A reoccurring theme in Shakespeare's play, Hamlet, has to do with the character's interpretations of effects that free will or destiny plays into life's events. Free will is defined as, "the power of making free choices unconstrained by external agencies" while destiny is defined as, "an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future" (Princeton Online Dictionary). The first scene sets the stage for discussions regarding free will and destiny, but will carry on as the reality of the characters becomes more apparent to the others throughout the play.
Act I, scene iii - lines 17-18
LAERTES:
"His greatness weighed, his will is not his own
For he himself is subject to his birth."
-- Since Hamlet is the Prince of a royal family, his future is laid out for him the day he is born. Since he is a man, he will one day run his country, Denmark, so the decisions he makes will not just be in his own interest, but in the interest of the people in his country. Among the many decisions that will be made for him, a huge decision made for him is that he cannot choose who he marries. This makes things complicated, for he is attracted to Ophelia, and her brother, Laertes, makes sure she remembers these facts.
Act I, scene iv - lines 31-38
HAMLET:
"These men carrying, I say, the stamp of one defect,
Being nature's livery, or fortune's star
Their virtues else, be they as pure as grace,
As infinite as man may undergo,
Shall in the general censure take corruption
From that particular fault. The dram of evil
Doth all the noble substance of a doubt,
To his own scandal."
-- The footnotes state that nature's livery or fortune's star refers to 'nature's equipment (i.e. "innate"), or a person's destiny determined by the stars.' Hamlet is saying that people can be born with defects that changes them. However, one flaw can bring you down; it can make you look bad to others even if you're still a gifted person. One doubt from the public can ruin one's reputation. While destiny may give you certain gifts or defects, the free will of those around you can capitalize on those gifts or defects in a favorable or negative way.
Act I, scene iv - lines 90 - 91
MARCELLUS: "Something is rotten in the state of Denmark."
HORATIO: "Heaven will direct it."
-- While what Marcellus states can be seen as an omen, Horatio's statement discusses the effect destiny has on our lives as well as the natural order of society. They believe that something is not well with Hamlet, so they can either let him be and see what becomes of Denmark, or they can follow him to see what happens. They chose to follow him and I believe this may eventually lead to more decisions or assumptions being based off of free will instead of destiny because, in a way, they are choosing to see what they want to see by following him.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Theme in Hamlet: Appearance vs. Reality
A reoccurring theme in Shakespeare's play, Hamlet, is appearance vs. reality. The characters appear to portrayed in a certain way to the public, but how they are in reality is much different. Many of the characters have hidden intentions. While this theme of appearance vs. reality is evident throughout the play, I will examine a few lines from the first scene so they can be revisited after we finish reading Hamlet.
(Act I, scene i - line 41)
Bernardo: "In the same figure like the king that's dead."
-- Here, Bernardo is saying that the ghost that keeps coming and going appears to be the King. Afterwards, Horatio doesn't believe them until he sees the ghost for himself. Since the King is dressed in his armor, Horatio believes that his could mean that Denmark may be in trouble with another country's army. As the ghost appears to be a harmful message, he is really just trying to help out.
(Act I, scene ii - line 76)
Hamlet: "Seems, madam? Nay, it is. I know not 'seems.'"
-- When Hamlet is speaking to his mother about his father's death, he says in this quote, "I don't seem sad, I am sad." Most men, especially those with status such as Hamlet, should not behave in such a depressed manner. Hamlet's mother is basically telling him to get himself together and to not be such a weakling, by saying that although being sad about a father's death is common, it is even more 'particular' to him. There's greater grief inside of him than what appears on the surface.
(Act I, scene v - lines 45-46)
Ghost: "So to seduce! - won to his shameful lust the will of my most seeming-virtuous queen."
-- The ghost is basically telling Hamlet that his mother may appear to be the truthful, moral woman that a queen should be, when she is actually a dark person. She was seduced by Claudius, his brother, who had poured poison into the King's ear. Gertrude turned out to be very deceiving, and that played greatly to the death of her husband.
(Act I: scene v - line 138)
Hamlet: "It is an honest ghost, that let me tell you."
-- Horatio thought it was necessary to tell Hamlet about his father's ghost meandering about, and let him know what he thought the armor he was adorned with actually meant. This ominous ghost that people are seeing about town is stirring up an uneasy feeling. However, Hamlet is trying to reassure Horatio who believes the ghost carries evil with him. Hamlet lets him know that his father's ghost is a real ghost; it is not a demon.
(Act I, scene i - line 41)
Bernardo: "In the same figure like the king that's dead."
-- Here, Bernardo is saying that the ghost that keeps coming and going appears to be the King. Afterwards, Horatio doesn't believe them until he sees the ghost for himself. Since the King is dressed in his armor, Horatio believes that his could mean that Denmark may be in trouble with another country's army. As the ghost appears to be a harmful message, he is really just trying to help out.
(Act I, scene ii - line 76)
Hamlet: "Seems, madam? Nay, it is. I know not 'seems.'"
-- When Hamlet is speaking to his mother about his father's death, he says in this quote, "I don't seem sad, I am sad." Most men, especially those with status such as Hamlet, should not behave in such a depressed manner. Hamlet's mother is basically telling him to get himself together and to not be such a weakling, by saying that although being sad about a father's death is common, it is even more 'particular' to him. There's greater grief inside of him than what appears on the surface.
(Act I, scene v - lines 45-46)
Ghost: "So to seduce! - won to his shameful lust the will of my most seeming-virtuous queen."
-- The ghost is basically telling Hamlet that his mother may appear to be the truthful, moral woman that a queen should be, when she is actually a dark person. She was seduced by Claudius, his brother, who had poured poison into the King's ear. Gertrude turned out to be very deceiving, and that played greatly to the death of her husband.
(Act I: scene v - line 138)
Hamlet: "It is an honest ghost, that let me tell you."
-- Horatio thought it was necessary to tell Hamlet about his father's ghost meandering about, and let him know what he thought the armor he was adorned with actually meant. This ominous ghost that people are seeing about town is stirring up an uneasy feeling. However, Hamlet is trying to reassure Horatio who believes the ghost carries evil with him. Hamlet lets him know that his father's ghost is a real ghost; it is not a demon.
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