Hamlet Blog 5

"That, on the view and knowing of these contents, / Without debatement further, more or less, / He should those bearers put to sudden death, / Not shriving time allowed" (5.2. 49-52)

Hamlet intercepted the letter and was able to change the contents of said letter. He rewrote it so that it told the receiver to kill Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. This act exhibits two important qualities of Hamlet: his cleverness and his sanity. Hamlet was aware that Fortinbras would believe that the letter was from Claudius and that any request would thus be carried out without hesitation. Hamlet wanted Rosencrantz and Guildenstern out of the way for their insubordination. His sanity is also exhibited because an insane man would not be able to replicate the seal and the handwriting of a servant successfully. He probably would not have been discreet with the letter, and he probably would have given it away in the letter. The fact that he planned this out so well and followed through with it successfully exemplifies what makes Hamlet such an appealing protagonist.

Hamlet Blog 4

"Imperious Caesar, dead and turned to clay, / Might stop a hole to keep the wind away. / O, that that earth which kept the world in awe / Should patch a wall t' expel the winter’s flaw!" (5.1. 220-223)

Hamlet finds it interesting that even the mighty Caesar has now been reduced to dust. Hamlet uses this and the comparison with Alexander the Great to show how definite death is. No matter who a person is in life, everyone is equal in death. He finds it extremely interesting that death is the end to life, and to the end of advancement. Once a person dies, they are the same as others who have died, no matter their status. This is significant because Hamlet had been pondering what comes after death and this kept him from killing himself. But now he relies that death is the ultimate equalizer. It isn't really the end, it just brings everyone back to the same level.

Hamlet Blog 3

"There’s fennel for you, and columbines. / There’s rue for you, and here’s some for me; we / may call it herb of grace o' Sundays. You must wear / your rue with a difference. There’s a daisy. I would / give you some violets, but they withered all when / my father died. They say he made a good end" (4.5. 204-209).

The delivering of flowers by Ophelia is sarcastic. Normally, giving flowers would be a nice gesture, but in this situation, the flowers symbolize certain things that actually mock the receivers. The fennel that she gives to Gertrude symbolizes deceit. She is alluding to the fact that she is a liar and does what she wishes to get her way. She then gives a rue to Claudius which symbolizes repentance. She is indirectly telling Claudius to apologize for his sins and everything he has done. The violets are a pleasant looking and smelling flower. By saying that they all withered when her father died, is a way to say that there can no longer be happiness now that her father has been betrayed.

Hamlet Blog 3

"To be or not to be--that is the question: / Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer / The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, / Or to take arms against a sea of troubles / And, by opposing, end them" (3.1. 64-68).

This quote is one of the most, if not the most, famous quote of Shakespeare and of all of literature. It has been repeated countless times in movies, literature, tv, and in everyday life. However, when this quote is used, most people have no idea what the quote is referring to. If they did, they most likely wouldn't repeat it. Hamlet is considering suicide when he says, "To be or not to be--that is the question". Hamlet is considering whether or not life is worth living after suffering so much betrayal and heartbreak. He is wondering if it's worth suffering the pain to live within a royal family with great wealth. He believes that he may want to combat all of the wrong that has been done to him, even if he knows that will mean his death. Hamlet is not afraid of dying, which has positive and negative effects. On one hand, he can avenge his father's death with no remorse. On the other hand, not being afraid of death will affect his judgment. Fear inspires great things, so if Hamlet is not afraid of death, he will be destined to make poor decisions.