The ghost's speech in Hamlet
Hamlet: Extract 3. The extract commences with the usage of a caesura which reinforces the lack of time that the ghost of Hamlet has to spare till day breaks. The ghost then begins to use an anecdote, where offstage action is brought on stage. The ghost speaks of his “custom” of sleeping in the orchard during the afternoon; the word “custom” highlights the manipulative and conniving nature of Claudius. This manipulative brother “stole” which refers to the sin of theft; this is also an attribution to the Ten Commandments listed in the bible, which quoted “Thou shall not steal”. Claudius stole Hamlet’s life with “cursed” hebenon, which was noted to be potent when it mixes with the blood stream, and causes the blood to curdle. The ghost of Hamlet then uses the metaphor of describing the ears as a porch which is the natural extrusion of the body. The “leperous distilment” refers to the “cursed hebenon” which curdles blood, and leperous is an apt adjective as it describes the effect of the poisonous liquid. The effect is described as “enmity” with the blood of man, as if personifying the liquid as abhorrent to human blood. Hebenon’s rapid action is compared to the swiftness of quicksilver or mercury as the metaphor of “the natural gates and alleys of the body” is used to makes the comparison effective as it effectively curdles blood. The theme of redundancy is brought out again, by using another example of curd. Hamlet’s
ghost then uses a simile as curd curdles milk. Hamlet’s ghost’s blood like the milk became curdled by the dropping of curd. There is use of contrast as the word “thin” is used to emphasize the thickness of anything curdled. Hamlet’s ghost soon was tainted by a skin ailment, he then specifies how the skin ailment if “lazar-like” or like leprosy. Shakespeare again uses contrast to reiterate the ill effects of this lecherous liquid, as the words of “loathsome crust” being the result of the transition from his “smooth body”. Hamlet again underlines the politic nature of Claudius by saying ...
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ghost then uses a simile as curd curdles milk. Hamlet’s ghost’s blood like the milk became curdled by the dropping of curd. There is use of contrast as the word “thin” is used to emphasize the thickness of anything curdled. Hamlet’s ghost soon was tainted by a skin ailment, he then specifies how the skin ailment if “lazar-like” or like leprosy. Shakespeare again uses contrast to reiterate the ill effects of this lecherous liquid, as the words of “loathsome crust” being the result of the transition from his “smooth body”. Hamlet again underlines the politic nature of Claudius by saying that he was “sleeping”. Shakespeare then makes clear to the audience of the nature of the murder. This murder didn’t just rob King Hamlet of his life, but also two more esteemed possessions, his crown and wife. Hamlet’s ghost also uses the word “dispatched” which is a euphemism compared to the accusations of theft mentioned previously. The sacrosanct nature of King Hamlet is brought out as he mentions numerous Christian beliefs. It was believed that one must seek salvation and confess before one’s death, but King Hamlet was unaware of the cruel slaughtering of his life, he was “cut in the blossoms” of his sin. “Unhouseled” refers to how the ghost was without sacrament and the Eucharist. “Disappointed” infers how Hamlet was unprepared for death, and he couldn’t confess to sins and seek absolution. “Unanointed” refers to how King Hamlet has not received the holy oil from a priest. The theme of redundancy which is frequently used through the play, is seen in the lines “oh horrible, oh horrible, most horrible” to advocate the nefarious nature of the crime. Hamlet then uses a tall command by leaving him virtually with no choice by saying “bear it not”, what he shouldn’t bear is noticed to be the same view point as his son. He can’t see his wife and throne as the foundations of damned incest. This again alludes to the third intent of Claudius. But to startle the audience, King Hamlet’s undying love is once again brought out, telling him not to contrive against his mother, “Leave her to Heaven.” This yet again shows the religious nature of Hamlet, who will only let St. Peter at the gates of heaven judge his wife, as it is no mortal’s right. King Hamlet then uses the metaphor of the “thorn that in her bosom lodge” which refers to the guilt ridden state that the rosy queen will be subjugated to. The passage of time is again brought through the words of the ghost, he says “Fare thee well” since daylight must be soon approaching, by using an example of the glowworm and how it’s fire is soon being burnt out as the day light is soon approaching. King Hamlet then says “Adieu, adieu, adieu” to shows the speed at which he must soon depart. “Remember me” connects to the soliloquy made by Hamlet who is in desperation to lose the harsh memories asked “Must I remember?”Young Hamlet then in the state of desperation and shock beckons Heaven and earth, his state of desperation is highlighted by the numerous exclamation marks. He calls upon the “host of heaven” which is composed of the choir of angels He then ponders whether he should request help from even hell? He immediately repents by saying “Oh fie”. The theme of repetition is once again through “hold, hold” to show the emotional attachment and the grief that he has experienced through finding out the actual truth as to why his father is currently dead. Hamlet starts to speak to himself, by reassuring his sinews to stay strong and not “grow instant old”, but to make sure he doesn’t faint. “Remember thee?”This is used twice in the next few lines, shows that Hamlet can’t accept that his father even questions whether he will remember him. Hamlet speaks of a “distracted globe”, this globe could be his mind, in which memory will always hold a seat, and his distracted temperament due to realization to the truth. The globe could also be a reference to the globe theater which was going through turbulent times. Hamlet then speaks of the “table” which was a notebook used for recording, through this metaphor he compares his memory to the table. “Trivial fond” this statement is an oxymoron of a kind, since fond memories are those which usually hold the reins of one’s memory, but he sees these happy memories as petty. Hamlet then uses pauses to shows his reflection so he can list all of which he will wipe away from his memory, so that the “commandment can alone live”. He refers to his father’s words as a commandment, giving his father an almost equal status to the divine, which shows the extent to which he will obey his father’s commands. He then personifies his mind as a library where books and volumes are housed, which will soon be forgotten. Hamlet then condemns women, by using the adjective “pernicious”, which is harsh to describe the dangerous and untrustworthy nature of his mother and women in general. Hamlet then repeats the word “villain” to reemphasize the nature of the current king; he also uses the verb smiling to describe Claudius. The smiling criminal is one that Shakespeare oft refers to most well noticed in Macbeth where he writes “There’s daggers in men’s smiles”. This intensifies the dramatic impact, as the smiling which is associated to joy, is now being portrayed as villainous. Hamlet then uses the word “may” as to whether there is a smiling villain in Denmark; this again shows doubt as to whether the ghost is actually his father or a poltergeist trying to beguile him. This is why later on through the play, Hamlet the man of words, is slow to react. He then addresses his uncle as kin, he quotes his father “Adieu, adieu, remember me.” Except this is a more malicious way of vociferating the words of his father. Hamlet has sworn to avenge his inscrutable father. This extract enacts the major twist in the play, as Hamlet finds out the truth and all further actions by characters is partly dependent on this knowledge. The extract simultaneously develops the character of King Hamlet, Claudius, young Hamlet and Gertrude, by universally explaining the fallings of man.
