Act 1 Scene 5 Hamlet Essay

When Hamlet discovers that his father was murdered he responds as in if he desires to take immediate action in avenging his father’s death, but when analysing Hamlet’s speech we can see that this may not be the case. Scene five has been the most instrumental and important scene that we have been exposed to thus far, as it reveals to the reader what is so rotten in the state of Denmark. The Ghost tells Hamlet that he was murdered by Claudius, and he accuses him of being adulterous with his wife before his passing. The ghost commands Hamlet to take vengeance upon these wrongs, and by looking at Hamlet’s response to this demand we can see some of his true colors.IIII

Undoubtedly Hamlet is infuriated when he discovers the truth about his father’s death, and because of this he promises to act swiftly

upon avenging his father. “My Uncle? Oh my prophetic soul… Haste me to know’t; that I, with wings as swift as meditation or the thoughts of love may sweep to my revenge.” (Act one, Scene 5, Line 29-32) Hamlet predicted that this may have been the cause of his father’s death. Although he had no definite proof of this until this point in the play he had a hunch, and this may part of the reason why he despises Claudius so much. When Hamlet uses the words “as swift as meditation or the thoughts of my love,” he is alluding to the speed in which he will carry out his vengeance. When analysing this quote it can be seen that Hamlet uses a very particular set of words that leave the reader up to interpretation. On one hand it can be seen as he will act quickly as a master of meditation falling into a trance or love at first sight, but there is also a parallel to his choice of words. Love and meditation can also take time to develop, and in Hamlet saying this it leaves the readers uncertain. IIII
Hamlet’s uncertainty upon seeking revenge is not just noticed by the audience, but is also known to his father who is unsure of this fact as well. The ghost in who we believe to be Hamlet’s father assures this uncertainty by saying, “If thou has nature in thee, Bear it not.” (Act one, Scene 5, Line 81) The only person who may know Hamlet better than he knows himself is his father, because of this he makes sure he doesn’t put Hamlet in a tough place. In this line the late King Hamlet is saying to his son is are you man enough to take revenge. This suggests that Hamlet does not have the personality of someone who would stop at nothing to avenge his father, and he may not have the guts to do so. Contrast to this when hamlet is left to himself he speaks as in he will do the opposite of what his father expects.IIII
Obviously Hamlet is enraged when he finds out the true cause of his father’s death, and as any normal person would he says he will drop everything else in his life to seek vengeance.

“Yea, from the table of my memory ill wipe always all trivial fond records. All saws of books, all forms, all pressures past, that youth and observation copied there.” (Act 1 Scene 5 Line 99-103) In Hamlet disclosing this to the reader we can see what the rest of his motivation will be throughout the entirety of the play. Hamlet will wipe everything from his subconscious until he finally does what is right and avenges his father’s death. In this first section where Hamlet uses the Imagery of all his memory’s being on a table and him wiping them off to show his determination in seeking revenge. After Hamlet creates this imagery he adds onto it by going into greater depth in naming all books he has read, every form, everything that is his responsibility to do as the prince of Denmark, and finally he says he will even forget about all the memories from his youth. Hamlet is obviously determined to avenge his father’s death, and him saying it will be his number one priority solidifies that

fact.IIII
Hamlet is obviously distraught due to his father’s death, and now that he is aware who murdered his father he will stop at nothing to get his revenge. By analysing this passage it can be seen that hamlet plans to act swiftly in seeking his vengeance, but supple hints are given to the reader throughout by Hamlet himself and the ghost that maybe this is not the case. Hamlet is just human like anyone else, due to this and other influences (such as his faith) Hamlet is hesitant to carry out this deed. At this point in the play we as the readers are uncertain in how swiftly Hamlet will take action, but do to this we have to assume that he will be hesitant. IIII