Hamlet - Act 1, Scene 2 Flashcards
What is the style of the monologue?
Iambic Pentameter in Verse. Unstressed and stressed syllables shows Claudius’ intellect. Also shows a clear structure to the monologue as it is controlled emphasising him as a clever and calculated character. Eloquent narration.
“Our dear brother’s death”
Collective. Plural creates a sense of unification amongst the realm. Initially presents Claudius as remorseful and humble. By using the collective, Shakespeare presents him as diplomatic and political as he speaks for the commonplace. Emphasises the Machiavellian archetype as he is duplicitous (corruption)
“Our whole kingdom” / “One brow of woe”
Collectives. Employment of synechtoche. Creates a sense of unity by repeating sadness to provoke empathy and gather support. By doing so creates irony. Listing of collectives may be seen as excessive and verbose to highlight the superficial nature behind Claudius’s nature.
“Together with remembrance of ourselves”
Metaphor. Symbolic of coming together. Wants the public to move on to shift their focus away from Old Hamlet to prevent suspicion. By doing so he aims to distract them so they forget previous events. Avoids coming across as callous by employing some empathy towards Old Hamlet. Portrays him as deceitful and manipulative.
“Auspicious and dropping eye” / “Mirth in funeral and with dirge in marriage” / “Delight and dole”
Antithesis. Happiness v Sadness. Repeated antithesis reiterates the superficial nature behind the soliloquy and Claudius’s deceitful intentions.
“Your better wisdoms” / “Freely gone with this affair along”
Uses flattery to manipulate the court. Portrays the court as smart as if it was their decision. Reiterates the Machiavellian character.
“Young Fortinbras holding a weak supposal of our worth”
Creates a common enemy and unifies the realm. It also distracts the court to focus their attention on that. Rallies them.
“To our most valiant brother. So much for him”
Rips up the letter. Portrays him as diplomatic and is dismissive of threats. Diplomacy is seen as weak to the audience however.
“A little more than kin, and less than kind”
Tone is mocking/facetious. Portrays Hamlet as sarcastic and cynical. Uses a pun on “kind” could mean incestuous marriage or that it lacks compassion. Dismissive of both of them.
“I am too much in the sun”
Pun on sun, could mean son as in familial. Mocking of his position. Resentment towards their marriage.
“Cast thy nighted colour off”
Doesn’t want Hamlet to be miserable or melancholic. Lacking in compassion. In staging, Hamlet is casted away from the others and wears dark clothes (mourning) whereas all the others wear colourful clothes, portrayed as party-like.
“Madam”
Formal Tone. Cynical/dismissive towards his mum. Lacking in comfort and love. Repeated use of madam shows a grudging sense of respect.
“My inky cloak”
Symbolic of melancholy and sadness. Isolated on stage from the rest of the celebrations. His appearance represents his emotions.
“Nor customary suits of solemn black” / “Nor windy suspiration of forc’d breath” / “Nor the dejected haviour of the visage”
Anaphoric Repetition. Excessive and verbose. Shows a genuine mourning and upset. Melancholic character. The repeated negators emphasise his misery. Reflects a true display of emotion and overwhelm. Also shows a sense of frustration and loss of control (melodramatic).
“But I have that within which passes show / these but the trappings and the suits of woe”
Rhyming couplet. Shows that his feelings aren’t superficial, rather displays a genuine sadness. The last word may be seen as mocking of Claudius and his absurd speech.
