When we start second semester we will begin with Act III of Hamlet. Choose one quote from what we read this week and reflect on its importance to the plot or character development.
Hamlet: "To be or not to be - that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, ...To die, to sleep, No more- and by a sleep to say we end the heartache and the thousand natural shocksthat flesh is heir to-" This quote provides Shakespeare's readers an insight to what Hamlet feels about his life. We discussed in class how Hamlet's speach may give evidence that Hamlet is depressed and wants to kill himself but is afraid of what will happen after. Hamlet is a wonderful speaker but never able to follow through on what he talks about. For example this quote, Hamlet isn't a good enough actor to follow through on many of the speeches he makes by actually killing himself out of depression.
I shall obey you. And for your part, Ophelia, I do wish That your good beauties be the happy cause Of Hamlet's wildness. So shall I hope your virtues Will bring him to his wonted way again, To both your honors.
--Gertrude Act 3, Scene 1 Pg. 125 (talking to Ophelia)
Gertrude says to Ophelia that she hopes that it is Ophelia's beauty that has made Hamlet so mysterious and insane recently. She also hopes that her virtues will return him to normal some day soon, for the good of both of them (Hamlet and Ophelia). I believe that this quote is important to the book because it shows how Ophelia plays an imporant role in adding to Hamlet's depression and overall sanity. She was told to not see him anymore, not at her own choice. Things migt be different if he was still with her going through these times.
Act3, Sc1 pg 129 "To grunt and sweat under a weary life, But that the dread of something after death, The undiscovered country from whose bourn No traveler returns, puzzles the will" ~Hamlet
This is very important part of Hamlet monologue. As he "grunt’s and sweat’s" through life he's still scared. Cause what happens when you die? Heaven? Hell? He's scared for the un-traveled road that nobody's come back from. You’re going through life for what? He doesn’t quite understand why he’s working so hard if, when he gets the end and it a nightmare. So as Hamlet is debating whether or not to kill himself this is one of the thoughts that cross his mind. One that stops or slows him from killing himself because he's so scared.
"To be or not to be-that is the question: Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing end them. To die, to sleep— No more-and by a sleep to say we end The heartache and the thousand natural shocks That flesh is heir to—’tis a consummation Devoutly to be wished. To die, to sleep- To sleep, perchance to dream. Ay, there’s the rub, For in that sleep of death what dreams may come, When we have shuffled off this mortal coil, Must give us pause. There’s the respect That makes calamity of so long life." Hamlet Act 3, scene 1 ln. 64-77 pg. 127
This is one of the most important quotes in the book so far. Here, again, we see Hamlet's temptation toward suicide. He asks if it's better to suffer living or to bypass all the trouble by just killing himself. This quote shows us that Hamlet is still very emotionally depressed about his father's death, so depressed that he would continually consider the option of suicide. This quote also talks about the similarities of death and sleep. If death is like sleep then, just like death, we don't know what is to come in our dreams. This quote is a significant step in understanding the emotional strains and worries Hamlet is going through.
Hamlet: "That if you be honest and fair, (your honesty) should admit no discourse to your beauty."
In this scene in the play, Hamlet and Ophelia are in deep discussion. Hamlet thrashes Ophelia telling her that she is beautiful but she is a whore. He loves her, but yet he doesn't. Hamlet tells her that if she is true and honest it wont' take away from her outer beauty. I don't think that Hamlet is very clear with his words and he confuses Ophelia. Once again The King is listening intently to the conversation and shows no feelings or comfort towards his daughter after Hamlet exits.
"Ay, truly, for the power of beauty....I did love you once."
This quote is confusing at first but when you break it down i Think it becomes very smart and provides further insight to Hamlets character. At first Its confusing because honesty is read as telling the truth. When you change the meaning to mean purity. Then the meaning of what Hamlet is saying changes. This enables to see hamlets mental state and his feeling for Ophelia. Even though i think this is a Tactic to distance himself from Ophelia to protect her and that he does still love her.
Hamlet: "Ay, truly, for the power of beauty will sooner transform honesty from what it is to a bawd than the force of honesty can translate beauty into his likeness. This was sometime a paradox, but now the time gives it proof. I did love you once.
This quote shows readers what Hamlet is currently thinking about Ophelia during this scene. He is stating that because she is beautiful, it makes her less pure, and because she is beautiful, it is easier for her to be less pure. Hamlet is also speaking about how if she wasn't so beautiful, she would be more innocent and pure. He is also showing his past feelings for her, saying that he used to love her, but as he suspects that someone his spying on him, he soon goes to say that he did not love her ever.
Act III scene 2 Pg. 135 "Madness in great ones must not {unwatched} go". The king states this to polonius after witnessing the breif and hurtful incounter that Hamlet had with Ophilia. This quote is very very important to the text because it could, to the reader, have several different rings to it. Maybe the reason the king said that he couldn't go unwatched was because he fears for is murderous position. And maybe the only reason the king would call Hamlet a great one is because he would be the only one driven enough to seek out the real answer to his fathers death. But prehaps it is said in true concern and the king is referancing Hamlet as a "great" one because he is the hire to the throne. Regardless this statement sums up the general tendancy to spy that has come up so many times in this book. At any rate this quote is loaded with posibilities and really adds the the mystery of the book. -Kristy Cottle
Hamlet: "Ay, truly, for the power of beauty will sooner transform honesty from what it is to a bawd than the force of honesty can translate beauty into his likeness. This was sometime a paradox, but now the time gives it proof. I did love you once."
This quote was said by Hamlet to Ophelia. I think that this quote although confusing at first, really shows how Hamlet actually feels about Ophelia. Hamlet uses the word honesty to actually mean purity. With the meaning of that word changed, Hamlet tries to find the relationship between beauty and purity and actually tells Ophelia that since she is beautiful it is hard for her to be pure. I think the way Hamlet tells Ophelia this is over-doing it a little. It is a little too rude and inappropriate which leads me to believe it is still part of his show and he really does still love Ophelia.
"There's something in his soul o'er which his melancholy sits on brood, and i do doubt the hatch and the disclose will be some danger; which for to prevent, I have in quick determination thus set it down: he shall with speed to England"
Act 3, Scene 1: Lines 178-183
This quote is from the King, when he is discussing Hamlet's madness with Polonius. The King and Polonius have just finished watching Hamlet talk to Ophelia. Unlike Polonius, the King doesn't think Hamlet is crazy. However, the King believes that Hamlet is brooding over something, in some ways like a chicken sitting on an egg. The King decides to take action and send Hamlet away to England because he fears that eventually Hamlet's emotions will result in danger. Although Hamlet is not harmful at the moment, the King warns that in the future Hamlet's anger (his "egg") will hatch and cause trouble.
Player King: I do believe you think what you now speak, but what we do determine oft we break. (act 3, scene 2)
These words, written by Hamlet, are spoken by the actor playing Claudius. He is saying that people often break their promises. In this case the promise is that of the Queen because she says she will never remarry as it would be like killing her husband all over again. The Queen does remarry, breaking her promise, and also breaking her son's heart. This quote is important to the character development of Hamlet because it makes it seem like he thinks that Claudius forced his mother into marrying him. The way Claudius says that people often break promises is a bit odd because it is like he is telling her that she will marry him, even if she does not think it possible. I think Hamlet feels that his mother doesn't understand that she is not truly happy so him putting on the play is not only trying to guilt Claudius by displaying what he has done, but also to show his mother that she has broken a promise and "killed her husband a second time."
"O throw away the worser part of it [Queen's heart] and (live) the purer with the half!" (178-179). Act 3 Scene 4, Hamlet. Here, Hamlet is advising his mother (Queen Gertrude) to forget about her husband, the King Claudius. He states that engaging with the king, in such a manner that she has been doing, is sinful and unpure. To go to bed with her dead husband's brother is incestous and unholy. So, Hamlet tells his mother to not sleep with Claudius anymore and become a righteous widow.
Get thee to a nunnery: why wouldst thou be a breeder of sinners? I am myself indifferent honest; but yet I could accuse me of such things that it were better my mother had not borne me: I am very proud, revengeful, ambitious, with more offences at my beck than I have thoughts to put them in, imagination to give them shape, or time to act them in. What should such fellows as I do crawling between earth and heaven? We are arrant knaves, all; believe none of us. Go thy ways to a nunnery. Where's your father?
Here it is shown that Hamlet is so upset that he denies that he ever loved Ophelia. His anguish makes him say degrading things to her. In this quote, Hamlet tells Ophelia that she cannot accuse him of doing anything or acting a certain way, because she herself is a sinner. He tells her to become a nun and devote herself to god.
"Forgive me my foul murder? That cannot be, since I am still possessed of those effects for which I did the murder: My crown, mine own ambition, and my queen."
In this monologue King Claudius is having a conversation with his conscience about how guilty he is. In a rhetorical question, "forgive me my foul murder?"...he recognizes the fact that what he did (kill for power, lust and glory) was unforgivable and that he is probably damned to hell. He also states that everything which he killed for is still in his presence (the queen, his pride,etc.) However, Claudius doesn't know that Hamlet is in the room and has heard his confession. This reveals that Claudius isn't a man without a soul, though he did commit a cold blooded murder. Because he believes in repenting his sins, it is possible that he will take action and maybe remove everything which he killed for.
Cladius: "It shall be so. Madness in great ones must not unwatched go." Act 3 Scene 1 Lines 188-189
I think this is a very important statement made by the King. He is stating that if an important person is beginning to act insane than it is important to keep an eye on them. This is true of Hamlet... he is an important person, and he is beginning to show signs of craziness.
I think that it connects to all aspects of this play because people should have watched the other King Hamlet as well as Cladius. Cladius could have been showing signs of craziness before he murdered his own brother in order to take over as king and marry his wife. If someone had been watching for signs of insanity and kept an eye on him Hamlet may not be in this situation of depression and vengence now. If people watch Hamlet and prevent him from harming himself (as he is thinking of suicide) or others (he wants to gain revenge on his Uncle) than the path of insanity that his Uncle began when he murdered Hamlet's father and married his mother will be put to a stop.
"Suit the action to the word, the word to the action." Hamlet speaking to the Players Act 3 Scene 2
This quote is significant to the text because it is Hamlet speaking with the Players just before they preform. He is telling them that they must not overdo their performance otherwise it might be obvious that they are trying to interrogates the King. He also ends up telling the Players to watch the King's reaction and if there is not a large confession than they know that the ghost is either a damned ghost or that he did not commit the murder.
"To be or not to be-that is the question: Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing end them. To die, to sleep— No more-and by a sleep to say we end The heartache and the thousand natural shocks That flesh is heir to—’tis a consummation Devoutly to be wished. To die, to sleep- To sleep, perchance to dream."
This is one of the famous quotes that most recognize Shakespeare by. In this quote Hamlet is contemplating death, and "to be or not to be" is saying "to live or not to live". Hamlet then thinks about the pros and cons of living and of dying, and finally talks about sleeping, and the different dreams one can have through sleeping.
"O, my offense is rank, it smells to heaven; It hath the primal eldest curse upon't, A brother's murder. Pray can I not, Though inclination be as sharp as will: My stronger guilt defeats my strong intent; And, like a man to double business bound, I stand in pause where I shall first begin, And both neglect."
-King Claudis act 3 sc.3 pg. 165
This is when King Claudius is talking to himself right after he talks to Polonius and Polonius leaves. He starts feeling guilty about his killing of his brother, and he makes a biblical reference to cane and abil when he says "it hath the primal eldest curse upon't" because this is a reference to the mark that was put on Cane for killing his brother. He also talks about how he cannot go on with his business because he feels so guilty about the murder of his brother. This quote is very important because it is Claudius's first confession of his killing of the King.
"why, look you now, how unworthy a thing you make of me! You would play upon me, you would seem to know my stops, you would pluck out the heart of my mystery, you would sound me from my lowest note to (the top of) my compass; and there is much music, excellent voice, in this organ, yet cannot you make it speak. 'Sblood, do you think i am easier to be played on than a pipe? Call me what insturment you will, though you (can) fret me, you cannot play upon me." -Hamlet to Guilderstein Act 3 Scene 2 Lines 393-402
This quote is interesting because Hamlet knows that Guilderstain and Rosencrantz are lying to him and trying to get information out of him. Hamlet will not play into their tricks and will continue to be gaurded about what he says to them. Hamlet compares himself to an instrument, saying that Rosencrantz and Guilderstein think that they can just play him like an instrument. Hamlet proves that this is not the case by confessing that he has much to tell, saying he has "excellent voice, in this organ" yet he will not play into Rosencrantz and Guildersteins tricks. Hamlet is also expressing how he is upset that two of his best friends now think that they can play him off so easily, just like an instrument
Hamlet to Queen Gerturde: "Look here upon this picture and on this, The counterfeit presentment of two brothers, See what a grace was seated on this brow, Hyperion's curls, the front of Jove himself, An eye like Mars' to threaten and command, A station like the herald Mercury New-lighted on a (heaven)- kissing hill, A combination and a form indeed Where every god did seem to set his seal To give the world assurance of a man. This was your husband. Look you now what follows. Here is your husband, like a mildewed ear Blasting his wholesome brother. Have you eyes? Could you on this fair mountain leave to feed And batten on this moor? Act3Sc.4 pg 173-175
Once again Hamlet is comparing his father to the God of the Sun of Greek while he is making comparison of King Claudius to a mildewed ear, and "batten on this moor," which is supposed to mean that Claudius is nothing but a creature (blasting) that destroyed his own brother, he is like wheat, a wheat that has barren land of dullness, and no taste. This quote of lines show Hamlet deep affectionate for his father. It shows his madness and angry against his mother's marriage with his uncle, who murdered his father.
"Be not too tame neither, but let your own discretion be your tutor. Suit the action to the word, the word to the action, with this special observance, that you o'erstep not the modesty of nature" Hamlet speaking to a player, Act 3 Sc 2 ln 17. Hamlet is telling the actors to not be over the top. He does not want them to overact any of the parts. He wants them to act according to what is being said and stay modest. This is important because it shows Hamlet's doubts about his own actions. He does not want to overreact and kill Claudius until he hears that he's guilty. He plans to suit his actions to the word. He doesn't want to kill a king, which as we know from Julius Caesar is a crime against nature.
"My honored lord, you know right well you did, and with them words of so sweet breath composed as made (the) things more rich. Their perfume lost, take these again, for to the noble mind rich gifts wax poor when givers prove unkind". 106-111 Act 3 Sc. 1
Ophelia states this to Hamlet when he finally comes to speak to her. Although he is denying the fact that he ever loved her, here she is stating that she is positive he loved her once. She also states that this enriched her life and that although his sweet words have lost some of their validity she still has taken them to heart. Finally in the most important part of the text she states that by him acting meanly towards her, it makes his previous kind words seem pointless and deceitful. This shows that Ophelia truly still cares for Hamlet because his unkind words are causing her pain.
O, my offense is rank, it smells to heaven; It hath the primal eldest curse upon't, A brother's murder. Pray can I not, Though inclination be as sharp as will: My stronger guilt defeats my strong intent. Act 3 Scene 3
This is the first look that we have at the guilt and remorse felt by King Claudius over his murder of King Hamlet. I think that it's really important first, because of the bibilical reference to the story of Cain and Abel, where Cain kills his brother, and receives a mark on his forehead, which the King refers to as "the eldest curse" this quote is really important in helping to understand what exactly Claudius is feeling, up until now he hasn't seemed to show much of his emotions concerning the murder, but we now see a little more in depth his actual guilt.
"and am I then revenged to take him in the purging of his soul, when he is fit for seasoned passage? No. Up sword, and know thou a more horrid hent." Hamlet 3.3.89
Hamlet has stumbled upon Claudius in pray and was presented with the perfect opporntunity to kill him, and chooses to wait. He does so because Claudius would die with a pure soul, which old King Hamlet did not do. For Claudius to ascend directly to heaven while Old Hamlet remained in purgatory would almost be a favor to Claudius as well as a severe injustice to Old Hamlet. Hamlet makes the right choice in waiting to make the punishment fit the crime.
"He poisons him with i' th' garden for his estate. His name's Gonzago. The story is extant and written in very choice Italian. You shall see anon how the murderer gets love of Gonzago's wife."
Hamlet Act 3 Scene 2
This quote from Hamlet was when he was was talking out loud to the viewers of the play of Gonzago. Hamlet describes what is happening to everyone around him to try to show the point of his father's death. His father two was killed by his brother by poison while he was in the garden. Also, King Hamlet's wife was taken by the murderer, just like in the play.
Queen: "And for your part, Ophelia, I do wish that your good beauties be the hapyy cause of Hamlet's wildness. So shall I hope your virtues will bring him to his wonted way again, To bother your honors." The Queen speaks this quote to Ophelia just before Polonius and the King eavesdrop on the encounter between Ophelia and Hamlet. The Queen is deeply concerned with Hamlet's unhappiness. I think she is niave in hoping that Ophelia is the cause of Hamlet's depression, not her own selfish actions and the King Hamlet's death. Like any mother, the Queen wants her son to be happy, but will not admit her own fault in his sadness.
HAMLET "The Mouse-trap. Marry, how? Tropically. This play is the image of a murder done in Vienna: Gonzago is the duke's name; his wife, Baptista: you shall see anon; 'tis a knavish piece of work: but what o' that? your majesty and we that have free souls, it touches us not: let the galled jade wince, our withers are unwrung." Act 3 Sn. 3
This is when they are watching the play and Claudius askes Hamlet what the play is called and he says "The Mouse Trap" becuase he is using the play as a way to see if the ghost was telling the truth about Claudius. He says "we that have free souls, it touches us not: let the galled jade wince, our withers are unwrung" and is explainging that if you did nothing wrong the play would not affect you but if you were guilty of killing someone that it would. And it does upset Claudius and thats how Hamlet knows the ghost was telling the truth and that Claudius did kill his brother, King Hamlet.
"What have I done, that thou dar'st wag thy tongue in noise so ride against me"
Gertrude Act 3 Scene 4 pg 173
This is right at the beginning of Hmalet and the queen's conversation. She questions him on him temper and his verbal word choice. This leads up to the accusations Hamlet has for his mother. It was her who loved and betrayed that by marrying her husbands brother. Hamlet points out every bad thing about his mother in the upcoming lines. This quote is important because the queen finally understands that Hamlet isn't actually crazy, he knows exactly what he is doing.
“Repent what’s past, avoid what is to come, and do not spread the compost on the weeds to make them ranker.” P. 181 lines 171-173
Hamlet says this to his mother. It is a reference to the Garden of Eden when sin comes into the garden and it is taken over by weeds. Hamlet is referring to the sins that his mother committed by marrying Claudius so quickly after King Hamlet’s death. When he says not to spread compost on the weeds, he is telling her to stay clear of Claudius and to stop being with him and giving him her love and affection. If she stays with him, it will (as compost does to weeds) make her sins grow greater and ‘ranker’. This is an important quote because this is where Hamlet confronts his mother about how he feels.
Gertrude: "O Hamlet, speak no more! Thou turn'st mine eyes into my very soul, and there I see such black and grained spots as will not leave their tinct."
Act 3 Scene 4
This is Gertrude’s response right after Hamlet told his mother that Claudius killed King Hamlet. He is making his mother feel guilty by examining her real husband and her husband now. In response Gertrude tells him to stop, because she is realizing she has sinned. This line is an Old Catholic reference. When born, and sinless and pure, one's soul is said to be white, but every time you sin you get black spots on your pure soul. This is what Gertrude is referring too, looking in on her soul and seeing thick and black spots that can never be washed away. This is important to the plot because Gertrude is finally realizing how she has sinned. In retrospect Hamlet is very ruthless and mean to his mother, however he does get the point across that Claudius is a bad man, and not worthy of marriage.
"Why this is hire and salary, not revenge. He took my father grossly, full of bread, with all his crimes broad blown, as flush as May; and how his audit standswho knows save heaven."
-Hamlet
This quote is when Hamlet wants to kill King Claudius when while he is confessing. Then Hamlet realizes that If he kills him while he is clean, he will go to heaven. Hamlet wants the worst for the king though, because he killed king Hamlet while he had all his sins upon him. Hamlet will wait until the King has sins upon him again, like when he is drunk, or in an agry state. Hamlet does not want sucha man to go to heaven.
I have always heard this said, and I knew that it meant that whoever was protesting was actually the one that was guilty. But now that I see the quote in context and see that Queen Gertrude knows that she had been in the same position as the player queen and that she married right after her husband died and sees nothing wriong with it.
Whereto serves mercy But to confront the visage of offense? And what's in prayer but twofold force, To be forestalled ere we come to fall, Or pardoned being down?
King ACT 3.3 pg 165
This statement is said after the King watches the play. He is basically trying to pray, but he can't because he's sins are still intact and he is benefiting from them. He reveals remorse, but since there is no full guilt he cannot confront his sins for forgiveness. This is important to the development of the King because it shows how he is really feeling and shows some ambiguity to how he feels about killing his brother.
Hamlet: "He took my grossly, full of bread, with all his crimes broad blown, as flush as May; and how his audit stands who knows save heaven. But in our circumstance and course of thought 'tis heavy with him. And am I then revenged to take him in the purging of his soul, when he is fit and seasoned for his passage? No. Up sword, and know thou a more horrid hent. When he is drunk asleep, or in rage, or in th' incestuous pleasure of his bed, at game a-swearing, or about some act that has no relish of salvation in 't- then trip him, that his heels may kick at heaven, and that his soul may be as damned and black as hell, whereto it goes"
Hamlet is about to kill Claudius but decides not to because Claudius is praying. HE decides this because Claudius killed his father before he got to pray so he wants to kill Claudius before he can pray and ask for forgiveness so that his soul will be sent to hell.
Queen: "O Hamlet, speak no more! Thou turn'st my eyes into my (very) soul, And there i see such black and (grained) spots As will (not) leave their tinct." page 175
This quote has a Catholic reference and tells about the queen. In the Catholic religion the soul is considered to be white, if you are pure and have not sinned. So in this quote the queen is telling Hamlet to stop talking becuase she can see her soul filling with black dots meaning that she has sinned. The more and more black dots that fill her eyes mean the more she has been sinning. From what Hamlet is telling her she is realizing that she has sinned and therefore her eyes are filling with black dots.
Hamlet "Suit the action to the word, the word to the action." Act 3 Scene 2
This quote is important because it is when hamlet is talking to the 3 players before their performance for the king and how if their performance is to over the top the king will know something is going on, but if they do it just right based on the reaction of the king they will be able to figure out if he killed the King.
"When he is drunk asleep, or in his rage,or in th' incestuous pleasure of his bed, at game a-swearing, or about some act that has no relish of salvation in 't-- then trip him, that his heels may kick at heaven, and that his soul may be as damned and black as hell, whereto it goes." (169)
This is a quote from Hamlet and is spoken when he is enraged with King Claudius. From this quote he has finally reached the point when he can no longer stand the king and his relationship with his mother. Hamlet wants to make sure that he murders Claudius when he is sinning so that he will go straight to hell and be damned. This quote helps the plot pick up because it gives Hamlet a new motive and an image of his heels pointing up at heaven as he spirals into hell.
"my words fly up, my thoughts remain below; words without thoughts never to heaven go." 3.4.102-103
This quote is significant because it shows that Hamlet have could killed King Claudius when he was kneeling down due to the fact that Claudius' sin was not cleansed. It also reveals insight into the character of King Claudius by revealing to us that while he tries to make amends for killing his brother, his thoughts are on other things and so his prayers for forgiveness are empty and not sincere. If you don't truly mean what you are praying, the prayers go unheard.
"That if you be honest and fair, (your honesty) should admit no discourse to your beauty"
This is when Hamlet is talking to Ophelia while the King and Polonius are spying in on their conversation. Hamlet is saying that if Ophelia were honest and telling the truth is wouldn't take away from her beauty. He also kind of confuses Ophelia with saying he loves her, but doesn't at the same time,
Hamlet: "Such an act that blurs the grace and blush of modesty, calls virtue hypocrite, takes off the rose from the fair fore of an innocent love..."
This quote represents the lewd acts of queen Gertrude. The queen does not find it immoral that she married to the brother of the dead king. In this scene, terrible things are said to the queen by Hamlet, and it gets quite sad actually. This develops the characters because it shows Hamlet as a caniving revengeful maniac and shows the queen as a naive and innocent woman.
O, my offense is rank, it smells to heaven; It hath the primal eldest curse upon't, A brother's murder. Pray can I not, Though inclination be as sharp as will: My stronger guilt defeats my strong intent. Act 3 Scene 3
This part is where King Claudius talks about his guilt about killing his brother. He talks about the "eldest curse" which is a biblical reference to Cain and Abel where Cain kills his brother and then gets a mark on his forehead. Until this point in the play, Claudius has not shown any emotions to the fact of what he has done, which i find interesting.
"Forgive me my foul murder? That cannot be, since I am still possessed of those effects for which I did the murder: My crown, mine own ambition, and my queen."
Here Claudius is confessing to his sin. The murdering of the king is known to others now and he thinks that he should confess to the lord. His prayer saves his life for the moment because Hamlet decides that killing the king while he is confessing to the lord he will be sent to heaven. Hamlet decides to wait until the king is doing something horrid so he will no doubt be sent to purgatory.
I find that the quote "My words fly up, my thoughts remain below; Words without thoughts never to heaven go."(act.3sc.4) gave an extra "biblicly" ring to the passage. It stuck out in my mind because it rhymed and showed further that Claudius indeed killed the king and knows that he is damned for it. He has tried to pray and tried to reconcile himself but they are only words, nothing more. He tries to make the appearance of asking for forgiveness but his thoughts are elsewhere...probably his wife, and his wine...
"He poisons him with i' th' garden for his estate. His name's Gonzago. The story is extant and written in very choice Italian. You shall see anon how the murderer gets love of Gonzago's wife." Act 3 Scene 2
In this quote is where Hamlet is talking about the play that the players are putting on and talking about how it is similar to that of Claudius killing his real father.
"Then trip him, that his heels may kick at heaven, and that his soul may be as damned and black as hell, whereto it goes. My mother stays. This physic but prolongs thy sickly days."
Hamlet brutally and viscously states these hateful words to King Claudius. Hamlet hates King Claudius for what he did to his father and thus he wants King Claudius to go to hell. I believe this line greatly foreshadows what will happen later in the play. I think that Hamlet will seek revenge which will result in King Claudius's death when he has not confessed his sins and hence he will go to hell.
"And so am I (revenged.) That would be scanned: I, his sole son, do this same villain send to heaven... And am I then revenged to take him in the purging of his soul, when he is fit and seasoned for his passage?... When he is drunk asleep, or in his rage, or in th'incestuous pleasure of his bed, at game a-swearing, or about some act that has no relish of salvation... his soul may be as damned and black as hell" (90 - 99).
Here Hamlet is passionately talking about not just killing King Claudius but he wants the full revenge of damning his soul. Hamlet's father is stuck as a ghost and cannot be freed until revenge is sought and Hamlet wants revenge not only for his father's death but for his terrible afterlife so far. Hamlet wants to kill Claudius while he's in the middle of a sinning act so his soul can definitely be damned.
48 comments:
Hamlet: "To be or not to be - that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, ...To die, to sleep, No more- and by a sleep to say we end the heartache and the thousand natural shocksthat flesh is heir to-"
This quote provides Shakespeare's readers an insight to what Hamlet feels about his life. We discussed in class how Hamlet's speach may give evidence that Hamlet is depressed and wants to kill himself but is afraid of what will happen after. Hamlet is a wonderful speaker but never able to follow through on what he talks about. For example this quote, Hamlet isn't a good enough actor to follow through on many of the speeches he makes by actually killing himself out of depression.
I shall obey you.
And for your part, Ophelia, I do wish
That your good beauties be the happy cause
Of Hamlet's wildness. So shall I hope your virtues
Will bring him to his wonted way again,
To both your honors.
--Gertrude Act 3, Scene 1 Pg. 125
(talking to Ophelia)
Gertrude says to Ophelia that she hopes that it is Ophelia's beauty that has made Hamlet so mysterious and insane recently. She also hopes that her virtues will return him to normal some day soon, for the good of both of them (Hamlet and Ophelia). I believe that this quote is important to the book because it shows how Ophelia plays an imporant role in adding to Hamlet's depression and overall sanity. She was told to not see him anymore, not at her own choice. Things migt be different if he was still with her going through these times.
Act3, Sc1
pg 129
"To grunt and sweat under a weary life, But that the dread of something after death, The undiscovered country from whose bourn No traveler returns, puzzles the will" ~Hamlet
This is very important part of Hamlet monologue. As he "grunt’s and sweat’s" through life he's still scared. Cause what happens when you die? Heaven? Hell? He's scared for the un-traveled road that nobody's come back from. You’re going through life for what? He doesn’t quite understand why he’s working so hard if, when he gets the end and it a nightmare.
So as Hamlet is debating whether or not to kill himself this is one of the thoughts that cross his mind. One that stops or slows him from killing himself because he's so scared.
"To be or not to be-that is the question: Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing end them. To die, to sleep— No more-and by a sleep to say we end
The heartache and the thousand natural shocks That flesh is heir to—’tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wished. To die, to sleep- To sleep, perchance to dream. Ay, there’s the rub,
For in that sleep of death what dreams may come,
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,
Must give us pause. There’s the respect
That makes calamity of so long life." Hamlet Act 3, scene 1 ln. 64-77 pg. 127
This is one of the most important quotes in the book so far. Here, again, we see Hamlet's temptation toward suicide. He asks if it's better to suffer living or to bypass all the trouble by just killing himself. This quote shows us that Hamlet is still very emotionally depressed about his father's death, so depressed that he would continually consider the option of suicide. This quote also talks about the similarities of death and sleep. If death is like sleep then, just like death, we don't know what is to come in our dreams. This quote is a significant step in understanding the emotional strains and worries Hamlet is going through.
Hamlet: "That if you be honest and fair, (your honesty) should admit no discourse to your beauty."
In this scene in the play, Hamlet and Ophelia are in deep discussion. Hamlet thrashes Ophelia telling her that she is beautiful but she is a whore. He loves her, but yet he doesn't. Hamlet tells her that if she is true and honest it wont' take away from her outer beauty. I don't think that Hamlet is very clear with his words and he confuses Ophelia. Once again The King is listening intently to the conversation and shows no feelings or comfort towards his daughter after Hamlet exits.
"Ay, truly, for the power of beauty....I did love you once."
This quote is confusing at first but when you break it down i Think it becomes very smart and provides further insight to Hamlets character.
At first Its confusing because honesty is read as telling the truth.
When you change the meaning to mean purity. Then the meaning of what Hamlet is saying changes. This enables to see hamlets mental state and his feeling for Ophelia. Even though i think this is a Tactic to distance himself from Ophelia to protect her and that he does still love her.
Hamlet: "Ay, truly, for the power of beauty will sooner transform honesty from what it is to a bawd than the force of honesty can translate beauty into his likeness. This was sometime a paradox, but now the time gives it proof. I did love you once.
This quote shows readers what Hamlet is currently thinking about Ophelia during this scene. He is stating that because she is beautiful, it makes her less pure, and because she is beautiful, it is easier for her to be less pure. Hamlet is also speaking about how if she wasn't so beautiful, she would be more innocent and pure. He is also showing his past feelings for her, saying that he used to love her, but as he suspects that someone his spying on him, he soon goes to say that he did not love her ever.
Act III scene 2 Pg. 135
"Madness in great ones must not {unwatched} go".
The king states this to polonius after witnessing the breif and hurtful incounter that Hamlet had with Ophilia. This quote is very very important to the text because it could, to the reader, have several different rings to it. Maybe the reason the king said that he couldn't go unwatched was because he fears for is murderous position. And maybe the only reason the king would call Hamlet a great one is because he would be the only one driven enough to seek out the real answer to his fathers death. But prehaps it is said in true concern and the king is referancing Hamlet as a "great" one because he is the hire to the throne. Regardless this statement sums up the general tendancy to spy that has come up so many times in this book. At any rate this quote is loaded with posibilities and really adds the the mystery of the book.
-Kristy Cottle
Hamlet: "Ay, truly, for the power of beauty will sooner transform honesty from what it is to a bawd than the force of honesty can translate beauty into his likeness. This was sometime a paradox, but now the time gives it proof. I did love you once."
This quote was said by Hamlet to Ophelia. I think that this quote although confusing at first, really shows how Hamlet actually feels about Ophelia. Hamlet uses the word honesty to actually mean purity. With the meaning of that word changed, Hamlet tries to find the relationship between beauty and purity and actually tells Ophelia that since she is beautiful it is hard for her to be pure. I think the way Hamlet tells Ophelia this is over-doing it a little. It is a little too rude and inappropriate which leads me to believe it is still part of his show and he really does still love Ophelia.
"There's something in his soul o'er which his melancholy sits on brood, and i do doubt the hatch and the disclose will be some danger; which for to prevent, I have in quick determination thus set it down: he shall with speed to England"
Act 3, Scene 1: Lines 178-183
This quote is from the King, when he is discussing Hamlet's madness with Polonius. The King and Polonius have just finished watching Hamlet talk to Ophelia. Unlike Polonius, the King doesn't think Hamlet is crazy. However, the King believes that Hamlet is brooding over something, in some ways like a chicken sitting on an egg. The King decides to take action and send Hamlet away to England because he fears that eventually Hamlet's emotions will result in danger. Although Hamlet is not harmful at the moment, the King warns that in the future Hamlet's anger (his "egg") will hatch and cause trouble.
Player King: I do believe you think what you now speak, but what we do determine oft we break. (act 3, scene 2)
These words, written by Hamlet, are spoken by the actor playing Claudius. He is saying that people often break their promises. In this case the promise is that of the Queen because she says she will never remarry as it would be like killing her husband all over again. The Queen does remarry, breaking her promise, and also breaking her son's heart. This quote is important to the character development of Hamlet because it makes it seem like he thinks that Claudius forced his mother into marrying him. The way Claudius says that people often break promises is a bit odd because it is like he is telling her that she will marry him, even if she does not think it possible. I think Hamlet feels that his mother doesn't understand that she is not truly happy so him putting on the play is not only trying to guilt Claudius by displaying what he has done, but also to show his mother that she has broken a promise and "killed her husband a second time."
"O throw away the worser part of it [Queen's heart] and (live) the purer with the half!" (178-179). Act 3 Scene 4, Hamlet. Here, Hamlet is advising his mother (Queen Gertrude) to forget about her husband, the King Claudius. He states that engaging with the king, in such a manner that she has been doing, is sinful and unpure. To go to bed with her dead husband's brother is incestous and unholy. So, Hamlet tells his mother to not sleep with Claudius anymore and become a righteous widow.
Get thee to a nunnery: why wouldst thou be a
breeder of sinners? I am myself indifferent honest;
but yet I could accuse me of such things that it
were better my mother had not borne me: I am very
proud, revengeful, ambitious, with more offences at
my beck than I have thoughts to put them in,
imagination to give them shape, or time to act them
in. What should such fellows as I do crawling
between earth and heaven? We are arrant knaves,
all; believe none of us. Go thy ways to a nunnery.
Where's your father?
Here it is shown that Hamlet is so upset that he denies that he ever loved Ophelia. His anguish makes him say degrading things to her. In this quote, Hamlet tells Ophelia that she cannot accuse him of doing anything or acting a certain way, because she herself is a sinner. He tells her to become a nun and devote herself to god.
"Forgive me my foul murder? That cannot be, since I am still possessed of those effects for which I did the murder:
My crown, mine own ambition, and my queen."
In this monologue King Claudius is having a conversation with his conscience about how guilty he is. In a rhetorical question, "forgive me my foul murder?"...he recognizes the fact that what he did (kill for power, lust and glory) was unforgivable and that he is probably damned to hell. He also states that everything which he killed for is still in his presence (the queen, his pride,etc.) However, Claudius doesn't know that Hamlet is in the room and has heard his confession. This reveals that Claudius isn't a man without a soul, though he did commit a cold blooded murder. Because he believes in repenting his sins, it is possible that he will take action and maybe remove everything which he killed for.
Cladius: "It shall be so. Madness in great ones must not unwatched go."
Act 3 Scene 1 Lines 188-189
I think this is a very important statement made by the King. He is stating that if an important person is beginning to act insane than it is important to keep an eye on them. This is true of Hamlet... he is an important person, and he is beginning to show signs of craziness.
I think that it connects to all aspects of this play because people should have watched the other King Hamlet as well as Cladius. Cladius could have been showing signs of craziness before he murdered his own brother in order to take over as king and marry his wife. If someone had been watching for signs of insanity and kept an eye on him Hamlet may not be in this situation of depression and vengence now. If people watch Hamlet and prevent him from harming himself (as he is thinking of suicide) or others (he wants to gain revenge on his Uncle) than the path of insanity that his Uncle began when he murdered Hamlet's father and married his mother will be put to a stop.
"Suit the action to the word, the word to the action." Hamlet speaking to the Players
Act 3 Scene 2
This quote is significant to the text because it is Hamlet speaking with the Players just before they preform. He is telling them that they must not overdo their performance otherwise it might be obvious that they are trying to interrogates the King. He also ends up telling the Players to watch the King's reaction and if there is not a large confession than they know that the ghost is either a damned ghost or that he did not commit the murder.
"To be or not to be-that is the question: Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing end them. To die, to sleep— No more-and by a sleep to say we end
The heartache and the thousand natural shocks That flesh is heir to—’tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wished. To die, to sleep- To sleep, perchance to dream."
This is one of the famous quotes that most recognize Shakespeare by. In this quote Hamlet is contemplating death, and "to be or not to be" is saying "to live or not to live". Hamlet then thinks about the pros and cons of living and of dying, and finally talks about sleeping, and the different dreams one can have through sleeping.
"O, my offense is rank, it smells to heaven;
It hath the primal eldest curse upon't,
A brother's murder. Pray can I not,
Though inclination be as sharp as will:
My stronger guilt defeats my strong intent;
And, like a man to double business bound,
I stand in pause where I shall first begin,
And both neglect."
-King Claudis act 3 sc.3 pg. 165
This is when King Claudius is talking to himself right after he talks to Polonius and Polonius leaves. He starts feeling guilty about his killing of his brother, and he makes a biblical reference to cane and abil when he says "it hath the primal eldest curse upon't" because this is a reference to the mark that was put on Cane for killing his brother. He also talks about how he cannot go on with his business because he feels so guilty about the murder of his brother. This quote is very important because it is Claudius's first confession of his killing of the King.
"why, look you now, how unworthy a thing you make of me! You would play upon me, you would seem to know my stops, you would pluck out the heart of my mystery, you would sound me from my lowest note to (the top of) my compass; and there is much music, excellent voice, in this organ, yet cannot you make it speak. 'Sblood, do you think i am easier to be played on than a pipe? Call me what insturment you will, though you (can) fret me, you cannot play upon me."
-Hamlet to Guilderstein
Act 3 Scene 2
Lines 393-402
This quote is interesting because Hamlet knows that Guilderstain and Rosencrantz are lying to him and trying to get information out of him. Hamlet will not play into their tricks and will continue to be gaurded about what he says to them. Hamlet compares himself to an instrument, saying that Rosencrantz and Guilderstein think that they can just play him like an instrument. Hamlet proves that this is not the case by confessing that he has much to tell, saying he has "excellent voice, in this organ" yet he will not play into Rosencrantz and Guildersteins tricks. Hamlet is also expressing how he is upset that two of his best friends now think that they can play him off so easily, just like an instrument
Hamlet to Queen Gerturde: "Look here upon this picture and on this, The counterfeit presentment of two brothers, See what a grace was seated on this brow, Hyperion's curls, the front of Jove himself, An eye like Mars' to threaten and command, A station like the herald Mercury New-lighted on a (heaven)- kissing hill, A combination and a form indeed Where every god did seem to set his seal To give the world assurance of a man. This was your husband. Look you now what follows. Here is your husband, like a mildewed ear Blasting his wholesome brother. Have you eyes? Could you on this fair mountain leave to feed And batten on this moor? Act3Sc.4 pg 173-175
Once again Hamlet is comparing his father to the God of the Sun of Greek while he is making comparison of King Claudius to a mildewed ear, and "batten on this moor," which is supposed to mean that Claudius is nothing but a creature (blasting) that destroyed his own brother, he is like wheat, a wheat that has barren land of dullness, and no taste. This quote of lines show Hamlet deep affectionate for his father. It shows his madness and angry against his mother's marriage with his uncle, who murdered his father.
~~Mea Pen~~
"Be not too tame neither, but let your own discretion be your tutor. Suit the action to the word, the word to the action, with this special observance, that you o'erstep not the modesty of nature"
Hamlet speaking to a player, Act 3 Sc 2 ln 17. Hamlet is telling the actors to not be over the top. He does not want them to overact any of the parts. He wants them to act according to what is being said and stay modest. This is important because it shows Hamlet's doubts about his own actions. He does not want to overreact and kill Claudius until he hears that he's guilty. He plans to suit his actions to the word. He doesn't want to kill a king, which as we know from Julius Caesar is a crime against nature.
"My honored lord, you know right well you did, and with them words of so sweet breath composed as made (the) things more rich. Their perfume lost, take these again, for to the noble mind rich gifts wax poor when givers prove unkind". 106-111 Act 3 Sc. 1
Ophelia states this to Hamlet when he finally comes to speak to her. Although he is denying the fact that he ever loved her, here she is stating that she is positive he loved her once. She also states that this enriched her life and that although his sweet words have lost some of their validity she still has taken them to heart. Finally in the most important part of the text she states that by him acting meanly towards her, it makes his previous kind words seem pointless and deceitful. This shows that Ophelia truly still cares for Hamlet because his unkind words are causing her pain.
O, my offense is rank, it smells to heaven; It hath the primal eldest curse upon't, A brother's murder. Pray can I not, Though inclination be as sharp as will:
My stronger guilt defeats my strong intent. Act 3 Scene 3
This is the first look that we have at the guilt and remorse felt by King Claudius over his murder of King Hamlet. I think that it's really important first, because of the bibilical reference to the story of Cain and Abel, where Cain kills his brother, and receives a mark on his forehead, which the King refers to as "the eldest curse" this quote is really important in helping to understand what exactly Claudius is feeling, up until now he hasn't seemed to show much of his emotions concerning the murder, but we now see a little more in depth his actual guilt.
"and am I then revenged to take him in the purging of his soul, when he is fit for seasoned passage? No. Up sword, and know thou a more horrid hent." Hamlet 3.3.89
Hamlet has stumbled upon Claudius in pray and was presented with the perfect opporntunity to kill him, and chooses to wait. He does so because Claudius would die with a pure soul, which old King Hamlet did not do. For Claudius to ascend directly to heaven while Old Hamlet remained in purgatory would almost be a favor to Claudius as well as a severe injustice to Old Hamlet. Hamlet makes the right choice in waiting to make the punishment fit the crime.
"He poisons him with i' th' garden for his estate. His name's Gonzago. The story is extant and written in very choice Italian. You shall see anon how the murderer gets love of Gonzago's wife."
Hamlet Act 3 Scene 2
This quote from Hamlet was when he was was talking out loud to the viewers of the play of Gonzago. Hamlet describes what is happening to everyone around him to try to show the point of his father's death. His father two was killed by his brother by poison while he was in the garden. Also, King Hamlet's wife was taken by the murderer, just like in the play.
Queen: "And for your part, Ophelia, I do wish that your good beauties be the hapyy cause of Hamlet's wildness. So shall I hope your virtues will bring him to his wonted way again, To bother your honors."
The Queen speaks this quote to Ophelia just before Polonius and the King eavesdrop on the encounter between Ophelia and Hamlet. The Queen is deeply concerned with Hamlet's unhappiness. I think she is niave in hoping that Ophelia is the cause of Hamlet's depression, not her own selfish actions and the King Hamlet's death. Like any mother, the Queen wants her son to be happy, but will not admit her own fault in his sadness.
KING CLAUDIUS
"What do you call the play?"
HAMLET
"The Mouse-trap. Marry, how? Tropically. This play
is the image of a murder done in Vienna: Gonzago is
the duke's name; his wife, Baptista: you shall see
anon; 'tis a knavish piece of work: but what o'
that? your majesty and we that have free souls, it
touches us not: let the galled jade wince, our
withers are unwrung." Act 3 Sn. 3
This is when they are watching the play and Claudius askes Hamlet what the play is called and he says "The Mouse Trap" becuase he is using the play as a way to see if the ghost was telling the truth about Claudius. He says "we that have free souls, it touches us not: let the galled jade wince, our withers are unwrung" and is explainging that if you did nothing wrong the play would not affect you but if you were guilty of killing someone that it would. And it does upset Claudius and thats how Hamlet knows the ghost was telling the truth and that Claudius did kill his brother, King Hamlet.
"What have I done, that thou dar'st wag thy tongue in noise so ride against me"
Gertrude Act 3 Scene 4 pg 173
This is right at the beginning of Hmalet and the queen's conversation. She questions him on him temper and his verbal word choice. This leads up to the accusations Hamlet has for his mother. It was her who loved and betrayed that by marrying her husbands brother. Hamlet points out every bad thing about his mother in the upcoming lines. This quote is important because the queen finally understands that Hamlet isn't actually crazy, he knows exactly what he is doing.
“Repent what’s past, avoid what is to come, and do not spread the compost on the weeds to make them ranker.” P. 181 lines 171-173
Hamlet says this to his mother. It is a reference to the Garden of Eden when sin comes into the garden and it is taken over by weeds. Hamlet is referring to the sins that his mother committed by marrying Claudius so quickly after King Hamlet’s death. When he says not to spread compost on the weeds, he is telling her to stay clear of Claudius and to stop being with him and giving him her love and affection. If she stays with him, it will (as compost does to weeds) make her sins grow greater and ‘ranker’. This is an important quote because this is where Hamlet confronts his mother about how he feels.
Gertrude: "O Hamlet, speak no more! Thou turn'st mine eyes into my very soul, and there I see such black and grained spots as will not leave their tinct."
Act 3 Scene 4
This is Gertrude’s response right after Hamlet told his mother that Claudius killed King Hamlet. He is making his mother feel guilty by examining her real husband and her husband now. In response Gertrude tells him to stop, because she is realizing she has sinned. This line is an Old Catholic reference. When born, and sinless and pure, one's soul is said to be white, but every time you sin you get black spots on your pure soul. This is what Gertrude is referring too, looking in on her soul and seeing thick and black spots that can never be washed away. This is important to the plot because Gertrude is finally realizing how she has sinned. In retrospect Hamlet is very ruthless and mean to his mother, however he does get the point across that Claudius is a bad man, and not worthy of marriage.
"Why this is hire and salary, not revenge. He took my father grossly, full of bread, with all his crimes broad blown, as flush as May; and how his audit standswho knows save heaven."
-Hamlet
This quote is when Hamlet wants to kill King Claudius when while he is confessing. Then Hamlet realizes that If he kills him while he is clean, he will go to heaven. Hamlet wants the worst for the king though, because he killed king Hamlet while he had all his sins upon him. Hamlet will wait until the King has sins upon him again, like when he is drunk, or in an agry state. Hamlet does not want sucha man to go to heaven.
" The lady doth protest too much, methinks. "
I have always heard this said, and I knew that it meant that whoever was protesting was actually the one that was guilty. But now that I see the quote in context and see that Queen Gertrude knows that she had been in the same position as the player queen and that she married right after her husband died and sees nothing wriong with it.
Whereto serves mercy But to confront the visage of offense? And what's in prayer but twofold force, To be forestalled ere we come to fall, Or pardoned being down?
King
ACT 3.3 pg 165
This statement is said after the King watches the play. He is basically trying to pray, but he can't because he's sins are still intact and he is benefiting from them. He reveals remorse, but since there is no full guilt he cannot confront his sins for forgiveness. This is important to the development of the King because it shows how he is really feeling and shows some ambiguity to how he feels about killing his brother.
Hamlet: "He took my grossly, full of bread, with all his crimes broad blown, as flush as May; and how his audit stands who knows save heaven. But in our circumstance and course of thought 'tis heavy with him. And am I then revenged to take him in the purging of his soul, when he is fit and seasoned for his passage? No. Up sword, and know thou a more horrid hent. When he is drunk asleep, or in rage, or in th' incestuous pleasure of his bed, at game a-swearing, or about some act that has no relish of salvation in 't- then trip him, that his heels may kick at heaven, and that his soul may be as damned and black as hell, whereto it goes"
Hamlet is about to kill Claudius but decides not to because Claudius is praying. HE decides this because Claudius killed his father before he got to pray so he wants to kill Claudius before he can pray and ask for forgiveness so that his soul will be sent to hell.
Queen: "O Hamlet, speak no more!
Thou turn'st my eyes into my (very) soul,
And there i see such black and (grained) spots
As will (not) leave their tinct." page 175
This quote has a Catholic reference and tells about the queen. In the Catholic religion the soul is considered to be white, if you are pure and have not sinned. So in this quote the queen is telling Hamlet to stop talking becuase she can see her soul filling with black dots meaning that she has sinned. The more and more black dots that fill her eyes mean the more she has been sinning. From what Hamlet is telling her she is realizing that she has sinned and therefore her eyes are filling with black dots.
Hamlet "Suit the action to the word, the word to the action."
Act 3 Scene 2
This quote is important because it is when hamlet is talking to the 3 players before their performance for the king and how if their performance is to over the top the king will know something is going on, but if they do it just right based on the reaction of the king they will be able to figure out if he killed the King.
"When he is drunk asleep, or in his rage,or in th' incestuous pleasure of his bed, at game a-swearing, or about some act that has no relish of salvation in 't-- then trip him, that his heels may kick at heaven, and that his soul may be as damned and black as hell, whereto it goes." (169)
This is a quote from Hamlet and is spoken when he is enraged with King Claudius. From this quote he has finally reached the point when he can no longer stand the king and his relationship with his mother. Hamlet wants to make sure that he murders Claudius when he is sinning so that he will go straight to hell and be damned. This quote helps the plot pick up because it gives Hamlet a new motive and an image of his heels pointing up at heaven as he spirals into hell.
"my words fly up, my thoughts remain below; words without thoughts never to heaven go." 3.4.102-103
This quote is significant because it shows that Hamlet have could killed King Claudius when he was kneeling down due to the fact that Claudius' sin was not cleansed. It also reveals insight into the character of King Claudius by revealing to us that while he tries to make amends for killing his brother, his thoughts are on other things and so his prayers for forgiveness are empty and not sincere. If you don't truly mean what you are praying, the prayers go unheard.
"That if you be honest and fair, (your honesty) should admit no discourse to your beauty"
This is when Hamlet is talking to Ophelia while the King and Polonius are spying in on their conversation. Hamlet is saying that if Ophelia were honest and telling the truth is wouldn't take away from her beauty. He also kind of confuses Ophelia with saying he loves her, but doesn't at the same time,
Hamlet: "Such an act that blurs the grace and blush of modesty, calls virtue hypocrite, takes off the rose from the fair fore of an innocent love..."
This quote represents the lewd acts of queen Gertrude. The queen does not find it immoral that she married to the brother of the dead king. In this scene, terrible things are said to the queen by Hamlet, and it gets quite sad actually. This develops the characters because it shows Hamlet as a caniving revengeful maniac and shows the queen as a naive and innocent woman.
O, my offense is rank, it smells to heaven; It hath the primal eldest curse upon't, A brother's murder. Pray can I not, Though inclination be as sharp as will:
My stronger guilt defeats my strong intent. Act 3 Scene 3
This part is where King Claudius talks about his guilt about killing his brother. He talks about the "eldest curse" which is a biblical reference to Cain and Abel where Cain kills his brother and then gets a mark on his forehead. Until this point in the play, Claudius has not shown any emotions to the fact of what he has done, which i find interesting.
"Forgive me my foul murder? That cannot be, since I am still possessed of those effects for which I did the murder: My crown, mine own ambition, and my queen."
Here Claudius is confessing to his sin. The murdering of the king is known to others now and he thinks that he should confess to the lord. His prayer saves his life for the moment because Hamlet decides that killing the king while he is confessing to the lord he will be sent to heaven. Hamlet decides to wait until the king is doing something horrid so he will no doubt be sent to purgatory.
I find that the quote "My words fly up, my thoughts remain below; Words without thoughts never to heaven go."(act.3sc.4) gave an extra "biblicly" ring to the passage. It stuck out in my mind because it rhymed and showed further that Claudius indeed killed the king and knows that he is damned for it. He has tried to pray and tried to reconcile himself but they are only words, nothing more. He tries to make the appearance of asking for forgiveness but his thoughts are elsewhere...probably his wife, and his wine...
"He poisons him with i' th' garden for his estate. His name's Gonzago. The story is extant and written in very choice Italian. You shall see anon how the murderer gets love of Gonzago's wife."
Act 3 Scene 2
In this quote is where Hamlet is talking about the play that the players are putting on and talking about how it is similar to that of Claudius killing his real father.
"Then trip him, that his heels may kick at heaven, and that his soul may be as damned and black as hell, whereto it goes. My mother stays. This physic but prolongs thy sickly days."
Hamlet brutally and viscously states these hateful words to King Claudius. Hamlet hates King Claudius for what he did to his father and thus he wants King Claudius to go to hell. I believe this line greatly foreshadows what will happen later in the play. I think that Hamlet will seek revenge which will result in King Claudius's death when he has not confessed his sins and hence he will go to hell.
"And so am I (revenged.) That would be scanned: I, his sole son, do this same villain send to heaven... And am I then revenged to take him in the purging of his soul, when he is fit and seasoned for his passage?... When he is drunk asleep, or in his rage, or in th'incestuous pleasure of his bed, at game a-swearing, or about some act that has no relish of salvation... his soul may be as damned and black as hell" (90 - 99).
Here Hamlet is passionately talking about not just killing King Claudius but he wants the full revenge of damning his soul. Hamlet's father is stuck as a ghost and cannot be freed until revenge is sought and Hamlet wants revenge not only for his father's death but for his terrible afterlife so far. Hamlet wants to kill Claudius while he's in the middle of a sinning act so his soul can definitely be damned.
Molly Riegel
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