Why does Claudius use first person plural?
Monarch as representative The first time we see Claudius, holding court and acting his role as the sincere and noble king, he speaks of himself in the plural: Claudius means himself when he tells Laertes, ‘You cannot speak of reason to the Dane and lose your voice.
What is Hamlet’s long speech Act 1 Scene 4 about?
Hamlet, in this soliloquy, is asking a rhetorical question of himself and the audience. Essentially, he is saying, “Is it better to face one’s problems and issues head-on, or simply lie down and let nature take its course?” This soliloquy is one of the most memorable in all of Shakespeare.
What does the ghost do to Hamlet in Act 1 Scene 4?
Hamlet and Horatio accompany Marcellus on his watch. Hamlet is then stunned by the ghost’s appearance and that it indeed appears to be his father. He begs the ghost to speak to him and to tell him why he has come. In response, the ghost beckons Hamlet to come away with him, which Hamlet is eager to do.
Who is royalty in Hamlet?
Hamlet, Prince of Denmark The crown prince of Denmark who returns from the university in Wittenberg, Germany, to find his father dead, his mother married to the king’s brother Claudius, and Claudius newly self-crowned King.
What is the point of Hamlet’s speech?
The soliloquy is essentially all about life and death: “To be or not to be” means “To live or not to live” (or “To live or to die”). Hamlet discusses how painful and miserable human life is, and how death (specifically suicide) would be preferable, would it not be for the fearful uncertainty of what comes after death.
Why does Hamlet doubt the ghost?
Hamlet was in doubt about the ghost’s speech and even the ghost itself! He wants to make sure that Claudius really murdered his father before he does anything against Claudius, that is why he wants to know the truth. When he sees Claudius’s reaction, he begins to believe the ghost.
What promise does Hamlet make to the ghost?
He makes Hamlet promise that he won’t seek revenge on his mother but let her be judged by God. As dawn breaks, the ghost leaves. Hamlet swears he will do what the ghost asks and avenge his father’s murder.
Why does Gertrude feel her soul is stained What is she guilty about?
He refuses to let her be until he has offered her a glimpse of her soul, “a glass/ where you may see the innermost part of you”. He forces her to acknowledge that she has no good (virtuous/ respectable) reason for her marriage, and in doing this, makes her realize her guilt.
What if this cursed hand were thicker?
What if this cursed hand Were thicker than itself with brother’s blood, Is there not rain enough in the sweet heavens To wash it white as snow? Whereto serves mercy But to confront the visage of offence? And what’s in prayer but this twofold force, To be forestalled ere we come to fall, Or pardon’d being down?