Hamlet Reading Response #1 Hannah Woodside
1.
Claudius’s aside confirms that what the ghost said to Hamlet is true. Claudius agrees with what Polonius says before him about how people use “devotion’s visage” (3.1.47) to hide their sins and he builds on that idea with a metaphor. He explains that the “harlot’s cheek” (3.1.51) is ugly in comparison to the “plastr’ing art” (3.1.51) used to make it beautiful. Here, Claudius comparing a woman’s use of makeup to his own use of “painted word” or dishonesty (3.1.53) to hide the reality of his brother’s death. We learn, through this short glimpse into Claudius’s mind, that he may feel guilty or at least is distressed by his own actions. He states very plainly that lying to protect himself is a “heavy …show more content…
He goes on to explain that one’s “native hue of resolution” (3.1.84) is weakened by the “pale cast of thought” (3.1.85). He believes that this fear of change is generated by one’s “conscience” (3.1.83) or sense of morality. Throughout the first half of his soliloquy, Hamlet is torn between the decision “To be, or not to be” (3.1.56); to kill himself and end his affliction or to keep living and suffer through his torment. As Hamlet considers this dilemma he is lead to the conclusion that his contemplative state only causes him to be more afraid of death. He decides that if he continues to dwell on the subject he will never end up changing his …show more content…
Claudius is off his guard and Hamlet has the upper hand and will be “revenged” (3.3.75) for his father’s death if he kills Claudius. Although this seems like the perfect opportunity, Hamlet chooses to not to go through with the deed as he believes that if Claudius dies while praying his soul will go to “heaven” (3.3.78). To Hamlet this would be like hiring Claudius to kill his father and then pay him “salary, not revenge” (3.3.79) by sending him to heaven. Hamlet comes to the conclusion that he would rather kill his uncle while “he is drunk asleep; or in his rage; or in th’ incestuous pleasure of his bed” (3.3.89-90) to ensure his soul goes to hell and fulfills his
1.
Claudius’s aside confirms that what the ghost said to Hamlet is true. Claudius agrees with what Polonius says before him about how people use “devotion’s visage” (3.1.47) to hide their sins and he builds on that idea with a metaphor. He explains that the “harlot’s cheek” (3.1.51) is ugly in comparison to the “plastr’ing art” (3.1.51) used to make it beautiful. Here, Claudius comparing a woman’s use of makeup to his own use of “painted word” or dishonesty (3.1.53) to hide the reality of his brother’s death. We learn, through this short glimpse into Claudius’s mind, that he may feel guilty or at least is distressed by his own actions. He states very plainly that lying to protect himself is a “heavy …show more content…
He goes on to explain that one’s “native hue of resolution” (3.1.84) is weakened by the “pale cast of thought” (3.1.85). He believes that this fear of change is generated by one’s “conscience” (3.1.83) or sense of morality. Throughout the first half of his soliloquy, Hamlet is torn between the decision “To be, or not to be” (3.1.56); to kill himself and end his affliction or to keep living and suffer through his torment. As Hamlet considers this dilemma he is lead to the conclusion that his contemplative state only causes him to be more afraid of death. He decides that if he continues to dwell on the subject he will never end up changing his …show more content…
Claudius is off his guard and Hamlet has the upper hand and will be “revenged” (3.3.75) for his father’s death if he kills Claudius. Although this seems like the perfect opportunity, Hamlet chooses to not to go through with the deed as he believes that if Claudius dies while praying his soul will go to “heaven” (3.3.78). To Hamlet this would be like hiring Claudius to kill his father and then pay him “salary, not revenge” (3.3.79) by sending him to heaven. Hamlet comes to the conclusion that he would rather kill his uncle while “he is drunk asleep; or in his rage; or in th’ incestuous pleasure of his bed” (3.3.89-90) to ensure his soul goes to hell and fulfills his