Theme Analysis Theme Analysis

Act 1 Scene 1 Disbelief

Marcellus "Horatio says 'tis but our fantasy, And will not let belief take hold of him, Touching this dreaded sight twice seen of us. Therefore I have entreated him along With us to watch the minutes if this night, That if again this apparition come, He may approve our eyes and speak to it." Horatio "Tush, tush, 'twill not appear." Marcellus has brought Horatio to the castle walls to prove that he has seen a spirit for the past two days. Marcellus's words could not convince Horatio, and Barnardo cannot convince him either. So Marcellus has brought Horatio along for him to see the spirit with his own eyes. Line two further displays his strong feelings of there being no spirits. He can not believe what they say if he doesn't see it for himself.

Fear, Curiosity, & Bewilderment

Horatio " Most like. It harrows me with fear and wonder. What art thou that usurp'st this time of night, Together with that fair and warlike form To which the majesty of buried Denmark Did sometimes march? By heaven, I charge thee speak!" Horatio "Before my God, I might not this believe Without the sensible and true avouch Of mine own eyes. Barnardo begins to tell the story of the ghost they've seen the past two nights and the ghost appears. Horatio admits he's afraid at first and out of curiosity asks why he's hear and why he's wearing their former King's armor? The ghost does not respond and leaves them. Now that he's actually seen this spirit he is in awe.

Helpfulness

Horatio " If thou hast any sound or use of voice, Speak to me; If there be any good thing to be done That may to tee do ease, and grace to me, Speak to me; If thou art privy to thy country's fate, Which, happily, foreknowing may avoid, Oh speak! Or if thou hast uphoarded in thy life Extorted treasure in the womb of earth, For which, they say, you spirits oft walk in death, Speak of it. Stay and Speak! Stop it, Marcellus. The ghost reappears and Horatio asks what does he need to do to put this spirit at peace. Horatio wont's to know if the spirits here to inform them of something terrible that will happen and why he is here?

Act 1 Scene 4 Shock

Hamlet "Angels and ministers of grace defend us! Be thou a spirit of health or goblin damned, Bring with thee airs from heaven or blasts from hell Be thy intents wicked or charitable." Hamlet is told by Horatio and Marcellus that they have seen his father's spirit. Hamlet decides to go with them on their next watch and is left in amazement upon seeing his father's spirit.

Courage

Hamlet "Why, what should be the fear? I do not set my life at a pin's fee. And for my soul, what can it do to that Being a thing immortal as itself? It waves me forth again. I'll follow it." Hamlet "My fate cries out And makes each petty artery in this body As hardy as the Nemean lion's nerve. Still am I called.Unhand me, gentlemen. By heaven, I'll make a ghost of him that lets me. I say away! Go on, I'll follow thee." Hamlet questions the spirit but gets no response. The spirit beckons and Hamlet decides to following saying to Marcellus & Horatio there's nothing to fear. In line two Horatio & Marcellus feel this isn't a good idea so they restrain Hamlet. Hamlet claims he has great courage and will slay any person who gets in his way. Then Hamlet leaves with the spirit and they others decide to follow.

Act 1 Scene 5 Resolve & Astonishment

Hamlet "Wither wilt thou lead me? Speak, I'll go no further. Ghost " I am thy father's spirit, Doomed for a certain term to walk the night, And for the day confined to fast in fires, till the foul crimes done by my days of nature Are burnt and purged away." Hamlet gets tired of going any further with the spirit and puts his foot down. He then learns that this is the spirit of his father and he's stuck between heaven and the devil. He will remain stuck until his crimes are fixed.

Suspicion & Revenge

Ghost " I find thy apt; And duller shouldst thou be than the fat weed That roots itself in ease on Lethe whaf, Wouldst thou not stir in this. Now, Hamlet, hear. 'Tis given out that, sleeping in my orchard, a serpent stung me; so the whole ear of Denmark Is by a forged process of my death Rankly abused; but now, thou noble youth, The serpent that did sting thy father's life Now wears his crown." Hamlet "O my prophetic soul! My uncle!" Hamlet "O most pernicious woman! O villain, villain, smiling damned villain! My tables. Meet it is I set it down That one may smile, and smile, and be a villain-At least I am sure it may be so in Denmark. So, uncle, there you are. Now to my word. It is 'Adieu, adieu, remember me.' I have sworn't. The spirit tells Hamlet that he wasn't killed by a snake bite like Claudius said. Claudius (Hamlet's uncle) killed Hamlet's father. In line two Hamet says he had suspscted his uncle had killed his father. He thin vows to have revenge on Claudius for the death of his father and thinks his mother is very deceiving.

Secracy

Horatio "Not I, my lord, by heaven" Marcellus "Nor I, my lord" Horatio & Marcellus "Yes, by heaven." Horatio & Marcellus swear upon Hamlet's sword not to reveal to anyone what they have seen or heard to anyone.

Act 3 Scene 4

Confusion & Sarrow

Ghost " Do not forget. This visitation is but to whet thy almost blunted purpose. But look, amazement on thy mother sits. Oh step between her and her fighting soul. Conceit in weakest bodies strongest works. Speak to her, Hamlet."

Queen "Alas, how is't with you, that you so bend your eye on vacancy, And with th'incorporal air do hold discourse? Forth at your eyes your spirits wildly peep, And, as the sleeping soldiers in th'alarm, Your bedded hair, like life in excrements , Start up and stand on end. Oh gentle son, Upon the heat and flame of thy distemper Sprinkle cool patience. Where on do you look?"

Hamlet " On him, on him! Look you how pale he glares. His form and cause conjoined, preaching to stones, Would make them capable. Do not look upon me, Lest with this piteous action you convert My stern effects. Then what I have to do Will wont true colour-tears perchance for blood."

Queen " To whom do you speak this?"

Hamlet "Do you see nothing there?"

Queen "Nothing at all; yet all that is I see."

Hamlet "Nor did you nothing hear?"

Queen "No, nothing but ourselves."

Hamlet goes to his mother to reveal to her what sins she's committed. The ghost returns and reminds Hamlet of his purpose because he feels he's been drifting off the main objective. Hamlet begins to talk to the spirit and Hamlet's mother feels sarrow because her son seems to be delusional and confused. Hamlet asks if she sees her husbands spirit and if she can hear him but she doesn't.

Murder & Regret Hamlet "How now? A rat! Dead for a ducat, dead. Polonius "Oh, I am slain. Queen "O me, what hast thou done? Hamlet "Nay I know not. Is it the King?" (he lifts up the arras and discovers Polonius, dead)

Queen "Oh what a rash and bloody dead is this."

Hamlet "A bloody deed. Almost as bad, good mother, As kill a king and marry with his brother." Queen "As kill a king?" Hamlet "Ay, lady, it was my word. Thou wretched, rash, intruding fool, farewell. I took thee for thy better. Take thy fortune: Thou find'st to be too busy is some danger. Leave wringing of your hands. Peace, sit you down, And let me wring your heart; for so I shall If it be made of penetrable stuff, If damned custom have not brazed it so, That it be proof and bulwark against sense."

Hamlet thinks that the king is spying on him while he's talking to his mother. So he picks up his rapier and thrusts it in to the curtains only to find out it's Polonius. He says he's done a terrible deed and he regrets it but Polonius was a fool to hide and spy on them.

Act 5 Scene 2 Obedience & Loyalty?

Hamlet " I will receive it, sir, with all diligence of spirit. Put your bonnet to it's right use: tis for the head."

Osric " I thank you lordship, it is very hot."

Hamlet " No, believe me, 'tis very cold, the wind is northerly."

Osric " It is indifferent cold, my lord, indeed."

Hamlet " But yet me thinks it is very sultry and hot for my complexion."

Osric "Exceedingly, my lord, it is very sultury-as 'twere - I can not tell how. My lord, his majesty bade me signify to you that he has laid a great wager on your head. Sir this is the matter-

Hamlet " I beseech you remember."

Osric "Nay, good my lord,for my ease, in good faith. Sir, here is newly come to court Laertes; believe me an absolute gentleman, full of most excellent differences, of very sift society and great showing. Indeed, to speak feelingly of him, he's the card or calendar of gentry; for you shall find in him the continent in what part a gentlemen would see."

Osric the messenger tells Hamlet about the wager Claudius has put on his head. Hamlet offers Osric a hat because he thinks it's cold. But Osric thinks it's hot and still does what his majesty wishes. He knows what would happen if he disobeyed and tells Hamlet Laertes is a gentlemen, gifted, of pleasing manner, as well as have a pleasing manner. Osric conveys his obedience and loyalty through giving the message to Hamlet, doing what he wonts, and speaking of Laertes in a good way.