In fact, it is impossible to say for certain whether or not Hamlet actually does go mad, and, if so, when his act becomes reality. We have already seen that Hamlet, though thoughtful by nature, also has an excitable streak, which makes him erratic, nervous, and unpredictable.
In Act I, scene v, as the ghost disappears, Hamlet seems to have too much nervous energy to deal competently with the curious Horatio and Marcellus. The scene serves to develop the character of Polonius, who is one of the most intriguing figures in Hamlet. Polonius can be interpreted as either a doddering fool or as a cunning manipulator, and he has been portrayed onstage as both. Where did I leave? In his advice to Reynaldo, Polonius explicitly develops one of the themes of Hamlet, the idea that words can be used to bend and alter the truth.
As with Claudius, who manipulated the royal court with his speech in Act I, scene ii, words become a tool for influencing the minds of others and controlling their perception of the truth. Remember that Claudius killed King Hamlet by pouring poison into his ear. Shakespeare continually illustrates that words can function as poison in the ear as well. The running imagery of ears and hearing serves as an important symbol of the power of words to manipulate the truth.
In the heavy darkness, the men cannot see each other. Cold, tired, and apprehensive from his many hours of guarding the castle, Francisco thanks Bernardo and prepares to go home and go to bed. Shortly thereafter, Bernardo is joined by Marcellus , another watchman, and Horatio, a friend of Prince Hamlet. Bernardo and Marcellus have urged Horatio to stand watch with them, because they believe they have something shocking to show him. In hushed tones, they discuss the apparition they have seen for the past two nights, and which they now hope to show Horatio: the ghost of the recently deceased King Hamlet , which they claim has appeared before them on the castle ramparts in the late hours of the night.
Horatio is skeptical, but the ghost suddenly appears before the men and just as suddenly vanishes. Terrified, Horatio acknowledges that the specter does indeed resemble the dead King of Denmark, that it even wears the armor King Hamlet wore when he battled against the armies of Norway, and the same frown he wore when he fought against the Poles.
Horatio declares that the ghost must bring warning of impending misfortune for Denmark, perhaps in the form of a military attack. The ghost materializes for a second time, and Horatio tries to speak to it. The ghost remains silent, however, and disappears again just as the cock crows at the first hint of dawn. Why do you suppose Hamlet swears his friends to secrecy?
What does the king reveal in his closing comments in Scene 3? Why did Hamlet choose not to kill Claudius when he was praying? What does Hamlet say before he dies? Is Horatio in love with Hamlet? What is the most famous line in Hamlet? Previous Article Was Santa Claus ever blue? Given that Hamlet was not on the scene when Ophelia died, it is difficult to blame him for her death.
Some people may consider it his fault, indirectly, because he caused her to have such deep despair that she did not struggle to save her own life when she might have survived. However, one may also view her death as a suicide because she makes no attempt to save herself. The second reason is that the people love Hamlet and might revolt against Claudius if Hamlet was imprisoned. Good night, ladies; good night, sweet ladies; good night, good night.
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