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Transcript

"To be or not to be"

Hamlet: Symbolism & Imagery

"Tis now the very witching time of night, when churchyards yawn and hell itself breathes out Contagion to this world: now could I drink hot blood, And do such bitter business as the day would quake to look on..." (III.ii.17)

"O bosom black as death!" (III.iii.67)

Represents: a contrast between the two forces; good and evil. Creates atmosphere

  • Represents the progression and reflection of the characters and their corruption as this becomes more constant.
  • Foreshadows the ending of the play
  • Perhaps a reflection of Hamlet's mad state of mind

Light/Darkness:

Imagery/Motifs Con't

"A serpent stung me, so the whole ear of Denmark is by a forged process of my death" (Act 1, 36)

"The potent poison quiet o'er-crowns my spirit" (V.ii.343)

"Something is rotten in Denmark" (Act I, 90)

"Not where he eats, but where 'a is eaten. A certain convocation of politic worms are e'en at him.." (IV.iii.20)

Imagery/Motifs

Poison Imagery:

Maia, Semira, Harold

Disease Imagery:

"Frailty, thy name is woman" (I.ii.146)

"...Then weigh what loss your honor may sustain

If with too credent ear you list his songs

Or lose your heart, or your chaste treasure open

To his unmaster'd importunity." (I.iii.27-39)

Frailty of Women:

More Themes...

Ophelia:

Gertrude:

Symbols

Sword:

"I'll touch my point with this contagion, that if I gall him slightly, it may be death" (IV.vii.148-149)

  • Represents: Laertes' fury, thirst for revenge
  • Themes: Revenge, Death, Corruption, Madness

Symbols

Yorick's Skull:

Ghost

"Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio, a fellow of infinite jest, of excellent fancy" (V.i.184)

Represents: A reminder of the finality of death, cycle of life; "...returneth to dust." (V.i.217)

Theme: Death

Symbolism

"Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder" (I.vi)

Represents: Hamlet's father, ultimate motivation for revenge, the Supernatural

Themes: Revenge

Blood:

Heaven/Hell

"A bloody deed- almost as bad, good Mother, As kill a king and marry with his brother." (III.iv)

"Is there not rain enough in the sweet heavens" (III.iii)

  • Represents: the deterioration of Hamlet's sanity and mental stability. Also represents murder and revenge
  • Themes: Madness, Revenge

"O all you host of heaven! O earth! What else? And shall I couple hell? O, fie! Hold, hold, my heart." (I.v.93)

"Though lewdness court it in a shape of heaven, so lust, though to a radiant angel linked, will sate itself in a celestial bed and prey on garbage" (I.v.55-58)

Spying:

Themes: Good vs. Evil, Betrayal

Symbols

"Afront Ophelia. Her father and myself, lawful espials, Will so bestow ourselves that seeing unseen..." (III.i.33)

"[Polonius hides behind the arras]" (III.iv.9)

  • Represents: deception and distrust
  • Themes: Revenge

Garden/Orchard:

Symbols

"Tis given out that, sleeping in my orchard, a serpent stung me." (I.v.36-37)

  • Represents: The murder scene where Hamlet Sr. was killed by Claudius. Biblical allusion to Cane & Abel
  • Themes: Death, Betrayal, Appearance vs. Reality-the garden/orchard seems like a safe and beautiful sanctuary yet, in reality, it is a death scene.

Serpent:

Sleep:

"Sleeping within my orchard" (I.v.60)

"To die, to sleep; to sleep, perchance to dream – ay, there’s the rub; for in that sleep of death what dreams may come when we have shuffled off this mortal coil…" (III.i.66-68)

  • Represents: Death (eternal sleep), vulnerability, procrastination
  • Themes: Death

"The serpent that did sting thy father's life now wears his crown" (I.v.41)

  • Represents: the nature of Claudius' character: Cunning and deceitful
  • Themes: Betrayal, Hypocrisy/Deception
  • Biblical allusion

"A serpent stung me. So the whole ear of Denmark is by a forged process of my death" (I.v.37-38)

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