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.