Hamlet in Depth
Act III, scene ii (Analysis)
I – Horatio
Horatio emerges as much as an important ally to Hamlet as Polonius is to Claudius (subplots mirror each other : Fortinbras to Norway,
Hamlet to Claudius)
Hamlet has a genuine admiration for Horatio (he praises him)
o Horatio is his opposite
ASSIGNMENT : find the differences between the characters of Horatio and Hamlet
Also, it seems that Hamlet has told Horatio exactly what happened when he was alone with the ghost
“There is a play to-night before the king; One scene of it comes near the circumstance
Which I have told thee of my father’s death…” (74-76)
o It shows a strong trust between Hamlet and Horatio o Horatio embodies everything that Hamlet wants to be. o Horatio turns out to be Hamlet’s prime witness.
II – The play “Murder of Gonzago” : purpose
Mousetrapo Note how Hamlet renames it “mousetrap” in front of the king
when asked
o This should be linked to the comment “The play’s the thing
wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the king”. The king’s conscience is the mouse, the play Murder of Gonzago is the trap.
instructions to the players : the reasons behind Hamlet’s instructions to the players must be carefully studied. Why does he do this?
o The players are children.
o Hamlet’s own background in theatrical expertise became
obvious to us in Act II, scene ii. He knows what he is talking about.
o Hamlet’s instructions to the players indicate that he is
concerned they will present a performance in their play that will achieve the desired result of touching Claudius’s conscience.
o It is not only desired, but it is crucial that this play works
because otherwise
Hamlet will not feel justified in killing Claudius He has no case or evidence
He has no witness (Horatio) No play = game over
o The instructions make this clear.
Make this look genuine and credible and do not exaggerate your performances in speech and action
Hamlet asks the first player to warn the other comedians to avoid the common practice of that time, ad libbing among themselves on stage, thus drawing attention away from the main action.
Hamlet also wants to make sure that everyone in the audience follows the plot
The pantomime also known as the “dumb show”, in which no words are spoken and the most basic elements of the plot are acted out
o What happened
A king and queen embrace, the queen displays deep affection
The king falls asleep, the queen leaves
A man enters, removes the king’s crown, kisses it, pours poison in the king’s ear and exits.
Queen re-enters and upon seeing her dead husband, displays great sorrow.
Man returns and pretends to cry with her.
When the dead body is carried away, he woos her with gifts, she is unwilling but eventually gives in
Why do the players put on the play twice with spoken lines?
o The chief reason for Hamlet having included the pantomime
show is probably so that the court and audience will fully understand the action in Gonzago’s murder.
o It also serves to prime the pump for Claudius’s guilt (double
exposure)
The king basically ignores the pantomime and reacts only strongly to the spoken part
o Some believe that the king, as was the custom, paid no
attention to the pantomime
o He gave it some attention but considered the ear poison a
coincidence
o He reacts so strongly during the actual play because Hamlet
had announced that the player-murderer was the nephew of the player-king. King Claudius got the message: he interprets this as a threat of his nephew Hamlet against him.
This is why Claudius acts so quickly after the play to deal with his nephew.
The effects
o Hamlet catches the conscience of the king. When the king calls
for light “Give me some light! Away!” (264), he is also calling for light to rid himself of guilt. Light is also usually associated with good (ex. In Macbeth, Banquo carries a torch). Claudius needs purification, hence needs lights
o Claudius’s guilt will start to eat at him
o Suspicion is also drawn onto Claudius, many people say his
reactions to the play and especially Horatio
o Horatio is Hamlet’s main piece of evidence, his star witness
Hamlet :“Didst thou perceive?” Horatio : “Very well my lord.”
Hamlet : “Upon the talk of the poisoning?” Horatio : “I did very well note him.” (281-285)
o Hamlet is finally fully sure that he can trust the ghost because
it was telling the truth.
o Hamlet’s plan of action is finally translated into action (phase 1)
four months after his father’s death.
o Claudius’s suspicions are confirmed: Hamlet does know about his
o Claudius’s hand is forced and thus he decides to send Hamlet
away with swift and resolute action. Prior to this, Claudius was passive with regards to Hamlet’s erratic behaviour (only
watched him).
o This episode marks the climax of the play : the peak of the
rising action is reached when Hamlet establishes Claudius’s guilt.
o Now Claudius knows that Hamlet is clearly his adversary and a
threat to his security as king of Denmark.
III – Hamlet’s madness
□ Note that Hamlet loves to toy with Claudius (like a cat plays with its mouse before killing it).
□ Hamlet uses little play on words to confuse him while revealing much truth on himself.
□ Upon being asked how he’s doing, he replies:
“Excellent, i’ faith; of the chameleon’s dish : I eat the air, promise crammed; you cannot feed capons so.”
o Interpretations
Hamlet is indirectly revealing to the king that he is able to change his exterior to suit his surroundings (like a
chameleon, a karma karma chamelon) His character will change based on what is convenient for the occasion The fact that Hamlet says he eats the air promised
crammed creates anxiety for the king : the anticipation that something will happen.
Madness controlled
□ Hamlet seems to be able to fluctuate his madness at will
□ Consider the discussion that too place between Hamlet and the First Player. In this episode, we see a rational Hamlet discussing the techniques of acting with authority and as one who enjoys theatre. □ Hamlet is quite different from the abusive prince who verbally
attacked Ophelia
□ Moments after divulging his serious plan to Horatio, he is now deliberately being ambiguous with Claudius.
o Claudius even says he does not understand
“I have nothing with this answer, Hamlet, these words are not mine.”
(94-95)
o Guildenstern also notices
“Good my lord, put your discourse into some frame, and start not so wildly from my affair” (300-301)
Manic Depression
□ As the play proceeds, Hamlet’s excitement begins to grow, and he urges the actors playing the role of the murderer to get on with his speech.
□ Lucianus begins what is probably the dozen or so lines prepared by Hamlet
□ However, the player never gets passed the first 6 lines, when Hamlet interrupts to tell the story himself.
□ He pours out his words in hasty confusion, as the murderer pours the poison in the player-king’s ears.
□ Once Claudius leaves, Hamlet is left alone with Horatio and is wild with excitement. He can hardly contain himself. Hamlet breaks into song (266-269 and 276-279)
□ This is a great victory for Hamlet
□ Hamlet considers himself a very good playwright and should also receive an honorary fellowship in an actor’s troop
□ Most significantly : Hamlet lets loose prior to the closing of the scene in a manic fury
“Tis now the very witching time of night,
When churchyards yawn, and hell itself breathes out Contagion to this world : now could I drink hot blood, And do such bitter business as the day
Would quake to look on.” (378-383)
IV – Misogyny
□ Hamlet directs some particularly lewd comments towards Ophelia □ After witnessing Hamlet’s actions, it is evident that he dislikes women
o Example (109-117)
Hamlet : “Lady, shall I lie in your lap?” Ophelia : “No my lord.”
Hamlet : “I mean, my head upon your lap?”
Hamlet : “That’s a fair thought to lie between maids’ legs.”
o Example (149-150)
Ophelia : “Tis brief, my lord.” Hamlet : “As a woman’s love.”
Ophelia’s love for Hamlet?
Gertrude’s love for her deceased husband? Briefs=underwear : A woman’s love is in her
