Fair is foul, and foul is fair, - Macbeth (1.1.11).
In the opening scene of Macbeth, right after famous opening lines of the play when shall we three meet again……, the above lines are spoken by three witch together. The lines provide, “an attention getter” to the audience and give the sense of thriller going to happen. The lines set the same mood as the lines spoken by Marcellus in Hamlet.
“Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.” (1.4.90)
If we look closely, the entire Macbeth play orbit around the idea reflected by the above lines same as Hamlet’s rotten affair of a corrupted state. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth try to blend fair with foul and foul with fair. Though their conscience makes strict demarcation between fair and foul, their ambition mixes them together to justify themselves.
Look like th’innocent flower, But be the serpent under’t. (1.5.63)
The lines are spoken by Lady Macbeth to her husband. It’s interesting to note that even in their first contact besides the hereabout letter of meeting three witches and their prophecies send by Macbeth to his wife, she knows what Macbeth is thinking and has already made her plans that parallels her husband thoughts lacking resolute actions. As the king Duncan was coming to one night stand on theirs house, lady Macbeth wants to look her husband cool, normal and full of hospitality hiding his real intention. She asked her husband to approach, “I am not what I am”-(1.1.66) attitude of Iago in Othello.
She acts right as her suggestion in front of king – she totally hides her serpenty and displays her fake floweriness. Since Hamlet got no particular suggestion for his image by his close confident and associate Horatio, he uses insanity in stead of floweriness to hind his serpenty towards his Uncle Claudius whereas Claudius uses soft and diplomatic language to hide his serpenty towards all particularly to his nephew Hamlet in the play Hamlet.
There’s daggers in men’s smiles (2.3.33)
The lines are spoken by Donalbain to his elder brother Malcolm, the next heir to the Scottish throne, after they knew that their father had been murdered. Though they saw everybody swearing loyalty to their murdered father and calling for revenge and justice, they trust no body. All people are pretending to be their allies but as Donalbain says further, The near in blood, The nearer bloody.(2.3.36). These young princes are aware of the fact that everybody meets them with smile and respect but do not show off what is inside their mind. So, Malcolm plans to flew to England and Donalbain to Ireland. They wants to hide their identity before they really know the real traitor as for them all people appear traitor behind their smiling faces.
Though I did not came to me a precise character and lines resembling to the above line in other plays of Shakespeare (may be the meaning of the line is so obvious in Hamlet and Othello that it’s hard to notice a single one- in fact Iago and Claudius character is what the lines suggests), but I found some lines by Polonius advising his son Laertes before leaving for France in Hamlet where the above lines fits.
Give thy thoughts no tongue,
Nor any unproportioned thought his act.
Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar
There’s daggers in men’s smiles
Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice;
Take each man’s censure, but reserve thy judgement.
There’s daggers in men’s smiles
Monday, November 24, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Blog 9
It’s a “both way right” answer whether Hamlet’s fate is played by a divinity or other factors. I could imagine Hamlet as a jolly-merry-good fellow studying in the University of Wittenberg and all of sudden he is back to home for sudden and unexpected death of his father. To his surprise his mother has just married to his Uncle Claudius within a month of his father’s death. Danish throne which might have handed to him after he finishes his studies, or when his father retires is occupied by his Uncle now. Is not it a fate?
On the other hand, even after Hamlet could have executed his Uncle after knowing the truth from his father’s ghost. But instead he is absorbed by his own thoughts and philosophy of over time thinking. His extreme passion of hatred to send his Uncle to hell after he dies prevents Hamlet from killing his Uncle while he was praying. He meditates too much here while he kills Polonius who was hiding behind the curtain, guessing as his Uncle without no thinking at all. I wonder why the thought of sending his Uncle to hell came to Hamlet mind when his sword was over Claudius head and on the other hand nothing at all while killing Polonius.
Hamlet’s dilemmas to trust his father’s ghost, scheduling “The Mousetrap” play making similar pseudo scenario as his father was killed to study Claudius psychology, accidental execution of Claudius death etc are few of other thing that determined Hamlet’s fate. However, again at last Hamlets admits to his friend Horatio that everything in determined by providence. As Horatio suggests him to deny fencing with Laertes saying he is not fit if he has already felt some vibe of misfortune when Hamlet says, But though wouldst not think how ill all’s here about my heart- but it is no matter. (5.2.85-86), Hamlet is not making a practical decision here. He sounds too much of fatalist when he declares, There’s a special providence in the fall of sparrow. If it be now, ‘tis not to come. If it be not to come, it will be now. If it be not now, yet it will come – the readiness is all. Since no man of aught he leaves knows, what is’t to leave? Let be.(5.2.192-96). Even saying so he appreciates human struggle for attainment of their goal emphasizing one’s preparation and planning. If it be not now, yet it will come – the readiness is all. Since no man of aught he leaves knows, what is’t to leave? Let be.(5.2.192-95) . The lines echo to me when Hemingway’s code hero Santiago saying , “It is better to be lucky. But I would rather be exact. Then when luck comes you are ready”in his Magnus opus, The Old man and the Sea. But even he says so I would say Hamlet was not ready as per the situation in many times. It’s clear from Claudius saying and Horatio conversion that Laertes is better with sword than Hamlet.
Assume that if Hamlet has killed his Uncle and now is throne to kingdom of Denmark, even he could not escape the chance of brawl with Fortinbras. If Hamlet had won he could have king of Norway as well or lost his life or kingdom or both in brief time.
I believe that “There’s a divinity that shapes our ends, / Rough-hew them how we will” but not to that extreme point that we should do nothing and expect some miracle will always happen. Trying to be exact to grip the luck when it comes, is the best policy. All a human can do is just give her/is hundred percent commitment, hope for the best, prepare for the worst and leave everything to providence, chance, luck, destiny, Almighty, God, Creator or whatever other names we could say.
Further more, it spite of all, it was Shakespeare’s mind who provide Hamlet such destiny or create such so and so situations. It was “the bard’s” idea to create globally renowned saying, “- the rest is silence”(5.2.337) as the final words from Hamlet’s mouth right before he dies. Perhaps it should also have been a Hamlet and Ophelia – they lived happily ever after type of story if Hamlet had killed Claudius when he got chance and defeated Fortinbras. Might be we should get Horatio as new Counselor to the Danish throne in place of Polonius or even to both kingdom of Denmark and Norway. But the world would not had got what it is so popularly known as HAMLET or HAMLETIC MIND.
On the other hand, even after Hamlet could have executed his Uncle after knowing the truth from his father’s ghost. But instead he is absorbed by his own thoughts and philosophy of over time thinking. His extreme passion of hatred to send his Uncle to hell after he dies prevents Hamlet from killing his Uncle while he was praying. He meditates too much here while he kills Polonius who was hiding behind the curtain, guessing as his Uncle without no thinking at all. I wonder why the thought of sending his Uncle to hell came to Hamlet mind when his sword was over Claudius head and on the other hand nothing at all while killing Polonius.
Hamlet’s dilemmas to trust his father’s ghost, scheduling “The Mousetrap” play making similar pseudo scenario as his father was killed to study Claudius psychology, accidental execution of Claudius death etc are few of other thing that determined Hamlet’s fate. However, again at last Hamlets admits to his friend Horatio that everything in determined by providence. As Horatio suggests him to deny fencing with Laertes saying he is not fit if he has already felt some vibe of misfortune when Hamlet says, But though wouldst not think how ill all’s here about my heart- but it is no matter. (5.2.85-86), Hamlet is not making a practical decision here. He sounds too much of fatalist when he declares, There’s a special providence in the fall of sparrow. If it be now, ‘tis not to come. If it be not to come, it will be now. If it be not now, yet it will come – the readiness is all. Since no man of aught he leaves knows, what is’t to leave? Let be.(5.2.192-96). Even saying so he appreciates human struggle for attainment of their goal emphasizing one’s preparation and planning. If it be not now, yet it will come – the readiness is all. Since no man of aught he leaves knows, what is’t to leave? Let be.(5.2.192-95) . The lines echo to me when Hemingway’s code hero Santiago saying , “It is better to be lucky. But I would rather be exact. Then when luck comes you are ready”in his Magnus opus, The Old man and the Sea. But even he says so I would say Hamlet was not ready as per the situation in many times. It’s clear from Claudius saying and Horatio conversion that Laertes is better with sword than Hamlet.
Assume that if Hamlet has killed his Uncle and now is throne to kingdom of Denmark, even he could not escape the chance of brawl with Fortinbras. If Hamlet had won he could have king of Norway as well or lost his life or kingdom or both in brief time.
I believe that “There’s a divinity that shapes our ends, / Rough-hew them how we will” but not to that extreme point that we should do nothing and expect some miracle will always happen. Trying to be exact to grip the luck when it comes, is the best policy. All a human can do is just give her/is hundred percent commitment, hope for the best, prepare for the worst and leave everything to providence, chance, luck, destiny, Almighty, God, Creator or whatever other names we could say.
Further more, it spite of all, it was Shakespeare’s mind who provide Hamlet such destiny or create such so and so situations. It was “the bard’s” idea to create globally renowned saying, “- the rest is silence”(5.2.337) as the final words from Hamlet’s mouth right before he dies. Perhaps it should also have been a Hamlet and Ophelia – they lived happily ever after type of story if Hamlet had killed Claudius when he got chance and defeated Fortinbras. Might be we should get Horatio as new Counselor to the Danish throne in place of Polonius or even to both kingdom of Denmark and Norway. But the world would not had got what it is so popularly known as HAMLET or HAMLETIC MIND.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Blog 8
Hamlet after knowing truth from his father’s ghost pretends to be mad as to disguise his intention. But in pretending so, many times he crosses the boundary we usually consider to be of sanity. He himself considers being balance and calculated acting insanity as he proclaims to Guildenstern - “I am but mad north-north-west. When the wind is southerly, I know a hawk from a handsaw.”(2.2.247-48). Four persons his mother Gertrude, his uncle now king Claudius, his lover Ophelia and Polonius at some time considers Hamlet mad while on other same consider him sane and each has their own perception regarding Hamlet’s madness.
Polonius : I found his version of Hamlet madness most funny and illogical and he can’t see beyond the horizon that since as per his advice his daughter had denied him, Hamlet is mad. I could not imagine as close aid to king and a high position courtier as him can not see the truth that a prince second to throne whose father died a month ago and whose mother has married within that month to another person, could have any other rational reason to madness expect that he is disappointment with his mother. For Polonius it’s just a “ecstasy of love” (2.1.100) as his daughter says she has denied and repel his letter and access to Hamlet. Polonius declares, “That hath made him mad”(2.1.108)
Claudius: He is the one who is very close to truth in studying Hamlet psychological condition. He is successful in finding Hamlet is pretending to be what he is not. Claudius in deeper level is less concerned about Hamlet insanity than his power consolidation. Therefore in Act 3 Scene 1 when he and Polonius secretly watch Hamlet interaction with Ophelia after “To be or Not to be” Soliloquy, Claudius protests Polonius idea of madness cause by love. “Love ? His affections do not that way tend; Nor what he spake, though it lacked form little, Was not like madness. There’s something in his soul O’er which his melancholy, sits on brood, (3.1.156-60). Claudius is very cunning in maneuvering the situation and do not protest Polonius ideas of madness in Hamlet cause by his daughter neglected love and permits Polonius to check Hamlet again secretly interacting with queen. Claudius is very diplomatic when he says, “Madness in great ones must not unwatched go”(3.2.183). By now Claudius has already read much of Hamlet ‘s mind and made his resolution to send him to England but pretends to be foreign.
Gertrude : Gertrude thinks her hasty marriage has made his son alienated and eccentric and is the main method of Hamlet madness. “I doubt it is no other but the main: His father’s death, and our o’erhasty marriage.”(2.2.57). But Shakespeare has created very puzzling scenario for Gertrude in act 3 scene 4 to know about her son’s behavior when the ghost of king appears only visible to him and he starts talking with him in air which she could not see. Gertrude exclaims, “Alas he’s mad! (3.4.105). Further when her son inquire if she has not seen king she thinks her son is paranoid and tries to pacify her. “This is the very coinage of your brain. This bodiless creation ecstasy Is very cunning in. (3.4.137-39)
Ophelia : In whole play it seems that Ophelia is devoid of her own opinion regarding anything including her lover Hamlet and always rely on her father for judging and analyzing the situation. She is unable to read development of Hamlet’s misogyny, cause by his mother’s action, when he talks hatred of woman in general. It’s interesting to note in the same act 3 scene 1 where though Ophelia is closer to Hamlet than Claudius watching them secretly, Claudius is more accurate in reading Hamlet. It’s the only place where she reveals her mind regarding Hamlet. Oh what a noble mind is here o’erthrown! The courtier’s, soldier’s,scholar’s, eye, tongue, sword, Th’expectancy and rose of the fair state, The glass of fashion and the mould of form,…………………That unmatched form and feature of blown youth Blasted with ecstasy. Oh woe is me (3.1.144-55)
Ophelia and her father views are parallel regarding Hamlet madness while Gertrude by end of act 3 believes Hamlet in partially mad caused by her hasty marriage, his affection to his father and hatred of his Uncle Claudius. Claudius unlike other is very accurate that Hamlet is projecting an image which he is not. Therefore for him Hamlet is not mad but a dangerous element to his throne and his life.
Polonius : I found his version of Hamlet madness most funny and illogical and he can’t see beyond the horizon that since as per his advice his daughter had denied him, Hamlet is mad. I could not imagine as close aid to king and a high position courtier as him can not see the truth that a prince second to throne whose father died a month ago and whose mother has married within that month to another person, could have any other rational reason to madness expect that he is disappointment with his mother. For Polonius it’s just a “ecstasy of love” (2.1.100) as his daughter says she has denied and repel his letter and access to Hamlet. Polonius declares, “That hath made him mad”(2.1.108)
Claudius: He is the one who is very close to truth in studying Hamlet psychological condition. He is successful in finding Hamlet is pretending to be what he is not. Claudius in deeper level is less concerned about Hamlet insanity than his power consolidation. Therefore in Act 3 Scene 1 when he and Polonius secretly watch Hamlet interaction with Ophelia after “To be or Not to be” Soliloquy, Claudius protests Polonius idea of madness cause by love. “Love ? His affections do not that way tend; Nor what he spake, though it lacked form little, Was not like madness. There’s something in his soul O’er which his melancholy, sits on brood, (3.1.156-60). Claudius is very cunning in maneuvering the situation and do not protest Polonius ideas of madness in Hamlet cause by his daughter neglected love and permits Polonius to check Hamlet again secretly interacting with queen. Claudius is very diplomatic when he says, “Madness in great ones must not unwatched go”(3.2.183). By now Claudius has already read much of Hamlet ‘s mind and made his resolution to send him to England but pretends to be foreign.
Gertrude : Gertrude thinks her hasty marriage has made his son alienated and eccentric and is the main method of Hamlet madness. “I doubt it is no other but the main: His father’s death, and our o’erhasty marriage.”(2.2.57). But Shakespeare has created very puzzling scenario for Gertrude in act 3 scene 4 to know about her son’s behavior when the ghost of king appears only visible to him and he starts talking with him in air which she could not see. Gertrude exclaims, “Alas he’s mad! (3.4.105). Further when her son inquire if she has not seen king she thinks her son is paranoid and tries to pacify her. “This is the very coinage of your brain. This bodiless creation ecstasy Is very cunning in. (3.4.137-39)
Ophelia : In whole play it seems that Ophelia is devoid of her own opinion regarding anything including her lover Hamlet and always rely on her father for judging and analyzing the situation. She is unable to read development of Hamlet’s misogyny, cause by his mother’s action, when he talks hatred of woman in general. It’s interesting to note in the same act 3 scene 1 where though Ophelia is closer to Hamlet than Claudius watching them secretly, Claudius is more accurate in reading Hamlet. It’s the only place where she reveals her mind regarding Hamlet. Oh what a noble mind is here o’erthrown! The courtier’s, soldier’s,scholar’s, eye, tongue, sword, Th’expectancy and rose of the fair state, The glass of fashion and the mould of form,…………………That unmatched form and feature of blown youth Blasted with ecstasy. Oh woe is me (3.1.144-55)
Ophelia and her father views are parallel regarding Hamlet madness while Gertrude by end of act 3 believes Hamlet in partially mad caused by her hasty marriage, his affection to his father and hatred of his Uncle Claudius. Claudius unlike other is very accurate that Hamlet is projecting an image which he is not. Therefore for him Hamlet is not mad but a dangerous element to his throne and his life.
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