Hamlet Analysis
Sujay A., Edward C., Beoung H., Logan T.
King Hamlet Act I Scene V Paraphrase
That incestuous, adulterate person, with his evil smarts and traitorous gifts, seduced my queen.
Oh Hamlet, what a difference there is between me, who meant my vows, and Claudius whose offerings were less than mine.
Virtue cannot be changed. However, a person full of lust can go from heaven to garbage.
But I think I smell the morning air.
I’ll be short. While I was sleeping in the orchard as I usually do in the afternoons, your uncle poured poison in my ear. The poison that moves through the body quickly contaminates the healthy blood, as it did mine. A skin disease instantly covered me.
My brother stole my life as I was sleeping.
I died without being blessed.
It was horrible.
Hamlet, don’t let this pass by you.
Don’t let Denmark’s king be defined by luxurious incest.
However you act, thought, don’t blame your mother. Let her go to heaven.
Bye, morning is almost here.
Goodbye. Remember me.Claudius Act III Scene III Paraphrase
My offense is horrible.
It is cursed as a brother’s murder. I want to pray, but I can’t. My guilt is greater than my my intent. I don’t know what to do.
Does it matter if I killed my brother?
Will heaven’s greatness make up for it? Isn’t heaven supposed to show mercy?
Doesn’t praying prevent sin and ask for forgiveness? I will pray.
I’ve already committed an offense, so what do I say – Forgive me for killing my brother?
I can’t say this because I still enjoy the benefits of committing the act: I am king, and I have my queen.
Can I be forgiven and still enjoy these benefits?
In this world, most criminals use their benefits to go around the law, but this isn’t true in heaven.
Acts are seen for what they are, and we must confront them. What am I supposed to do?
I can say I regret my actions. This could help. But I don’t really regret them.
I’m in horrible condition. I’m as black as death.
Angels, help my soul escape its sins.
Bend, knees, and soften my heart. All may be well.
My words go to heaven, but my thoughts stay here.
Words that mean nothing don’t go to heaven.Compare and Contrast: How does King Hamlet and Claudius view the same crime?
Diction Analysis
“Ay, that incestuous, that adulterate beast,/With witchcraft of his wit, with traitorous gifts” (Shakespeare…)
The diction in this quote alludes to Hamlet’s uncle with words such as “incestuous” and “adulterate”, which only describe him. The Ghost begins his soliloquy with this beginning to present his anger and hatred toward the sinful man who seduced the ghost’s love. Shakespeare mentions how Hamlet’s uncle uses his “witchcraft” in order to make use of his brain and as a result, he thought of “traitorous gifts” that help swoon Gertrude. This strong hatred dictates the ghost’s character and role in the play.
“Of those effects for which I did the murder: My crown, mine own ambition, and my queen.”
In this section Claudius uses a specific word when talking about the crown, ambition, and queen. Claudius uses the word my before every word in the list. By using “my” Claudius is showing that he has possession over the crown, ambition, and queen. Shakespeare uses this specific diction to show that Claudius believes he is entitled to these objects and that his actions are justified. This is Claudius’s way of saying that he deserves what he has received and does not regret his actions. This feeling of entitlement is very representative of Claudius’s character and the diction of this section helps show it.