Awesome Hamlet stuff.

Act 1 Hamlet passage analysis

 

     Revenge in our society is something that has become very misleading, in that people often think that in order for revenge to be served, the person must take upon themselves to seek it, when often this is not the case. In Act 1, Scene 5 of Hamlet, William Shakespeare alludes to karma, the idea that when a betrayal has occurred, in time the “heavens” shall grant the revenge that is owed. In exercising his purpose, Shakespeare uses figurative language and the most cynical and senile betrayal throughout history; a man being betrayed by his wife.

     In Act 1, Scene 5, Young Hamlet is visited by his father, where he learns that his father was killed by his uncle, the new king. Old Hamlet immediately tells his son of a way to kill the new king and seek revenge upon him, but he is more worried about the queen. The confound attitude of Old Hamlet is exemplified by his recognition that she had taken such a step down; He treated her so well and now she is doomed to a life of misery with the new king because she deserves so much better. Time is the enemy of memory, however, which Shakespeare shows in the queen marrying in such a short time.

     As time passes, people are desensitized to their memories and therefore they forget what they had, as the queen experienced. Her sorrow had left her searching for something to ease the pain, and old Hamlet’s brother appeared to be a cure, even for a short time. This is very normal, and old Hamlet explains this to his son. “But virtue, as it never will be moved, though lewdness court it in the shape of heaven, so lust, though to a radiant angel link’d, will sate itself in a celestial bed and prey on garbage”. This draws attention to the fact that in the eye of sorrow, a lowering of standards can occur as a temporary remedy.

      Right as the hollowed ghost is about to part is when the allusion to karma occurs. Old Hamlet tells his son that he must forgive his mother and leave her alone, for in time the heavens will take her and revenge will be sought, “and to those that in her bosom lodge, to prick and sting her.” With no way to enact revenge civilly under the laws of god, the ghost suggests that his son leave the queen to god himself. With no loss of virtue, leaving an individual “to the heavens” can be the best means.

     In Hamlet, William Shakespeare shows that in time, tragic events will always, run their course; meaning the cycle will complete and the proverbial knife will come back and rein on the stabber. To do this, Shakespeare draws attention to a man being killed, his wife then betraying him shortly after he dies, then placing their son directly in the middle of it, which evokes great emotion in the audience.