort, "ut Alau(ius !ill oison Laertes: "la(e so that if he (ra!s "loo(, Hamlet !ill (ie+ As a "a'ku lan, the king (e'i(es to oison a go"let, !hi'h he !ill gi*e Hamlet to (rink shoul( Hamlet s'ore the first or se'on( hits of the mat'h+ Hamlet returns to the *i'init. of Elsinore Cust as O helia:s funeral is taking la'e+ Stri'ken !ith grief, he atta'ks Laertes an( (e'lares that he ha( in fa't al!a.s lo*e( O helia+ <a'k at the 'astle, he tells Horatio that he "elie*es one must "e re are( to (ie, sin'e (eath 'an 'ome at an. moment+ A foolish 'ourtier name( Osri' arri*es on Alau(ius:s or(ers to arrange the fen'ing mat'h "et!een Hamlet an( Laertes+ The s!or()fighting "egins+ Hamlet s'ores the first hit, "ut (e'lines to (rink from the king:s roffere( go"let+ Instea(, 3ertru(e takes a (rink from it an( is s!iftl. kille( ". the oison+ Laertes su''ee(s in !oun(ing Hamlet, though Hamlet (oes not (ie of the oison imme(iatel.+ First, Laertes is 'ut ". his o!n s!or(:s "la(e, an(, after re*ealing to Hamlet that Alau(ius is res onsi"le for the 2ueen:s (eath, he (ies from the "la(e:s oison+ Hamlet then sta"s Alau(ius through !ith the oisone( s!or( an( for'es him to (rink (o!n the rest of the oisone( !ine+ Alau(ius (ies, an( Hamlet (ies imme(iatel. after a'hie*ing his re*enge+ At this moment, a Nor!egian rin'e name( Fortin"ras, !ho has le( an arm. to ?enmark an( atta'ke( 1olan( earlier in the la., enters !ith am"assa(ors from Englan(, !ho re ort that Rosen'rant4 an( 3uil(enstern are (ea(+ Fortin"ras is stunne( ". the gruesome sight of the entire ro.al famil. l.ing s ra!le( on the floor (ea(+ He mo*es to take o!er of the king(om+ Horatio, fulfilling Hamlet:s last re2uest, tells him Hamlet:s tragi' stor.+ Fortin"ras or(ers that Hamlet "e 'arrie( a!a. in a manner "efitting a fallen sol(ier+

3.

Character List

Hamlet ) The 1rin'e of ?enmark, the title 'hara'ter, an( the rotagonist+ A"out thirt. .ears ol( at the start of the la., Hamlet is the son of Hueen 3ertru(e an( the late ;ing Hamlet, an( the ne he! of the resent king, Alau(ius+ Hamlet is melan'hol., "itter, an( '.ni'al, full of hatre( for his un'le:s s'heming an( (isgust for his mother:s se>ualit.+ A refle'ti*e an( thoughtful .oung man !ho has stu(ie( at the Uni*ersit. of Witten"erg, Hamlet is often in(e'isi*e an( hesitant, "ut at other times rone to rash an( im ulsi*e a'ts+ Rea( an in)(e th anal.sis of Hamlet+ Claudius ) The ;ing of ?enmark, Hamlet:s un'le, an( the la.:s antagonist+ The *illain of the la., Alau(ius is a 'al'ulating, am"itious oliti'ian, (ri*en ". his se>ual a etites an( his lust for o!er, "ut he o''asionall. sho!s signs of guilt an( human feeling=his lo*e for 3ertru(e, for instan'e, seems sin'ere+ Rea( an in)(e th anal.sis of Alau(ius+ Gertrude ) The Hueen of ?enmark, Hamlet:s mother, re'entl. marrie( to Alau(ius+ 3ertru(e lo*es Hamlet (ee l., "ut she is a shallo!, !eak !oman !ho seeks affe'tion an( status more urgentl. than moral re'titu(e or truth+ Rea( an in)(e th anal.sis of 3ertru(e+ Polonius ) The Lor( Aham"erlain of Alau(ius:s 'ourt, a om ous, 'onni*ing ol( man+ 1olonius is the father of Laertes an( O helia+ Horatio ) Hamlet:s 'lose frien(, !ho stu(ie( !ith the rin'e at the uni*ersit. in Witten"erg+ Horatio is lo.al an( hel ful to Hamlet throughout the la.+ After Hamlet:s (eath, Horatio remains ali*e to tell Hamlet:s stor.+ Ophelia ) 1olonius:s (aughter, a "eautiful .oung !oman !ith !hom Hamlet has "een in lo*e+ O helia is a s!eet an( inno'ent .oung girl, !ho o"e.s her father an( her "rother, Laertes+ ?e en(ent on men to tell her ho! to "eha*e, she gi*es in to 1olonius:s s'hemes to s . on Hamlet+ E*en in her la se into ma(ness an( (eath, she remains mai(enl., singing songs a"out flo!ers an( finall. (ro!ning in the ri*er ami( the flo!er garlan(s she ha( gathere(+ Laertes ) 1olonius:s son an( O helia:s "rother, a .oung man !ho s en(s mu'h of the la. in Fran'e+ 1assionate an( 2ui'k to a'tion, Laertes is 'learl. a foil for the refle'ti*e Hamlet+ Fortinbras ) The .oung 1rin'e of Nor!a., !hose father the king 5also name( Fortin"ras8 !as kille( ". Hamlet:s father 5also name( Hamlet8+ No! Fortin"ras !ishes to atta'k ?enmark to a*enge his father:s honor, making him another foil for 1rin'e Hamlet+ he Ghost ) The s e'ter of Hamlet:s re'entl. (e'ease( father+ The ghost, !ho 'laims to ha*e "een mur(ere( ". Alau(ius, 'alls u on Hamlet to a*enge him+ Ho!e*er, it is not entirel. 'ertain !hether the ghost is !hat it a ears to "e, or !hether it is

something else+ Hamlet s e'ulates that the ghost might "e a (e*il sent to (e'ei*e him an( tem t him into mur(er, an( the 2uestion of !hat the ghost is or !here it 'omes from is ne*er (efiniti*el. resol*e(+ !osencrant" and Guildenstern ) T!o slightl. "um"ling 'ourtiers, former frien(s of Hamlet from Witten"erg, !ho are summone( ". Alau(ius an( 3ertru(e to (is'o*er the 'ause of Hamlet:s strange "eha*ior+ Osric ) The foolish 'ourtier !ho summons Hamlet to his (uel !ith Laertes+ #oltimand and Cornelius ) Aourtiers !hom Alau(ius sen(s to Nor!a. to ersua(e the king to re*ent Fortin"ras from atta'king+ $arcellus and %ernardo ) The offi'ers !ho first see the ghost !alking the ram arts of Elsinore an( !ho summon Horatio to !itness it+ Mar'ellus is resent !hen Hamlet first en'ounters the ghost+ Francisco ) A sol(ier an( guar(sman at Elsinore+ !e&naldo ) 1olonius:s ser*ant, !ho is sent to Fran'e ". 1olonius to 'he'k u on an( s . on Laertes+

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+.

(nal&sis o) $a*or Characters

Hamlet

Hamlet has fas'inate( au(ien'es an( rea(ers for 'enturies, an( the first thing to oint out a"out him is that he is enigmati'+ There is al!a.s more to him than the other 'hara'ters in the la. 'an figure outB e*en the most 'areful an( 'le*er rea(ers 'ome a!a. !ith the sense that the. (on:t kno! e*er.thing there is to kno! a"out this 'hara'ter+ Hamlet a'tuall. tells other 'hara'ters that there is more to him than meets the e.e=nota"l., his mother, an( Rosen'rant4 an( 3uil(enstern="ut his fas'ination in*ol*es mu'h more than this+ When he s eaks, he soun(s as if there:s something im ortant he:s not sa.ing, ma."e something e*en he is not a!are of+ The a"ilit. to !rite solilo2uies an( (ialogues that 'reate this effe't is one of Shakes eare:s most im ressi*e a'hie*ements+ A uni*ersit. stu(ent !hose stu(ies are interru te( ". his father:s (eath, Hamlet is e>tremel. hiloso hi'al an( 'ontem lati*e+ He is arti'ularl. (ra!n to (iffi'ult 2uestions or 2uestions that 'annot "e ans!ere( !ith an. 'ertaint.+ Fa'e( !ith e*i(en'e that his un'le mur(ere( his father, e*i(en'e that an. other 'hara'ter in a la. !oul( "elie*e, Hamlet "e'omes o"sesse( !ith ro*ing his un'le:s guilt "efore tr.ing to a't+ The stan(ar( of D"e.on( a reasona"le (ou"tF is sim l. una''e ta"le to him+ He is e2uall. lague( !ith 2uestions a"out the afterlife, a"out the !is(om of sui'i(e, a"out !hat ha ens to "o(ies after the. (ie=the list is e>tensi*e+ <ut e*en though he is thoughtful to the oint of o"session, Hamlet also "eha*es rashl. an( im ulsi*el.+ When he (oes a't, it is !ith sur rising s!iftness an( little or no reme(itation, as !hen he sta"s 1olonius through a 'urtain !ithout e*en 'he'king to see !ho he is+ He seems to ste *er. easil. into the role of a ma(man, "eha*ing errati'all. an( u setting the other 'hara'ters !ith his !il( s ee'h an( ointe( innuen(os+ It is also im ortant to note that Hamlet is e>tremel. melan'hol. an( (is'ontente( !ith the state of affairs in ?enmark an( in his o!n famil.=in(ee(, in the !orl( at large+ He is e>tremel. (isa ointe( !ith his mother for marr.ing his un'le so 2ui'kl., an( he re u(iates O helia, a !oman he on'e 'laime( to lo*e, in the harshest terms+ His !or(s often in(i'ate his (isgust !ith an( (istrust of !omen in general+ At a num"er of oints in the la., he 'ontem lates his o!n (eath an( e*en the o tion of sui'i(e+ <ut, (es ite all of the things !ith !hi'h Hamlet rofesses (issatisfa'tion, it is remarka"le that the rin'e an( heir a arent of ?enmark shoul( think a"out these ro"lems onl. in ersonal an( hiloso hi'al terms+ He s en(s relati*el. little time thinking a"out the threats to ?enmark:s national se'urit. from !ithout or the threats to its sta"ilit. from !ithin 5some of !hi'h he hel s to 'reate through his o!n 'arelessness8+ ,. Claudius

Hamlet:s maCor antagonist is a shre!(, lustful, 'onni*ing king !ho 'ontrasts shar l. !ith the other male 'hara'ters in the la.+ Whereas most of the other im ortant men in Hamlet are reo''u ie( !ith i(eas of Custi'e, re*enge, an( moral "alan'e, Alau(ius is "ent u on maintaining his o!n o!er+ The ol( ;ing Hamlet !as a arentl. a stern !arrior, "ut Alau(ius is a 'orru t oliti'ian !hose main !ea on is his a"ilit. to mani ulate others through his skillful use of language+ Alau(ius:s s ee'h is 'om are( to oison "eing oure( in the ear=the metho( he use( to mur(er Hamlet:s father+ Alau(ius:s lo*e for

3ertru(e ma. "e sin'ere, "ut it also seems likel. that he marrie( her as a strategi' mo*e, to hel him !in the throne a!a. from Hamlet after the (eath of the king+ As the la. rogresses, Alau(ius:s mounting fear of Hamlet:s insanit. lea(s him to e*er greater self) reo''u ationB !hen 3ertru(e tells him that Hamlet has kille( 1olonius, Alau(ius (oes not remark that 3ertru(e might ha*e "een in (anger, "ut onl. that he !oul( ha*e "een in (anger ha( he "een in the room+ He tells Laertes the same thing as he attem ts to soothe the .oung man:s anger after his father:s (eath+ Alau(ius is ultimatel. too 'raft. for his o!n goo(+ In A't J, s'ene ii, rather than allo!ing Laertes onl. t!o metho(s of killing Hamlet, the shar ene( s!or( an( the oison on the "la(e, Alau(ius insists on a thir(, the oisone( go"let+ When 3ertru(e ina(*ertentl. (rinks the oison an( (ies, Hamlet is at last a"le to "ring himself to kill Alau(ius, an( the king is felle( ". his o!n 'o!ar(l. ma'hination+ -. Gertrude Fe! Shakes earean 'hara'ters ha*e 'ause( as mu'h un'ertaint. as 3ertru(e, the "eautiful Hueen of ?enmark+ The la. seems to raise more 2uestions a"out 3ertru(e than it ans!ers, in'lu(ingI Was she in*ol*e( !ith Alau(ius "efore the (eath of her hus"an(K ?i( she lo*e her hus"an(K ?i( she kno! a"out Alau(ius:s lan to 'ommit the mur(erK ?i( she lo*e Alau(ius, or (i( she marr. him sim l. to kee her high station in ?enmarkK ?oes she "elie*e Hamlet !hen he insists that he is not ma(, or (oes she reten( to "elie*e him sim l. to rote't herselfK ?oes she intentionall. "etra. Hamlet to Alau(ius, or (oes she "elie*e that she is rote'ting her son:s se'retK These 2uestions 'an "e ans!ere( in numerous !a.s, (e en(ing u on one:s rea(ing of the la.+ The 3ertru(e !ho (oes emerge 'learl. in Hamlet is a !oman (efine( ". her (esire for station an( affe'tion, as !ell as ". her ten(en'. to use men to fulfill her instin't for self) reser*ation=!hi'h, of 'ourse, makes her e>tremel. (e en(ent u on the men in her life+ Hamlet:s most famous 'omment a"out 3ertru(e is his furious 'on(emnation of !omen in generalI DFrailt., th. name is !omanEF 5I+ii+#&%8+ This 'omment is as mu'h in(i'ati*e of Hamlet:s agoni4e( state of min( as of an.thing else, "ut to a great e>tent 3ertru(e (oes seem morall. frail+ She ne*er e>hi"its the a"ilit. to think 'riti'all. a"out her situation, "ut seems merel. to mo*e instin'ti*el. to!ar( seemingl. safe 'hoi'es, as !hen she imme(iatel. runs to Alau(ius after her 'onfrontation !ith Hamlet+ She is at her "est in so'ial situations 5I+ii an( J+ii8, !hen her natural gra'e an( 'harm seem to in(i'ate a ri'h, roun(e( ersonalit.+ At times it seems that her gra'e an( 'harm are heronly 'hara'teristi's, an( her relian'e on men a ears to "e her sole !a. of 'a itali4ing on her a"ilities+

..
2.

hemes/ $oti)s 0 1&mbols

hemes

Themes are the fundamental and often universal ideas explored in a literary work. 13. he 4mpossibilit& o) Certaint&

What se arates Hamlet from other re*enge la.s 5an( ma."e from e*er. la. !ritten "efore it8 is that the a'tion !e e> e't to see, arti'ularl. from Hamlet himself, is 'ontinuall. ost one( !hile Hamlet tries to o"tain more 'ertain kno!le(ge a"out !hat he is (oing+ This la. oses man. 2uestions that other la.s !oul( sim l. take for grante(+ Aan !e ha*e 'ertain kno!le(ge a"out ghostsK Is the ghost !hat it a ears to "e, or is it reall. a mislea(ing fien(K ?oes the ghost ha*e relia"le kno!le(ge a"out its o!n (eath, or is the ghost itself (elu(e(K Mo*ing to more earthl. mattersI Ho! 'an !e kno! for 'ertain the fa'ts a"out a 'rime that has no !itnessesK Aan Hamlet kno! the state of Alau(ius:s soul ". !at'hing his "eha*iorK If so, 'an he kno! the fa'ts of !hat Alau(ius (i( ". o"ser*ing the state of his soulK Aan Alau(ius 5or the au(ien'e8 kno! the state of Hamlet:s min( ". o"ser*ing his "eha*ior an( listening to his s ee'hK Aan !e kno! !hether our a'tions !ill ha*e the 'onse2uen'es !e !ant them to ha*eK Aan !e kno! an.thing a"out the afterlifeK Man. eo le ha*e seen Hamlet as a la. a"out in(e'isi*eness, an( thus a"out Hamlet:s failure to a't a ro riatel.+ It might "e more interesting to 'onsi(er that the la. sho!s us ho! man. un'ertainties our li*es are "uilt u on, ho! man. unkno!n 2uantities are taken for grante( !hen eo le a't or !hen the. e*aluate one another:s a'tions+ 11. he Complexit& o) (ction ?ire'tl. relate( to the theme of 'ertaint. is the theme of a'tion+ Ho! is it ossi"le to take reasona"le, effe'ti*e, ur oseful a'tionK In Hamlet, the 2uestion of ho! to a't is affe'te( not onl. ". rational 'onsi(erations, su'h as the nee( for 'ertaint., "ut also ". emotional, ethi'al, an( s.'hologi'al fa'tors+ Hamlet himself a ears to (istrust the i(ea that it:s e*en ossi"le to

a't in a 'ontrolle(, ur oseful !a.+ When he (oes a't, he refers to (o it "lin(l., re'klessl., an( *iolentl.+ The other 'hara'ters o"*iousl. think mu'h less a"out Da'tionF in the a"stra't than Hamlet (oes, an( are therefore less trou"le( a"out the ossi"ilit. of a'ting effe'ti*el.+ The. sim l. a't as the. feel is a ro riate+ <ut in some sense the. ro*e that Hamlet is right, "e'ause all of their a'tions mis'arr.+ Alau(ius ossesses himself of 2ueen an( 'ro!n through "ol( a'tion, "ut his 'ons'ien'e torments him, an( he is "eset ". threats to his authorit. 5an(, of 'ourse, he (ies8+ Laertes resol*es that nothing !ill (istra't him from a'ting out his re*enge, "ut he is easil. influen'e( an( mani ulate( into ser*ing Alau(ius:s en(s, an( his oisone( ra ier is turne( "a'k u on himself+ 12. he $&ster& o) 5eath In the aftermath of his father:s mur(er, Hamlet is o"sesse( !ith the i(ea of (eath, an( o*er the 'ourse of the la. he 'onsi(ers (eath from a great man. ers e'ti*es+ He on(ers "oth the s iritual aftermath of (eath, em"o(ie( in the ghost, an( the h.si'al remain(ers of the (ea(, su'h as ". Lori'k:s skull an( the (e'a.ing 'or ses in the 'emeter.+ Throughout, the i(ea of (eath is 'losel. tie( to the themes of s iritualit., truth, an( un'ertaint. in that (eath ma. "ring the ans!ers to Hamlet:s (ee est 2uestions, en(ing on'e an( for all the ro"lem of tr.ing to (etermine truth in an am"iguous !orl(+ An(, sin'e (eath is "oth the 'ause an( the 'onse2uen'e of re*enge, it is intimatel. tie( to the theme of re*enge an( Custi'e= Alau(ius:s mur(er of ;ing Hamlet initiates Hamlet:s 2uest for re*enge, an( Alau(ius:s (eath is the en( of that 2uest+ The 2uestion of his o!n (eath lagues Hamlet as !ell, as he re eate(l. 'ontem lates !hether or not sui'i(e is a morall. legitimate a'tion in an un"eara"l. ainful !orl(+ Hamlet:s grief an( miser. is su'h that he fre2uentl. longs for (eath to en( his suffering, "ut he fears that if he 'ommits sui'i(e, he !ill "e 'onsigne( to eternal suffering in hell "e'ause of the Ahristian religion:s rohi"ition of sui'i(e+ In his famous DTo "e or not to "eF solilo2u. 5III+i8, Hamlet hiloso hi'all. 'on'lu(es that no one !oul( 'hoose to en(ure the ain of life if he or she !ere not afrai( of !hat !ill 'ome after (eath, an( that it is this fear !hi'h 'auses 'om le> moral 'onsi(erations to interfere !ith the 'a a'it. for a'tion+ 13. he 6ation as a 5iseased %od&

E*er.thing is 'onne'te( in Hamlet, in'lu(ing the !elfare of the ro.al famil. an( the health of the state as a !hole+ The la.:s earl. s'enes e> lore the sense of an>iet. an( (rea( that surroun(s the transfer of o!er from one ruler to the ne>t+ Throughout the la., 'hara'ters (ra! e> li'it 'onne'tions "et!een the moral legitima'. of a ruler an( the health of the nation+ ?enmark is fre2uentl. (es'ri"e( as a h.si'al "o(. ma(e ill ". the moral 'orru tion of Alau(ius an( 3ertru(e, an( man. o"ser*ers inter ret the resen'e of the ghost as a su ernatural omen in(i'ating that DMsNomething is rotten in the state of ?enmarkF 5I+i*+%G8+ The (ea( ;ing Hamlet is ortra.e( as a strong, forthright ruler un(er !hose guar( the state !as in goo( health, !hile Alau(ius, a !i'ke( oliti'ian, has 'orru te( an( 'om romise( ?enmark to satisf. his o!n a etites+ At the en( of the la., the rise to o!er of the u right Fortin"ras suggests that ?enmark !ill "e strengthene( on'e again+ 1'. $oti)s Motifs are recurring structures, contrasts, and literary devices that can help to develop and inform the text s ma!or themes. 1+. 4ncest and 4ncestuous 5esire

The motif of in'est runs throughout the la. an( is fre2uentl. allu(e( to ". Hamlet an( the ghost, most o"*iousl. in 'on*ersations a"out 3ertru(e an( Alau(ius, the former "rother)in)la! an( sister)in)la! !ho are no! marrie(+ A su"tle motif of in'estuous (esire 'an "e foun( in the relationshi of Laertes an( O helia, as Laertes sometimes s eaks to his sister in suggesti*el. se>ual terms an(, at her funeral, lea s into her gra*e to hol( her in his arms+ Ho!e*er, the strongest o*ertones of in'estuous (esire arise in the relationshi of Hamlet an( 3ertru(e, in Hamlet:s fi>ation on 3ertru(e:s se> life !ith Alau(ius an( his reo''u ation !ith her in general+ 1,. $iso7&n&

Shattere( ". his mother:s (e'ision to marr. Alau(ius so soon after her hus"an(:s (eath, Hamlet "e'omes '.ni'al a"out !omen in general, sho!ing a arti'ular o"session !ith !hat he er'ei*es to "e a 'onne'tion "et!een female se>ualit. an( moral 'orru tion+ This motif of misog.n., or hatre( of !omen, o''urs s ora(i'all. throughout the la., "ut it is an im ortant

inhi"iting fa'tor in Hamlet:s relationshi s !ith O helia an( 3ertru(e+ He urges O helia to go to a nunner. rather than e> erien'e the 'orru tions of se>ualit. an( e>'laims of 3ertru(e, DFrailt., th. name is !omanF 5I+ii+#&%8+ 1-. 8ars and Hearin7

One fa'et of Hamlet s e> loration of the (iffi'ult. of attaining true kno!le(ge is sli eriness of language+ Wor(s are use( to 'ommuni'ate i(eas, "ut the. 'an also "e use( to (istort the truth, mani ulate other eo le, an( ser*e as tools in 'orru t 2uests for o!er+ Alau(ius, the shre!( oliti'ian, is the most o"*ious e>am le of a man !ho mani ulates !or(s to enhan'e his o!n o!er+ The sinister uses of !or(s are re resente( ". images of ears an( hearing, from Alau(ius:s mur(er of the king ". ouring oison into his ear to Hamlet:s 'laim to Horatio that DI ha*e !or(s to s eak in thine ear !ill make thee (um"F 5IJ+*i+-#8+ The oison oure( in the king:s ear ". Alau(ius is use( ". the ghost to s.m"oli4e the 'orrosi*e effe't of Alau(ius:s (ishonest. on the health of ?enmark+ ?e'laring that the stor. that he !as kille( ". a snake is a lie, he sa.s that Dthe !hole ear of ?enmarkF is DRankl. a"use(+ + + +F 5I+*+7%67,8+ 1.. 1&mbols

"ym#ols are o#!ects, characters, figures, and colors used to represent a#stract ideas or concepts. 12. 9oric:;s 1:ull

In Hamlet, h.si'al o"Ce'ts are rarel. use( to re resent themati' i(eas+ One im ortant e>'e tion is Lori'k:s skull, !hi'h Hamlet (is'o*ers in the gra*e.ar( in the first s'ene of A't J+ As Hamlet s eaks to the skull an( a"out the skull of the king:s former Cester, he fi>ates on (eath:s ine*ita"ilit. an( the (isintegration of the "o(.+ He urges the skull to Dget .ou to m. la(.:s 'ham"er, an( tell her, let her aint an in'h thi'k, to this fa*or she must 'omeF=no one 'an a*oi( (eath 5J+i+#G,6#G/8+ He tra'es the skull:s mouth an( sa.s, DHere hung those li s that I ha*e kisse( I kno! not ho! oft,F in(i'ating his fas'ination !ith the h.si'al 'onse2uen'es of (eath 5J+i+#G&6#G$8+ This latter i(ea is an im ortant motif throughout the la., as Hamlet fre2uentl. makes 'omments referring to e*er. human "o(.:s e*entual (e'a., noting that 1olonius !ill "e eaten ". !orms, that e*en kings are eaten ". !orms, an( that (ust from the (e'a.e( "o(. of Ale>an(er the 3reat might "e use( to sto a hole in a "eer "arrel+

23.
21.

(ct 4/ scene i
1ummar&

On a (ark !inter night outsi(e Elsinore Aastle in ?enmark, an offi'er name( <ernar(o 'omes to relie*e the !at'hman Fran'is'o+ In the hea*. (arkness, the men 'annot see ea'h other+ <ernar(o hears a footste near him an( 'ries, DWho:s thereKF After "oth men ensure that the other is also a !at'hman, the. rela>+ Aol(, tire(, an( a rehensi*e from his man. hours of guar(ing the 'astle, Fran'is'o thanks <ernar(o an( re ares to go home an( go to "e(+ Shortl. thereafter, <ernar(o is Coine( ". Mar'ellus, another !at'hman, an( Horatio, a frien( of 1rin'e Hamlet+ <ernar(o an( Mar'ellus ha*e urge( Horatio to stan( !at'h !ith them, "e'ause the. "elie*e the. ha*e something sho'king to sho! him+ In hushe( tones, the. (is'uss the a arition the. ha*e seen for the ast t!o nights, an( !hi'h the. no! ho e to sho! HoratioI the ghost of the re'entl. (e'ease( ;ing Hamlet, !hi'h the. 'laim has a eare( "efore them on the 'astle ram arts in the late hours of the night+ Horatio is ske ti'al, "ut then the ghost su((enl. a ears "efore the men an( Cust as su((enl. *anishes+ Terrifie(, Horatio a'kno!le(ges that the s e'ter (oes in(ee( resem"le the (ea( ;ing of ?enmark, that it e*en !ears the armor ;ing Hamlet !ore !hen he "attle( against the armies of Nor!a., an( the same fro!n he !ore !hen he fought against the 1oles+ Horatio (e'lares that the ghost must "ring !arning of im en(ing misfortune for ?enmark, erha s in the form of a militar. atta'k+ He re'ounts the stor. of ;ing Hamlet:s 'on2uest of 'ertain lan(s on'e "elonging to Nor!a., sa.ing that Fortin"ras, the .oung 1rin'e of Nor!a., no! seeks to re'on2uer those forfeite( lan(s+ The ghost materiali4es for a se'on( time, an( Horatio tries to s eak to it+ The ghost remains silent, ho!e*er, an( (isa ears again Cust as the 'o'k 'ro!s at the first hint of (a!n+ Horatio suggests that the. tell 1rin'e Hamlet, the (ea( king:s son, a"out the a arition+ He "elie*es that though the ghost (i( not s eak to him, if it is reall. the ghost of ;ing Hamlet, it !ill not refuse to s eak to his "elo*e( son+

22.

(nal&sis

Hamlet !as !ritten aroun( the .ear #%00 in the final .ears of the reign of Hueen Eli4a"eth I, !ho ha( "een the monar'h of Englan( for more than fort. .ears an( !as then in her late si>ties+ The ros e't of Eli4a"eth:s (eath an( the 2uestion of !ho !oul( su''ee( her !as a su"Ce't of gra*e an>iet. at the time, sin'e Eli4a"eth ha( no 'hil(ren, an( the onl. erson !ith a legitimate ro.al 'laim, 9ames of S'otlan(, !as the son of Mar., Hueen of S'ots, an( therefore re resente( a oliti'al fa'tion to !hi'h Eli4a"eth !as o ose(+ 5When Eli4a"eth (ie( in #%07, 9ames (i( inherit the throne, "e'oming ;ing 9ames I+8 It is no sur rise, then, that man. of Shakes eare:s la.s from this erio(, in'lu(ing Hamlet, 'on'ern transfers of o!er from one monar'h to the ne>t+ These la.s fo'us arti'ularl. on the un'ertainties, "etra.als, an( u hea*als that a''om an. su'h shifts in o!er, an( the general sense of an>iet. an( fear that surroun( them+ The situation Shakes eare resents at the "eginning of Hamlet is that a strong an( "elo*e( king has (ie(, an( the throne has "een inherite( not ". his son, as !e might e> e't, "ut ". his "rother+ Still grie*ing the ol( king, no one kno!s .et !hat to e> e't from the ne! one, an( the guar(s outsi(e the 'astle are fearful an( sus i'ious+ The su ernatural a earan'e of the ghost on a 'hilling, mist. night outsi(e Elsinore Aastle in(i'ates imme(iatel. that something is !rong in ?enmark+ The ghost ser*es to enlarge the sha(o! ;ing Hamlet 'asts a'ross ?enmark, in(i'ating that something a"out his (eath has u set the "alan'e of nature+ The a earan'e of the ghost also gi*es h.si'al form to the fearful an>iet. that surroun(s the transfer of o!er after the king:s (eath, seeming to im l. that the future of ?enmark is a (ark an( frightening one+ Horatio in arti'ular sees the ghost as an ill omen "o(ing *iolen'e an( turmoil in ?enmark:s future, 'om aring it to the su ernatural omens that su ose(l. resage( the assassination of 9ulius Aaesar in an'ient Rome 5an( !hi'h Shakes eare ha( re'entl. re resente( in $ulius %aesar8+ Sin'e Horatio ro*es to "e right, an( the a earan'e of the ghost (oes resage the later trage(ies of the la., the ghost fun'tions as a kin( of internal foresha(o!ing, im l.ing trage(. not onl. to the au(ien'e "ut to the 'hara'ters as !ell+ The s'ene also intro(u'es the 'hara'ter of Horatio, !ho, !ith the e>'e tion of the ghost, is the onl. maCor 'hara'ter in the s'ene+ Without sa'rifi'ing the for!ar( flo! of a'tion or "reaking the atmos here of (rea(, Shakes eare esta"lishes that Horatio is a goo()humore( man !ho is also e(u'ate(, intelligent, an( ske ti'al of su ernatural e*ents+ <efore he sees the ghost, he insists, DTush, tush, :t!ill not a earF 5I+i+-/8+ E*en after seeing it, he is relu'tant to gi*e full 're(en'e to stories of magi' an( m.sti'ism+ When Mar'ellus sa.s that he has hear( that the 'ro!ing of the 'o'k has the o!er to (is el e*il o!ers, so that DMnNo fair. takes, nor !it'h hath o!er to 'harm,F Horatio re lies, DSo ha*e I hear(, an( (o in art "elie*e it,F em hasi4ing the Din artF 5I+i+#&&6#&%8+ <ut Horatio is not a "lin( rationalist, either, an( !hen he sees the ghost, he (oes not (en. its e>isten'e=on the 'ontrar., he is o*er!helme( !ith terror+ His a"ilit. to a''e t the truth at on'e e*en !hen his re(i'tions ha*e "een ro*e( !rong in(i'ates the fun(amental trust!orthiness of his 'hara'ter+ His rea'tion to the ghost fun'tions to o*er'ome the au(ien'e:s sense of (is"elief, sin'e for a man as ske ti'al, intelligent, an( trust!orth. as Horatio to "elie*e in an( fear the ghost is far more im ressi*e an( 'on*in'ing than if its onl. !itnesses ha( "een a air of su erstitious !at'hmen+ In this su"tle !a., Shakes eare uses Horatio to re resent the au(ien'e:s ers e'ti*e throughout this s'ene+ <. o*er'oming Horatio:s ske ti'al resistan'e, the ghost gains the au(ien'e:s sus ension of (is"elief as !ell+

23.
2'.

(ct 4/ scene ii
1ummar&

The morning after Horatio an( the guar(smen see the ghost, ;ing Alau(ius gi*es a s ee'h to his 'ourtiers, e> laining his re'ent marriage to 3ertru(e, his "rother:s !i(o! an( the mother of 1rin'e Hamlet+ Alau(ius sa.s that he mourns his "rother "ut has 'hosen to "alan'e ?enmark:s mourning !ith the (elight of his marriage+ He mentions that .oung Fortin"ras has !ritten to him, rashl. (eman(ing the surren(er of the lan(s ;ing Hamlet !on from Fortin"ras:s father, an( (is at'hes Aornelius an( Joltiman( !ith a message for the ;ing of Nor!a., Fortin"ras:s el(erl. un'le+ His s ee'h 'on'lu(e(, Alau(ius turns to Laertes, the son of the Lor( Aham"erlain, 1olonius+ Laertes e> resses his (esire to return to Fran'e, !here he !as sta.ing "efore his return to ?enmark for Alau(ius:s 'oronation+ 1olonius gi*es his son ermission, an( Alau(ius Co*iall. grants Laertes his 'onsent as !ell+

Turning to 1rin'e Hamlet, Alau(ius asks !h. Dthe 'lou(s still hangF u on him, as Hamlet is still !earing "la'k mourning 'lothes 5I+ii+%%8+ 3ertru(e urges him to 'ast off his Dnightl. 'olour,F "ut he re lies "itterl. that his inner sorro! is so great that his (our a earan'e is merel. a oor mirror of it 5I+ii+%,8+ Affe'ting a tone of fatherl. a(*i'e, Alau(ius (e'lares that all fathers (ie, an( all sons must lose their fathers+ When a son loses a father, he is (ut.)"oun( to mourn, "ut to mourn for too long is unmanl. an( ina ro riate+ Alau(ius urges Hamlet to think of him as a father, remin(ing the rin'e that he stan(s in line to su''ee( to the throne u on Alau(ius:s (eath+ With this in min(, Alau(ius sa.s that he (oes not !ish for Hamlet to return to s'hool at Witten"erg 5!here he ha( "een stu(.ing "efore his father:s (eath8, as Hamlet has aske( to (o+ 3ertru(e e'hoes her hus"an(, rofessing a (esire for Hamlet to remain 'lose to her+ Hamlet stiffl. agrees to o"e. her+ Alau(ius 'laims to "e so lease( ". Hamlet:s (e'ision to sta. that he !ill 'ele"rate !ith festi*ities an( 'annon fire, an ol( 'ustom 'alle( Dthe king:s rouse+F Or(ering 3ertru(e to follo! him, he es'orts her from the room, an( the 'ourt follo!s+ Alone, Hamlet e>'laims that he !ishes he 'oul( (ie, that he 'oul( e*a orate an( 'ease to e>ist+ He !ishes "itterl. that 3o( ha( not ma(e sui'i(e a sin+ Anguishe(, he laments his father:s (eath an( his mother:s hast. marriage to his un'le+ He remem"ers ho! (ee l. in lo*e his arents seeme(, an( he 'urses the thought that no!, not .et t!o month after his father:s (eath, his mother has marrie( his father:s far inferior "rother+ O &od' a #east that wants discourse of reason, (ould have mourn d longer,)married with mine uncle, My father s #rother* #ut no more like my father Than + to Hercules, within a month* -re yet the salt of most unrighteous tears Had left the flushing in her galled eyes, "he married,) O, most wicked speed, to post (ith such dexterity to incestuous sheets'

Hamlet 2uiets su((enl. as Horatio stri(es into the room, follo!e( ". Mar'ellus an( <ernar(o+ Horatio !as a 'lose frien( of Hamlet at the uni*ersit. in Witten"erg, an( Hamlet, ha . to see him, asks !h. he has left the s'hool to tra*el to ?enmark+ Horatio sa.s that he 'ame to see ;ing Hamlet:s funeral, to !hi'h Hamlet 'urtl. re lies that Horatio 'ame to see his mother:s !e((ing+ Horatio agrees that the one follo!e( 'losel. on the heels of the other+ He then tells Hamlet that he, Mar'ellus, an( <ernar(o ha*e seen !hat a ears to "e his father:s ghost+ Stunne(, Hamlet agrees to kee !at'h !ith them that night, in the ho e that he !ill "e a"le to s eak to the a arition+ 2+. (nal&sis

Ha*ing esta"lishe( a (ark, ghostl. atmos here in the first s'ene, Shakes eare (e*otes the se'on( to the seemingl. Co*ial 'ourt of the re'entl. 'ro!ne( ;ing Alau(ius+ If the area outsi(e the 'astle is murk. !ith the aura of (rea( an( an>iet., the rooms insi(e the 'astle are (e*ote( to an energeti' attem t to "anish that aura, as the king, the 2ueen, an( the 'ourtiers (es eratel. reten( that nothing is out of the or(inar.+ It is (iffi'ult to imagine a more 'on*olute( famil. (.nami' or a more out)of)"alan'e oliti'al situation, "ut Alau(ius ne*ertheless rea'hes an ethi' of "alan'e to his 'ourtiers, le(ging to sustain an( 'om"ine the sorro! he feels for the king:s (eath an( the Co. he feels for his !e((ing in e2ual arts+ <ut (es ite Alau(ius:s efforts, the merriment of the 'ourt seems su erfi'ial+ This is largel. (ue to the fa't that the i(ea of "alan'e Alau(ius le(ges to follo! is unnatural+ Ho! is it ossi"le to "alan'e sorro! for a "rother:s (eath !ith ha iness for ha*ing marrie( a (ea( "rother:s !ifeK Alau(ius:s s ee'h is full of 'ontra(i'tor. !or(s, i(eas, an( hrases, "eginning !ith DThough .et of Hamlet our late "rother:s (eath O The memor. "e green,F !hi'h 'om"ines the i(ea of (eath an( (e'a. !ith the i(ea of greener., gro!th, an( rene!al 5I+ii+#6-8+ He also s eaks of DMoNur sometime sister, no! our 2ueen,F D(efeate( Co.,F Dan aus i'ious an( a (ro ing e.e,F Dmirth in funeral,F an( D(irge in marriageF 5I+ii+,6#-8+ These i(eas sit uneasil. !ith one another, an( Shakes eare uses this s ee'h to gi*e his au(ien'e an un'omforta"le first im ression of Alau(ius+ The negati*e im ression is furthere( !hen Alau(ius affe'ts a fatherl. role to!ar( the "erea*e( Hamlet, a(*ising him to sto

grie*ing for his (ea( father an( a(a t to a ne! life in ?enmark+ Hamlet o"*iousl. (oes not !ant Alau(ius:s a(*i'e, an( Alau(ius:s moti*es in gi*ing it are thoroughl. sus e't, sin'e, after all, Hamlet is the man !ho !oul( ha*e inherite( the throne ha( Alau(ius not snat'he( it from him+ The result of all this "latant (ishonest. is that this s'ene ortra.s as (ire a situation in ?enmark as the first s'ene (oes+ Where the first s'ene illustrate( the fear an( su ernatural (anger lurking in ?enmark, the se'on( hints at the 'orru tion an( !eakness of the king an( his 'ourt+ The s'ene also furthers the i(ea that ?enmark is someho! unsoun( as a nation, as Alau(ius (e'lares that Fortin"ras makes his "attle lans DMhNol(ing a !eak su osal of our !orth, O Or thinking ". our late (ear "rother:s (eath O Our state to "e (isCoint an( out of frameF 5I+ii+#,6-08+ 1rin'e Hamlet, (e*astate( ". his father:s (eath an( "etra.e( ". his mother:s marriage, is intro(u'e( as the onl. 'hara'ter !ho is un!illing to la. along !ith Alau(ius:s gau(. attem t to mimi' a health. ro.al 'ourt+ On the one han(, this ma. suggest that he is the onl. honest 'hara'ter in the ro.al 'ourt, the onl. erson of high stan(ing !hose sensi"ilities are offen(e( ". !hat has ha ene( in the aftermath of his father:s (eath+ On the other han(, it suggests that he is a mal'ontent, someone !ho refuses to go along !ith the rest of the 'ourt for the sake of the greater goo( of sta"ilit.+ In an. 'ase, Hamlet alrea(. feels, as Mar'ellus !ill sa. later, that DMsNomething is rotten in the state of ?enmarkF 5I+i*+%G8+ We also see that his mother:s hast. remarriage has shattere( his o inion of !omanhoo( 5DFrailt., th. name is !oman,F he 'ries out famousl. in this s'ene MI+ii+#&%N8, a motif that !ill (e*elo through his unra*eling romanti' relationshi !ith O helia an( his (eteriorating relationshi !ith his mother+ His solilo2u. a"out sui'i(e 5DO, that this too too soli( flesh !oul( melt, O Tha! an( resol*e itself into a (e!EF MI+ii+#-/6#70N8 ushers in !hat !ill "e a 'entral i(ea in the la.+ The !orl( is ainful to li*e in, "ut, !ithin the Ahristian frame!ork of the la., if one 'ommits sui'i(e to en( that ain, one (amns oneself to eternal suffering in hell+ The 2uestion of the moral *ali(it. of sui'i(e in an un"eara"l. ainful !orl( !ill haunt the rest of the la.B it rea'hes the height of its urgen'. in the most famous line in all of English literatureI DTo "e, or not to "eI that is the 2uestionF 5III+i+$,8+ In this s'ene Hamlet mainl. fo'uses on the a alling 'on(itions of life, railing against Alau(ius:s 'ourt as Dan un!ee(e( gar(en, O That gro!s to see(B things rank an( gross in nature O 1ossess it merel.F 5I+ii+#7$6#7G8+ Throughout the la., !e !at'h the gra(ual 'rum"ling of the "eliefs on !hi'h Hamlet:s !orl(*ie! has "een "ase(+ Alrea(., in this first solilo2u., religion has faile( him, an( his !ar e( famil. situation 'an offer him no sola'e+

2,.
2-.

(ct 4/ scenes iii<iv

1ummar&= (ct 4/ scene iii

In 1olonius:s house, Laertes re ares to lea*e for Fran'e+ <i((ing his sister, O helia, fare!ell, he 'autions her against falling in lo*e !ith Hamlet, !ho is, a''or(ing to Laertes, too far a"o*e her ". "irth to "e a"le to lo*e her honora"l.+ Sin'e Hamlet is res onsi"le not onl. for his o!n feelings "ut for his osition in the state, it ma. "e im ossi"le for him to marr. her+ O helia agrees to kee Laertes: a(*i'e as a D!at'hmanF 'lose to her heart "ut urges him not to gi*e her a(*i'e that he (oes not ra'ti'e himself+ Laertes reassures her that he !ill take 'are of himself+ 1olonius enters to "i( his son fare!ell+ He tells Laertes that he must hurr. to his shi "ut then (ela.s him ". gi*ing him a great (eal of a(*i'e a"out ho! to "eha*e !ith integrit. an( ra'ti'alit.+ 1olonius a(monishes Laertes to kee his thoughts to himself, restrain himself from a'ting on rash (esires, an( treat eo le !ith familiarit. "ut not !ith *ulgarit.+ He a(*ises him to hol( on to his ol( frien(s "ut "e slo! to em"ra'e ne! frien(sB to "e slo! to 2uarrel "ut to fight "ol(l. if the nee( arisesB to listen more than he talksB to (ress ri'hl. "ut not gau(il.B to refrain from "orro!ing or len(ing mone.B an(, finall., to "e true to himself a"o*e all things+ Laertes lea*es, "i((ing fare!ell to O helia on'e more+ Alone !ith his (aughter, 1olonius asks O helia !hat Laertes tol( her "efore he left+ O helia sa.s that it !as Dsomething tou'hing the Lor( HamletF 5I+ii+,/8+ 1olonius asks her a"out her relationshi !ith Hamlet+ She tells him that Hamlet 'laims to lo*e her+ 1olonius sternl. e'hoes Laertes: a(*i'e, an( for"i(s O helia to asso'iate !ith Hamlet an.more+ He tells her that Hamlet has (e'ei*e( her in s!earing his lo*e, an( that she shoul( see through his false *o!s an( re"uff his affe'tions+ O helia le(ges to o"e.+ 2.. 1ummar&= (ct 4/ scene iv

It is no! night+ Hamlet kee s !at'h outsi(e the 'astle !ith Horatio an( Mar'ellus, !aiting in the 'ol( for the ghost to a ear+ Shortl. after mi(night, trum ets an( gunfire soun( from the 'astle, an( Hamlet e> lains that the ne! king is s en(ing the night 'arousing, as is the ?anish 'ustom+ ?isguste(, Hamlet (e'lares that this sort of 'ustom is "etter "roken than ke t, sa.ing that the king:s re*elr. makes ?enmark a laughingsto'k among other nations an( lessens the ?anes: other!ise im ressi*e a'hie*ements+ Then the ghost a ears, an( Hamlet 'alls out to it+ The ghost "e'kons Hamlet to follo! it out into the night+ His 'om anions urge him not to follo!, "egging him to 'onsi(er that the ghost might lea( him to!ar( harm+ Hamlet himself is unsure !hether his father:s a arition is trul. the king:s s irit or an e*il (emon, "ut he (e'lares that he 'ares nothing for his life an( that, if his soul is immortal, the ghost 'an (o nothing to harm his soul+ He follo!s after the a arition an( (isa ears into the (arkness+ Horatio an( Mar'ellus, stunne(, (e'lare that the e*ent "o(es ill for the nation+ Horatio ro'laims that hea*en !ill o*ersee the out'ome of Hamlet:s en'ounter !ith the ghost, "ut Mar'ellus sa.s that the. shoul( follo! an( tr. to rote't him themsel*es+ After a moment, Horatio an( Mar'ellus follo! after Hamlet an( the ghost+ 22. (nal&sis= (ct 4/ scenes iii<iv

.either a #orrower nor a lender #e, /or loan oft loses #oth itself and friend* 0nd #orrowing dulls the edge of hus#andry.

The a'ti*e, hea(strong, an( affe'tionate Laertes 'ontrasts o!erfull. !ith the 'ontem lati*e Hamlet, "e'oming one of Hamlet:s most im ortant foils in the la.+ 5A foil is a 'hara'ter !ho ". 'ontrast em hasi4es the (istin't 'hara'teristi's of another 'hara'ter+8 As the lot rogresses, Hamlet:s hesitan'. to un(ertake his father:s re*enge !ill marke(l. 'ontrast !ith Laertes: furious !illingness to a*enge his father:s (eath 5III+i*8+ A't I, s'ene iii ser*es to intro(u'e this 'ontrast+ Sin'e the last s'ene ortra.e( the "itterl. fra'ture( state of Hamlet:s famil., ". 'om arison, the "ustling normal'. of 1olonius:s househol( a ears all the more striking+ 1olonius:s long s ee'h a(*ising Laertes on ho! to "eha*e in Fran'e is self)'ons'iousl. aternal, almost e>'essi*el. so, as if to hammer home the 'ontrast "et!een the fatherl. lo*e Laertes enCo.s an( Hamlet:s state of loss an( estrangement+ Hamlet:s 'on*ersation !ith the ghost of his father in A't I, s'ene * !ill "e a grotes2ue re'a itulation of the father)to)son s ee'h, !ith *astl. (arker 'ontent+ As in the re*ious s'ene, !hen Alau(ius an( 3ertru(e a(*ise( Hamlet to sta. in ?enmark an( 'ast off his mourning, the thir( s'ene (e*elo s through a motif of famil. mem"ers gi*ing one another a(*i'e, or or(ers maske( as a(*i'e+ While 1olonius an( Laertes seem to ha*e a relati*el. normal father)son relationshi , their relationshi s !ith O helia seem some!hat trou"ling+ The. ea'h assume a osition of un2uestione( authorit. o*er her, 1olonius treating his (aughter as though her feelings are irrele*ant 5DAffe'tionE oohE .ou s eak like a green girlF8 an( Laertes treating her as though her Cu(gment is sus e't 5I+iii+#0#8+ Further, Laertes: s ee'h to O helia is la'e( !ith for'eful se>ual imager., referring to her D'haste treasure o enF to Hamlet:s Dunmaster:( im ortunit.F 5I+iii+7#67-8+ Aom"ine( !ith the e>tremel. affe'tionate inter la. "et!een the "rother an( sister, this se>ual imager. 'reates an in'estuous un(ertone, e'hoing the in'est of Alau(ius:s marriage to his "rother:s !ife an( Hamlet:s assionate, 'onfli'ting feelings for his mother+ The short transitional s'ene that follo!s ser*es a num"er of im ortant ur oses, as Shakes eare "egins to 'onstru't a unifie( !orl( out of the *arious en*ironments of the la.+ Whereas the la. u to this oint has "een (i*i(e( into a num"er of se arate settings, this s'ene "egins to "len( together elements of (ifferent settings+ Hamlet, for instan'e, has "een asso'iate( !ith the !orl( insi(e Elsinore, "ut he no! makes his a earan'e in the (arkness outsi(e it+ Like!ise, the terror outsi(e the 'astle so far has "een 2uite se arate from the re*elr. insi(e, "ut no! the soun( of Alau(ius:s 'arousing leaks through the !alls an( rea'hes Hamlet an( his 'om anions in the night+ A't I, s'ene i* also 'ontinues the (e*elo ment of the motif of the ill health of ?enmark+ Hamlet *ie!s the king:s 'arousing as a further sign of the state:s 'orru tion, 'ommenting that al'ohol makes the "a( as e'ts of a erson:s 'hara'ter o*er!helm all of his or her goo( 2ualities+ An( the a earan'e of the ghost is again seen as a sign of ?enmark:s (e'a., this time ". Mar'ellus, !ho famousl. (e'lares, DSomething is rotten in the state of ?enmarkF 5I+i*+%G8+

Finall., the rea earan'e of the still)silent ghost "rings !ith it a return of the theme of s iritualit., truth, an( un'ertaint., or, more s e'ifi'all., the un'ertaint. of truth in a !orl( of s iritual am"iguit.+ Sin'e Hamlet (oes not kno! !hat lies "e.on( (eath, he 'annot tell !hether the ghost is trul. his father:s s irit or !hether it is an e*il (emon 'ome from hell to tem t him to!ar( (estru'tion+ This un'ertaint. a"out the s iritual !orl( !ill lea( Hamlet to !ren'hing 'onsi(erations of moral truth+ These 'onsi(erations ha*e alrea(. "een raise( ". Hamlet:s (esire to kill himself in A't I, s'ene ii an( !ill "e e> lore( more (ire'tl. in the s'enes to 'ome+

33.
31.

(ct 4/ scene v<(ct 44/ scene i

1ummar&= (ct 4/ scene v

In the (arkness, the ghost s eaks to Hamlet, 'laiming to "e his father:s s irit, 'ome to rouse Hamlet to re*enge his (eath, a Dfoul an( most unnatural mur(erF 5I+*+-$8+ Hamlet is a alle( at the re*elation that his father has "een mur(ere(, an( the ghost tells him that as he sle t in his gar(en, a *illain oure( oison into his ear=the *er. *illain !ho no! !ears his 'ro!n, Alau(ius+ Hamlet:s !orst fears a"out his un'le are 'onfirme(+ DO m. ro heti' soulEF he 'ries 5I+*+&08+ The ghost e>horts Hamlet to seek re*enge, telling him that Alau(ius has 'orru te( ?enmark an( 'orru te( 3ertru(e, ha*ing taken her from the ure lo*e of her first marriage an( se(u'e( her in the foul lust of their in'estuous union+ <ut the ghost urges Hamlet not to a't against his mother in an. !a., telling him to Dlea*e her to hea*enF an( to the angs of her o!n 'ons'ien'e 5I+*+,%8+ As (a!n "reaks, the ghost (isa ears+ Intensel. mo*e(, Hamlet s!ears to remem"er an( o"e. the ghost+ Horatio an( Mar'ellus arri*e u on the s'ene an( franti'all. ask Hamlet !hat has ha ene(+ Shaken an( e>tremel. agitate(, he refuses to tell them, an( insists that the. s!ear u on his s!or( not to re*eal !hat the. ha*e seen+ He tells them further that he ma. reten( to "e a ma(man, an( he makes them s!ear not to gi*e the slightest hint that the. kno! an.thing a"out his moti*es+ Three times the ghost:s *oi'e e'hoes from "eneath the groun(, ro'laiming, DS!ear+F Horatio an( Mar'ellus take the oath u on Hamlet:s s!or(, an( the three men e>it to!ar( the 'astle+ As the. lea*e, Hamlet "emoans the res onsi"ilit. he no! 'arriesI DThe time is out of CointI O 'urse( s ite O That e*er I !as "orn to set it rightEF 5I+*+#,/6#/08+ 32. 1ummar&= (ct 44/ scene i

1olonius (is at'hes his ser*ant Re.nal(o to Fran'e !ith mone. an( !ritten notes for Laertes, also or(ering him to in2uire a"out an( s . on Laertes: ersonal life+ He gi*es him e> li'it (ire'tions as to ho! to ursue his in*estigations, then sen(s him on his !a.+ As Re.nal(o lea*es, O helia enters, *isi"l. u set+ She tells 1olonius that Hamlet, unkem t an( !il()e.e(, has a''oste( her+ Hamlet gra""e( her, hel( her, an( sighe( hea*il., "ut (i( not s eak to her+ 1olonius sa.s that Hamlet must "e ma( !ith his lo*e for O helia, for she has (istan'e( herself from him e*er sin'e 1olonius or(ere( her to (o so+ 1olonius s e'ulates that this lo*esi'kness might "e the 'ause of Hamlet:s moo(iness, an( he hurries out to tell Alau(ius of his i(ea+ 33. (nal&sis= (ct 4/ scene v<(ct 44/ scene i

The ghost:s (eman( for Hamlet to seek re*enge u on Alau(ius is the i*otal e*ent of A't I+ It sets the main lot of the la. into motion an( lea(s Hamlet to the i(ea of feigning ma(ness, !hi'h "e'omes his rimar. mo(e of intera'ting !ith other eo le for most of the ne>t three a'ts, as !ell as a maCor (e*i'e Shakes eare uses to (e*elo his 'hara'ter+ Most im ortant, it intro(u'es the i(ea of retri"uti*e Custi'e, the notion that sin must "e returne( !ith unishment+ Alau(ius has 'ommitte( a sin, an( no!, to restore "alan'e to the king(om, the sin must "e unishe(+ The i(ea of retri"ution haunts an( goa(s 'hara'ters throughout the la., fun'tioning as an im ortant moti*ation for a'tion, s urring Alau(ius to guilt, Hamlet to the a*oi(an'e of sui'i(e, an( Laertes to mur(erous rage after the (eaths of O helia an( 1olonius+ While Hamlet fits a genre 'alle( re*enge trage(., loosel. follo!ing the form o ulari4e( ". Thomas ;.(:s earlier "panish Tragedy, it is unlike an. other re*enge trage(. in that it is more 'on'erne( !ith thought an( moral 2uestioning than !ith "loo(. a'tion+ One of the 'entral tensions in the la. 'omes from Hamlet:s ina"ilit. to fin( an. 'ertain moral truths as he !orks his !a. to!ar( re*enge+ E*en in his first en'ounter !ith the ghost, Hamlet 2uestions the a earan'es of things aroun( him an( !orries !hether he 'an trust his er'e tions, (ou"ting the authenti'it. of his father:s ghost an( its tragi' 'laim+ <e'ause he is 'ontem lati*e to the oint of o"session, Hamlet:s (e'ision to feign ma(ness, ostensi"l. in or(er to kee the other 'hara'ters from guessing the moti*e for his "eha*ior, !ill lea( him at times erilousl. 'lose to a'tual ma(ness+ In fa't,

it is im ossi"le to sa. for 'ertain !hether or not Hamlet a'tuall. (oes go ma(, an(, if so, !hen his a't "e'omes realit.+ We ha*e alrea(. seen that Hamlet, though thoughtful ". nature, also has an e>'ita"le streak, !hi'h makes him errati', ner*ous, an( un re(i'ta"le+ In A't I, s'ene *, as the ghost (isa ears, Hamlet seems to ha*e too mu'h ner*ous energ. to (eal 'om etentl. !ith the 'urious Horatio an( Mar'ellus+ He is alrea(. unsure of !hat to "elie*e an( !hat to (o, an( the tension of his un'ertaint. 'omes out in s ra!ling !or( la. that makes him seem alrea(. slightl. ma(, 'alling the ghost names su'h as Dtrue enn.F an( Dol( moleF as it rum"les, DS!ear,F from "eneath the groun( 5I+*+#$-, I+*+#%&8+ The short s'ene that "egins A't II is (i*i(e( into t!o arts, the first of !hi'h in*ol*es 1olonius:s 'on*ersation !ith Re.nal(o a"out Laertes an( the se'on( of !hi'h in*ol*es 1olonius:s 'on*ersation !ith O helia a"out Hamlet+ The s'ene ser*es to (e*elo the 'hara'ter of 1olonius, !ho is one of the most intriguing figures in Hamlet. 1olonius 'an "e inter rete( as either a (o((ering fool or as a 'unning mani ulator, an( he has "een ortra.e( onstage as "oth+ In this s'ene, as he 'arefull. instru'ts Re.nal(o in the art of snoo ing, he seems more the mani ulator than the fool, though his o"*ious lo*e of hearing his o!n *oi'e lea(s him into some 'omi'al mis hrasings 5DAn( then, sir, (oes a this = a (oes = O !hat !as I a"out to sa.K <. the mass, I !as a"out to sa. some O thing+ Where (i( I lea*eKF MII+i+&/6$#N8+ In his a(*i'e to Re.nal(o, 1olonius e> li'itl. (e*elo s one of the themes of Hamlet, the i(ea that !or(s 'an "e use( to "en( an( alter the truth+ He e> lains to Re.nal(o ho! to ask lea(ing 2uestions of Laertes: a'2uaintan'es an( ho! to hrase 2uestions in a !a. that !ill seem inoffensi*e+ As !ith Alau(ius, !ho mani ulate( the ro.al 'ourt !ith his s ee'h in A't I, s'ene ii, !or(s "e'ome a tool for influen'ing the min(s of others an( 'ontrolling their er'e tion of the truth+ Remem"er that Alau(ius kille( ;ing Hamlet ". ouring oison into his ear+ Shakes eare 'ontinuall. illustrates that !or(s 'an fun'tion as oison in the ear as !ell+ As the ghost sa.s in A't I, s'ene *, Alau(ius has oisone( Dthe !hole ear of ?enmarkF !ith his !or(s 5I+*+7%8+ The running imager. of ears an( hearing ser*es as an im ortant s.m"ol of the o!er of !or(s to mani ulate the truth+ 1olonius:s 'on*ersation !ith O helia is im ortant for se*eral reasons+ First, it illustrates ho! Hamlet has "een "eha*ing sin'e his en'ounter !ith the ghostI he has ma(e goo( on his romise to Horatio an( is "eha*ing as a ma(man+ Though !e learn a"out it onl. through her (es'ri tion, his emotional s'ene !ith O helia ma. stem in art from his general lan to feign insanit., an( in art from real (istress at seeing O helia, sin'e she has re'entl. s urne( him+ In a((ition, his mother:s marriage to Alau(ius seems to ha*e shattere( his o inion of !omen in general+ The 'on*ersation also informs the au(ien'e that she has o"e.e( her father:s or(ers an( "roken off her relationshi !ith Hamlet, 'onfirming her (o'ile nature an( (e en(en'e on her father to tell her ho! to "eha*e+ An( finall., the 'on*ersation engen(ers an im ortant moment for the lot of the la.I 1olonius:s su((en i(ea that Hamlet:s melan'hol. an( strange "eha*ior ma. "e (ue to his lo*esi'kness for O helia+ Though 1olonius:s o*erl. sim le theor. is o"*iousl. insuffi'ient to e> lain Hamlet:s "eha*ior, it (oes lea( to se*eral lot (e*elo ments in the ne>t fe! s'enes, in'lu(ing Hamlet:s (isastrous 'onfrontation !ith O helia an( 3ertru(e an( Alau(ius:s (e'ision to s . on Hamlet+

3'.
3+.

(ct 44/ scene ii

1ummar&

Within the 'astle, Alau(ius an( 3ertru(e !el'ome Rosen'rant4 an( 3uil(enstern, t!o of Hamlet:s frien(s from Witten"erg+ In'reasingl. 'on'erne( a"out Hamlet:s errati' "eha*ior an( his a arent ina"ilit. to re'o*er from his father:s (eath, the king an( 2ueen ha*e summone( his frien(s to Elsinore in the ho e that the. might "e a"le to 'heer Hamlet out of his melan'hol., or at least (is'o*er the 'ause of it+ Rosen'rant4 an( 3uil(enstern agree to in*estigate, an( the 2ueen or(ers atten(ants to take them to her Dtoo mu'h 'hange(F son 5II+ii+7%8+ 1olonius enters, announ'ing the return of the am"assa(ors !hom Alau(ius sent to Nor!a.+ Joltiman( an( Aornelius enter an( (es'ri"e !hat took la'e !ith the age( an( ailing king of Nor!a.I the king re"uke( Fortin"ras for attem ting to make !ar on ?enmark, an( Fortin"ras s!ore he !oul( ne*er again atta'k the ?anes+ The Nor!egian king, o*erCo.e(, "e2ueathe( u on Fortin"ras a large annuit., an( urge( him to use the arm. he ha( assem"le( to atta'k the 1oles instea( of the ?anes+ He has therefore sent a re2uest "a'k to Alau(ius that 1rin'e Fortin"ras:s armies "e allo!e( safe assage through ?enmark on their !a. to atta'k the 1oles+ Relie*e( to ha*e a*erte( a !ar !ith Fortin"ras:s arm., Alau(ius (e'lares that he !ill see to this "usiness later+ Joltiman( an( Aornelius lea*e+

Turning to the su"Ce't of Hamlet, 1olonius (e'lares, after a !or(. ream"le, that the rin'e is ma( !ith lo*e for O helia+ He sho!s the king an( 2ueen letters an( lo*e oems Hamlet has gi*en to O helia, an( ro oses a lan to test his theor.+ Hamlet often !alks alone through the lo"". of the 'astle, an(, at su'h a time, the. 'oul( hi(e "ehin( an arras 5a 'urtain or !all hanging8 !hile O helia 'onfronts Hamlet, allo!ing them to see for themsel*es !hether Hamlet:s ma(ness reall. emanates from his lo*e for her+ The king (e'lares that the. !ill tr. the lan+ 3ertru(e noti'es that Hamlet is a roa'hing, rea(ing from a "ook as he !alks, an( 1olonius sa.s that he !ill s eak to the rin'e+ 3ertru(e an( Alau(ius e>it, lea*ing 1olonius alone !ith Hamlet+ 1olonius attem ts to 'on*erse !ith Hamlet, !ho a ears insaneB he 'alls the ol( man a DfishmongerF an( ans!ers his 2uestions irrationall.+ <ut man. of Hamlet:s seemingl. lunati' statements hi(e "ar"e( o"ser*ations a"out 1olonius:s om osit. an( his ol( age+ 1olonius 'omments that !hile Hamlet is 'learl. ma(, his re lies are often D regnantF !ith meaning 5II+ii+-0%8+ He hurries a!a., (etermine( to arrange the meeting "et!een Hamlet an( O helia+ As 1olonius lea*es, Rosen'rant4 an( 3uil(enstern enter, an( Hamlet seems lease( to see them+ The. (is'uss Hamlet:s unha iness a"out re'ent affairs in ?enmark+ Hamlet asks !h. the. ha*e 'ome+ Shee ishl., the t!o men 'laim the. ha*e 'ome merel. to *isit Hamlet, "ut he sternl. (e'lares that he kno!s that the king an( 2ueen sent for them+ The. 'onfess this to "e true, an( Hamlet sa.s that he kno!s !h.I "e'ause he has lost all of his Co. an( (es'en(e( into a state of melan'hol. in !hi'h e*er.thing 5an( e*er.one8 a ears sterile an( !orthless+

Rosen'rant4 smiles an( sa.s he !on(ers ho! Hamlet !ill re'ei*e a theatri'al trou e that is 'urrentl. tra*eling to!ar( the 'astle+ The trum ets "lo!, announ'ing the arri*al of the a'tors 5or D la.ersF8+ Hamlet tells his frien(s the. are !el'ome to sta. at Elsinore, "ut that his Dun'le)father an( aunt)motherF are (e'ei*e( in his ma(ness+ He is ma( onl. some of the time an( at other times is sane+ 1olonius enters to announ'e the arri*al of the la.ers, !ho follo! him into the room+ Hamlet !el'omes them an( entreats one of them to gi*e him a s ee'h a"out the fall of Tro. an( the (eath of the TroCan king an( 2ueen, 1riam an( He'u"a+ Im resse( !ith the la.er:s s ee'h, Hamlet or(ers 1olonius to see them es'orte( to guestrooms+ He announ'es that the ne>t night the. !ill hear The Murder of &on1ago erforme(, !ith an a((itional short s ee'h that he !ill !rite himself+ Hamlet lea*es Rosen'rant4 an( 3uil(enstern an( no! stan(s alone in the room+ He imme(iatel. "egins 'ursing himself, "itterl. 'ommenting that the la.er !ho ga*e the s ee'h !as a"le to summon a (e th of feeling an( e> ression for long)(ea( figures !ho mean nothing to him, !hile Hamlet is una"le to take a'tion e*en !ith his far more o!erful moti*es+ He resol*es to (e*ise a tra for Alau(ius, for'ing the king to !at'h a la. !hose lot 'losel. resem"les the mur(er of Hamlet:s fatherB if the king is guilt., he thinks, he !ill surel. sho! some *isi"le sign of guilt !hen he sees his sin reena'te( on stage+ Then, Hamlet reasons, he !ill o"tain (efiniti*e roof of Alau(ius:s guilt+ DThe la.:s the thing,F he (e'lares, D!herein I:ll 'at'h the 'ons'ien'e of the kingF 5II+ii+$,#6$,-8+ 3,. (nal&sis

If Hamlet is merel. reten(ing to "e ma(, as he suggests, he (oes almost too goo( a Co" of it+ His ortra.al is so 'on*in'ing that man. 'riti's 'onten( that his alrea(. fragile sanit. shatters at the sight of his (ea( father:s ghost+ Ho!e*er, the a'ute an( 'utting o"ser*ations he makes !hile su ose(l. ma( su ort the *ie! that he is onl. reten(ing+ Im ortantl., he (e'lares, DI am "ut ma( north)north)!estI !hen the !in( is southerl. I kno! a ha!k from a han(sa!F 5II+ii+7%#67%-8+ That is, he is onl. Dma(F at 'ertain 'al'ulate( times, an( the rest of the time he kno!s !hat is !hat+ <ut he is 'ertainl. 'onfuse( an( u set, an( his 'onfusion translates into an e>traor(inaril. intense state of min( suggesti*e of ma(ness+ This s'ene, ". far the longest in the la., in'lu(es se*eral im ortant re*elations an( furthers the (e*elo ment of some of the la.:s main themes+ The s'ene 'ontains four main artsI 1olonius:s 'on*ersation !ith Alau(ius an( 3ertru(e, !hi'h in'lu(es the (is'ussion !ith the am"assa(orsB Hamlet:s 'on*ersation !ith 1olonius, in !hi'h !e see Hamlet 'ons'iousl. feigning ma(ness for the first timeB Hamlet:s reunion !ith Rosen'rant4 an( 3uil(ensternB an( the s'ene !ith the la.ers, follo!e( ". Hamlet:s 'on'lu(ing solilo2u. on the theme of a'tion+ These se arate lot (e*elo ments take la'e in the same lo'ation an( o''ur in ra i( su''ession, allo!ing the au(ien'e to 'om are an( 'ontrast their themati' elements+ We ha*e alrea(. seen the (e*elo ing 'ontrast "et!een Hamlet an( Laertes+ The se'tion in*ol*ing the Nor!egian am"assa(ors (e*elo s another im ortant 'ontrast, this time "et!een Hamlet an( Fortin"ras+ Like Hamlet, Fortin"ras is the

grie*ing son of a (ea( king, a rin'e !hose un'le inherite( the throne in his la'e+ <ut !here Hamlet has sunk into (es air, 'ontem lation, an( in(e'ision, Fortin"ras has (e*ote( himself to the ursuit of re*enge+ This 'ontrast !ill "e e> lore( mu'h more thoroughl. later in the la.+ Here, it is im ortant mainl. to note that Fortin"ras:s un'le has for"i((en him to atta'k ?enmark "ut has gi*en him ermission to ri(e through ?enmark on his !a. to atta'k 1olan(+ This at least suggests the ossi"ilit. that the ;ing of Nor!a. is tr.ing to tri'k Alau(ius into allo!ing a hostile arm. into his 'ountr.+ It is nota"le that Alau(ius a ears in(ifferent to the fa't that a o!erful enem. !ill "e ri(ing through his 'ountr. !ith a large arm. in to!+ Alau(ius seems mu'h more !orrie( a"out Hamlet:s ma(ness, in(i'ating that !here ;ing Hamlet !as a o!erful !arrior !ho sought to e> an( ?enmark:s o!er a"roa(, Alau(ius is a oliti'ian !ho is more 'on'erne( a"out threats from !ithin his state+ The arri*al of Rosen'rant4 an( 3uil(enstern, t!o of the most enigmati' figures in Hamlet, is another im ortant (e*elo ment+ These t!o 'hara'ters are mani ulate( ". all of the mem"ers of the ro.al famil. an( seem to e>ist in a state of fear that the. !ill offen( the !rong erson or gi*e a!a. the !rong se'ret at the !rong time+ One of the strangest 2ualities of the t!o men is their e>traor(inar. similarit.+ In fa't, Shakes eare lea*es Rosen'rant4 an( 3uil(enstern almost entirel. un(ifferentiate( from one another+ DThanks, Rosen'rant4 an( gentle 3uil(enstern,F Alau(ius sa.s, an( 3ertru(e re lies, DThanks, 3uil(enstern an( gentle Rosen'rant4,F almost as though it (oes not matter !hi'h is !hi'h 5II+ii+7767&8+ The t!o men:s 2uestioning of Hamlet is a aro(. of a So'rati' (ialogue+ The. ro ose ossi"ilities, (e*elo i(eas a''or(ing to rational argument, an( fin( their attem ts to un(erstan( Hamlet:s "eha*ior entirel. th!arte( ". his un'oo erati*e re lies+ (hat a piece of work is man' How no#le in reason' how infinite in faculties' in form and moving, how express and admira#le' in action how like an angel' in apprehension, how like a god' the #eauty of the world' the paragon of animals' 0nd yet, to me, what is this quintessence of dust2 The other im ortant e*ent in this s'ene is the arri*al of the la.ers+ The resen'e of la.ers an( la.)a'ting !ithin the la. oints to an im ortant themeI that real life is in 'ertain !a.s like la.)a'ting+ Hamlet rofesses to "e ama4e( ". the la.er king:s a"ilit. to engage emotionall. !ith the stor. he is telling e*en though it is onl. an imaginati*e re'reation+ Hamlet is re*ente( from res on(ing to his o!n situation "e'ause he (oesn:t ha*e 'ertain kno!le(ge a"out it, "ut the la.er king, an( theater au(ien'es in general, 'an res on( feelingl. e*en to things the. kno! to "e untrue+ In fa't, most of the time eo le res on( to their real)life situations !ith feelings an( a'tions that are not "ase( on 'ertain kno!le(ge+ This is !hat Hamlet refuses to (o+ His refusal to a't like he kno!s !hat he:s (oing !hen he reall. (oesn:t ma. "e 'onstrue( as heroi' an( a ro riate, or 2ui>oti' an( im ossi"le+ In either 'ase, Hamlet:s lan to tra the king ". eli'iting an emotional res onse is highl. unsoun(I Alau(ius:s feelings a"out a la. 'oul( ne*er "e 'onstrue( as a relia"le in(e> of its truth+

3-.
3..

(ct 444/ scene i

1ummar&

Alau(ius an( 3ertru(e (is'uss Hamlet:s "eha*ior !ith Rosen'rant4 an( 3uil(enstern, !ho sa. the. ha*e "een una"le to learn the 'ause of his melan'hol.+ The. tell the king an( 2ueen a"out Hamlet:s enthusiasm for the la.ers+ En'ourage(, 3ertru(e an( Alau(ius agree that the. !ill see the la. that e*ening+ Rosen'rant4 an( 3uil(enstern lea*e, an( Alau(ius or(ers 3ertru(e to lea*e as !ell, sa.ing that he an( 1olonius inten( to s . on Hamlet:s 'onfrontation !ith O helia+ 3ertru(e e>its, an( 1olonius (ire'ts O helia to !alk aroun( the lo"".+ 1olonius hears Hamlet 'oming, an( he an( the king hi(e+ Hamlet enters, s eaking thoughtfull. an( agoni4ingl. to himself a"out the 2uestion of !hether to 'ommit sui'i(e to en( the ain of e> erien'eI DTo "e, or not to "eI that is the 2uestionF 5III+i+$,8+ He sa.s that the miseries of life are su'h that no one !oul( !illingl. "ear them, e>'e t that the. are afrai( of Dsomething after (eathF 5III+i+,08+ <e'ause !e (o not kno! !hat to e> e't in the afterlife, !e !oul( rather D"ear those ills !e ha*e,F Hamlet sa.s, Dthan fl. to others that !e kno! not ofF 5III+i+,76,&8+ In mi()thought, Hamlet sees O helia a roa'hing+ Ha*ing re'ei*e( her or(ers from 1olonius, she tells him that she !ishes to return the tokens of lo*e he has gi*en her+ Angril., Hamlet (enies ha*ing gi*en her an.thingB he laments the (ishonest. of "eaut., an( 'laims "oth to ha*e lo*e( O helia on'e an( ne*er to ha*e lo*e( her at all+ <itterl. 'ommenting on the !ret'he(ness of humankin(, he urges O helia to enter a nunner. rather than "e'ome a D"ree(er of sinnersF 5III+i+#--6 #-78+ He 'riti'i4es !omen for making men "eha*e like monsters an( for 'ontri"uting to the !orl(:s (ishonest. ". ainting their fa'es to a ear more "eautiful than the. are+ Working himself into a rage, Hamlet (enoun'es O helia, !omen, an(

humankin( in general, sa.ing that he !ishes to en( all marriages+ As he storms out, O helia mourns the Dno"le min(F that has no! la se( into a arent ma(ness 5III+i+#&/8+ The king an( 1olonius emerge from "ehin( the ta estr.+ Alau(ius sa.s that Hamlet:s strange "eha*ior has 'learl. not "een 'ause( ". lo*e for O helia an( that his s ee'h (oes not seem like the s ee'h of insanit.+ He sa.s that he fears that melan'hol. sits on something (angerous in Hamlet:s soul like a "ir( sits on her egg, an( that he fears !hat !ill ha en !hen it hat'hes+ He (e'lares that he !ill sen( Hamlet to Englan(, in the ho e that a 'hange of s'ener. might hel him get o*er his trou"les+ 1olonius agrees that this is a goo( i(ea, "ut he still "elie*es that Hamlet:s agitation 'omes from lo*ing O helia+ He asks Alau(ius to sen( Hamlet to 3ertru(e:s 'ham"er after the la., !here 1olonius 'an hi(e again an( !at'h unseenB he ho es to learn !hether Hamlet is reall. ma( !ith lo*e+ Alau(ius agrees, sa.ing that DMmNa(ness in great onesF must "e 'arefull. !at'he( 5III+i+#,G8+ 32. (nal&sis

DTo "e, or not to "eF is the most famous line in English literature+ What (oes it meanK Wh. are these !or(s an( !hat follo!s s e'ialK One reason is that the. are a stunning e>am le of Shakes eare:s a"ilit. to make his 'hara'ters seem three)(imensional+ The au(ien'e senses that there is more to Hamlet:s !or(s than meets the ear=that there is something "ehin( his !or(s that is ne*er s oken+ Or, to ut it another !a., the au(ien'e !itnesses signs of something !ithin Hamlet:s min( that e*en he isn:t a!are of+ Hamlet is a fi'tional 'hara'ter !ho seems to ossess a su"'ons'ious min(+ Ho! (oes Shakes eare manage to a''om lish thisK In the first la'e, Hamlet (oesn:t talk (ire'tl. a"out !hat he:s reall. talking a"out+ When he 2uestions !hether it is "etter Dto "e, or not to "e,F the o"*ious im li'ation is, DShoul( I kill m.selfKF The entire solilo2u. strongl. suggests that he is to.ing !ith sui'i(e an( erha s tr.ing to !ork u his 'ourage to (o it+ <ut at no oint (oes he sa. that he is in ain or (is'uss !h. he !ants to kill himself+ In fa't, he ne*er sa.s DIF or DmeF in the entire s ee'h+ He:s not tr.ing to De> ressF himself at allB instea(, he oses the 2uestion as a matter of hiloso hi'al (e"ate+ When he 'laims that e*er."o(. !oul( 'ommit sui'i(e if the. !eren:t un'ertain a"out the afterlife, it soun(s as if he:s making an argument to 'on*in'e an imaginar. listener a"out an a"stra't oint rather than (ire'tl. a((ressing ho! the 2uestion a lies to him+ No!, it:s erfe'tl. or(inar. for 'hara'ters in la.s to sa. something other than !hat the. mean to other 'hara'ters 5this suggests that the. are 'ons'iousl. hi(ing their true moti*es8, "ut Hamlet (oes it !hen he:s talking to himself+ This 'reates the general im ression that there are things going on in Hamlet:s min( that he 'an:t think a"out (ire'tl.+ While !e:re on the su"Ce't of !hat:s going on insi(e Hamlet:s min(, 'onsi(er his en'ounter !ith O helia+ This 'on*ersation, 'losel. !at'he( ". Alau(ius an( 1olonius, is, in fa't, a test+ It:s su ose( to esta"lish !hether Hamlet:s ma(ness stems from his lo*esi'kness o*er O helia+ <efore !e, the au(ien'e, see this en'ounter, !e alrea(. think !e kno! more than Alau(ius (oesI !e kno! that Hamlet is onl. a'ting 'ra4., an( that he:s (oing it to hi(e the fa't that he:s lotting against 5or at least in*estigating8 his un'le+ Therefore, it 'an:t "e true that he:s a'ting ma( "e'ause of his lo*e for O helia+ <ut !itnessing Hamlet:s en'ounter !ith her thro!s e*er.thing !e think !e kno! into 2uestion+ ?oes Hamlet mean !hat he sa.s to O heliaK He sa.s that he (i( lo*e her on'e "ut that he (oesn:t lo*e her no!+ There are se*eral ro"lems !ith 'on'lu(ing that Hamlet sa.s the o osite of !hat he means in or(er to a ear 'ra4.+ For one thing, if he reall. (oes lo*e her, this is unne'essaril. self)(estru'ti*e "eha*ior+ It:s unne'essar. "e'ause it (oesn:t a''om lish *er. mu'hB that is, it (oesn:t make Alau(ius sus e't him less+ His rofessions of former lo*e make him a ear fi'kle, or emotionall. !ith(ra!n, rather than 'ra4.+ Is Hamlet reall. 'ra4. or Cust reten(ingK He announ'e( ahea( of time that he !as going to a't 'ra4., so it:s har( to 'on'lu(e that he 5'oin'i(entall.8 reall. !ent ma( right after sa.ing so+ <ut his "eha*ior to!ar( O helia is "oth self) (estru'ti*e an( fraught !ith emotional intensit.+ It (oesn:t o"*iousl. further his lans+ Moreo*er, his "itterness against O helia, an( against !omen in general, resonates !ith his general (is'ontente(ness a"out the state of the !orl(, the same (is'ontente(ness that he e> resses !hen he thinks no one is !at'hing+ There is a assionate intensit. to his unsta"le "eha*ior that kee s us from *ie!ing it as fake+

1erha s it is !orth!hile to ask this 2uestionI if a erson in a rational state of min( (e'i(es to a't as if he is 'ra4., to a"use the eo le aroun( him regar(less of !hether he lo*es those eo le or hates them, an( to gi*e free e> ression to all of his most antiso'ial thoughts, !hen he starts to 'arr. those a'tions out, !ill it e*en "e ossi"le to sa. at !hat oint he sto s reten(ing to "e 'ra4. an( starts a'tuall. "eing 'ra4.K

'3.
'1.

(ct 444/ scene ii

1ummar&

That e*ening, in the 'astle hall no! (ou"ling as a theater, Hamlet an>iousl. le'tures the la.ers on ho! to a't the arts he has !ritten for them+ 1olonius shuffles ". !ith Rosen'rant4 an( 3uil(enstern, an( Hamlet (is at'hes them to hurr. the la.ers in their re arations+ Horatio enters, an( Hamlet, lease( to see him, raises him heartil., e> ressing his affe'tion for an( high o inion of Horatio:s min( an( manner, es e'iall. Horatio:s 2ualities of self)'ontrol an( reser*e+ Ha*ing tol( Horatio !hat he learne( from the ghost=that Alau(ius mur(ere( his father=he no! asks him to !at'h Alau(ius 'arefull. (uring the la. so that the. might 'om are their im ressions of his "eha*ior after!ar(+ Horatio agrees, sa.ing that if Alau(ius sho!s an. signs of guilt, he !ill (ete't them+ The trum ets la. a ?anish mar'h as the au(ien'e of lor(s an( la(ies "egins streaming into the room+ Hamlet !arns Horatio that he !ill "egin to a't strangel.+ Sure enough, !hen Alau(ius asks ho! he is, his res onse seems 2uite insaneI DE>'ellent, i: faithB of the 'hameleon:s (ishI I eat the air, romise)'ramme(F 5III+ii+,&6,%8+ Hamlet asks 1olonius a"out his histor. as an a'tor an( torments O helia !ith a string of eroti' uns+ The la.ers enter an( a't out a "rief, silent *ersion of the la. to 'ome 'alle( a D(um"sho!+F In the (um"sho!, a king an( 2ueen (is la. their lo*e+ The 2ueen lea*es the king to slee , an( !hile he is slee ing, a man mur(ers him ". ouring oison into his ear+ The mur(erer tries to se(u'e the 2ueen, !ho gra(uall. a''e ts his a(*an'es+ The la.ers "egin to ena't the la. in full, an( !e learn that the man !ho kills the king is the king:s ne he!+ Throughout, Hamlet kee s u a running 'ommentar. on the 'hara'ters an( their a'tions, an( 'ontinues to tease O helia !ith o"li2ue se>ual referen'es+ When the mur(erer ours the oison into the slee ing king:s ear, Alau(ius rises an( 'ries out for light+ Ahaos ensues as the la. 'omes to a su((en halt, the tor'hes are lit, an( the king flees the room, follo!e( ". the au(ien'e+ When the s'ene 2uiets, Hamlet is left alone !ith Horatio+ Hamlet an( Horatio agree that the king:s "eha*ior !as telling+ No! e>tremel. e>'ite(, Hamlet 'ontinues to a't franti' an( s'atter"raine(, s eaking gli"l. an( in*enting little oems+ Rosen'rant4 an( 3uil(enstern arri*e to tell Hamlet that he is !ante( in his mother:s 'ham"ers+ Rosen'rant4 asks again a"out the 'ause of Hamlet:s D(istem er,F an( Hamlet angril. a''uses the air of tr.ing to la. him as if he !ere a musi'al i e+ 1olonius enters to es'ort Hamlet to the 2ueen+ Hamlet sa.s he !ill go to her in a moment an( asks for a moment alone+ He steels himself to s eak to his mother, resol*ing to "e "rutall. honest !ith her "ut not to lose 'ontrol of himselfI DI !ill s eak (aggers to her, "ut use noneF 5III+ii+7%%8+ '2. (nal&sis

In the first t!o s'enes of A't III, Hamlet an( Alau(ius "oth (e*ise tra s to 'at'h one another:s se'retsI Alau(ius s ies on Hamlet to (is'o*er the true nature of his ma(ness, an( Hamlet attem ts to D'at'h the 'ons'ien'e of the kingF in the theater 5III+i+$,-8+ The la.)!ithin)a) la. tells the stor. of 3on4ago, the ?uke of Jienna, an( his !ife, <a tista, !ho marries his mur(ering ne he!, Lu'ianus+ Hamlet "elie*es that the la. is an o ortunit. to esta"lish a more relia"le "asis for Alau(ius:s guilt than the 'laims of the ghost+ Sin'e he has no !a. of kno!ing !hether to "elie*e a mem"er of the s irit !orl(, he tries to (etermine !hether Alau(ius is guilt. ". rea(ing his "eha*ior for signs of a s.'hologi'al state of guilt+ Although Hamlet e>ults at the su''ess of his stratagem, inter reting Alau(ius:s interru tion isn:t as sim le as it seems+ In the first la'e, Alau(ius (oes not rea't to the (um"sho!, !hi'h e>a'tl. mimi's the a'tions of !hi'h the ghost a''uses Alau(ius+ Alau(ius rea'ts to the la. itself, !hi'h, unlike the (um"sho!, makes it 'lear that the king is mur(ere( ". his ne he!+ ?oes Alau(ius rea't to "eing 'onfronte( !ith his o!n 'rimes, or to a la. a"out un'le)killing s onsore( ". his 'ra4. ne he!K Or (oes he sim l. ha*e in(igestionK

Hamlet a ears more in 'ontrol of his o!n "eha*ior in this s'ene than in the one "efore, as sho!n ". his effortless mani ulations of Rosen'rant4 an( 3uil(enstern an( his frank 'on*ersation !ith Horatio+ He e*en e> resses a(miration an( affe'tion for Horatio:s 'alm le*el)hea(e(ness, the la'k of !hi'h is his o!n !eakest ointI D3i*e me that man O That is not assion:s sla*e, an( I !ill !ear him O In m. heart:s 'ore, a., in m. heart of heart, O As I (o theeF 5III+ii+%&6%G8+ In this s'ene he seems to ro*e that he is not insane after all, gi*en the effortlessness !ith !hi'h he alternates "et!een !il(, errati' "eha*ior an( fo'use(, sane "eha*ior+ He is e>'ite( "ut 'oherent (uring his 'on*ersation !ith Horatio "efore the la., "ut as soon as the king an( 2ueen enter, he "egins to a't insane, a sign that he is onl. reten(ing+ His onl. 2uestiona"le "eha*ior in this s'ene arises in his 'ru(e 'omments to O helia, !hi'h sho! him 'a a"le of real 'ruelt.+ His misog.n. has 'rosse( rational "oun(s, an( his e*er. 'omment is la'e( !ith se>ual innuen(o+ For instan'e, she 'omments, DLou are keen, m. lor(, .ou are keen,F 'om limenting him on his shar intelle't, an( he re lies, DIt !oul( 'ost .ou a groaning to take off m. e(geF 5III+ii+--G6--,8+ His inter'hange !ith O helia is a mere relu(e to the assionate rage he !ill unleash on 3ertru(e in the ne>t s'ene+

'3.
''.

(ct 444/ scene iii

1ummar&

Else!here in the 'astle, ;ing Alau(ius s eaks to Rosen'rant4 an( 3uil(enstern+ <a(l. shaken ". the la. an( no! 'onsi(ering Hamlet:s ma(ness to "e (angerous, Alau(ius asks the air to es'ort Hamlet on a *o.age to Englan( an( to (e art imme(iatel.+ The. agree an( lea*e to make re arations+ 1olonius enters an( remin(s the king of his lan to hi(e in 3ertru(e:s room an( o"ser*e Hamlet:s 'onfrontation !ith her+ He romises to tell Alau(ius all that he learns+ When 1olonius lea*es, the king is alone, an( he imme(iatel. e> resses his guilt an( grief o*er his sin+ A "rother:s mur(er, he sa.s, is the ol(est sin an( Dhath the rimal el(est 'urse u on:tF 5III+iii+7G8+ He longs to ask for forgi*eness, "ut sa.s that he is un re are( to gi*e u that !hi'h he gaine( ". 'ommitting the mur(er, namel., the 'ro!n an( the 2ueen+ He falls to his knees an( "egins to ra.+ Hamlet sli s 2uietl. into the room an( steels himself to kill the unseeing Alau(ius+ <ut su((enl. it o''urs to him that if he kills Alau(ius !hile he is ra.ing, he !ill en( the king:s life at the moment !hen he !as seeking forgi*eness for his sins, sen(ing Alau(ius:s soul to hea*en+ This is har(l. an a(e2uate re*enge, Hamlet thinks, es e'iall. sin'e Alau(ius, ". killing Hamlet:s father "efore he ha( time to make his last 'onfession, ensure( that his "rother !oul( not go to hea*en+ Hamlet (e'i(es to !ait, resol*ing to kill Alau(ius !hen the king is sinning=!hen he is either (runk, angr., or lustful+ He lea*es+ Alau(ius rises an( (e'lares that he has "een una"le to ra. sin'erel.I DM. !or(s fl. u , m. thoughts remain "elo!F 5III+iii+/%8+ '+. (nal&sis

Thus conscience does make cowards of us all* 0nd thus the native hue of resolution +s sicklied o er with the pale cast of thought* 0nd enterprises of great pith and moment, (ith this regard, their currents turn awry, 0nd lose the name of action.

In A't III, s'ene iii, Hamlet finall. seems rea(. to ut his (esire for re*enge into a'tion+ He is satisfie( that the la. has ro*en his un'le:s guilt+ When Alau(ius ra.s, the au(ien'e is gi*en real 'ertaint. that Alau(ius mur(ere( his "rotherI a full, s ontaneous 'onfession, e*en though no"o(. else hears it+ This onl. heightens our sense that the 'lima> of the la. is (ue to arri*e+ <ut Hamlet !aits+ On the surfa'e, it seems that he !aits "e'ause he !ants a more ra(i'al re*enge+ Ariti's su'h as Samuel Ta.lor Aoleri(ge ha*e "een horrifie( ". Hamlet:s !or(s here=he 'om letel. o*erste s the "oun(s of Ahristian moralit. in tr.ing to (amn his o onent:s soul as !ell as kill him+ <ut a art from this ultra*iolent osturing, Hamlet has on'e again a*oi(e( the im erati*e to a't ". in*ol*ing himself in a ro"lem of kno!le(ge+ No! that he:s satisfie( that he kno!s Alau(ius:s guilt, he !ants to kno! that his unishment !ill "e suffi'ient+ It ma. ha*e "een (iffi'ult to ro*e the former, "ut ho! 'an Hamlet e*er ho e to kno! the fate of Alau(ius:s immortal soulK

Hamlet oses his (esire to (amn Alau(ius as a matter of fairnessI his o!n father !as kille( !ithout ha*ing 'leanse( his soul ". ra.ing or 'onfessing, so !h. shoul( his mur(erer "e gi*en that 'han'eK <ut Hamlet is for'e( to a(mit that he (oesn:t reall. kno! !hat ha ene( to his father, remarking Dho! his au(it stan(s, !ho kno!s, sa*e hea*enKF 5III+i*+,-8+ The most he 'an sa. is that Din our 'ir'umstan'e an( 'ourse of thought O :Tis hea*. !ith himF 5III+i*+,76,&8+ The Norton Shakes eare ara hrases Din our 'ir'umstan'e an( 'ourse of thoughtF as Din our in(ire't an( limite( !a. of kno!ing on earth+F Ha*ing ro*en his un'le:s guilt to himself, against all o((s, Hamlet su((enl. fin(s something else to "e un'ertain a"out+ At this oint, Hamlet has gone "e.on( his earlier nee( to kno! the fa'ts a"out the 'rime, an( he no! 'ra*es meta h.si'al kno!le(ge, kno!le(ge of the afterlife an( of 3o(, "efore he is !illing to a't+ The au(ien'e has ha( lent. of o ortunit. to see that Hamlet is fas'inate( !ith hiloso hi'al 2uestions+ In the 'ase of the Dto "e, or not to "eF solilo2u., !e sa! that his hiloso hi4ing 'an "e a !a. for him to a*oi( thinking a"out or a'kno!le(ging something more imme(iatel. im ortant 5in that 'ase, his urge to kill himself8+ Is Hamlet using his s e'ulations a"out Alau(ius:s soul to a*oi( thinking a"out something in this 'aseK 1erha s the task he has set for himself=killing another human "eing in 'ol( "loo(=is too mu'h for him to fa'e+ Whate*er it is, the au(ien'e ma. on'e again get the sense that there is something more to Hamlet:s "eha*ior than meets the e.e+ That Shakes eare is a"le to 'on*e. this sense is a remarka"le a'hie*ement in itself, 2uite a art from ho! !e tr. to e> lain !hat Hamlet:s una'kno!le(ge( moti*es might "e+

',.
'-.

(ct 444/ scene iv

1ummar&

In 3ertru(e:s 'ham"er, the 2ueen an( 1olonius !ait for Hamlet:s arri*al+ 1olonius lans to hi(e in or(er to ea*es(ro on 3ertru(e:s 'onfrontation !ith her son, in the ho e that (oing so !ill ena"le him to (etermine the 'ause of Hamlet:s "i4arre an( threatening "eha*ior+ 1olonius urges the 2ueen to "e harsh !ith Hamlet !hen he arri*es, sa.ing that she shoul( 'hastise him for his re'ent "eha*ior+ 3ertru(e agrees, an( 1olonius hi(es "ehin( an arras, or ta estr.+ Hamlet storms into the room an( asks his mother !h. she has sent for him+ She sa.s that he has offen(e( his father, meaning his ste father, Alau(ius+ He interru ts her an( sa.s that she has offen(e( his father, meaning the (ea( ;ing Hamlet, ". marr.ing Alau(ius+ Hamlet a''osts her !ith an almost *iolent intensit. an( (e'lares his intention to make her full. a!are of the rofun(it. of her sin+ Fearing for her life, 3ertru(e 'ries out+ From "ehin( the arras, 1olonius 'alls out for hel + Hamlet, reali4ing that someone is "ehin( the arras an( sus e'ting that it might "e Alau(ius, 'ries, DHo! no!E a ratKF 5III+i*+--8+ He (ra!s his s!or( an( sta"s it through the ta estr., killing the unseen 1olonius+ 3ertru(e asks !hat Hamlet has (one, an( he re lies, DNa., I kno! notI O Is it the kingKF 5III+i*+-&8+ The 2ueen sa.s his a'tion !as a Drash an( "loo(.F (ee(, an( Hamlet re lies that it !as almost as rash an( "loo(. as mur(ering a king an( marr.ing his "rother 5III+i*+-%6-,8+ ?is"elie*ing, the 2ueen e>'laims, DAs kill a kingEF an( Hamlet re lies that she hear( him 'orre'tl. 5III+i*+-/8+ Hamlet lifts the arras an( (is'o*ers 1olonius:s "o(.I he has not kille( the king an( a'hie*e( his re*enge "ut has mur(ere( the relati*el. inno'ent 1olonius+ He "i(s the ol( man fare!ell, 'alling him an Dintru(ing foolF 5III+i*+708+ He turns to his mother, (e'laring that he !ill !ring her heart+ He sho!s her a i'ture of the (ea( king an( a i'ture of the 'urrent king, "itterl. 'omments on the su eriorit. of his father to his un'le, an( asks her furiousl. !hat has (ri*en her to marr. a rotten man su'h as Alau(ius+ She lea(s !ith him to sto , sa.ing that he has turne( her e.es onto her soul an( that she (oes not like !hat she sees there+ Hamlet 'ontinues to (enoun'e her an( rail against Alau(ius, until, su((enl., the ghost of his father again a ears "efore him+ Hamlet s eaks to the a arition, "ut 3ertru(e is una"le to see it an( "elie*es him to "e ma(+ The ghost intones that it has 'ome to remin( Hamlet of his ur ose, that Hamlet has not .et kille( Alau(ius an( must a'hie*e his re*enge+ Noting that 3ertru(e is ama4e( an( una"le to see him, the ghost asks Hamlet to inter'e(e !ith her+ Hamlet (es'ri"es the ghost, "ut 3ertru(e sees nothing, an( in a moment the ghost (isa ears+ Hamlet tries (es eratel. to 'on*in'e 3ertru(e that he is not ma( "ut has merel. feigne( ma(ness all along, an( he urges her to forsake Alau(ius an( regain her goo( 'ons'ien'e+ He urges her as !ell not to re*eal to Alau(ius that his ma(ness has "een an a't+ 3ertru(e, still shaken from Hamlet:s furious 'on(emnation of her, agrees to kee his se'ret+ He "i(s her goo(night, "ut, "efore he lea*es, he oints to 1olonius:s 'or se an( (e'lares that hea*en has D unishe( me !ith this, an( this !ith meF 5III+i*+#$,8+ Hamlet remin(s his mother that he must sail to Englan( !ith Rosen'rant4 an( 3uil(enstern, !hom he sa.s he !ill regar( !ith sus i'ion, as though the. !ere

oisonous snakes, sin'e he assumes that their lo.alties are !ith Alau(ius, not !ith him+ ?ragging 1olonius:s "o(. "ehin( him, Hamlet lea*es his mother:s room+ '.. (nal&sis What is Hamlet tr.ing to (o in his 'onfrontation !ith his motherK It is ossi"le that he !ants her to 'onfirm her kno!le(ge of Alau(ius:s 'rime, to ro*i(e further roof of his guilt+ Or it ma. "e that Hamlet !ants to kno! !hether she !as 'om li'it in the 'rime+ Or he ma. feel that he nee(s her on his si(e if he is to a'hie*e Custi'e+ While all of these are ossi"ilities, !hat Hamlet a'tuall. (oes is urge his mother to re ent 'hoosing Alau(ius o*er his o!n father+ More s e'ifi'all., he re eate(l. (eman(s that she a*oi( Alau(ius:s "e(+ A'tuall., he:s mu'h more s e'ifi'I he tells her not to let Alau(ius arouse her ". fon(ling her ne'k, not to sta. !ithin his semen)infeste( sheets, an( other sho'kingl. gra hi' (etails+ This is another oint in the la. !here au(ien'es an( rea(ers ha*e felt that there is more going on in Hamlet:s "rain than !e 'an 2uite ut our fingers on+ Sigmun( Freu( !rote that Hamlet har"ors an un'ons'ious (esire to se>uall. enCo. his mother+ Freu( maintaine( that all men un'ons'iousl. (esire their mothers in this !a., an( he 'alle( this the DOe(i us Aom le>,F after the 'hara'ter in So ho'les: la. !ho un!ittingl. mur(ers his father an( has se*eral 'hil(ren ". his o!n mother+ Whether or not Freu( !as right a"out this is as (iffi'ult to ro*e as an. of the ro"lems that Hamlet !orries a"out, "ut his argument in regar( to Hamlet is 2uite remarka"le+ He sa.s that !hile Oe(i us a'tuall. ena'ts this fantas., Hamlet onl. "etra.s the un'ons'ious (esire to (o so+ Hamlet is thus a 2uintessentiall. mo(ern erson, "e'ause he has re resse( (esires+ Though 3ertru(e:s s ee'h in this s'ene is largel. limite( to "rief rea'tions to Hamlet:s length. (enun'iations of her, it is our most re*ealing look at her 'hara'ter+ As the s'ene rogresses, 3ertru(e goes through se*eral states of feelingI she is haught. an( a''usator. at the "eginning, then afrai( that Hamlet !ill hurt her, sho'ke( an( u set !hen Hamlet kills 1olonius, o*er!helme( ". fear an( ani' as Hamlet a''osts her, an( (is"elie*ing !hen Hamlet sees the ghost+ Finall., she is 'ontrite to!ar( her son an( a arentl. !illing to take his art an( hel him+ For 3ertru(e, then, the s'ene rogresses as a se2uen'e of great sho'ks, ea'h of !hi'h !eakens her resistan'e to Hamlet:s 'on(emnation of her "eha*ior+ Of 'ourse, 3ertru(e is 'on*in'e( mainl. ". Hamlet:s insisten'e an( o!er of feeling, illustrating !hat man. rea(ers ha*e felt to "e her 'entral 'hara'teristi'I her ten(en'. to "e (ominate( ". o!erful men an( her nee( for men to sho! her !hat to think an( ho! to feel+ This 2ualit. e> lains !h. 3ertru(e !oul( ha*e turne( to Alau(ius so soon after her hus"an(:s (eath, an( it also e> lains !h. she so 2ui'kl. a(o ts Hamlet:s oint of *ie! in this s'ene+ Of 'ourse, the la. (oes not s e'ifi'all. e> lain 3ertru(e:s "eha*ior+ It is ossi"le that she !as 'om li'it !ith Alau(ius in the mur(er of her hus"an(, though that seems unlikel. gi*en her sur rise( rea'tion to Hamlet:s a''usation in this s'ene, an( it is ossi"le that she merel. reten(s to take Hamlet:s si(e to la'ate him, !hi'h !oul( e> lain !h. she imme(iatel. re orts his "eha*ior to Alau(ius after romising not to (o so+ <ut another inter retation of 3ertru(e:s 'hara'ter seems to "e that she has a o!erful instin't for self) reser*ation an( a(*an'ement that lea(s her to rel. too (ee l. on men+ Not onl. (oes this inter retation e> lain her "eha*ior throughout mu'h of the la., it also links her themati'all. to O helia, the la.:s other im ortant female 'hara'ter, !ho is also su"missi*e an( utterl. (e en(ent on men+ Hamlet:s rash, mur(erous a'tion in sta""ing 1olonius is an im ortant illustration of his ina"ilit. to 'oor(inate his thoughts an( a'tions, !hi'h might "e 'onsi(ere( his tragi' fla!+ In his assi*e, thoughtful mo(e, Hamlet is too "eset ". moral 'onsi(erations an( un'ertainties to a*enge his father:s (eath ". killing Alau(ius, e*en !hen the o ortunit. is "efore him+ <ut !hen he (oes 'hoose to a't, he (oes so "lin(l., sta""ing his anon.mous Denem.F through a 'urtain+ It is as if Hamlet is so (istrustful of the ossi"ilit. of a'ting rationall. that he "elie*es his re*enge is more likel. to 'ome a"out as an a''i(ent than as a reme(itate( a't+ When he sees 1olonius:s 'or se, Hamlet inter rets his mis(ee( !ithin the terms of retri"ution, unishment, an( *engean'eI DHea*en hath lease( it so O To unish me !ith this, an( this !ith meF 5III+i*+#$G6#$,8+ Though Hamlet has not a'hie*e( his *engean'e u on Alau(ius, he "elie*es that 3o( has use( him as a tool of *engean'e to unish 1olonius:s sins an( unish Hamlet:s sins ". staining his soul !ith the mur(er+

'2.

(ct 4#/ scenes i<ii

+3.

1ummar&= (ct 4#/ scene i

Franti' after her 'onfrontation !ith Hamlet, 3ertru(e hurries to Alau(ius, !ho is 'onferring !ith Rosen'rant4 an( 3uil(enstern+ She asks to s eak to the king alone+ When Rosen'rant4 an( 3uil(enstern e>it, she tells Alau(ius a"out her en'ounter !ith Hamlet+ She sa.s that he is as ma( as the sea (uring a *iolent stormB she also tells Alau(ius that Hamlet has kille( 1olonius+ Aghast, the king notes that ha( he "een 'on'eale( "ehin( the arras, Hamlet !oul( ha*e kille( him+ Alau(ius !on(ers alou( ho! he !ill "e a"le to han(le this u"li' 'risis !ithout (amaging his hol( on ?enmark+ He tells 3ertru(e that the. must shi Hamlet to Englan( at on'e an( fin( a !a. to e> lain Hamlet:s mis(ee( to the 'ourt an( to the eo le+ He 'alls Rosen'rant4 an( 3uil(enstern, tells them a"out the mur(er, an( sen(s them to fin( Hamlet+ +1. 1ummar&= (ct 4#/ scene ii

Else!here in Elsinore, Hamlet has Cust finishe( (is osing of 1olonius:s "o(., 'ommenting that the 'or se has "een Dsafel. sto!e(F 5IJ+ii+#8+ Rosen'rant4 an( 3uil(enstern a ear an( ask !hat he has (one !ith the "o(.+ Hamlet refuses to gi*e them a straight ans!er, instea( sa.ing, DThe "o(. is !ith the king, "ut the king is not !ith the "o(.F 5IJ+ii+-$6-%8+ Feigning offense at "eing 2uestione(, he a''uses them of "eing s ies in the ser*i'e of Alau(ius+ He 'alls Rosen'rant4 a Ds onge + + + that soaks u the king:s 'ountenan'e, his re!ar(s, his authorities,F an( !arns him that D!hen he nee(s !hat .ou ha*e gleane(, it is "ut s2uee4ing .ou, an(, s onge, .ou shall "e (r. againF 5IJ+ii+##6#/8+ At last he agrees to allo! Rosen'rant4 an( 3uil(enstern to es'ort him to Alau(ius+ +2. (nal&sis= (ct 4#/ scenes i<ii The short first s'ene of A't IJ 'enters aroun( 3ertru(e:s "etra.al of her son, turning him in to the king after ha*ing romise( to hel him+ While she (oes kee her romise not to re*eal that Hamlet !as onl. reten(ing to "e insane, the imme(iate an( frank !a. in !hi'h she tells Alau(ius a"out Hamlet:s "eha*ior an( his mur(er of 1olonius im lies that she sees herself as allie( to the king rather than to her son+ Whether 3ertru(e reall. "elie*es Hamlet to "e ma(, or has sim l. re'ogni4e( that her "est interest lies in all.ing herself !ith Alau(ius regar(less of !hat she "elie*es, is im ossi"le to (etermine from this s'ene an( is largel. a matter of one:s ersonal inter retation of the e*ents+ Whate*er the 'ase, it is 3ertru(e:s s ee'h to Alau(ius that 'ements the king:s se'ret lan to ha*e Hamlet e>e'ute( in Englan(+ As "rief as it is, A't IJ, s'ene i is a magnifi'ent e>am le of Shakes eare:s skill at (e*elo ing 'hara'ters, illustrate( ". the su"tle (e*elo ment of Alau(ius+ Where most of the other male 'hara'ters in the la., in'lu(ing Hamlet, ;ing Hamlet, Laertes, an( Fortin"ras, are o"sesse( !ith themes of honor, moral "alan'e, an( retri"uti*e Custi'e, Alau(ius is a selfish, am"itious king !ho is more 'on'erne( !ith maintaining his o!n o!er an( a*erting oliti'al (anger than a'hie*ing Custi'e through his rule+ His res onse to 3ertru(e:s re*elation that Hamlet has kille( 1olonius is e>tremel. telling+ Rather than 'onsi(ering that 3ertru(e might ha*e "een in (anger, he imme(iatel. remarks that ha( he "een in the room, he !oul( ha*e "een in (anger+ Hamlet must "e sent a!a. from ?enmark, he thinks, not as unishment for 'ommitting mur(er "ut "e'ause he re resents a (anger to Alau(ius+ An( as soon as he hears of the mur(er, Alau(ius:s min( "egins !orking to fin( a !a. to 'hara'teri4e the killing so that it (oes not seem like a oliti'al 'risis to his 'ourt an( to the eo le of ?enmark+ To (o this, he sa.s, !ill re2uire all his DmaCest. an( skillF 5IJ+i+708+ In this s'ene an( the s'enes to follo!, Shakes eare 'reates in Alau(ius a 'on*in'ing (e i'tion of a 'onni*ing, am"itious oliti'ian+ In this !a., Alau(ius emerges as a figure of o!erful 'ontrast to the more forthright men in the la., in'lu(ing Laertes, Fortin"ras, an( Horatio, an( the far more morall. 'ons'ious 1rin'e Hamlet+ Hamlet:s mur(er of 1olonius at the en( of A't III is one of the most (istur"ing moments in the la.+ If it !as re*iousl. ossi"le to 'onsi(er Hamlet a DheroF or an i(eali4e( *ersion of a human "eing, it is no longer ossi"le after he kills 1olonius+ His sensiti*e, refle'ti*e nature=the trait that 'onstantl. interfere( !ith his a"ilit. to take re*enge on Alau(ius=no! (isa ears in the !ake of its *iolent o ositeI a rash, mur(erous e> losion of a'ti*it.+ Hamlet lea s to the 'on'lusion that Alau(ius is "ehin( the arras, or else he sim l. lashes out thoughtlessl.+ In an. 'ase, Hamlet:s moral su eriorit. to Alau(ius is no! thro!n into 2uestion+ He has kille( 1olonius Cust as Alau(ius kille( Hamlet:s father, the onl. (ifferen'es "eing that Hamlet:s mur(er !as not reme(itate( an( !as not 'ommitte( out of Cealous. or am"ition+ Hamlet also eases his 'ons'ien'e !ith the fa't that 1olonius !as (ishonestl. s .ing on Hamlet at the moment !hen he !as kille(+ <ut the result of Hamlet:s (ee( is *er. similar to that of Alau(ius:sI Laertes an( O helia ha*e lost a father, Cust as Hamlet himself (i(+

No!, Hamlet hi(es the "o(.+ <ut rather than "eing o*er!helme( !ith 'ontrition, as !e might e> e't of a hero !ho has 'ommitte( su'h a terri"le mistake, he seems mani', (es erate, an( self)righteous, es e'iall. in his 'on(emnation of Rosen'rant4 an( 3uil(enstern+ Throughout A't IJ, s'ene ii, as in the la.)!ithin)a) la. s'ene 5A't III, s'ene ii8, Hamlet:s "iting, ironi' !it is 'om"ine( !ith his rash, im ulsi*e streak, an( his feigne( ma(ness seems *er. 'lose to the real thing+ Though Hamlet has man. a(mira"le 2ualities, s'enes su'h as this one ser*e as o!erful remin(ers that !e are not meant to take the rin'e as an un2ualifie( hero+

+3.
+'.

(ct 4#/ scenes iii<iv

1ummar&= (ct 4#/ scene iii

The king s eaks to a grou of atten(ants, telling them of 1olonius:s (eath an( his intention to sen( Hamlet to Englan(+ Rosen'rant4 an( 3uil(enstern a ear !ith Hamlet, !ho is un(er guar(+ 1resse( ". Alau(ius to re*eal the lo'ation of 1olonius:s "o(., Hamlet is ". turns inane, 'o., an( 'le*er, sa.ing that 1olonius is "eing eaten ". !orms, an( that the king 'oul( sen( a messenger to fin( 1olonius in hea*en or seek him in hell himself+ Finall., Hamlet re*eals that 1olonius:s "o(. is un(er the stairs near the 'astle lo""., an( the king (is at'hes his atten(ants to look there+ The king tells Hamlet that he must lea*e at on'e for Englan(, an( Hamlet enthusiasti'all. agrees+ He e>its, an( Alau(ius sen(s Rosen'rant4 an( 3uil(enstern to ensure that he "oar(s the shi at on'e+ Alone !ith his thoughts, Alau(ius states his ho e that Englan( !ill o"e. the seale( or(ers he has sent !ith Rosen'rant4 an( 3uil(enstern+ The or(ers 'all for 1rin'e Hamlet to "e ut to (eath+ ++. 1ummar&= (ct 4#/ scene iv

On a near". lain in ?enmark, .oung 1rin'e Fortin"ras mar'hes at the hea( of his arm., tra*eling through ?enmark on the !a. to atta'k 1olan(+ Fortin"ras or(ers his 'a tain to go an( ask the ;ing of ?enmark for ermission to tra*el through his lan(s+ On his !a., the 'a tain en'ounters Hamlet, Rosen'rant4, an( 3uil(enstern on their !a. to the shi "oun( for Englan(+ The 'a tain informs them that the Nor!egian arm. ri(es to fight the 1oles+ Hamlet asks a"out the "asis of the 'onfli't, an( the man tells him that the armies !ill fight o*er Da little at'h of lan( O That hath in it no rofit "ut the nameF 5IJ+i*+/,6//8+ Astonishe( ". the thought that a "loo(. !ar 'oul( "e fought o*er something so insignifi'ant, Hamlet mar*els that human "eings are a"le to a't so *iolentl. an( ur osefull. for so little gain+ <. 'om arison, Hamlet has a great (eal to gain from seeking his o!n "loo(. re*enge on Alau(ius, an( .et he still (ela.s an( fails to a't to!ar( his ur ose+ ?isguste( !ith himself for ha*ing faile( to gain his re*enge on Alau(ius, Hamlet (e'lares that from this moment on, his thoughts !ill "e "loo(.+ +,. (nal&sis= (ct 4#/ scenes iii<iv As !e sa! in A't IJ, s'ene ii, the mur(er of 1olonius an( the su"se2uent traumati' en'ounter !ith his mother seem to lea*e Hamlet in a franti', unsta"le frame of min(, the mo(e in !hi'h his e>'ita"le nature seems *er. similar to a'tual ma(ness+ He taunts Alau(ius, to!ar( !hom his hostilit. is no! "arel. (isguise(, an( makes light of 1olonius:s mur(er !ith !or( games+ He also reten(s to "e thrille( at the i(ea of sailing for Englan( !ith Rosen'rant4 an( 3uil(enstern+ On some le*el he is re are( for !hat is to 'ome+ His fare!ell to his mother ro*e( as mu'h, !hen he tol( her that he !oul( trust his ol( s'hoolfello!s as if the. !ere Da((ers fang:(,F that is, oisonous snakes 5III+i*+#,$+-8+ <ut although Hamlet sus e'ts his frien(s: trea'her., he ma. not full. reali4e the male*olen'e of Alau(ius:s (esigns for him+ Alau(ius:s su"terfuge in asking the English to e>e'ute Hamlet re*eals the e>tent to !hi'h he no! fears HamletI !hether Hamlet is sane or ma(, he is a (anger to Alau(ius, an( Alau(ius !ishes him to (ie+ It is also re*ealing that one of Alau(ius:s 'onsi(erations in seeking to ha*e Hamlet mur(ere( in far)off Englan(, rather than merel. e>e'uting him in ?enmark, is that he is "elo*e( ". the 'ommon eo le of ?enmark=Dlo*e( of the (istra'te( multitu(e,F as Alau(ius sa.s 5IJ+iii+&8+ Again, !here ;ing Hamlet !as a "ra*e !arrior, ;ing Alau(ius is a 'raft. oliti'ian, 'onstantl. !orking to strengthen his o!n o!er, 'ir'um*ent threats to his throne, an( mani ulate those aroun( him to his o!n a(*antage+ A't IJ, s'ene i* restores the fo'us of the la. to the theme of human a'tion+ Hamlet:s en'ounter !ith the Nor!egian 'a tain ser*es to remin( the rea(er of Fortin"ras:s resen'e in the !orl( of the la. an( gi*es Hamlet another e>am le of the !ill to a'tion that he la'ks+ Earlier, he !as ama4e( ". the la.er:s e*o'ation of o!erful feeling for He'u"a, a legen(ar. 'hara'ter !ho meant nothing to him 5II+ii8+ No!, he is a!estru'k ". the !illingness of Fortin"ras to (e*ote the energ. of an entire arm.,

ro"a"l. !asting hun(re(s of li*es an( risking his o!n, to re'laim a !orthless s'ra of lan( in 1olan(+ Hamlet 'onsi(ers the moral am"iguit. of Fortin"ras:s a'tion, "ut more than an.thing else he is im resse( ". the for'efulness of it, an( that for'efulness "e'omes a kin( of i(eal to!ar( !hi'h Hamlet (e'i(es at last to stri*e+ DM. thoughts "e "loo(., or "e nothing !orthEF he (e'lares 5IJ+i*+/+$%8+ Of 'ourse, he fails to ut this e>'lamation into a'tion, as he has faile( at e*er. re*ious turn to a'hie*e his re*enge on Alau(ius+ DM. thoughts "e "loo(.,F Hamlet sa.s+ Tellingl., he (oes not sa. DM. (ee(s "e "loo(.+F

+-.
+..

(ct 4#/ scenes v<vi

1ummar&= (ct 4#/ scene v

3ertru(e an( Horatio (is'uss O helia+ 3ertru(e (oes not !ish to see the "erea*e( girl, "ut Horatio sa.s that O helia shoul( "e itie(, e> laining that her grief has ma(e her (isor(ere( an( in'oherent+ O helia enters+ A(orne( !ith flo!ers an( singing strange songs, she seems to ha*e gone ma(+ Alau(ius enters an( hears O helia:s ra*ings, su'h as, DThe. sa. the o!l !as a "aker:s (aughterF 5IJ+*+&-8+ He sa.s that O helia:s grief stems from her father:s (eath, an( that the eo le ha*e "een sus i'ious an( (istur"e( ". the (eath as !ellI Dmu((ie(, O Thi'k an( un!holesome in their thoughts an( !his ers O For goo( 1olonius: (eathF 5IJ+*+GG6G/8+ He also mentions that Laertes has se'retl. saile( "a'k from Fran'e+ A lou( noise e'hoes from some!here in the 'astle+ Alau(ius 'alls for his guar(s, an( a gentleman enters to !arn the king that Laertes has 'ome !ith a mo" of 'ommoners+ The mo" 'alls Laertes Dlor(,F a''or(ing to the gentlemen, an( the eo le !his er that DLaertes shall "e kingF 5IJ+*+#0-6#0%8+ A furious Laertes storms into the hall, fuming in his (esire to a*enge his father:s (eath+ Alau(ius attem ts to soothe him ". frankl. a'kno!le(ging that 1olonius is (ea(+ 3ertru(e ner*ousl. a((s that Alau(ius is inno'ent in it+ When O helia reenters, o"*iousl. insane, Laertes lunges again into rage+ Alau(ius 'laims that he is not res onsi"le for 1olonius:s (eath an( sa.s that Laertes: (esire for re*enge is a 're(it to him, so long as he seeks re*enge u on the ro er erson+ Alau(ius 'on*in'es Laertes to hear his *ersion of e*ents, !hi'h he sa.s !ill ans!er all his 2uestions+ Laertes agrees, an( Alau(ius se'on(s his (esire to a'hie*e Custi'e in the aftermath of 1olonius:s (eathI DWhere th: offen'e is, let the great a>e fallF 5IJ+*+-#78+ +2. 1ummar&= (ct 4#/ scene vi

In another art of the 'astle, Horatio is intro(u'e( to a air of sailors "earing a letter for him from Hamlet+ In the letter, Hamlet sa.s that his shi !as 'a ture( ". irates, !ho ha*e returne( him to ?enmark+ He asks Horatio to es'ort the sailors to the king an( 2ueen, for the. ha*e messages for them as !ell+ He also sa.s that he has mu'h to tell of Rosen'rant4 an( 3uil(enstern+ Horatio takes the sailors to the king an( then follo!s them to fin( Hamlet, !ho is in the 'ountr.si(e near the 'astle+ ,3. (nal&sis= (ct 4#/ scenes v<vi

As !e ha*e seen, one of the im ortant themes of Hamlet is the 'onne'tion "et!een the health of a state an( the moral legitima'. of its ruler+ Alau(ius is rotten, an(, as a result, ?enmark is rotten too+ Here, at the "eginning of A't IJ, s'ene *, things ha*e al a"l. (arkene( for the nationI Hamlet is gone, 1olonius is (ea( an( has "een "urie( in se'ret, O helia is ra*ing ma(, an(, as Alau(ius tells us, the 'ommon eo le are (istur"e( an( murmuring among themsel*es+ This ominous turn of e*ents lea(s to the trun'ate(, miniature re"ellion that a''om anies Laertes: return to ?enmark+ A'ting as the !ronge( son o erating !ith o en fur., Laertes has all the moral legitima'. that Alau(ius la'ks, the legitima'. that Hamlet has forfeite( through his mur(er of 1olonius an( his (ela. in a*enging his father:s (eath+ Laertes is Hamlet:s "est foil throughout the la., an( in this s'ene the 'ontrast "et!een the t!o, ea'h of !hom has a (ea( father to a*enge, rea'hes its eak+ 5A thir( figure !ith a (ea( father to a*enge, Fortin"ras, lurks on the hori4on+8 Whereas Hamlet is refle'ti*e an( has (iffi'ult. a'ting, Laertes is a'ti*e an( has no use for thought+ He has no interest in moral 'on'erns, onl. in his 'onsuming (esire to a*enge 1olonius+ When Alau(ius later asks Laertes ho! far he !oul( go to a*enge his father, Laertes re lies that he !oul( slit Hamlet:s throat in the 'hur'h 5IJ+*ii+/,8+ This statement, in(i'ating his !illingness to mur(er Hamlet e*en in a sa're( la'e of !orshi , "rings into shar relief the 'ontrast "et!een the t!o sonsI re'all that Hamlet (e'line( to kill Alau(ius as the king knelt in ra.er 5III+iii8+ As "efits a s'ene full of anger an( (ark thoughts, A't IJ, s'ene * "rings a re etition of the motif of insanit., this time through the 'hara'ter of O helia, !ho has trul. "een (ri*en ma( ". the (eath of her father+ Shakes eare has (emonstrate( O helia:s 'haste (e en(en'e on the men in her lifeB after 1olonius:s su((en (eath an( Hamlet:s su"se2uent e>ile, she fin(s

herself a"ru tl. !ithout an. of them+ O helia:s lunati' ra*ings re*eal a great (eal a"out the nature of her min( at this stage in her .oung life+ She is o"sesse( !ith (eath, "eaut., an( an am"iguous se>ual (esire, e> resse( in startlingl. frank imager.I 3oung men will do t, if they come to t, 4y %ock, they are to #lame. 5uoth she 64efore you tum#led me, 3ou promised me to wed. 7+8.v.9:;<=> Some rea(ers ha*e inter rete( assages su'h as these, 'om"ine( !ith Hamlet:s se>uall. e> li'it taunting of O helia in A't III, s'ene ii, as e*i(en'e that O helia:s relationshi !ith Hamlet !as se>ual in nature+ Of 'ourse, this is im ossi"le to 'on'lu(e !ith an. 'ertaint., "ut from these lines it is a arent that O helia is gra ling !ith se>ualit. an( that her se>ual feelings, (is'ourage( ". her father, her "rother, an( her so'iet., are 'lose to the forefront of her min( as she sli s into insanit.+ <ut, most im ortant, O helia:s insanit. is (esigne( to 'ontrast strongl. !ith Hamlet:s, (iffering rimaril. in its legitima'.I O helia (oes not feign ma(ness to a'hie*e an en(, "ut is trul. (ri*en ma( ". e>ternal ressures+ Man. of the !orst elements in ?enmark, in'lu(ing ma(ness, fear, an( re"ellion, so far ha*e "een ke t hi((en un(er *arious (isguises, su'h as Hamlet:s retense an( Alau(ius:s 'ourt re*elr., an( are no! "eginning to emerge into the o en+ After e>iling Hamlet to Englan( in A't IJ, s'ene i*, Shakes eare no! returns him to ?enmark onl. t!o s'enes later through the "i4arre (eus e> ma'hina=an im ro"a"le or une> e'te( (e*i'e or 'hara'ter intro(u'e( to resol*e a situation in a !ork of fi'tion or (rama=of the irate atta'k+ The short A't IJ, s'ene *i is rimaril. (e*ote( to lot (e*elo ment, as Horatio rea(s Hamlet:s letter narrating his a(*enture+ The stor. of the irate atta'k has little to (o !ith the main themes of the la., "ut it (oes ro*i(e an interesting *ariation on the i(ea of retri"uti*e Custi'e, sin'e instea( of unishing someone for (oing something !rong, Hamlet states his intention to re!ar( the irates for the right the. ha*e (one in returning him to ?enmark+ DThe. ha*e (ealt !ith me like thie*es of mer'.,F he sa.s, D"ut the. kne! !hat the. (i(I I am to (o a goo( turn for themF 5IJ+*i+#G6#/8+ A((itionall., Hamlet:s letter features a return of the motif of ears an( hearing, as the rin'e tells Horatio that DI ha*e !or(s to s eak in thine ear !ill make thee (um",F an o en referen'e to the oison oure( into ;ing Hamlet:s ear ". the mur(erous Alau(ius 5IJ+*i+-#8+

,1.
,2.

(ct 4#/ scene vii

1ummar&

As Horatio s eaks to the sailors, Alau(ius an( a 'almer Laertes (is'uss 1olonius:s (eath+ Alau(ius e> lains that he a'te( as he (i(, "ur.ing 1olonius se'retl. an( not unishing Hamlet for the mur(er, "e'ause "oth the 'ommon eo le an( the 2ueen lo*e Hamlet *er. mu'h+ As a king an( as a hus"an(, he (i( not !ish to u set either of them+ A messenger enters !ith the letter from Hamlet to Alau(ius, !hi'h informs the king that Hamlet !ill return tomorro!+ Laertes is lease( that Hamlet has 'ome "a'k to ?enmark, sin'e it means that his re*enge !ill not "e (ela.e(+ Alau(ius agrees that Laertes (eser*es to "e re*enge( u on Hamlet, an( he is (is ose( to en'ourage Laertes to kill Hamlet, sin'e Hamlet:s errati' "eha*ior has ma(e him a threat to Alau(ius:s reign+ The (e*ious king "egins to think of a !a. for Laertes to ensure his re*enge !ithout 'reating an. a earan'e of foul la.+ He re'alls that Hamlet has "een Cealous in the ast of Laertes: ro!ess !ith a s!or(, !hi'h !as re'entl. raise( "efore all the 'ourt ". a Fren'hman !ho ha( seen him in 'om"at+ The king s e'ulates that if Hamlet 'oul( "e tem te( into a (uel !ith Laertes, it might ro*i(e Laertes !ith the 'han'e to kill him+ Laertes agrees, an( the. settle on a lan+ Laertes !ill use a shar ene( s!or( rather than the 'ustomar. (ull fen'ing "la(e+ Laertes also ro oses to oison his s!or(, so that e*en a s'rat'h from it !ill kill Hamlet+ The king 'on'o'ts a "a'ku lan as !ell, ro osing that if Hamlet su''ee(s in the (uel, Alau(ius !ill offer him a oisone( 'u of !ine to (rink from in 'ele"ration+ 3ertru(e enters !ith tragi' ne!s+ O helia, ma( !ith grief, has (ro!ne( in the ri*er+ Anguishe( to ha*e lost his sister so soon after his father:s (eath, Laertes flees the room+ Alau(ius summons 3ertru(e to follo!+ He tells her it !as nearl. im ossi"le to 2uiet Laertes: rage, an( !orries that the ne!s of O helia:s (eath !ill rea!aken it+

,3.

(nal&sis

The s'heming Alau(ius en'ounters Laertes at a ro>imatel. the same moment as he learns that Hamlet has sur*i*e( an( returne( to ?enmark+ Alau(ius:s "eha*ior throughout this s'ene, as in A't IJ, s'ene *, sho!s him at his most (e*ious an( 'al'ulating+ Shakes eare sho!s Alau(ius:s min( !orking o*ertime to (erail Laertes: anger, !hi'h is thus far the greatest 'hallenge his kingshi has fa'e(+ In A't IJ, s'ene *, Alau(ius (e'i(e( that the !a. to a ease Laertes !as ". a earing frank an( honest+ When Laertes aske( furiousl. !here his father !as, Alau(ius re lie(, D?ea(F 5IJ+*+#-78+ A((itionall., in a masterful stroke of 'hara'teri4ation, Shakes eare has the ner*ous 3ertru(e, una"le to see Alau(ius:s lan, follo! this statement !ith a 2ui'k insisten'e on Alau(ius:s inno'en'eI D<ut not ". himF 5IJ+*+#-78+ In this s'ene, Alau(ius has 'learl. (e'i(e( that he 'an a ease Laertes: !rath an( (is ense !ith Hamlet in a single strokeI he hits u on the i(ea of the (uel in or(er to use Laertes: rage to ensure Hamlet:s (eath+ The resulting lan "rings "oth the theme of re*enge an( the re eate( use of tra s in the lot to a ne! height=Laertes an( Alau(ius 'on'o't not one "ut three 'o*ert me'hanisms ". !hi'h Hamlet ma. "e kille(+ O helia:s tragi' (eath o''urs at the !orst ossi"le moment for Alau(ius+ As Laertes flees the room in agon., Alau(ius follo!s, not to 'onsole or e*en to Coin him in mourning "ut "e'ause, as he tells 3ertru(e, it !as so (iffi'ult to a ease his anger in the first la'e+ Alau(ius (oes not ha*e time to !orr. a"out the *i'tims of trage(.=he is too "us. (ealing !ith threats to his o!n o!er+ The image of O helia (ro!ning ami( her garlan(s of flo!ers has ro*e( to "e one of the most en(uring images in the la., re resente( 'ountless times ". artists an( oets throughout the 'enturies+ O helia is asso'iate( !ith flo!er imager. from the "eginning of the la.+ In her first s'ene, 1olonius resents her !ith a *ioletB after she goes ma(, she sings songs a"out flo!ersB an( no! she (ro!ns ami( long streams of them+ The fragile "eaut. of the flo!ers resem"les O helia:s o!n fragile "eaut., as !ell as her nas'ent se>ualit. an( her e>2uisite, (oome( inno'en'e+

,'.
,+.

(ct #/ scene i
1ummar&

In the 'hur'h.ar(, t!o gra*e(iggers sho*el out a gra*e for O helia+ The. argue !hether O helia shoul( "e "urie( in the 'hur'h.ar(, sin'e her (eath looks like a sui'i(e+ A''or(ing to religious (o'trine, sui'i(es ma. not re'ei*e Ahristian "urial+ The first gra*e(igger, !ho s eaks 'le*erl. an( mis'hie*ousl., asks the se'on( gra*e(igger a ri((leI DWhat is he that "uil(s stronger than either the mason, the shi !right, or the 'ar enterKF 5J+i+&%6&G8+ The se'on( gra*e(igger ans!ers that it must "e the gallo!s)maker, for his frame outlasts a thousan( tenants+ The first gra*e(igger 'orre'ts him, sa.ing that it is the gra*e(igger, for his DhousesF !ill last until ?ooms(a.+ Hamlet an( Horatio enter at a (istan'e an( !at'h the gra*e(iggers !ork+ Hamlet looks !ith !on(er at the skulls the. e>'a*ate to make room for the fresh gra*e an( s e'ulates (arkl. a"out !hat o''u ations the o!ners of these skulls ser*e( in lifeI DWh. ma. not that "e the skull of a la!.erK Where "e his 2ui((ities no! + + + KF 5J+i+/06/#8+ Hamlet asks the gra*e(igger !hose gra*e he (igs, an( the gra*e(igger s ars !ith him *er"all., first 'laiming that the gra*e is his o!n, sin'e he is (igging it, then that the gra*e "elongs to no man an( no !oman, "e'ause men an( !omen are li*ing things an( the o''u ant of the gra*e !ill "e (ea(+ At last he a(mits that it "elongs to one Dthat !as a !oman sirB "ut, rest her soul, she:s (ea(F 5J+i+#&%8+ The gra*e(igger, !ho (oes not re'ogni4e Hamlet as the rin'e, tells him that he has "een a gra*e(igger sin'e ;ing Hamlet (efeate( the el(er Fortin"ras in "attle, the *er. (a. on !hi'h .oung 1rin'e Hamlet !as "orn+ Hamlet i'ks u a skull, an( the gra*e(igger tells him that the skull "elonge( to Lori'k, ;ing Hamlet:s Cester+ Hamlet tells Horatio that as a 'hil( he kne! Lori'k an( is a alle( at the sight of the skull+ He reali4es for'efull. that all men !ill e*entuall. "e'ome (ust, e*en great men like Ale>an(er the 3reat an( 9ulius Aaesar+ Hamlet imagines that 9ulius Aaesar has (isintegrate( an( is no! art of the (ust use( to at'h u a !all+ Su((enl., the funeral ro'ession for O helia enters the 'hur'h.ar(, in'lu(ing Alau(ius, 3ertru(e, Laertes, an( man. mourning 'ourtiers+ Hamlet, !on(ering !ho has (ie(, noti'es that the funeral rites seem Dmaime(,F in(i'ating that the (ea( man or !oman took his or her o!n life 5J+i+-&-8+ He an( Horatio hi(e as the ro'ession a roa'hes the gra*e+ As O helia is lai( in the earth, Hamlet reali4es it is she !ho has (ie(+ At the same moment, Laertes "e'omes infuriate( !ith the riest, !ho

sa.s that to gi*e O helia a ro er Ahristian "urial !oul( rofane the (ea(+ Laertes lea s into O helia:s gra*e to hol( her on'e again in his arms+ 3rief)stri'ken an( outrage(, Hamlet "ursts u on the 'om an., (e'laring in agoni4e( fur. his o!n lo*e for O helia+ He lea s into the gra*e an( fights !ith Laertes, sa.ing that Dfort. thousan( "rothers O Aoul( not, !ith all their 2uantit. of lo*e, O make u m. sumF 5J+i+-$&6-$%8+ Hamlet 'ries that he !oul( (o things for O helia that Laertes 'oul( not (ream of=he !oul( eat a 'ro'o(ile for her, he !oul( "e "urie( ali*e !ith her+ The 'om"atants are ulle( a art ". the funeral 'om an.+ 3ertru(e an( Alau(ius (e'lare that Hamlet is ma(+ Hamlet storms off, an( Horatio follo!s+ The king urges Laertes to "e atient, an( to remem"er their lan for re*enge+ ,,. (nal&sis The gra*e(iggers are (esignate( as D'lo!nsF in the stage (ire'tions an( rom ts, an( it is im ortant to note that in Shakes eare:s time the !or(clown referre( to a rusti' or easant, an( (i( not mean that the erson in 2uestion !as funn. or !ore a 'ostume+ The gra*e(iggers re resent a humorous t. e 'ommonl. foun( in Shakes eare:s la.sI the 'le*er 'ommoner !ho gets the "etter of his so'ial su erior through !it+ At the 3lo"e Theater, this t. e of 'hara'ter ma. ha*e arti'ularl. a eale( to the Dgroun(lings,F the mem"ers of the au(ien'e !ho 'oul( not affor( seats an( thus stoo( on the groun(+ Though the. are usuall. figures of merriment, in this s'ene the gra*e(iggers assume a rather ma'a"re tone, sin'e their Cests an( Ci"es are all ma(e in a 'emeter., among "ones of the (ea(+ Their 'on*ersation a"out O helia, ho!e*er, furthers an im ortant theme in the la.I the 2uestion of the moral legitima'. of sui'i(e un(er theologi'al la!+ <. gi*ing this serious su"Ce't a (arkl. 'omi' inter retation, Shakes eare essentiall. makes a grotes2ue aro(. of Hamlet:s earlier DTo "e, or not to "eF solilo2u. 5III+i8, in(i'ating the 'olla se of e*er. lasting *alue in the la. into un'ertaint. an( a"sur(it.+ Hamlet:s 'onfrontation !ith (eath, manifeste( rimaril. in his (is'o*er. of Lori'k:s skull, is, like O helia:s (ro!ning, an en(uring image from the la.+ Ho!e*er, his solemn theori4ing e> lo(es in grief an( rage !hen he sees O helia:s funeral ro'ession, an( his assault on Laertes offers a glim se of !hat his true feelings for O helia might on'e ha*e "een+ Laertes: assionate em"ra'e of the (ea( O helia again a(*an'es the su"tle motif of in'est that hangs o*er their "rother)sister relationshi + Interestingl., Hamlet ne*er e> resses a sense of guilt o*er O helia:s (eath, !hi'h he in(ire'tl. 'ause( through his mur(er of 1olonius+ In fa't, the onl. time he e*en 'omes 'lose to taking res onsi"ilit. for 1olonius:s (eath at all 'omes in the ne>t an( last s'ene, !hen he a ologi4es to Laertes "efore the (uel, "laming his Dma(nessF for 1olonius:s (eath+ This seems !holl. ina(e2uate, gi*en that Hamlet has re*iousl. 'laime( re eate(l. onl. to "e feigning ma(ness+ <ut ". the same token, to e> e't moral 'om leteness from a 'hara'ter as trou"le( as Hamlet might "e unrealisti'+ After all, Hamlet:s (efining 'hara'teristi's are his ain, his fear, an( his self)'onfli't+ Were he to take full res onsi"ilit. for the 'onse2uen'es of 1olonius:s (eath, he !oul( ro"a"l. not "e a"le to !ithstan( the s.'hologi'al torment of the resulting guilt+ A nota"le minor motif that is (e*elo e( in this s'ene is Hamlet:s o"session !ith the h.si'alit. of (eath+ Though man. of his thoughts a"out (eath 'on'ern the s iritual 'onse2uen'es of (.ing=for instan'e, torment in the afterlife=he is nearl. as fas'inate( ". the h.si'al (e'om osition of the "o(.+ This is no!here more e*i(ent than in his reo''u ation !ith Lori'k:s skull, !hen he en*isions h.si'al features su'h as li s an( skin that ha*e (e'om ose( from the "one+ Re'all that Hamlet re*iousl. 'ommente( to Alau(ius that 1olonius:s "o(. !as at su er, "e'ause it !as "eing eaten ". !orms 5IJ+iii8+ He is also fas'inate( ". the e2uali4ing effe't of (eath an( (e'om ositionI great men an( "eggars "oth en( as (ust+ In this s'ene, he imagines (ust from the (e'om ose( 'or se of 9ulius Aaesar "eing use( to at'h a !allB earlier, in A't IJ, he note(, DA man ma. fish !ith the !orm that ha*e eat of a king, an( eat of the fish that hath fe( of that !orm,F a meta hor ". !hi'h he illustrates Dho! a king ma. go a rogress through the guts of a "eggarF 5IJ+iii+-%67#8+

,-.
,..

(ct #/ scene ii
1ummar&

The ne>t (a. at Elsinore Aastle, Hamlet tells Horatio ho! he lotte( to o*er'ome Alau(ius:s s'heme to ha*e him mur(ere( in Englan(+ He re la'e( the seale( letter 'arrie( ". the unsus e'ting Rosen'rant4 an( 3uil(enstern, !hi'h 'alle( for Hamlet:s e>e'ution, !ith one 'alling for the e>e'ution of the "earers of the letter=Rosen'rant4 an( 3uil(enstern themsel*es+ He tells Horatio that he has no s.m ath. for Rosen'rant4 an( 3uil(enstern, !ho "etra.e( him an( 'atere( to Alau(ius, "ut

that he feels sorr. for ha*ing "eha*e( !ith su'h hostilit. to!ar( Laertes+ In Laertes: (esire to a*enge his father:s (eath, he sa.s, he sees the mirror image of his o!n (esire, an( he romises to seek Laertes: goo( fa*or+ Their 'on*ersation is interru te( ". Osri', a foolish 'ourtier+ Osri' tries to flatter Hamlet ". agreeing !ith e*er.thing Hamlet sa.s, e*en !hen he 'ontra(i'ts himselfB in the s a'e of se'on(s, he agrees first that it is 'ol(, then that it is hot+ He has 'ome to tell them that Alau(ius !ants Hamlet to fen'e !ith Laertes an( that the king has ma(e a !ager !ith Laertes that Hamlet !ill !in+ Then Osri' "egins to raise Laertes effusi*el., though Hamlet an( Horatio are una"le to (etermine !hat oint he is tr.ing to make !ith his o*erl. ela"orate ro'lamations+ Finall., a lor( enters an( asks Hamlet if he is rea(. to 'ome to the mat'h, as the king an( 2ueen are e> e'ting him+ Against Horatio:s a(*i'e, Hamlet agrees to fight, sa.ing that Dall:s ill here a"out m. heart,F "ut that one must "e rea(. for (eath, sin'e it !ill 'ome no matter !hat one (oes 5J+ii+---8+ The 'ourt mar'hes into the hall, an( Hamlet asks Laertes for forgi*eness, 'laiming that it !as his ma(ness, an( not his o!n !ill, that mur(ere( 1olonius+ Laertes sa.s that he !ill not forgi*e Hamlet until an el(er, an e> ert in the fine oints of honor, has a(*ise( him in the matter+ <ut, in the meantime, he sa.s, he !ill a''e t Hamlet:s offer of lo*e+ The. sele't their foils 5"lunte( s!or(s use( in fen'ing8, an( the king sa.s that if Hamlet !ins the first or se'on( hit, he !ill (rink to Hamlet:s health, then thro! into the 'u a *alua"le gem 5a'tuall. the oison8 an( gi*e the !ine to Hamlet+ The (uel "egins+ Hamlet strikes Laertes "ut (e'lines to (rink from the 'u , sa.ing that he !ill la. another hit first+ He hits Laertes again, an( 3ertru(e rises to (rink from the 'u + The king tells her not to (rink, "ut she (oes so an.!a.+ In an asi(e, Alau(ius murmurs, DIt is the oison:( 'u I it is too lateF 5J+ii+-7$8+ Laertes remarks un(er his "reath that to !oun( Hamlet !ith the oisone( s!or( is almost against his 'ons'ien'e+ <ut the. fight again, an( Laertes s'ores a hit against Hamlet, (ra!ing "loo(+ S'uffling, the. manage to e>'hange s!or(s, an( Hamlet !oun(s Laertes !ith Laertes: o!n "la(e+ The 2ueen falls+ Laertes, oisone( ". his o!n s!or(, (e'lares, DI am Custl. kill:( !ith m. o!n trea'her.F 5J+ii+7#,8+ The 2ueen moans that the 'u must ha*e "een oisone(, 'alls out to Hamlet, an( (ies+ Laertes tells Hamlet that he, too, has "een slain, ". his o!n oisone( s!or(, an( that the king is to "lame "oth for the oison on the s!or( an( for the oison in the 'u + Hamlet, in a fur., runs Alau(ius through !ith the oisone( s!or( an( for'es him to (rink (o!n the rest of the oisone( !ine+ Alau(ius (ies 'r.ing out for hel + Hamlet tells Horatio that he is (.ing an( e>'hanges a last forgi*eness !ith Laertes, !ho (ies after a"sol*ing Hamlet+ The soun( of mar'hing e'hoes through the hall, an( a shot rings out near".+ Osri' (e'lares that Fortin"ras has 'ome in 'on2uest from 1olan( an( no! fires a *olle. to the English am"assa(ors+ Hamlet tells Horatio again that he is (.ing, an( urges his frien( not to 'ommit sui'i(e in light of all the trage(ies, "ut instea( to sta. ali*e an( tell his stor.+ He sa.s that he !ishes Fortin"ras to "e ma(e ;ing of ?enmarkB then he (ies+ Fortin"ras mar'hes into the room a''om anie( ". the English am"assa(ors, !ho announ'e that Rosen'rant4 an( 3uil(enstern are (ea(+ Horatio sa.s that he !ill tell e*er.one assem"le( the stor. that le( to the gruesome s'ene no! on (is la.+ Fortin"ras or(ers for Hamlet to "e 'arrie( a!a. like a sol(ier+ ,2. (nal&sis

In the final s'ene, the *iolen'e, so long (ela.e(, eru ts !ith (i44.ing s ee(+ Ahara'ters (ro one after the other, oisone(, sta""e(, an(, in the 'ase of Rosen'rant4 an( 3uil(enstern, e>e'ute(, as the theme of re*enge an( Custi'e rea'hes its 'on'lusion in the moment !hen Hamlet finall. kills Alau(ius+ In the moments "efore the (uel, Hamlet seems ea'eful, though also 2uite sa(+ He sa.s that he feels ill in his heart, "ut he seems re'on'ile( to the i(ea of (eath an( no longer trou"le( ". fear of the su ernatural+ E>a'tl. !hat has 'ause( the 'hange in Hamlet is un'lear, "ut his (esire to attain Laertes: forgi*eness 'learl. re resents an im ortant shift in his mental state+ Whereas Hamlet re*iousl. !as o"sesse( almost !holl. !ith himself an( his famil., he is no! a"le to think s.m atheti'all. a"out others+ He (oes not go 2uite so far as to take res onsi"ilit. for 1olonius:s (eath, "ut he (oes seem to "e a'ting !ith a "roa(er ers e'ti*e after the sho'k of O helia:s (eath+ Hamlet:s (eath at the han(s of Laertes makes his earlier (e'laration o*er 1olonius:s 'or se, that 3o( has 'hosen Dto unish me !ith this an( this !ith me,F ro heti' 5III+i*+#G&8+ His mur(er of 1olonius (oes unish him in the en(, sin'e it is Laertes: *engeful rage o*er that mur(er that lea(s to Hamlet:s (eath+

That (eath is neither heroi' nor shameful, a''or(ing to the moral logi' of the la.+ Hamlet a'hie*es his father:s *engean'e, "ut onl. after "eing s urre( to it ". the most e>treme 'ir'umstan'es one might 'onsi(er ossi"leI !at'hing his mother (ie an( kno!ing that he, too, !ill (ie in moments+ The arri*al of Fortin"ras effe'ti*el. oses the 2uestion of oliti'al legitima'. on'e again+ In marke( 'ontrast to the 'orru te( an( !eakene( ro.al famil. l.ing (ea( on the floor, Fortin"ras 'learl. re resents a strong)!ille(, 'a a"le lea(er, though the la. (oes not a((ress the 2uestion of !hether his rule !ill restore the moral authorit. of the state+

-3.

>e& Facts

F?LL 4 L8 P The Tragedy of Hamlet, ?rince of Denmark (? HO! P William Shakes eare 9P8 OF @O!> P 1la. G86!8 P Trage(., re*enge trage(. L(6G?(G8 P English 4$8 (65 PL(C8 @!4 86 P Lon(on, Englan(, earl. se*enteenth 'entur. 5 ro"a"l. #%006#%0-8 5( 8 OF F4!1 P?%L4C( 4O6 P

#%07, in a irate( 2uarto e(ition title( The Tragicall Historie of HamletB #%0& in a su erior

2uarto e(ition P Hamlet $(AO! CO6FL4C P Hamlet feels a res onsi"ilit. to a*enge his father:s mur(er ". his un'le Alau(ius, "ut Alau(ius is no!
P!O (GO641

the king an( thus !ell rote'te(+ Moreo*er, Hamlet struggles !ith his (ou"ts a"out !hether he 'an trust the ghost an( !hether killing Alau(ius is the a ro riate thing to (o+ !4146G (C 4O6 P The ghost a ears to Hamlet an( tells Hamlet to re*enge his mur(erB Hamlet feigns ma(ness to his intentionsB Hamlet stages the mousetra la.B Hamlet asses u the o ortunit. to kill Alau(ius !hile he is ra.ing+ CL4$(B P When Hamlet sta"s 1olonius through the arras in A't III, s'ene i*, he 'ommits himself to o*ertl. *iolent a'tion an( "rings himself into una*oi(a"le 'onfli't !ith the king+ Another ossi"le 'lima> 'omes at the en( of A't IJ, s'ene i*, !hen Hamlet resol*es to 'ommit himself full. to *iolent re*enge+ F(LL46G (C 4O6 P Hamlet is sent to Englan( to "e kille(B Hamlet returns to ?enmark an( 'onfronts Laertes at O helia:s funeralB the fen'ing mat'hB the (eaths of the ro.al famil. 18 46G C 4$8D P The late me(ie*al erio(, though the la.:s 'hronologi'al setting is notoriousl. im re'ise 18 46G1 CPL(C8D P ?enmark FO!81H(5O@46G P The ghost, !hi'h is taken to foresha(o! an ominous future for ?enmark O68 P ?ark, ironi', melan'hol., assionate, 'ontem lati*e, (es erate, *iolent H8$81 P The im ossi"ilit. of 'ertaint.B the 'om le>it. of a'tionB the m.ster. of (eathB the nation as a (isease( "o(. $O 4F1 P In'est an( in'estuous (esireB ears an( hearingB (eath an( sui'i(eB (arkness an( the su ernaturalB misog.n. 19$%OL1 P The ghost 5the s iritual 'onse2uen'es of (eath8B Lori'k:s skull 5the h.si'al 'onse2uen'es of (eath8