Hamlet Style Analysis Passages
Ghost's speech vs. Claudius' speech
Bharati, Marilyn, Angela and Jennifer
The Ghost of King Hamlet
King Claudius
What is the meaning of these speeches?
In Act 1, scene 5, the ghost confronts Hamlet in the woods with some startling information. The ghost confesses, "Brief let me be. Sleeping within my orchard,
My custom always of the afternoon,
Upon my secure hour thy uncle stole
With juice of cursed hebenon in a vial,
And in the porches of my ears did pour
The leperous distilment, whose effect
Holds such an enmity with blood of man
That swift as quicksilver it courses through
The natural gates and alleys of the body
And with a sudden vigor doth posset
And curd, like eager droppings into milk,
The thin and wholesome blood.(Shakespeare 1.5.19-30)." The reason why the ghost reveals this to his son Hamlet is that he hopes his son can get revenge upon King Claudius."But howsoever thou pursuest this act,
Taint not thy mind, nor let thy soul contrive
Against thy mother aught (Shakespeare 1.5.45-47)." Shakespeare's meaning behind this monologue is that it stirs up conflict and develops the story. The ghost has reasons behind revealing his death, which changes other character's opinions, including Prince Hamlet's.King Claudius
In Act 3, scene 3, Claudius confesses to his actions, which in a way changes the play's direction. Claudius described himself as the "primal eldest curse upon ’t,
A brother’s murder" and he reveals his motive for committing this murder by saying "since I am still possessedOf those effects for which I did the murder:
My crown, mine own ambition, and my queen." (Shakespeare 3.3 2-3, and 19-21). He confesses to what he did and why he did this murder, which changes the play because Hamlet can't act in revenge at the time of the scene. Hamlet wants Claudius to pay for what he did and with him confessing, he doesn't want Claudius to get away with this confession.How does each speech view the same crime?
From the ghost’s (formerly King Hamlet) recollection of the tragic event, his brother, Claudius, poured a poisoned venom into his ear as he (King Hamlet) was asleep, killing him instantly : “Brief let me be. Sleeping within my orchard, My custom always of the afternoon, Upon my secure hour thy uncle stole With juice of cursed hebenon in a vial, And in the porches of my ears did pour The leperous distilment, whose effect Holds such an enmity with blood of man…” (Shakespeare 1.5.19-25). Essentially, through the emphatic tone (menacing and war-like) he utilizes in his speech, the ghost incites Hamlet to enact revenge on King Claudius (***it is also important to note that Hamlet can possibly be a pawn as a part of revenge, since the ghost uses him [Hamlet] to carry out his plan).
Towards the end of this scene, Claudius asks for God's forgiveness (of his brutal murder) through an emotional soliloquy. Though this moment may have been moving, Claudius also realizes that he has 'obtained' all the benefits of his crime, and cannot sacrifice them : "My fault is past. But O, what form of prayer Can serve my turn? Forgive me my foul murder? That cannot be, since I am still possess'd Of those effects for which I did the murder, My crown, mine own ambition, and my queen" (Shakespeare 3.3.17-22).
What are the devices seen in these passages?
Why are these tools used in the passages?
With the use of devices, it adds more symbolic meaning and explanation behind it throughout the speech. For example, some of the common devices used were imagery and diction. When imagery was used, imagery would give a depiction and additional explanation behind something and that assisted to understand the meaning. Also, when diction was used, there were specific word choices that were utilized to explain the speech with different connotations. Imagery and diction were just a few of the devices that was used in the speech and there were other devices as well. The devices were supportive and helpful giving the speech more meaning with emphasis. Without the devices, it would be difficult to interpret the meaning behind the speech,
- By utilizing imagery, King Hamlet and Claudius are able to recreate their memories so that the reader and Hamlet are able to better understand the experiences that they had to suffer through.
- By utilizing diction, King Hamlet and Claudius are able to express the intensity of their emotions rather than elaborating about what they are feelings. (Most of the sentences are short; however they utilize diction that is impactful and leaves an impression).
- By utilizing syntax, King Hamlet and Claudius are able to reveal their emotions. For example, in King Hamlet's soliloquy, he repeats the phrase "oh horrible", which implies that he is extremely distraught and in anguish caused by the disloyalty of his wife and the betrayal of his brother.
Work Cited
Hyperion to a Satyr: Act 1 Scene 1 - Branagh 96. N.d. Hyperion to a Satyr: Act 1 Scene 1 - Branagh 96. Web. 17 Dec. 2014. <http://hyperion2satyr.blogspot.com/2009/07/act-1-scene-1-branagh-96.html>.