Passage Analysis: Hamlet Essay

Prince Hamlet has just publically humiliated Claudius, King of Denmark by re-enacting the murder of his father in a play. Claudius, embarrassed and shamed by his own nephew, fears that he will be problematic for the Kingdom and orders Hamlet to go to England to study. He does not trust the Prince nor does he want any involvement with him. Further worrying the King is the news from Polonius that Hamlet is alone with his mother. Claudius is worried that Hamlet will poison his mothers ears with the truth. Claudius sends Polonius to eavesdrop on the pair.

This passage is Hamlets expression of disappointment about his mothers actions. The tone in which he speaks is constantly harsh and punitive. Look here upon this picture and on this, the counterfeit presentation of two brothers. Hamlet is commanding his mother to compare the two men and recognize her betrayal of his father. In this command is also a sense of rhetoric as Hamlet assumes that Gertrude, like himself will hold his father in higher regards than Claudius. ...where every god did seem to set his seal to give the world assurance of a man. This was your husband. Hamlet tells Gertrude that every god blessed her husband with their qualities. Hamlets austere tenor is meant to shock his mother into repentance for her quick marriage and scant mourning of her deceased husband. The way the Prince speaks to his mother is incredibly condescending suggesting that in her old age she is senile for she is not capable of passion so that can not be the cause of her actions. Ha! Have you eyes? You cannot call it love for at your age the heyday in the blood is tame... He is violently insinuating that Gertrude had other reasons for the marriage. She is too old to fall in love especially with a man such as Claudius.

The use of imagery throughout Hamlets interaction with his mother mostly guides us towards Greek mythology-Hyperions curls, the front of Jove himself an eye like Mars...new lighted on a kissing hill... All use of imagery is meant to augment King Hamlets reputation, character and stature and downplay Claudiuss. The Prince compares Hamlets Godlike qualities whereas Claudius has nothing admirable. The use of comparison is prevalent throughout this passage through the use of figurative language: Here is your husband, like a mildewed ear. This similie and literary allusion helps to distinguish the vast differences between Claudius and Hamlet. Claudius is a rotten ear of corn whereas Hamlet posseses Godly qualities.

The diction of this passage consists of a callous, staccato and almost rhythmic in order to emphasize anger and disappointment: ...blasting his wholesome brother. Blast is a sharp and impactful word. From its use, one can imagine the damage Claudius did to his underserving wholesome brother. Eyes without feeling, feeling without sight, ears without hands, or eyes, smelling sans all... The repetition of the words eyes and feeling serve the purpose of emphasis. Hamlet wants to make sure that Gertrude is aware of his horrible opinion of her by drilling it in to her head.

The point of Hamlets word choice is to make his mother feel terrible and guilty about what she has done and to avenge his fathers hurt. She married a new man less than two months after her husbands death and showed no remorse or sadness for the loss of a great man. After Hamlet finishes this passage, it is clear that Gertrude understands . She breaks down because her son highlights her actions and because she understands that she has also caused her son and their relationship damage.