Please read this important scene and respond thoughtfully, using at least one line from the text as your jumping off point. What
lines stand out to you? What discussion questions do you have?
Is
Hamlet’s plan to put on an "antic disposition" working? At what cost? What does he mean in his famous “To
be or not to be” speech? What is he debating and why is this significant? Does Hamlet know that he
is being watched by Polonius and King Claudius in his famous scene with Ophelia? What difference would this make?
Remember: Respond to at least one other classmate-- get the dialogue going and use textual evidence to back up your assertions! Also, this is how we cite Shakespeare: (3.1.23).
"I am very proud, revengeful, ambitious, with more offenses at my beck than I have thoughts to put them in, imagination to give them shape, or time to act them in." (3.1.134-138)
ReplyDeleteIn this scene, some key points Hamlet brings up are whether to choose life over death which is what the to be or not to be/to live or not to live speech is all about. Hamlet seems to be very contradicted as to whether or not living is better as this quote for example is the reason he lives as well as why he shouldn't. After all he is "proud, revengeful, ambitious.." and he needs to live to avenge his father. But after saying this line he adds "We are arrant knaves [all;] believe none of us" (3.1.139-140) and honesty to him is a rare quality that very few man has. In other words he is saying that although he wants to live to do things (he does not specify exactly what), his intentions are not pure and he shouldn't be trusted. This also sheds some light as to how he feels for Ophelia because, although he says "I loved you not" (3.1.129), he wants her to go to a nunnery and not trust anyone for her own benefit. This hints that he probably cares for her in some way. Also, this quote is one of the few others which should suggest to the King and Polonius that his 'antic disposition' is not due to Ophelia rejecting him (or at least not only) but mainly because of his father's murder and his mother's marriage to Claudius. One thing I do wonder is that if suicide wasn't a sin and he had some knowledge as to what happens after death, would he prefer killing himself rather than avenging his father? Because so far, his only reason not to kill himself is that if suicide is a sin than life after death might not be any more pleasant than his current situation if he does commit it.
Alex, I love the fact that you used the "to be or not to be" speech and understood it so perfectly. I think this his realizing even though he can't trust anyone else anymore, he can't even trust himself. But I don't think the full reason he's saying he shouldn't kill himself is because it's a sin--I think he's saying he must make sure he avenges his father's murder first.
DeleteGERTRUDE
ReplyDeleteAnd 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. (3.1.39-44)
I find this line to be really important, because in class as we talk about how we think it's sort of ridiculous how Gertrude can betray her son like this by marrying the murderer of her husband, this sort of shows how she's doing it in Hamlet's interest. With my interpretation of it, she reaches out to Ophelia, a girl she knows Hamlet loves more than anything, and says "to both your honors" (3.1.44) because she wants to acknowledge the fact that her son is happy with this change, and that she's looking out for him. Thinking it "will bring him to his wonted way again" (3.1.43) is her way of assuring he won't act out and that he'll be safe.
Lucie, I don’t necessarily agree with you or disagree with you. However, throughout the time we have been reading Hamlet I have always thought that Gertrude had a soft spot for Hamlet and did everything she did in his interest even if it may not have seemed like it. For example, what better way to give Hamlet the chance to rearrange himself and become suitable to be a king then to give him the time by marrying someone you know will not do damage to you. It is not that hard to fake being in love with some one. On the contrary I don’t think she knows that Ophelia and Hamlet are in Love. I believe that she would like it to be true but she has no idea and she only hope for the best in her sons future which is really all she can do because the king always has more power then the queen, so king Claudius makes the decisions as to what is to become of Hamlet.
DeleteYour interpretation is interesting and I do think that Gertrude cares for Hamlet in some aspects. But when she says "I do wish that your good beauties be the happy cause..." (3.1.42-43) it's because to her, it seems it would be easier to help him get back to his old self if that was the reason rather than if it were his father dying and then after only a month, Gertrude getting remarried to his uncle (who turns out to be the one who killed his father). So, if I was her, I probably would hope the reason was Ophelia as well since then it wouldn't really be anyone's fault that Hamlet really loves Ophelia except maybe his and Ophelia's fault rather than it definitely being Gertrude and Claudius' fault. At least that's how I see it.
ReplyDelete"That patient merit of th' unworthy takes,When he himself might his quietus make
ReplyDeleteWith a bare bodkin?" (3.1.75)
This line stood out to me due to the resemblance it shares with Hamlet's other soliloquies. In the first one that he made, there was a reoccurring theme of depression and killing ones self. Here, Hamlet goes on this rant of how the earth is covered with bad thing and specifically in this line he expresses that people can take the easy way out by killing themselves. He says, "quietus make
With a bare bodkin?" and he is trying to say that people are able to just quit life so easily with a bodkin (sharp object) due to all the hardships life throws at them. I honestly think that Hamlet isn't putting on an "antic disposition", these are his real feelings. Once he heard the news from the Ghost, he said that he would act differently, but I don't think he is acting because the tone that I got from his "to be or not to be" speech was very sincere and meaningful. When hamlet says,"I am myself indifferent honest, but yet I could accuse me of such things that it were better my mother had not borne me." Here, he is talking about himself and his own crimes and I don't think he would be able to speak about himself so negatively if he was acting. In conclusion, I think that Hamlet isn't really sure how he feels, yet all these emotions are building up to a bigger plan in the future.
I totally agree with you when you say that Hamlets speech was very meaningful and sincere. I also agree that Hamlet would not be able to speak about himself and his own crimes. Hamlet said that he would act differently, and like you said he really doesn't change his tone at all. I also believe that Hamlet's feelings and emotions will build up to his 'antic disposition'
Delete"It shall do well. But yet do I believe
ReplyDeleteThe origin and commencement of his grief
Sprung from neglected love" (3.1.190).
Polonius says these lines to King Claudius at the end of the scene. It is more than obvious that Prince Hamlet is acting erratic and crazy because of the situation between Claudius and his now deceased father. He is also angry at the fact that his mother, Queen Gertrude, remarried so quickly. Nonetheless, Polonius refuses to think of this. Earlier in the text, he instructs Ophelia to cut all contact with Hamlet (1.3.140). He remains to hold onto the conviction that Hamlet's madness is caused by unrequited love. Indeed, Hamlet probably does love Ophelia but he is focusing on helping his father (The Ghost) and getting one thing: revenge. Polonius is neglecting the entire picture and all because he thinks so highly of his daughter, Ophelia.
I agree with you about how it is clear that Hamlet is acting crazy because of his fathers death and how his mother remarried not only quickly as you said but she married his uncle. However I don't agree with the idea that Polonius thinks highly of his daughter. In 1.3.105-107 Polonius calls Ophelia a baby when they are talking about if Hamlet's affection for her is true or not. If he thought highly of her then he would treat her with respect and praise her, not tell her she could "tender me (Polonius) a fool." Instead I believe he wants to seem smart to the king and come up with a brilliant plan to finally unveil why Hamlet's been acting so crazy so to get Hamlet to stop being in contact with Ophelia he forces the idea that Hamlet's behavior has resulted from Ophelia not responding back to Hamlet. He wants to benefit and be the one who found out what happened with Hamlet.
DeleteAbby you make an excellent point and I agree with you. I also think that Hamlet is acting insane and crazy because of his father death and all the other events occurring in his life right now (his mother re- marrying and also betraying his father). Hamlet’s “plan” is working out well for him because Polonius is thinking what Hamlet wanted him to. In addition, the only thing Hamlet is really thinking about is that he wants revenge for his father death so he sacrificed his relationship with Ophelia. Polonius loves his daughter very much and he really just wants to protect her. Lastly, in a way I feel like Polonius is almost standing up for Hamlet, he is saying something like, I am going to do it well but just remember it probably started from the love for Ophelia. I think he is saying don’t get too mad at Hamlet or something like that.
DeleteI also agree with Indira as well in the sense that Polonius does not think highly of his daughter. In the previous acts we have seen Polonius deny Ophelia's comments and speak for her. If he did think highly of her, I think he would let Ophelia deal with her issues on her own.
Delete“To be, or not to be: that is the question” (III.i.58)
ReplyDeleteI think this quote means for then to live or not to live. Hamlet talks a lot about suicide, and how suicide could give him an easy way out and end the struggle of his experience. Hamlet is living with the fact that his own uncle, Claudius, killed his father, the king, and is now the king of denmark. I think this quote is Hamlet asking himself whether he wants to kill claudius or himself, because I do not think Hamlet will feel satisfied until Claudius is dead
"Whether 'tis is nobler in the mind to suffer
ReplyDeleteThe slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against the sea of troubles,
And, by opposing, end them?" (3.1.58-61)
During his "to be or not to be" speech Hamlet's first lines include this quote that stood out to me. Hamlet is saying, in this quote, that he's not sure if it'd be better if he was to deal with all of the issues that are going on in his life or to fight against the issues and end them. The decision that he makes on whether he will try to kill Claudius and avenge his father or not will affect him, his family and his state greatly. To, "take the arms against the sea of troubles, and, by opposing them, end them," will mean for Hamlet the guilt of killing his own uncle and possibly being charged for the murder and living out his life as a person who everyone views as insane and someone no one loves. Hence, Hamlet feels torn for many reasons, one is he feels an obligation to his father to murder Claudius but in this scene we also learn more about how he doesn't even know if he wants to live or not, and none of them at the moment seem like a good choice to him.
Indie, I agree with the fact that Hamlet feels confused. He is torn between living or dying, and yes, none of these options seem good enough (3.1.58). I presume this is why he needs to help his father, the Ghost, get revenge. Hamlet is missing a sense of purpose in his life and he might regain the desire to live after he aids his father. Let's hope he does.
DeleteI agree with you Indira. For a while in the play it seemed like Gertrude and Hamlet had no connection, like they weren't even Mother and Son. It's important that Shakespeare included that scene to show that she still cared for her son, that she had compassion, that she isn't a soulless witch. I was wondering if she had plotted with Claudius to kill, but that idea has sort of faded now having read this passage.
Delete“And for your part, Ophelia, I do wish
ReplyDeleteThat 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.” (3.1.42-46)
This passage is really important to this play because it shows how Queen Gertrude cares for her son more than she shows. She hopes that Opehlia’s “good beauties be the happy cause of Hamlet’s wildeness” rather than his father dying and Gertrude remarrying his father’s brother (also the killer). If Hamlet is crazy because he’s madly in love with Ophelia, then maybe Queen Gertrude and King Claudius can do something to make him stop loving her. However, if Hamlet is upset about Gertrude remarrying and his father being dead, there is no way to “fix” him and he judt needs to grieve for himself. So we can see that Gertrude does care about Hamlet and she doesn’t want him to act crazy because of her. She doesn’t want to be the reason why her son is “mad.”
I agree that the passage you chose shows that Queen Gertrude still cares about her son Hamlet as a mother. She wants Hamlet's madness to have been caused by Ophelia's rejection of his love because she doesn't like seeing her son acting so crazy, but I think she also wants it because she doesn't want to take the blame for making Hamlet act like that. She's afraid that she caused his madness by remarrying the late King Hamlet's brother Claudius too soon for Prince Hamlet to recover from his father's death. So she doesn't want to feel guilty whenever she sees him so crazy.
Delete"Let the doors be shut upon him that he may play the fool nowhere but in 's own house,"
ReplyDeleteWhen Hamlet says this, one thing pops up in my head. While it seems like Hamlet is speaking gibberish, just trying to confuse Ophelia, I think he may be actually losing his mind. He's almost making fun of the fact that Polonius can't figure out that Hamlet's playing everyone. You may ask yourself why that leads me to thinking he's crazy, but it's simple. He's jeopardizing his whole mission by making fun of Polonius. Everything he's working towards is on the line, and he could lose everything. I think his plan is working, but Claudius's counter-plan might work. If Claudius figures out what's happening, it would be all over for Hamlet. It doesn't matter if Hamlet's being watched or not, or even if he knows he is: as long as everyone sees him as someone crazy then that's who they'll think he is.
I agree with you. I think in this scene you see a lot of example of Hamlet actually loosing his mind. Everything you are saying makes complete sense and i think as we go further along in the book we will see him become more and more crazy
DeleteYes, his plan to put on an “antic disposition” is working. They think that he is going crazy for the wrong reason and it is costing him Ophelia. In his “To be or not to be” speech he is debating weather or not to live with pain or suicide. He is talking about the pains of like when he says “the sea of troubles” “the slings and arrows” and “the heart-ache.” This is significant because he is essentially deciding weather or not he wants to kill himself. It is also more proof that him acting crazy isn’t only an act. No, he does not know that he is being watched by Polonius and the King. If he knew they were watching him he would proclaim his lover for her because that was his plan to act crazy because Ophelia broke his heart.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that Hamlet's plan is working but I also feel that it doesn't really matter wether or not that Hamlet knew he was being watched by Polonius and Cladius because at the end of the day he was still putting on his act so he wouldn't be questioned. Also I feel that his speech does show you how he is feeling about everything going on around him and what's running through his mind.
Delete"But yet I do believe the origin and commencement of his grief sprung from neglected love," (3.1.176-178).
ReplyDeleteThis line stood out to me because it shows that the 'antic disposition' that Hamlet has said he would put on is working, in a way. Polonius still thinks that the reason Hamlet has gone so crazy is because Ophelia followed her father's orders and rejected Hamlet's love and his letters to her. But Claudius now thinks that Hamlet's madness hasn't been caused by his proclaimed love for Ophelia, and thinks that Hamlet's speech was 'not like madness'. But the cost of Hamlet putting on this antic disposition is that Claudius now wants to send him to England to prevent whatever trouble Hamlet is going to cause next.
"Let the doors be shut upon him, that he may play the fool no where but in's own house. Farewell." (3.1.133-134) No Fear Shakespear Edition
ReplyDeleteThis is when Hamlet is talking to Ophelia and he's saying her father should be a fool in his own home and that he didn't love her anymore. This is insinuating that Hamlet some how learned of Polonius' plans and thinks it's foolish. But why would Hamlet choose this moment to renounce his love for Ophelia and call out her father? Is it because he knows that Polonius is listening in or that he knows Ophelia will just tell them anyway? Either way Hamlet's actions only prove that he doesn't love Ophelia. If he truly did love her he wouldn't want to involve her in the conflict with Polonius and Claudius.
I agree with you Alana. Hamlet does hint Polonius' plans and maybe he is also implying that she is better off with Hamlet than being with her own father and he "doesn't really care about her," which may be the reason why he says he loves her and he calls out her father, because he knows that Ophelia doesn't agree with some of Polonius' decisions. Or, it might mean that he knows Ophelia will tell her father, and continue on with his plan on "acting crazy."
DeleteOne line that stood out to me while reading was when Hamlet said, “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.” (3.1.64-68) Hamlet is literally opposing the question is it better to live or to die? All the events in his life, for example his uncle killing his father and his mother and his uncle married are building up and he thinks maybe dying will solve all the conflicts. He is finding a gateway to solve all his problems. In addition, this isn’t the first time we see Hamlet containing suicidal thoughts, in another soliloquy we see him wanting his flesh to melt. It is a common thought in his mind. Also, in these lines I feel that Hamlet is letting out his emotions, as we said in class, in a play a soliloquy is a way to know what the character is thinking/feeling and the reader clearly sees that here. I think his tone is angry but also curious is a sense that he is wondering what will happen if he dies or lives. Lastly, towards the end of this soliloquy we see Hamlet again comparing his father and uncle, I find it interesting that in two of Hamlets soliloquies we see him having suicidal thoughts and comparing his Hamlet to Claudius.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the repetition of suicidal thoughts in Hamlets expression of emotions. I would add, that most of his inner debating comes from the ghost that presents himself. The ghost who is to be the late king Hamlet, continues to have involvement in his problems while living. This involvement transcends into his son which he know feels as a burden as well and brings up the idea of death and continues to wonder as a result would it ease him or leave him with more problems.
Delete“You should not have believed me, for virtue cannot so (inoculate) our old stock but we shall relish of it. I loved you not” (3.1.127-129).
ReplyDeleteWhen I first read the conversation between Hamlet and Ophelia, I was really confused about why Hamlet was suddenly treating her so badly and saying that he never loved her when just earlier he had seemed so completely in lover with her. However, I think that Hamlet might not only be pretending to be crazy, but actually is, causing him to have no control over his emotions. I think that at one point Hamlet did love Ophelia. However, now that he knows the truth about the murder of his father, he can’t trust her or anyone else, and from his “to be or not to be speech”, he is clearly very depressed and suicidal. Maybe in this scene he senses he is being watched, and he feels Ophelia has betrayed him and is untrustworthy. Hamlet even asks Ophelia, “Where’s your father?” (3.1.141) and tells her, “Let the doors be shut upon him that he may play the fool nowhere but in ‘s own house” (3.1.143-144), suggesting that he is suspicious of him and his whereabouts. However, if Hamlet did know that Polonius and Claudius were spying on him, he should not have acted so angrily around Ophelia. Because of this interaction, Claudius is now convinced that Hamlet isn’t actually crazy: “…what he spake… was not like madness” (3.1.177-178), and that he should be sent to England. Unfortunately for Hamlet, this will prohibit him from being able to take revenge on his uncle like he had planned.
"What should such fellows as I do crawling between earth and heaven. We are arrant knaves." (3.1 138-139)
ReplyDeleteWhen Hamlet says this to Ophelia, he is telling her that people like him are criminals and that he is not trust worthy. He is telling her to escape from him and "his" kind by becoming a nun and a holy person, so that she has a protection against him, so he won't bother her.
"To be, or not to be-that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and the arrows of outrageous fortune, or to take the arms against the 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." (3.1.64-72).
ReplyDeleteThis quote takes place where Hamlet is speaking out loud to himself acknowledging the thought of suicide and how it would benefit him. He says "to be or not to be," meaning to be something, or not to be anything (to live or not to live). Further on, he says "...'tis nobler in the mind to suffer" and "or to take the arms against the sea of troubles and, by opposing, end them" to show that he would want the suffering to stop by ending his life or fighting his problems and ending them. These lines stood out to me, because while I read them, I kept on thinking when he was saying the lines, his troubles were on his mind (all of them that he has gone through). Also, in the beginning of this "soliloquy," he talked mostly of his suicidal thoughts, and then when he thought it through, he started to think he should stay and fight his problems. This made me think that he was holding back, and something made him not want to kill himself; and I thought it was maybe his "love" for Ophelia or his task to kill King Claudius, that something still bothered him and tugging on him while he thought of escaping his problems (making his father proud). But for sure, he wants to "leave" because of all the change that has happened in the past few months: him and ophelia, his fathers death, his uncle becoming king (and his mother not showing any pain from his fathers death) and the new king that murdered his father, wanting to avenge him. However, I think that this is what he truly feels inside, underneath the craziness.
I think that his soliloquy was an inner argument over whether dying would relieve his problems. To be or not to be seems to translate to to live or not to live. I think his conflict over suicide is that he does not know if it is really the end, or if there are more problems once "we have shuffled off this mortal coil" (3.1.75). The fact that he has had an encounter with a ghots that claims to be his father must lead him to believe that death may not be the end, in which case it would not be a solution to his problems. He said that he no longer loved Ophelia, and this may not be true, but it certainly seems that he is now only interested in avenging his father, and so, his love for Ophelia may not be the reason he doesn't want to kill himself. It is definitely a reasonable assumption that he is not killing himself because he is devoted to the task of avenging his father.
Delete"This was sometime a paradox, but now the time gives it proof. I did love you once" (3.1.124-125)
ReplyDeleteI chose this line because it showed me that Hamlet used to be a regular teenage boy experiencing life and love but now he has so much on his mind and had to leave and drop everything and everyone to do this revenge he has on his mind. His 'antic disposition' plan is working because he has gotten attention from many of the people around him and gotten them to become worried about him and what was going on with him. Even though he is doing this for his father getting revenge is is costing him his relationship with Ophelia and it seems to me that it must not have been that good if he could give it up so easily, or he thought that Ophelia would still be there when he was done with this. I think that Hamlet doesn't know he is being watched by people while he is talking to Ophelia but I think it doesn't really matter that he is being watched by them. I also think if he knew he was being watched he would maybe be a little more 'crazy' but other than that he is keeping up his act all the time because he trusts no one.
I agree with you 100% here. By Hamlet risking his relationships with the people he cares the most, he keeps pushing himself more and more becoming even more wild everyday. I feel really bad for Ophelia knowing how much she loved him. And then Hamlet coming out very bland saying how he used to love her and she's a foul to think he still does. It also makes me question whats going to happen now with Polonius and Claudius and their theory about Hamlet loving Ophelia.
DeleteI agree with you. Hamlet is sort of throwing away everything in his love life. I feel he thinks that family might be the top priority on his list at this point and he cant see ophelia.
DeleteTo start off, one line that I found very interesting was (3-1-189) when king Claudius says, “Madness in great ones must not unwatched go.” Mainly I found this line so intriguing because of the fact that it can be interpreted in so many different lines, which is obvious, because everyone has their own opinion. However when I read this line myself I automatically thought of numerous ideas that it could mean. For example my first thought was that it meant the craziness within hamlet must be watched very closely. Yet one might argue that it mean when important people show signs of insanity, you have to watch them closely. In Hamlet’s to be or not to be speech, he is contemplating whether or not he should take his own life, and if there is enough he has to live for in this world. This is very imperative because if Hamlet is dead then no one will be able to perform the act of revenge that id against King Claudius and in the ghosts favor. Also Hamlet’s plan to pretend to be crazy is working. His plan, though not very well thought through, has already changed the king and Ophelia’s opinion about him. They are so quick to cling on to any reason that he is crazy because they are both afraid. Claudius of his thrown, and Ophelia of never being with Hamlet again. Furthermore, the fact that he is putting on such a show, is going to delay his revenge scheme because he is now going to be sent off to England which most likely slow down his plan in its entirety. I personally do not believe that Hamlet is being watched for sure, I think that he gets the feeling that Polonius might be near by, yet not Claudius, but he isn’t sure, so he is still acting crazy. I think that if he weren’t in such a public space and he were still talking to Ophelia he wouldn’t be as crazy because he would be tempted by her beauty and his love for her, even though he says it has disappeared. In total my question is what is the point of putting on this crazy act, when he could just kill Claudius easily, maybe by poisoning his wine, or stabbing from being when he isn’t looking, that way he wouldn’t turn himself crazy for real. It is said that if/when you do something for so long, even when it is a lie you start to think of it as your true reality because you are so used to it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your ideas and I think that it is probably true that it might be easier for Hamlet to just kill Claudius and not have to have this elaborate plan pretending to be crazy. However, I think Hamlet isn’t emotionally ready to go through with something as big as murdering his uncle. He feels all alone in the world and extremely depressed, as shown in all three of his soliloquies, and before he takes revenge he wants to make sure that Claudius is in fact guilty of murdering King Hamlet. He says, “the spirit that I have seen may be a devil, and the devil hath power T’ assume a pleasing shape” (2.2.627-629). Before he takes possibly unnecessary action he want sto put on a play “wherein… [he]’ll catch the conscience of the King” (2.2.633-634). And so meanwhile, he must act crazy to thwart any suspicion of a revenge plan against King Claudius.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete“And for your part, Ophelia, I do wish
ReplyDeleteThat 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.” (3.1.42-46)
This line stood out to me because it shows how much Gertrude actually cares for Hamlet. She sees him suffering and is very concerned. I also think she hopes his love for Ophelia is what is making him crazy. Not the fact that she remarried his uncle. It would therefore be her fault for his depression and Hamlet deciding to act out. She would probably feel so guilty and not be able to forgive herself. I think thats not the reason Hamlets acting crazy. Its most likely his father passing away and the fact his mother did remarry extremely quickly, and too his blood. This could be worse than Hamlet being wild over love. It could cause a lot of damage mentally and physically.
Coincidentally we have the same quote, but I do agree with you stand on Hamlet's depression. I don't think that Gertrude actually cares about Hamlet- if she did she would be the one trying to help him. She knows that Hamlet is mad at her, and an apology might actually change his feelings toward her. She is the one that made him feel depressed, and I think that it is selfish that she is relying on Ophelia to help him.
Delete"Ay truly, for the power of beauty will sooner transform honesty from what it is to bawd than the force of honesty can translate beauty into his likeness" (3.1.121-124)
ReplyDeleteThis line really stood out to me because Hamlet seemed to not really talk sense at all; however, Hamlet in this scene seems to say something very idealistic and something that actually makes sense. I also think that Hamlets "To Be or Not To Be" speech is literally contemplating if he should die or if he should live. I also believe that Hamlet is saying is it better to bear the painful burden of life, or to refuse the burden by killing yourself. Hamlets plan to put out an antic disposition is being set into motion. Hamlet is actually trying to put this plan into motion by actually seduce Ophelia and take advantage of her. Hamlet knows that Polonious and King Claudious are listening in on him and Ophelia; however, I believe that this is a part of Hamlets secret plan for revenge.
"Get thee to a nunnery. Why wouldst thou be a breeder of sinners?" 3.1.131-132
ReplyDeleteThis line seems to say that Hamlet has become so depressed that he has entirely lost faith in people. He is telling Ophelia that she should become a nun, so that she does not have any children, because they would be sinners, implying that all people are sinners. In Hamlet's to be or not to be speech, he is saying that dying would seemingly end all of his pain, and yet, if dying is like dreaming, it may not truly end everything because there could be a dream. He is asking if it is nobler to live with and persevere through all his problems, or to take a step to end them all. He is wary of death, because he does not know if it is truly the end, especially after seeing the ghost, he does not know whether life ends at death, or whether there is a 'dream'. I think he knows something weird is happening when he has his encounter with Ophelia, because she is acting different, but I am not sure that he thinks he is being watched. I think if he knew he was being watched, he would pretend to be in love with Ophelia still, in order to further lead the king off of his true cause for unrest.
"You should not have believed me, for virtue cannot so inoculate our old stock but we shall relish of it. I loved you not." (3.1.127-129)
ReplyDeleteDespite the deep metaphor that is being applied, I also noticed the main thing he said: "I loved you not." I remember in class that we brought up a possibility that a way for Hamlet to cover up his so called "plan" to carry out and kill Cladius, he would take advantage and use his deep love for Ophelia as one of the factors to why he is crazy. However, he says and acts the opposite in this quote. That being said, Hamlet, in my opinion, isn't that crazy. His whole plan wasn't to act crazy because he had a deep love for Ophelia, it was just to behave crazily around her. So perhaps saying one day that he loves her and the next that he never did will certainly confuse people, but maybe Hamlet hopes that they will think Hamlet's on and off feelings is a sign that Hamlet is indeed crazy. To top it off, Hamlet changes the subject and asks about Polonius and then wishes the worst upon him, stating, "Let the doors be shut upon him that he may play the fool nowhere but in's own house. Farewell." (3.1.143-144). However, I said that he wasn't THAT crazy. How I see it is that Hamlet is somewhat mentally unstable, but not completely mentally unstable.
Queen:
ReplyDelete" 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. " (3.1.42)
The queen is basically calling Hamlet crazy, and saying that she hopes that Ophelia will make him un-crazy. It's safe to say that Hamlet is seen as crazy through the eyes everyone but the people that he told. From this you can say that Hamlet will kill/fight the King soon. A question that I have is: if Hamlet really is crazy, can Ophelia actually bring him back to normal? He didn't trust her enough to tell her that he is going to act crazy, but he trusts her enough to tell her that he is suicidal, and wishes that he was never born. Either he has forgotten that he doesn't trust her, or he has actually gone crazy.
I agree. After hamlet makes everyone believe he is crazy (whether or not he is) I believe that the Queen is counting on Ophelia to mend the situation.I believe that especially after Polonius, one of the king's advisors, claimed that the origin of Hamlet's inanity was because of his love for Ophelia, that the Queen believes that she can use his love to bring him back to his normal self.
DeleteTomas Benincasa
"This was sometime a paradox, but now the time gives it proof. I did love you once," (Act 3, Sc. 1, Lines 124 - 125).
ReplyDeleteI think that Hamlet knew that Claudius, Gertrude, and Polonius were watching. The logic to my thought was maybe he wants to get rid of Polonius. So Hamlet did love Ophelia at one point in his life but, ever since his father came he has bigger priorities then falling in love. Family comes first and if that means giving up his love life then he'll do it. Since Polonius said that he will give up his ranking and credibility if he was wrong hamlet knew me must have heard and maybe when Hamlet was calling him a fisherman or farmer, It was foreshadowing what would happen to him if he try to mess with his plan. Since Polonius is in the way and doesn't decide to back off Hamlet told Ophelia that he didn't love her to get ride of Polonius and get one more step closer to avenging his fathers death.
o be, or not to be: that is the question:
ReplyDeleteWhether ’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
In this Soliloquy, Hamlet is questioning life as a whole. The opening lines, "to be or not to be" simply mean to live or not to live. This is a clear indication that he is questioning life and suicide. He also questions his Morals, Asking if it be wiser to deal with the pain that he feels, but ultimately decides that it would be the best to commit suicide. He compares death to a sleep, saying that is an end to suffering, and only questions what comes after life. He lists the miseries which he has delt with and reflects that the uncertainty of afterlife is what makes everyone avoid suicide.
This paired with his earlier soliloquy in Act 1 shows how suicide is a central theme to the plot and the story, and that Hamlet is very unhappy.
Tomas Benincasa
"For in that sleep of death what dreams may come when we have shuffled off this mortal coil,(3.1.67-68)"
ReplyDeleteThis line stood out to me because now that Hamlet's father has been put in his endless sleep, and has left all his mortal coils behind. This bring up the ghost as an exception to all of this, for someone who has been put to sleep, but at the same time hold on to his past problems, and to even pass it on to his son. Hamlet's "to be or not to be" speech brings up his thoughts on death and how most people are cowards to the idea of death. while his discussion with Ophelia, he is not only completely against the of ever loving her, but he also insults her to say she should go to a convent. I believe that Hamlet knew he was being watched, because he acted completely crazy and rude towards Ophelia, when deep down he may have caring feelings towards her, he acted this way to probably put a show for Polonius and the King.
"O,what a noble mind is here o'erthrown! The courtier's ,soldier's, scholar, eye, tongue, sword,"
ReplyDeleteWhen she starts this she has just had a long conversation between her and lord Hamlet. It is where he said that like he was not intrestedin her anymore and it hurt her.But in addition to that the king and Polonius were watching it. So when Hamlet left Ophelia started to talk about what had happened and how she felt about him. But that now he has said all thoes things to her, she also is saying that he is some what noble for what she has done. I think she is very conflixted on her thoughts about him and how her father thinks.
In this scene, Hamlet debates whether or not he should commit suicide. His father died, his mother betrayed him, he can't trust his step-dad, his friends turned their backs on him and even his lover Ophelia. Hamlet has no one to turn to and is now questioning whether or not it's even worth living anymore. He says that by dying he would end the "heartache." This could be the absence of his father, who died and nothing in the kingdom has been the same since. Hamlet also says, "To grunt and sweat under a weary life, but that the dread of something after death, the undiscovered country from whose bourn no traveller returns" (3.1.86). Here Hamlet is curious about a life after death. He's thinking that whatever life comes after this, it can't be nearly as bad as what I'm going through right now. Ophelia is here the whole time as he debates killing himself but she doesn't seem affected by it. Instead she changes the subject and tells Hamlet that she will return everything he has ever given her. Hamlet doesn't really take Ophelia seriously and asks her if she's honest and fair. According to Hamlet, honesty and beauty go hand in hand, but beauty is more powerful than honesty. Then he tells Ophelia that she shouldn't've believed him when he made her believed he loved her because he never did. In addition, Hamlet tells Ophelia she should "Get thee to a nunnery. Why would thou be a breeder of sinners?" (3.1.131) Hamlet believes he has a reason for being dishonest but Ophelia does not. My question here is why would Hamlet feel superior to Ophelia in this argument?
ReplyDelete"Or to take arms against a sea of troubles and, by opposing, to end them. To die, to sleep- no more." (3.1.67)
ReplyDeleteIn this scene, Hamlet debates whether or not he should commit suicide. His father died, his mother betrayed him, he can't trust his step-dad, his friends turned their backs on him and even his lover Ophelia. Hamlet has no one to turn to and is now questioning whether or not it's even worth living anymore. He says that by dying he would end the "heartache." This could be the absence of his father, who died and nothing in the kingdom has been the same since. Hamlet also says, "To grunt and sweat under a weary life, but that the dread of something after death, the undiscovered country from whose bourn no traveller returns" (3.1.86). Here Hamlet is curious about a life after death. He's thinking that whatever life comes after this, it can't be nearly as bad as what I'm going through right now. Ophelia is here the whole time as he debates killing himself but she doesn't seem affected by it. Instead she changes the subject and tells Hamlet that she will return everything he has ever given her. Hamlet doesn't really take Ophelia seriously and asks her if she's honest and fair. According to Hamlet, honesty and beauty go hand in hand, but beauty is more powerful than honesty. Then he tells Ophelia that she shouldn't've believed him when he made her believed he loved her because he never did. In addition, Hamlet tells Ophelia she should "Get thee to a nunnery. Why would thou be a breeder of sinners?" (3.1.131) Hamlet believes he has a reason for being dishonest but Ophelia does not. My question here is why would Hamlet feel superior to Ophelia in this argument?
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