Act three analysis

Act Three Hamlet

This week we have completed half of act three. So far I have been comparing this one to many aspects in the last scene and even to recurring ideas that I have noticed. There seems to be an overall theme of “spying” throughout this play. I decided to define it and by dictionary. com’s definition the word “spying” means to observe secretly or fervently with hostile intent. I noticed how Shakespeare introduces this theme through Polonius the antagonist of the play. He acts a the director as he puts Horatio into action to spy on his son. He is willing to start a web of lies such as that Laertes is drinking and at inappropriate clubs, in order to maintain the upstanding respect of his name and the name of his family. His deceit is further examined in his speech to Laertes. He emphasizes the need to be secretive when in this foreign land, this is seen when he says to “give thy thoughts no tongue” and “give every man thy ear, but few thy voice.” One might view his advice as from a loving father to a son, but I see his unrighteous attempt to control the son and seek to protect his own reputation.

Hamlet has to therefore be deceitful and fish for information in Act 2. He begins to put on this “antic disposition”. When he sees Ophelia he doesn’t even speak, but instead pulls on her as if he is struggling with internal grief and utterly crazy. Also to his friend Rosencratz he comes across crazy as he calls Denmark a prison. Everyone sees Hamlet as privileged to be the Prince and live in such freedom, but ironically he is entrapped inside his duties forcing him to be without his one true love. The theme of spying is continued into act three, but the Director has switched to Hamlet. After Ophelia lies to his face about his father being in the room and “Spying” on their intimate conversation he is disgusted and forms a plan. The fact that Hamlet has become a part of the play in order to reveal the immorality of his uncles’ behavior shows him being deceitful. He writes in lines himself burning with the intent to cause his “family” harm. It seems as though Hamlet starts off with the goal of avenging his father; however, the guilt fills his heart and he loses confidence.

Another repetitive theme is “to be or not to be”. He has to figure out whether to uphold his duty and swallow his pride by agreeing to ignore right and wrong or fight back against fate and act, showing that evil must pay. Hamlet questions his place in the world from the beginning of the play when he sees the world as “an unweeded garden”. It is Hamlets way of questioning whether to live or to die. With the death of his father there seems to be no reason to live, but it also reveals his characterization. He is highly emotional therefore in Act three when he is furious one cannot be surprised when he calls out Ophelia as being not pure. By discussing their “country matters” in public he humiliates her and his family. This total disregard for her emotions is all due to the constant spying seen throughout the play. I believe Hamlet uses it to show how a there is a very thin line between good and bad and sometimes the two have to mix. 

Hamlet powerl lines

Hamlet power lines

The power lines that I choose were, “Seems,” madam? Nay it is. I know not “seems.” Tis not alone my inky cloak, good mother, Nor customary suits of solemn black, nor windy suspiration of forced breath , No, nor the fruitful river in the eye , nor the dejected havior of the visage, Together with all forms, moods, shapes, of grief, that can denote me truly. These indeed “seem” For they are actions that a man might play; (1. 2. 79-87). I chose these lines because they reveal a little bit more about Hamlets character. He is seen as even more as an outcast being that he is the only character in a dark cloak. It seems even his mother has failed to realize the gravity of his pain after the death of his father. Ironically his step father is the one character that seems to be the one who does the most “acting”. He acts as a loving father figure, but Hamlet shows the true meaning of family by paying respect to his father in his “inky cloak”. I looked at the words “suits” and “customary” to highlight this. A suit is defined as convenient for, acceptable, and custom. The fact that hamlet is in solidarity in wearing his suit shows courage. Though he is seen by other as extremely emotional and is accused of showing “unmanly grief,” the fact that hamlet is the only one truly fulfilling his duty to his father, show his sincerity. A suit is formal showing the seriousness of this tragedy. Then customary is defined as according to usual practice. There is a double meaning here. Usually it is customary to have a grace period for grief, but here it is as though the people in the town of Denmark are fake, they are willing to boastfully join in celebration of a wedding nearly a month after a death. The most lunatic character actually has the most sense. I believe Shakespeare was noting how one event can have a double meaning depending on how you analyze it. This theme of “seeming” vs. “ising” is seen in several other areas of the play as well. One area that it is seen in is, “Beware of entrance to a quarrel, but, being in, Bear ‘t that th’ opposed may be aware of thee. Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice (1. 3. 71-74). These lines illustrate Polonius instructing his son Laertes on how to behave when he is gone out of the country. It "seems" as if this is simply fatherly advice that which a son should heed and abide by for his own sake. In actuality the son must obey these rules in order to keep up appearances for the family. Other characters may see Polonius as nice, while the reader is given these lines to have their own understanding of his sinister character. This relates to how some people see Hamlet as simply acting out a “play” or act, but I understand it to be his true feelings.