"It is here, Hamlet. {Hamlet,} thou art slain. / No med'cine in the world can do thee good. / In thee there is not half an hour's life. / The treacherous instrument is in {thy} hand, / Unbated and envenomed. The foul practice / Hath turned itself on me. Lo, here I lie, / Never to rise again. Thy mother's poisoned. / I can no more. The King, the King's to blame" (5.2.344-351)
Laertes has been stabbed by Hamlet who used Laertes's poisoned sword, and in his dying breath, Laertes reveals to Hamlet what has happened. Laertes says that Hanlet has been poisoned by Laertes and his sword, and in a half an hour, he will die. He also reveals that he himself has inadvertantly been poisoned and he will die as well. Then, Laertes says that Gertrude has been poisoned by the wine in the cup, and finally, it was Claudius's plot that caused all of this. This revelation forces Hamlet to finally kill Claudius.
Laertes most likely revealed all of this to Hamlet because Laertes felt betrayed by Claudius after his plot killed him as well. It's also possible that Laertes felt remorseful about his actions, and because he was dying as well, he wanted to repent for his sins and gain forgiveness from Hamlet. The good part about this is that Claudius'd actions will not go unpunished, because Hamlet kills him soon after. Now Laertes can die knowing that the knave of a king has been put in his place.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
Hamlet (5.1)
"No, faith, not a jot; but to follow him thither, / with modesty enough and likelihood to lead it, {as, / thus:} Alexander died, Alexander was buried, Alex-/ander returneth to dust; the dust is earth; of earth / we make loam; and why if that loam whereto he was converted might not stop a beer barrel?" (5.1.214-219)
Again, Hamlet is comtemplating what death is like, but this time, he is talking about the cycle of a decaying body. He uses an allusion to Alexander the Great, the famous Greek warrior who conquered most of the Middle East and Asia before dying of fever in Babylon. After his death, he was buried underneath the earth. Hamlet says that even someone like Alexander the Great dies and becomes a part of the earth. He then goes on to alude to his next train of thought: what happens next? Bodies turn to dust and become a part of the earth; this same earth can be made into loam, which can then be distilled into beer. So Hamlet is thinking: is the cycle of death merely where what he eat and drink is a product of the earth from which the dust of dead bodies had lain. It is a very morbid thought, but then again, Hamlet has been depressed within the whole play, that seeing his mind turn to something like this is no real suprise. Now, is it possible that his death may be coming near, and will Hamlet be able to accept death when it comes to claim him?
Again, Hamlet is comtemplating what death is like, but this time, he is talking about the cycle of a decaying body. He uses an allusion to Alexander the Great, the famous Greek warrior who conquered most of the Middle East and Asia before dying of fever in Babylon. After his death, he was buried underneath the earth. Hamlet says that even someone like Alexander the Great dies and becomes a part of the earth. He then goes on to alude to his next train of thought: what happens next? Bodies turn to dust and become a part of the earth; this same earth can be made into loam, which can then be distilled into beer. So Hamlet is thinking: is the cycle of death merely where what he eat and drink is a product of the earth from which the dust of dead bodies had lain. It is a very morbid thought, but then again, Hamlet has been depressed within the whole play, that seeing his mind turn to something like this is no real suprise. Now, is it possible that his death may be coming near, and will Hamlet be able to accept death when it comes to claim him?
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Hamlet (4.5-4.7)
"How came he dead? I'll not be juggled with. / Ti hell, allegiance! Vows, to the blackest devil! / Conscience and grace, to the profoundest pit! / I dare domination. To this point I stand, / That both the worlds I give to negligence, / Let come what comes, only I'll be revenged / Most throughly for my father" (4.5.148-154)
Laertes has learned from Claudius that Hamlet has killed Laertes's father, Polonius, and in a rage, Laertes vows to avenge his father's death. Immediately, the reader can see a huge contrast within the characters of Hamlet and Laertes. Hamlet's father died two months before Hamlet even thought about seeking revenge, and it was only after his father's ghost told him about the murder, as well as the play to begin to plot out Claudius's death. On the other hand, as soon as Laertes learns that his father has died, he cries for revenge. It is possible that the reason for this difference in character is because Hamlet didn't immediately know how his father died, whereas Laertes learned that it was murder when he heard of it. Either way, both of these characters now have a thirst for revenge over their father's deaths, and it will be interesting to see how Hamlet will enact his revenge while Laertes tries to kill him.
Laertes has learned from Claudius that Hamlet has killed Laertes's father, Polonius, and in a rage, Laertes vows to avenge his father's death. Immediately, the reader can see a huge contrast within the characters of Hamlet and Laertes. Hamlet's father died two months before Hamlet even thought about seeking revenge, and it was only after his father's ghost told him about the murder, as well as the play to begin to plot out Claudius's death. On the other hand, as soon as Laertes learns that his father has died, he cries for revenge. It is possible that the reason for this difference in character is because Hamlet didn't immediately know how his father died, whereas Laertes learned that it was murder when he heard of it. Either way, both of these characters now have a thirst for revenge over their father's deaths, and it will be interesting to see how Hamlet will enact his revenge while Laertes tries to kill him.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Hamlet Act 3 Scenes 1 & 2
"There's something in [Hamlet's] soul / O'er which his melancholy sits on brood, / And I do doubt the hatch and the disclose / Will be some danger; which for to prevent, / I have in quick determination / Thus set it down: he shall with speed to England / For demand of our neglected tribute. / Haply the seas, and countries different, / With variable objects, shall expel / This something-settled matter in his heart" (Shakespeare 3.1.178-187)
King Claudius was listening to what Hamlet was saying to Ophelia, when something Hamlet said caught his ear. Hamlet said, "Those that are married already, / all but one, shall live" (3.1.160-161). After hearing this, plus everything else Hamlet said about being depressed,not being in love with Ophelia, etc, Claudius believes that Hamlet may know that he killed Hamlet's father. Claudius grows fearful of this revelation, and as a result, he quickly plans a way to get Hamlet out of his life. His solution: sending Hamlet to England, where he will be fay away from Claudius, and will be unable to exact his revenge on him. The King says to Polonius that he hopes Hamlet will calm down and forget about whatever is troubling him if he's out of Denmark, but Claudius conceals the fact that he believes he knows why Hamlet is so depressed. However, will Claudius be able to send Hamelt to England, or will Hamlet find a way to stay in Denmark?
This passage also develops Claudius's character as a coward; he inconspicuously kills King Hamlet to take the crown, and when he believes his cover is blown, he cowers behind a "plan" to save himself. He too much of a coward to do something proactive to rid himself of this problem he has. I've got a feeling that Claudius's cowardice will come back to haunt him further on in the play.
King Claudius was listening to what Hamlet was saying to Ophelia, when something Hamlet said caught his ear. Hamlet said, "Those that are married already, / all but one, shall live" (3.1.160-161). After hearing this, plus everything else Hamlet said about being depressed,not being in love with Ophelia, etc, Claudius believes that Hamlet may know that he killed Hamlet's father. Claudius grows fearful of this revelation, and as a result, he quickly plans a way to get Hamlet out of his life. His solution: sending Hamlet to England, where he will be fay away from Claudius, and will be unable to exact his revenge on him. The King says to Polonius that he hopes Hamlet will calm down and forget about whatever is troubling him if he's out of Denmark, but Claudius conceals the fact that he believes he knows why Hamlet is so depressed. However, will Claudius be able to send Hamelt to England, or will Hamlet find a way to stay in Denmark?
This passage also develops Claudius's character as a coward; he inconspicuously kills King Hamlet to take the crown, and when he believes his cover is blown, he cowers behind a "plan" to save himself. He too much of a coward to do something proactive to rid himself of this problem he has. I've got a feeling that Claudius's cowardice will come back to haunt him further on in the play.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Hamlet (1.5)
"Yes, by Saint Patrick, but there is, Horatio, / And much offense, too. Touching this vision here, / It is an honest ghost-that let me tell you. / For your desire to know what is between us, / O'ermaster 't as you may" (Shakespeare 1.5.152-156).
Hamlet has heard from his father's ghost that the old king was poisoned by his brother, Claudius. The ghost has also told Hamlet that he wants his son to kill Claudius and avenge King Hamlet's death. After the ghost departs, Horatio and Marcellus appear and asks what has happened. Hamlet does not reveal anything, except that he believes that the ghost has told him the truth. Hamlet believes the ghost because it is his father, who Hamlet loved very much, and given (what seems like) his strained relationship with Claudius, he believes Claudius could do something like that. Hamlet does not tell his friends what he has learned because he fears that the two of them could spread the word that Claudius murdered King Hamlet. If that were to happen, Denmark would be thrown into a state of chaos, and with a battle over land impending, chaos in Denmark would cause the country to lose the land. Hamlet keeps the information to himself as he vows to avenge his father's death.
Hamlet has heard from his father's ghost that the old king was poisoned by his brother, Claudius. The ghost has also told Hamlet that he wants his son to kill Claudius and avenge King Hamlet's death. After the ghost departs, Horatio and Marcellus appear and asks what has happened. Hamlet does not reveal anything, except that he believes that the ghost has told him the truth. Hamlet believes the ghost because it is his father, who Hamlet loved very much, and given (what seems like) his strained relationship with Claudius, he believes Claudius could do something like that. Hamlet does not tell his friends what he has learned because he fears that the two of them could spread the word that Claudius murdered King Hamlet. If that were to happen, Denmark would be thrown into a state of chaos, and with a battle over land impending, chaos in Denmark would cause the country to lose the land. Hamlet keeps the information to himself as he vows to avenge his father's death.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Hamlet (1.2)
"My father's spirit-in arms! All is not well. / I doubt some foul play. Would the night were come! / Till then, sit still, my soul. [Foul] deeds will rise, / Though all the earth o'erwhelm them, to men's / eyes" (Shakespeare 1.3.277-281)
Horatio, Marcellus, and Barnardo have told Hamlet that they have seen his father's ghost, and they believe that the ghost wants to se his son. Hamlet decides that he will join them in their shift that night to see his father's ghost with them. When they leave, Hamlet notes that something must be wrong if his father was wearing his arms. In addition, Hamlet suspects some treacherous action might have taken place, whether it pertains to the impending battle against young Fortinbras, or whether it pertains to King Hamlet's death. Hamlet is visibly excited to see his father again, which shows that he must have been close to him; in addition, Hamlet's reaction to what the ghost was wearing is an indication that he knew his father very well. It'll certainly be interesting to see whether the ghost will talk to Hamlet or not, and what the ghost might say if it does.
Horatio, Marcellus, and Barnardo have told Hamlet that they have seen his father's ghost, and they believe that the ghost wants to se his son. Hamlet decides that he will join them in their shift that night to see his father's ghost with them. When they leave, Hamlet notes that something must be wrong if his father was wearing his arms. In addition, Hamlet suspects some treacherous action might have taken place, whether it pertains to the impending battle against young Fortinbras, or whether it pertains to King Hamlet's death. Hamlet is visibly excited to see his father again, which shows that he must have been close to him; in addition, Hamlet's reaction to what the ghost was wearing is an indication that he knew his father very well. It'll certainly be interesting to see whether the ghost will talk to Hamlet or not, and what the ghost might say if it does.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Pride and Prejudice XV (Ch.16-19)
"Well my dear," said [Mr. Bennet], when [Elizabeth] ceased speaking, "I have no more to say. If this be the case, he deserves you. I could not have parted with you, my Lizzy, to any one less worthy" (Austen 317)
Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy have finally assented to marry, so Mr. Darcy goes to Mr. Bennet to ask for his consent for the marriage. Mr. bennet cannnot believe that Lizzy really wishes to marry a man who Mr. Bennet thinks Lizzy does not like. However, Lizzy induces him to know the truth, and Mr. Bennet's reply to Lizzy is that he could not be any happier for his daughter, and Mr. Darcy is indeed a truly deserving man for his daughter. His approbation to the marriage allows for the two to be married, bringing the love story full circle: the two lovers, who had to overcome a lot, including foils (Miss Bingley, Lady Catherine, Mr. Wickham, Mr. Collins) as well as personal problems (lack of contempt for the other, social class, etc.) are now able to live "happily ever after." A great ending to a great love story.
Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy have finally assented to marry, so Mr. Darcy goes to Mr. Bennet to ask for his consent for the marriage. Mr. bennet cannnot believe that Lizzy really wishes to marry a man who Mr. Bennet thinks Lizzy does not like. However, Lizzy induces him to know the truth, and Mr. Bennet's reply to Lizzy is that he could not be any happier for his daughter, and Mr. Darcy is indeed a truly deserving man for his daughter. His approbation to the marriage allows for the two to be married, bringing the love story full circle: the two lovers, who had to overcome a lot, including foils (Miss Bingley, Lady Catherine, Mr. Wickham, Mr. Collins) as well as personal problems (lack of contempt for the other, social class, etc.) are now able to live "happily ever after." A great ending to a great love story.
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