Examine Hamlet’s famous “To be or not to be” soliloquy (III.i.56-89). Traditional views of the play would have you believe he thinks he's alone and is being introspective; others, that he knows he's being watched, and is thus directing his soliloquy at Claudius. There's evidence to be found for either side but, ultimately, it's up to the reader to decide. If Hamlet thinks he's alone on stage then soliloquy means one thing; if he knows he’s being watched, it means something else entirely, because now he's performing for an audience.

So, based on what you know so far in the play, and feel that you can solidly support from the text of the soliloquy itself and from lines taken from the greater context of the play:

a) Prove that Hamlet either thinks he's alone, or knows he's being watched.

b) Discuss how the meaning and mood of the soliloquy fits/supports your answer to a) above.

c) In addition, you must make a detailed comment on at least one classmate’s posting, agreeing, disagreeing, or taking the discussion in a different direction. Making references to life, movies, other things you’ve read, etc. are fair game, as long as they’re relevant. NB: Build your comment right into the bottom of your blog posting, rather than using the comment feature in Blogger. (It makes it easier for marking...)

Your blog posting needs to be at least 500 words in length (that’s the equivalent of two pages, typed/double spaced).

Take no prisoners.

Wednesday 26 March 2014

Claudius, Here I Come

            Hamlet is very complicated to get a grip on in terms of his actions, thoughts, and intentions throughout this play. The main reason for this is because he keeps changing the way he acts. In I.v, Hamlet admits he will be acting strange on purpose. “How strange or odd some'er I bear myself– / As I perchance hereafter shall think meet / To put an antic disposition on” (I.v.178-80). Following this scene, Hamlet certainly follows through with his peculiar behaviours, but the question always arises: is Hamlet truly acting as a trickster, or does he start to lose control of himself to his emotions? I firmly believe that Hamlet is indeed acting as a trickster throughout the entire play following I.v. Therefore, I also believe that Hamlet was well aware of Claudius' presence and directs his famous “to be or not to be” speech towards him. 

            First of all, it is rather suspicious that the King would call on Hamlet and yet when he shows up Ophelia is the only person who seems to be present. The first clue to Hamlet's speech being directed towards Claudius and not himself is the noticeable absence of emotion. We know that Hamlet suppresses his anger instead of acting on it, as we see him angry at himself for being so upset with his father's death yet not acting on it. “Why, what an ass am I! This is most brave... About, my brains” (II.ii.569-75). Notice that during this passage there are also lots of exclamation marks, and the words Hamlet are saying are quite vulgar. “Must like a whore unpack my heart with words/ And fall a-cursing like a very drab, / A scullion! Fie upon't! Foh!” (II.ii.572-74). These are Hamlet's true emotions and when he has the chance to speak to himself this is the tone he will use. 

            In Hamlet's “to be or not to be” speech, there is not a single exclamation mark until he sees Ophelia, and it's not used in grief or anger. “The fair Ophelia!” (III.i.89). Some more evidence that Hamlet knows Claudius is watching is the way Hamlet speaks to Ophelia. As a trickster, Hamlet wants to have Claudius believe that Hamlet does not love her whatsoever to protect Ophelia (if Claudius realizes Hamlet is plotting against him, he could use Ophelia against Hamlet). Hamlet knows that Claudius is watching, and makes it very apparent to him that he doesn't seem to love her. Hamlet succeeds as Claudius says, “Love? His affections do not that way tend” (III.i.162). 

            Hamlet's infamous speech deals that question of whether it is better to live a life of suffering or to simply end your life and therefore your miseries as well. “To be, or not to be... No more” (III.i.56-61). I believe this to be a threat towards Claudius, and I think Hamlet is saying this so Claudius will here it and get scared from it. We know Hamlet is a trickster, and the perfect revenge is one where the victim will know it's coming, but can't do anything about it. After Hamlet's speech, Claudius states, “I have in quick determination / Thus set it down: he shall with speed to England” (III.i.168-69). Claudius is beginning to think that Hamlet is out for revenge and gets him to leave to England to protect himself from being murdered. Hamlet mentions the word “die” or “death” four times in his speech, which would definitely get Claudius scared of Hamlet, which is what Hamlet wants. There is more proof later on where Claudius becomes extremely worried of Hamlet, and although he doesn't directly say why, you can assume he knows of Hamlet's revenge. After The Mousetrap Claudius says, “The terms of our estate may not endure / Hazard so near us as doth hourly grow / Out of his brows” (III.iii.5-7). This proves that Claudius is worried for himself as the king and knows Hamlet has something in for him.
             
            I strongly believe that Hamlet was completely aware of the situation, and how Claudius was spying on him. Hamlet is so smart that we can easily lose control of him as a “trickster” and start to view him as insane, but as long as you can believe in his plan and realize that he is always going through with his plot (even though it seems insane) you will truly appreciate Hamlet as the genius he is.

Comments RE Mitch:

            I agree with the fact that Hamlet can see through Guildenstern's act and how that is greatly important in the following scene (and for the rest of the play for that matter). The line, “There is a kind of confession in your looks, which you / modesties have not craft enough colour” (II.ii.279-80) is not taken with enough thought. This line reveals that Hamlet knew Rosencrantz and Guildenstern were told to spy on him. If Hamlet can realize this, then it has to be extremely obvious that Claudius is spying on Hamlet. Hamlet is summoned by Claudius, and yet when Hamlet appears there is no sign of him but only Ophelia. Ophelia is one of Hamlet's own “pawns” so-to-speak in his OWN plot. Hamlet must have been laughing at Claudius when he realized Claudius actually thought he could trick Hamlet by using Ophelia.
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