Hamlet comes home to hear of his father's death. He is so shocked and surprised because his death was very sudden. He thought highly of his father, the King of Denmark, and said he was a beloved king. Once Marcellus and Horatio tell him that he has seen a ghost that looks like the late King of Denmark, Hamlet immediately wants to know more. He wants to go and visit this ghost whether or not it is a good ghost or a demon. I wouldn't want to go see any ghost if i was put in Hamlet's situation but he wants to go and see it. Hamlet goes and speaks to this ghost that is in fact the ghost of his dead father and learns that his death was a murder. "Haste me to know't, that I with wings as swift as meditation or the thoughts of love may sweep to my revenge" (I, v, 29-31).
He finds out that his father was poisoned by his uncle while he was sleeping in the garden. The ghost tells him to kill his uncle to revenge for his death but Hamlet isn't sure if its the right thing to do. "And shall I couple hell?" (I, v, 93). Couple in this text means to engage in a contest against. So Hamlet isn't sure if he should be in competition in a sense with god and kill his uncle or wait for what hell will bring on to him. Maybe in fact his father's death was meant to be due to the sins he did while alive. Hamlet didn't want to interfere with heaven or hell. Hamlet also brings up another dilemma saying "Ill wipe away all trivial fond records all saws of books, all forms, all pressures past that youth and observation copied there" (I, v, 99-100). To me, Hamlet is looking back in his youth and childhood and is realizing that if he avenges his father's death, he will no longer be a child. The innocence of being young will be wiped away and forgotten once he fulfills this act. He later does promise to the ghost that he will kill his uncle.
Hamlet is dealing with a lot right now including his mother's actions and behaviors and how it affects him. He disagrees with the marriage of his uncle and his mom saying it is too soon after his father's death. He even says that the marriage is based on lust comparing his uncle to a satyr which is an animal of part man part goat which is known as a symbol of lust. His mother, the Queen, went from loosing her husband, crying and mourning his death to rejoicing and celebrating her marriage with Hamlet's uncle. Hamlet when talking to the ghost gets angered and describes his mom as "A most pernicious woman! O villain, o villain, smiling damned villain!" (I, v, 105-106).
Hamlet seems to be going delusional. He is saying things that don't make sense and is just completely changing his demeanor. He is having difficulty being able to kill his uncle. Hamlet i believe is putting on a show. He is having people believe he is indeed going crazy and insane as a result of all the events evolving around him. I think he is doing it to throw people off so when he does kill his uncle, then it would be a shock to Denmark that the newly king got killed.
I like how you stated that Hamlet is pretending to be in this mental state. That is a clever cover-up. I wasn’t really sure what to think of him going mad. I believe he is too strong of a person to fall apart. However, certain situations can get the best of great people. It is understandable that the death of his father and the actions of his mother would have such a strong affect on him. There again, it could be a cover. Good thinking!
ReplyDeleteHi Taylor, I never thought of Hamlet being young and the dilemma he faced regarding growing up and taking his first real steps towards manhood. Your quote “Ill wipe away all trivial fond records all saws of books, all forms, all pressures past that youth and observation copied there" (I, v, 99-100) really helped me to understand how you came to this conclusion. I also agree with you in how his delusional appearance takes away from his true intentions of pre-meditation and murderous revenge. I also like your thoughts on how he does not wish to interfere with the doings of heaven and hell. Great insight and a good use of quotes to help deliver your ideas.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your blog and interpretation of Hamelt. I agree with your ideas and I liked how you added a part of how you would feel or what you would do if you were in Hamlets position. It really makes your interpretation more relatable since you are sincerley giving your opinion. Hamlet also feels disgusted with the fact that his mother remarried so wuickly and to his uncle of all people. He cant believe how quickly his mother moved on and how she didnt even mourn the death of her husbnd. If I were Hamlet I would feel similar to him and be in utter shock and disbelief, just the thought sickens me.
ReplyDeletehello Taylor, let tell congratulation very good blog.... very goood insight.... i completely agree with interpretation... the part that i like the most are your insights about how hamlet doesnt want to interfere with heaven and hell.. keep the good work
ReplyDeleteHey Taylor, Excellent blog post! Your sections on Hamlet still feeling innocent and afraid of the consequences of murder proves to me how well you understand the story! I was not sure of Hamlet's age, which is why I did not think that murder would be difficult for Hamlet to do but that is indeed a factor that I can imagine afflicting a young man. Also the part where you explain his guilty conscious is very significant. From reading your blog, it has become apparent to me that Hamlet is a person of honor, perhaps the only person of honor in this section. Claudius murdered for selfish reasons, His mother married his uncle with minimal consideration for her husband, and Polonius is trying to make Hamlet appear insane, but Hamlet, while plotting murder, is doing so out of justice.
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