(For explication of a passage assignment (3.1-4.4) due Monday, November 19 scroll down or click here.)
Hamlet Soliloquy 4.4
How all occasions do inform against me, (35)
And spur my dull revenge! What is a man,
If his chief good and market of his time
Be but to sleep and feed? a beast, no more.
Sure, he that made us with such large discourse,
Looking before and after, gave us not (40)
That capability and god-like reason
To fust in us unused. Now, whether it be
Bestial oblivion, or some craven scruple
Of thinking too precisely on the event,
A thought which, quarter'd, hath but one part wisdom (45)
And ever three parts coward, I do not know
Why yet I live to say 'This thing's to do;'
Sith I have cause and will and strength and means
To do't. Examples gross as earth exhort me:
Witness this army of such mass and charge (50)
Led by a delicate and tender prince,
Whose spirit with divine ambition puff'd
Makes mouths at the invisible event,
Exposing what is mortal and unsure
To all that fortune, death and danger dare, (55)
Even for an egg-shell. Rightly to be great
Is not to stir without great argument,
But greatly to find quarrel in a straw
When honour's at the stake. How stand I then,
That have a father kill'd, a mother stain'd, (60)
Excitements of my reason and my blood,
And let all sleep? while, to my shame, I see
The imminent death of twenty thousand men,
That, for a fantasy and trick of fame,
Go to their graves like beds, fight for a plot (65)
Whereon the numbers cannot try the cause,
Which is not tomb enough and continent
To hide the slain? O, from this time forth,
My thoughts be bloody, or be nothing worth!
And spur my dull revenge! What is a man,
If his chief good and market of his time
Be but to sleep and feed? a beast, no more.
Sure, he that made us with such large discourse,
Looking before and after, gave us not (40)
That capability and god-like reason
To fust in us unused. Now, whether it be
Bestial oblivion, or some craven scruple
Of thinking too precisely on the event,
A thought which, quarter'd, hath but one part wisdom (45)
And ever three parts coward, I do not know
Why yet I live to say 'This thing's to do;'
Sith I have cause and will and strength and means
To do't. Examples gross as earth exhort me:
Witness this army of such mass and charge (50)
Led by a delicate and tender prince,
Whose spirit with divine ambition puff'd
Makes mouths at the invisible event,
Exposing what is mortal and unsure
To all that fortune, death and danger dare, (55)
Even for an egg-shell. Rightly to be great
Is not to stir without great argument,
But greatly to find quarrel in a straw
When honour's at the stake. How stand I then,
That have a father kill'd, a mother stain'd, (60)
Excitements of my reason and my blood,
And let all sleep? while, to my shame, I see
The imminent death of twenty thousand men,
That, for a fantasy and trick of fame,
Go to their graves like beds, fight for a plot (65)
Whereon the numbers cannot try the cause,
Which is not tomb enough and continent
To hide the slain? O, from this time forth,
My thoughts be bloody, or be nothing worth!
NOTES
[Source: http://shakespeare.about.com/od/studentresources/a/allinform.htm Amanda Mabillard, B.A. (Honors) is a
freelance writer specializing in Shakespeare, Renaissance political theory,
theatre history, comparative literary history, and linguistic topics in
Renaissance literature.]
inform against ] Accuse me.
market ] Employment.
discourse ] The power of reason. God gave human beings the
ability to reflect on life's events.
Looking before and after ] Our intelligence allows us to
analyze past experiences and make rational judgments about the future.
fust ] Grow mouldy. Hamlet is saying that God did not give us
the power of reason for it to go unused.
Bestial oblivion ] The forgetfulness of an animal. Our
capability to remember separates mankind from other animals or
"beasts". But Hamlet forgetting Claudius's deeds is clearly not why
he delays the murder.
craven scruple ] Cowardly feelings.
of ] From.
event ] Outcome.
quarter'd ] Meticulously analyzed (literally, divided into
four).
Sith ] Since.
gross ] Obvious.
mass and charge ] Size and cost. Hamlet is referring to the
army led by Fortinbras, prince of Norway. Hamlet wishes he had
Fortinbras's courage.
puff'd ] Inflated.
Makes mouths at the invisible event ] Shows contempt for (or
cares not about) the uncertain outcome of battle.
Rightly to be great...stake ] Truly great men refrain from
fighting over insignificant things, but they will fight without hesitation over
something trivial when their honour is at risk. "True nobility of soul is
to restrain one's self unless there is a great cause for resentment, but nobly
to recognize even a trifle as such as cause when honour is involved"
(Kittredge 121). Ironically, "Hamlet never learns from the Captain or
attempts to clarify what the specific issue of honor is that motivates the
Prince of Norway. In fact, there is none, for the play has made it clear that
Fortinbras's uncle, after discovering and stopping his nephew's secret and
illegal revenge campaign against Claudius, encouraged him to use newly levied
forces to fight in Poland...Since no issue of honor is to be found in
Fortinbras's cause, Hamlet, through his excessive desire to emulate the
Norwegian leader, ironically calls into question whether there is any honour in
his own cause" (Newell 143). [Mr. Cook adds: or, perhaps, Hamlet’s mind
has once again moved from the particular (Fortinbras and his army) to the
abstract (consideration of what defines greatness). It seems Fortinbras and his
army are not important in and of themselves but in how they “inform against”
(indict, critique, etc.) Hamlet’s inaction.]
twenty thousand men ] In line 25, it was 20000 ducats and only
2000 men. It is undecided whether this confusion is Hamlet's or Shakespeare's.
blood ] Passions.
trick of fame ] Trifle of reputation. But is not Hamlet jealous
of Fortinbras and his ability to fight in defense of his honour?
"Fortinbras is enticed by a dream, and thousands must die for it. Hamlet's
common sense about the absurdity of Fortinbras's venture shows the
pointlessness of his envy" (Edwards 193).
Whereon...slain ] The cause is not significant enough to
consume the thousands of men fighting over it, and the tombs and coffins are
not plentiful enough to hold those who are killed (continent = container).
Use first name and last initial. Number each of your responses.
1.
(Make connections!) In a well-developed paragraph compare what Hamlet
says in lines 36-49 of this soliloquy to what he says in lines 91-96 of his “To
be or not to be” soliloquy (below). Begin your paragraph with a bold, insightful assertion comparing the two soliloquies. Develop the assertion by citing specific language from both soliloquies. End by reaffirming your bold insight.
Thus conscience does make cowards of us all;
And thus the native hue of resolution
Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought,
And enterprises of great pitch and moment
With this regard their currents turn awry, (95)
And lose the name of action.—
And thus the native hue of resolution
Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought,
And enterprises of great pitch and moment
With this regard their currents turn awry, (95)
And lose the name of action.—
2.
(Make connections!) In a well-developed paragraph compare this
soliloquy with the “O What a rogue and peasant slave” (2.2.576)
soliloquy. (Think about the role that Fortinbras plays in this speech and that
the First Player plays in the earlier speech: “What would he do, / Had he the motive and the cue for passion / That I have?”) Begin your paragraph with a bold, insightful assertion comparing the two
soliloquies. Develop the assertion by citing specific language from
both soliloquies. End by reaffirming your bold insight.
3.
(What’s your opinion?) Hamlet contrasts his own
cowardly thought with the actions of Fortinbras. Do you think Fortinbras is a
good role model for Hamlet? In other words, should Hamlet be more like
Fortinbras or not? Explain your answer in a paragraph. Use evidence from the
play and this soliloquy to develop your answer. (Like Hamlet, you might be able
to argue “yes” in someways and “no” in others.) Begin by asserting your position. Develop your position. Cite and explain specific evidence from this soliloquy and from elsewhere in the text to support your position.
Kelly F.
ReplyDelete1. In lines 36-49 of the 4.4 soliloquy, Hamlet ponders whether he should be more like Fortinbras is, which is more of an action-taker than a thinker; which has similarities to Hamlet’s “To be or not to be” speech. One thing in Hamlet’s 4.4 soliloquy that he says is “That capability and god-like reason To fust in us unused. Now, whether it be Bestial oblivion (IV,iv, 41-42).” He also said “or some craven scruple Of thinking too precisely on the event, A thought which, quarter'd, hath but one part wisdom (45) And ever three parts coward, I do not know Why yet I live to say 'This thing's to do;' Sith I have cause and will and strength and means To do ‘t. (IV,iv,42-49) " This topic also appeared in his to be speech when Hamlet said “Thus conscience does make cowards of us all”. This is the same message he was trying to send in the “or some craven...” quote, saying that he is acting cowardly because he has not physically taken any action against Claudius. In both Act III and Act IV, Hamlet thinks about how one may come to overthink a solution, thus resulting in cowardness. Hamlet’s two soliloquies have some very similar aspects to them.
2. Hamlet’s 4.4 and 2.2 soliloquies both touch upon several similar ideas. In both soliloquies, we see Hamlet make the connection that thinking makes us cowards. We tend to think too much about things, and then our action gets delayed. We hear this in 4.4 when he says “How stand I then, That have a father kill'd, a mother stain'd, (60) Excitements of my reason and my blood, And let all sleep? while, to my shame, I see The imminent death of twenty thousand men (IV,iv, 59-64).” Hamlet is saying that he is shameful of delaying his father’s death’s avenge, but Fortinbras will bring in 20,000 men for that same reason. Both soliloquies are similar in the fact that Hamlet ponders the idea of thinking making everybody act cowardly.
3. There are times when I think that Fortinbras is a good influence on Hamlet, but then there are other times that contradict that. One reason that makes me believe Fortinbras is good for Hamlet is that Fortinbras is basically the only thing that really got Hamlet going. Without knowing it, Fortinbras managed to influence Hamlet to start to work towards his goal. In 4.4, Fortinbras did bring an army of 20,000 men to avenge King Hamlet’s death. There’s also several downsides to the influence of Fortinbras. Hamlet has already harmed so many people, and he hasn’t even avenged his father’s death yet. Fortinbras is just going to influence Hamlet to cause more harm. Hamlet says “Led by a delicate and tender prince, Whose spirit with divine ambition puff'd Makes mouths at the invisible event, Exposing what is mortal and unsure to all that fortune, death and danger dare, (55) Even for an egg-shell." He is saying that Fortinbras is too serious for a minor cause. Hamlet should just fight if it will create more good, not if it is only for revenge. I believe that if you take some parts of Fortinbras, such as his strength and determination, and have only those positive qualities influence Hamlet, while still retaining his own positive qualities, Hamlet could be a better and stronger character.
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ReplyDeleteBethany G.
ReplyDelete1. Both of the soliloquies, the Act IV, scene 4, and the “To be or not to be” speech, talk about having the ability to be capable of achieving something. In Hamlet’s “To be…” soliloquy, he mentions that when you take the time to think something through, you lose the courage or the “resolution” (Act III, scene 1, 92), because you see all of the plan’s flaws. If you hadn’t mulled it over, you would have perhaps had the chance to attain whatever it is you wanted to achieve, without delay. The examples taken from the text are, from the “To be…” speech, “Thus conscience does make cowards of us all; And thus the native hue of resolution is sicklied o’er with the pale cast of thought… And lose the name of action.” (Act III, scene 1, 91-96). From the Act IV, scene 4, “Sure He that made us with such large discourse, Looking before and after, gave us not That capability and godlike reason To fust in us unused.” (Act IV, scene 4, 38-41). Both of these pieces mention the contemplation of an act, instead of going forth and carrying the action out.
2. “O, what a rogue and peasant slave am I! Is it not monstrous that this player here, But in a fiction, in a dream of passion, Could force his soul so to his own conceit …” (Act II, scene 2, 577-580). In this line, Hamlet is exclaiming that even an actor has more courage and action then he does. Like, from the 4.4 soliloquy and the “To be…” speech, he mentions that his conscience is taking over the action he is supposed to relaying. It seems to be a common theme in his soliloquies, because it appears to be one of the main things on Hamlet’s mind, lately. “What would he do Had he the motive and (the cue) for passion That I have? He would drown the stage with tears…” (Act 2, scene 2, 587-589). Hamlet’s wondering what Fortinbras would actually do, if he were in Hamlet’s place. Throughout most of Hamlet’s soliloquy, he keeps questioning about what he would do, instead of just doing.
3. In some cases, simply just doing something, to reach an ultimate goal, is worth it in the end; but it doesn’t always work out, which is the argument Hamlet is conveying throughout his soliloquies. Without thinking a plan through, there could be many fatal flaws, or side effects, that could eventually cause harm. I believe that, although Fortinbras is a good example for the action of just going for it, he isn’t exactly the right example for Hamlet, who likes to think things through, before acting. Especially, in Hamlet’s case, where it could be a life-death situation. For example, his numerous soliloquies show that he reflects his thoughts, before acting on a whim. “This is most brave That I, the son of dear [father] murdered, Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell, Must, like a whore, unpack my heart with words…” (Act II, scene 2, 611-614). He knows that he must do something to take revenge for his father, yet he still waits and weighs his options and thinks his actions through. It’s the middle of the play, and hasn’t done anything to avenge the deceased king. It’s a contradictory, but I believe that, in some of what Fortinbras does, Hamlet can find some good examples that he should follow.
Yazmeen S.
ReplyDelete1. In both soliloquies Hamlet is saying that he must take action and not be a coward. In the “To be or not to be” soliloquy Hamlet states “Thus conscience does make cowards of us all” by this he means that by over thinking things a person tends to back down and be less assertive in their actions. In the 4.4 soliloquy Hamlet talks about how God did not give man the power to reason for it to be unused and wasted. He also states that “hath but one part wisdom and ever three parts coward”. As much as man wants to take action and do what they know they are meant to do the mind always gets in the way. You begin to second guess decisions and not know what you are supposed to do. The similarity between the two soliloquies is that in both Hamlet is talking about reaching past his cowardliness and taking action like he knows he is meant to do to avenge his father’s death.
2. Both the 4.4 soliloquy and the “O What a rogue and peasant slave” soliloquy involve Hamlet trying to deal with his emotions. In the 2.2 soliloquy Hamlet thinks about how he does not have the strong emotions towards avenging his father’s death that he should. In the 4.4 soliloquy he has worked on his drive of wanting to kill Claudius but he still continues to struggle with his conscience and cowardliness. The First Player in the earlier speech serves to show Hamlet that his emotions are not very strong. By watching the First Player acting Hamlet realizes that he need to be more like the actor and convey his emotions more strongly and take action by avenging his father’s death. Like the First Player, Fortinbras also shows Hamlet a different way to be handling himself. Fortinbras displays a leader that Hamlet can look up to as someone he wants to be like. He takes charge and leads an army. He shows great leadership skills and Hamlet realizes that he too should be looked up to. In both of these soliloquies Hamlet is comparing himself to another person in an attempt to become a better version of himself.
3. I believe that Fortinbras is a good role model for Hamlet. Fortinbras gives Hamlet reasons to want to be better. Without Fortinbras Hamlet might have given up. He might not feel like he was capable of completing the task of avenging his father. But after seeing Fortinbras and how he led his army Hamlet now had a feeling that he could do it. By watching Fortinbras Hamlet realized that he was given the power of reason and that it should not go unused. He needs to stop allowing his conscience mind to get in his way and stop being a coward so that he can do what he knows he wants to do and kill Claudius. Hamlet now believes in himself and even states “O, from this time forth, my thoughts be bloody, or be nothing worth!” This statement by Hamlet at the end of his soliloquy shows that he is no longer letting his conscience restrain him from his duty; he is going to think only of killing Claudius until the deed is done. Fortinbras has given Hamlet the motivation he needs to be successful in his actions and be the man he wishes he could be and that his father would have wanted him to be. If Hamlet can kill Claudius then he may feel like he is worth something, he may accept himself because he will have done what his father wanted him to do. And if watching Fortinbras and learning from him is what gets Hamlet to where he needs to be for self acceptance then I believe that Fortinbras is a good role model for him.
HannahEllis
ReplyDelete1. Hamlets “to be, or not to be” soliloquy and this section of the 4.4 soliloquy have the same central idea. First off a major part of the first soliloquy was sleep and dreaming and it’s comparison to death and the unknown. The later speech also talks about sleep, “but be to sleep and feed” (4.4.37) but in a different manner, its more as if it is something that is needed to survive, which is ironic because Hamlet’s whole question in his previous soliloquy was what was the dream of death, and that people stay alive to keep away from the unknown. Hamlet is now saying that sleep is needed to live, which comes along with dreams, so to deter death you must welcome something that is the closes thing to death that the living have. Also Hamlet once again brings up the point of humans being cowards because of their thoughts. He talks about how a human is only a small fraction wise and the rest is cowardly. Hamlet talks about the power God gave humans of thought to look into the future and into the past. But it’s not truly seeing, humans see what the want from the past and the future, and that is what makes them cowardly. Humans are afraid of what is to come and base their thoughts of the future off of the worse possible outcome. In the “to be, or not to be” soliloquy Hamlet talks about how humans think too much and that is why they are cowards, but he doesn’t specify what they think about until now.
2. In both of these soliloquies Hamlet wishes to be as good as someone else at what he is trying to do. In the first Hamlet is jealous because the player seems to be truly upset even though he is just acting and Hamlet wishes he could show as much emotion as the player does especially because his emotions should be real. In the second Hamlet is jealous of how determined Young Fortinbras was to avenge his father’s death. Hamlet wastes time in both of these soliloquies wishing he was like someone else rather than trying to do what he wished he could do. He talks about how awesome these other people are and how he needs to step up his game, but he still doesn’t do it. In the first soliloquy Hamlet hates himself for not avenging his father yet, and he calls himself an awful person, but in the second he is less angry about waiting even though it has now been a longer period of time. He comes up with a plan in both of these soliloquies, the first was to make the play to make sure what the Ghost had said was true and in the second he plans to finally act upon his thoughts.
3. Hamlet shouldn’t be more like anyone. He spends too much time wishing he was like others so he can follow through with his plans and it is driving him deeper and deeper into insanity. In this soliloquy Hamlet says, “Why yet I live to say ‘This thing’s to do,’” (4.4.47) He is questioning why he is living if he has yet to take up action and keeps questioning what to do. He wants to be like Fortinbras and avenge father and he wants to be like the player and have strong enough emotions to follow through with his plans and not feel like they are a burden. But these thoughts and wishes are what are making him act crazier and crazier. Hamlet shouldn’t be like Fortinbras who is attacking innocent people because he feels as if he should get his revenge for his father’s death, even though he knows that the person who is at fault for it is already dead. Hamlet doesn’t realize that when he wishes he was like someone else, he isn’t thinking, which means he isn’t being a coward, it just makes him an idiot. He is just like the player, acting as if he is someone that he is not; Hamlet doesn’t realize that his wishes to be another person and what are keeping him from doing what he wanted originally and what is making him spiral deeper into his own personal abyss of madness. Hamlet should be nothing like Fortinbras or anyone else, Hamlet should be whatever he would be without the images of others affecting him.
ReplyDeleteJosh D.
Act 4 scene 4 soliloquy
In the act 4 scene 4 soliloquy lines 36 to 49 and act 3 scene one lines 91 to 96 Hamlets is saying that thinking about something too long leads to doubt which makes all men cowards and prevents action. Both the soliloquys talk about thought leading to cowardice the act 4 soliloquy Hamlet says “A thought which, quartered, hath but one part/ wisdom/ and three parts coward” and in the act 3 soliloquy he says “thus conscience does make cowards of us all”. These quotations show in both soliloquys logic is being portrayed very negative. In the act 3 soliloquy hamlet is being more general using “us all” to speak of how thought makes all men coward. While in act 4 soliloquy hamlet is more focused on how his thoughts have led to his own inaction and vows to stop saying “Sith I have cause, and will, and strength, and means to do’t. Examples gross as earth exhort me:” in act 3 hamlet is talking him out of action and decides on a more causes route but in act 4 he is talking himself into acting and avenging his father. The idea that conscience and thinking lead all men to cowardly inaction is in both act 4 scene 4 lines 36 to 49 and acts 3 scene 1 lines 91 to 96 and connects both the soliloquys they are in.
The act4 scene 4 and act 2 scene 2 soliloquys both include passages where Hamlet is admiring other men for their actions and their dedication to the tasks they have before them and contrasting that to the passion and effort he has put into avenging his father. In the act 2 scene 2 soliloquy hamlet is talking about the passion that an actor has shown over the murder of their loved one in a play, hamlet list the signs of passion “that from her working all his visage waned, / Tears in his eyes, distraction in his aspect, / A broken voice, and his whole function suiting/With forms to his conceit” Hamlet is ashamed that an actor could pretend and actually be more passionate them him when his real father really did get murdered. While in the act 4 scene 4 soliloquy hamlet is admiring the courage of Fortinbras “witness this army of such mass and charge, / led by a delicate and tender prince, / who’s spirit with divine ambition puffed, / makes mouths at the invisible event/ exposing what is mortal and unsure/ to all that fortune, death, and danger dare” hamlet is admiring Fortinbras’s courage in the face of uncertainty and death. Hamlet also earlier in the act 4 scene 4 soliloquy says “how all occasions do inform against me/ and spur my dull revenge.” Hamlet is reminding the reader that he has done very little to avenge his father and with each occurrence in the play seems to move farther and farther away from his goal, this greatly contrasts with Fortinbras who seems right on track with his plan he is marching against Poland as planned.
I believe that hamlet should strive to be more like Fortinbras. The bench mark for a great king in hamlet is set by King Hamlet Hamlet’s father; he is a military man of action famous for his victories in battle. Hamlet himself wishes to be like his father and portrays his father as the perfect king calling him “Hyperion” Hamlet literally thinks his father is god like in stature. Young Fortinbras is the character most like hamlets father he takes action by the beginning of the play he is already preparing to take back the lands the Danish took from his father as Horatio says in act 1 scene 1 lines 114-116 “But to recover of us by strong hand/ And terms compulsatory, those foresaid lands/ so by his father lost.” Fortinbras is a
doer he intends to take what he sees as his land. Hamlet wants to be a great king (like king hamlet) and Fortinbras is the closest living person in the play to the great king ideal which is presented by hamlet himself. Therefore Fortinbras is a good role model because he is very much like King Hamlet, who hamlet already stated was a great king and who, hamlet already stated he wanted to be like. I liked the point Yazmeen brought up in her post about Fortinbras motivating hamlet to continue on his path to revenge. I too feel that is a reason he is a good role model. Overall Fortinbras is ever thing that hamlet himself has presented as good he is brave and takes action and does things that Hamlet wants to do so he is a good role model.
ReplyDeleteArly M.
ReplyDelete1. All individuals attain all variations of knowledge, but the question is whether that knowledge influences each individual perception, that is the uncertainty being reflected within each soliloquy. That is to say, Hamlet explicitly expresses this in the “to be, or not be” soliloquy, “Thus, conscience does make cowards of us all” (3.1.91). Furthermore, Hamlet feels that he has to use his integrity when taking action because, “He that made us with such large discourse, Looking before and after, gave us not that capability and god-like reason to fust in us unused,” therefore Hamlet has to use his knowledge when planning revenge because that is the point behind morality (4.4.39-42). Yet, Hamlet finds himself in a cowardly state considering, “A thought which, qarter’d, hath but one part wisdom and ever three parts coward,” further on denoting that his knowledge overpowers his mind, thus that knowledge influences his overall perspective, leading him to be cowardice (45-46). Moreover, the “to be, or not to be” soliloquy expresses the uncertainty of death and what is the dream of death. Due to this lack of knowledge, people find themselves in a state of fear simply because no one attains any true knowledge of the afterlife. Thus, “Is sicklied, o’er with the pale cast of thought,” keeping all knowledge of the afterlife in a mere shadow (Mowat128). For Hamlet, revenge should not be carefully assessed but should be immediately fulfilled because he believes he attains both the knowledge and perverseness to do so, nonetheless that maintains his cowardice.
2. Uncertainty is the key term describing Hamlet’s attitude in both soliloquies. He is always comparing himself to others, perhaps because of his personal insecurity. Hamlet feels that he lacks much willfulness in taking action and compares himself with the actor, “But in a fiction, in a dream of passion, could force his soul to his own conceit…And all for nothing—for Hecuba!”(2.2.579-585). He cannot believe that the actor can feel such sorrow for someone, who is nothing to him, yet he, who feels true pain has not “prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell, Must like a whore, unpack my heart with words,” and has done nothing but spoken immoral terms (2.2.613-614). In this soliloquy, Hamlet feels that Fortinbras has planned revenge and is achieving revenge much faster than he has, “Witness this army such mass and charge led by a delicate and tender prince, whose spirit with divine ambition puffed makes mouths at the invisible event, exposing what is mortal and unsure to all that fortune, death, and danger dare, even for an eggshell” (4.4.50-56). Hamlet has a true motive for revenge and feels angry for not yet completed it, “Why I live to say ‘This thing’s to do;” (4.4.47). In other words, Fortinbras is the actor in this scene, where both individuals attain the courage that Hamlet is lacking. But Hamlet is always ending his soliloquies with bold assertions. In the “O What a rogue and peasant slave” soliloquy, Hamlet ends with a bright and clever plan of performing the “Mousetrap” and now he ends this soliloquy with “My thoughts be bloody, or be nothing worth,” meaning that now his thoughts will be violent and anything otherwise will be considered useless (4.4.69). Fortinbras and the actor served as motivations for Hamlet to continue with revenge and do what, “Rightly to be great is not to stir without great argument, but greatly to find quarrel in a straw when honour’s at the stake,” moreover demonstrating the fact that he is required to retaliate, regardless of the cause (4.4.56-59). In both soliloquies Hamlet begins with insecurity, yet always ends with a rather encouraging statement motivating his personal self-assurance.
3. In my own personal opinion, I consider Hamlet’s insecurity and hesitations for revenge merely suitable. In some ways, he should be like Fortinbras, for he is defending his honor (4.4.59) Even though, the land is very worthless, Fortinbras still wants to avenge and in his opinion, get justice. Yet, war and violence may not always be the resolution, since Hamlet’s unclear thinking led him to kill Polonius, yet that did not resolve anything, it only caused more troubles. But at the same time, Fortinbras acquires the courage Hamlet lacks, which he needs not only for his kingdom, though for his personal confidence. Due to his own insults for his incapability and cowardice leads Hamlet in to greater issues. I find that he should rather respond to this vengeance very differently than Fortinbras. Nonetheless, he still needs personal assuredness that Fortinbras has in order to move on and find a resolution to his father’s murder in some other way.
ReplyDeleteOlivia P.
ReplyDelete1. The two soliloquies, Act 3 Scene 1, “To be or not to be” and the Act 4 Scene 4 both revolve around a common subject of cowardness, and over thinking. In the “To be or not to be” soliloquy, Hamlet starts off by questioning his life, and comparing sleep to death. In lines 91-96 Hamlet states, “Thus conscience does make cowards of us all;/ And thus the native hue of resolution/ Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought,/ And enterprises of great pitch and moment/ With this regard their currents turn awry,/And lose the name of action.” 3.1.84-89. One’s conscience has the effect of turning a brave man into a coward. Being naturally tough can be weakened from over thinking, just like in lines 36-49, Hamlet says, “Of thinking too precisely on th' event—/A thought which, quartered, hath but one part wisdom/ And ever three parts coward—I do not know/ Why yet I live to say “This thing’s to do,”/ Sith I have cause and will and strength and means/ To do ’t.” 4.4.40. His main focus of this stanza is that God didn’t create humans to put their mind to waste, becoming a coward derives from over thinking. Hamlets conveys the problem of being a coward, because he sees one in himself, and when stating that over thinking can ruin someone, and cause them to weaken, he is referring to himself. Both soliloquies revolve around the common interest of over thinking, and that over thinking leads to being a coward.
2. The comparison between the Act 4 Scene 4 soliloquy and the Act 2 Scene 2 soliloquy is the thought of revenge, and acting upon it. In the Act 4 Scene 4 soliloquy Hamlet goes about how Fortinbras can lead any army, expose his life to danger for a tiny reason of claiming land, and Hamlet cannot murder his Uncle who has killed Hamlet’s own father. His emotions are on a roller coaster, and he has done nothing to show for it, while Fortinbras is leading an army into their death over such a stupid predicament. In the Act 2 Scene 2 soliloquy, Hamlet also goes about how he has not acted upon revenge. “Why, what an ass am I! This is most brave,/ That I, the son of a dear father murdered,/ Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell,/ Must, like a whore, unpack my heart with words/ And fall a-cursing like a very drab,/ A scullion! Fie upon ’t, foh!” 2.2.541-548. Hamlet’s father has been murdered, and all Hamlet can do is stand around and curse like a whore on the streets. It is Hamlet’s way of throwing himself a pity party. Finding all the things he has yet to do, and still not acting upon them. Both soliloquies convey a message of Hamlet’s problem with revenge, and acting upon it.
3. I believe Fortinbras has a very effective characteristic about himself that Hamlet obviously envies, and that is why I do believe Fortinbras is a good role model. For one, as Hamlet stated in the Act 4 Scene 4 soliloquy that Fortinbras is risking his life, and the rest of his soldier’s lives all for a patch of land, and it almost seems pointless, yet Hamlet cannot seek revenge against his Uncle who has killed his father. Fortinbras displays the courage Hamlet wishes he had, and it gives Hamlet ambition. “Oh, from this time forth,/ My thoughts be bloody, or be nothing worth!” and that is the effect Hamlet perceives from Fortinbras. It makes Hamlet want to toughen himself up, and come out of the cowardly shadows and into the brave light. If Hamlet were to be more like Fortinbras, it would mean that King Claudius would be murdered, and justice would be served, leaving a positive impact. If Hamlet let go of his cowardly personality, and transformed into more of a Fortinbras figure, revenge would come into play, and all would be right in Hamlet’s world again.
Christina S.
ReplyDelete1. In the 4.4 soliloquy, Hamlet reiterates his belief that thinking about something too much inspires cowardice. In the “To be or not to be” speech, he says, “conscience does make cowards of us all.” In the 4.4 soliloquy, he explains that thinking too precisely on an event is “one part wisdom and ever three parts coward.” Although Hamlet has “cause and will and strength and means” to kill his uncle (as mentioned in the 4.4 speech), he can’t do it. The more he thinks about it, the more he postpones it, or as Hamlet would say, “the native hue of resolution is sicklied o’er with the pale cast of thought.” The main difference between these two passages is that in the “To be or not to be” soliloquy, Hamlet is resolute in thinking that his thinking is a problem. In the 4.4 soliloquy, however, he wonders why humans were given “that capability and god-like reason” if they weren’t meant to think before they act. In the end, he comes to the realization that he’s given it enough thought and must act, which is the same conclusion he came to seven scenes before.
2. The player from 2.2 and Fortinbras in 4.4 both contribute to Hamlet’s feeling of inadequacy and self-hatred. In his 2.2 soliloquy, Hamlet is jealous of the player’s ability to cry over a character that means nothing to him. He wonders, “What would he do had he the motive and the cue for passion that I have?” It’s clear in this section of the play that Hamlet hates himself for not acting the moment he heard the ghost’s story. He says that he deserves to have his beard plucked off and blown in his face. He also refers to himself as an ass and compares himself to a whore. In 4.4, Fortinbras is going to war with Poland for no reason whatsoever. Hamlet thinks that it’s noble to fight for honor instead of an actual reason. He says that “rightly to be great is not to stir without great argument, but greatly to find quarrel in a straw when honor’s at the stake.” He refers to Fortinbras as “delicate and tender,” meaning that he’s not doing anything meaningful or important. Hamlet wonders, ‘How stand I then, that have a father killed, a mother stained...?” This question is very similar to the ones he asks himself when the player cries over Hecuba’s death. Hamlet again resolves to take action, because he doesn’t like the way the player and Fortinbras make him feel about himself.
3. In some ways, Fortinbras is a good role model for Hamlet, but in other ways, he really isn’t. Fortinbras is taking charge of his situation and acting on impulse. Hamlet knows that he’s spent far too much time thinking about the situation. He says in this soliloquy that thinking too precisely on an event is something that is “one part wisdom and ever three parts coward.” He needs to just kill Claudius already, but Hamlet is a scholar and he doesn’t know how to shut his mind off. Fortinbras isn’t thinking about the consequences of his actions. Although Hamlet needs to do this too, it’s not always sound advice. Hamlet was right in thinking that humans were made “with such large discourse, looking before and after,” for a reason, and that it shouldn’t “fust in us unused.” Fortinbras is going to war with Poland because he had an army ready anyway. The land they’re fighting over isn’t desired by either side. The only reason Poland is defending it is because their “honor’s at the stake.” This is no reason to risk the lives of hundreds of people. Hamlet believes that Fortinbras’ brash actions will result in the “death of twenty thousand men,” for nothing more than “a fantasy and trick of fame.” Thinking about things before acting on them can sometimes be the better option.
Alan D
ReplyDelete1. The first soliloquy talks about death and life and all the troubles in the world, this soliloquy talks about the actions that others are taking in similar situations. Hamlet talks again how thinking will stop action and how all he has done is think where as Fortinbras has just acted. Hamlet says that people suffer so much in life that he questions why they live. In this soliloquy he answers that by saying you can make it better or take revenge on it which is like the line, "To suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune/Or take up arms against a sea of troubles,/And by opposing end them." Hamlet comparing himself to Fortinbras in the same manner.
2. In the "too too sullied flesh" soliloquy Hamlet makes in act 2 he talks about how the actor cares much more than he does about his father's death. In this soliloquy Hamlet says that Fortinbras cares more about what happened to Fortinbras' family much more than Hamlet did to his. Hamlet says that Fortinbras this time is the actor and cares much more than Hamlet does and he is angry at himself for that. Hamlet wants to take his anger out at something but there is nothing to take it out on like how he was with Ophelia and Rosencrantz before. Later in the play we may end up seeing the anger come out again.
3. Hamlet is upset how Fortinbras has the guts to go out and do anything and Hamlet just schemes and gets and angry about how he isn't angry enough. hmm? Where Hamlet says "Examples gross as earth exhort me: /Witness this army of such mass and charge /Led by a delicate and tender prince, " he is trying to say that I know this guy who is leading his army is soft compared to me but then why is he leading the armies? This makes him angry and probably more determined to take action, but he is showing that Hamlet and Fortinbras are the example that when you think you don't act and when you don't think you act. Hamlet thinks that he should be Fortinbras and that isn't a good thing because Fortinbras could easily be walking straight to his death.
1. Hamlet, in both soliloquys, reflects on human possession of the ability of thought. Both soliloquys show how Hamlet sees the ability as a gift that we must use and on the other hand he sees is as a curse. In (4.4.36-49) he is saying that God gave us the ability to think, which we can also use to reflect on our lives, adding that God did not bless us with that ability to go unused. However, (in line 3.1.91-96) he said that thought was not beneficial because it hinders our aim to take action. (conscience does make cowards of us all…the hue of resolution, sicklied over… and the enterprise, with this regard their currents turn awry and lose the name of action- basically saying that thinking makes us coward at time of action because when we are so focused, thoughts mess without aim and focus and then the aim is not reached; no action). But with the two different views, Hamlet was thinking about different situations. In (3.1.91-96) he is thinking about suicide(saying how the idea of not knowing what is on the other side (death land) makes us not want to take action (commit suicide), but in (4.4.36-49) Hamlet is thinking about his inability to think of how to do his deed. Through the reflection on human possession of the ability to think, Hamlet basically talks about how using thought is bad as it stops us from taking action but that we must also take action because the ability is of no importance if not used.
ReplyDelete2. Soliloquies 2.2.575-634 and 4.4.33-69 are connected, in the way that they show Hamlet’s disappointment toward his failure to act yet he has bigger things to gain, unlike the people around him who are taking action. (2.2.576) Hamlet admires the passion the actors put in what they do; how they cry for someone they have never met or known. Yet he can’t show any passion to perform the deed for his dad, someone he personally knew. In 4.4.33-69, Hamlet admires the fact that Fortinbras and his men are willing to go to a fight, in which they will gain a small land that will probably not be enough for the burial of the men who will be lost. He admires the men too for their honor and how they would do it no matter how small the gain. Hamlet sees Fortinbras’s action to be forceful and does not have a significant cause but he still admires it and in the end this forcefulness motivates him “from this time forth, My thoughts be bloody, or be nothing worth!” (4.4.68-69). Here the reader’s attention is drawn in to the similarity between Hamlet and Fortinbras. Hamlet once again is trying to tell himself that he has to be more passionate about the deed and to be motivated because others who do not have much on stake are much more passionate than he is.
In my opinion, Hamlet should contrast himself to Fortinbras because they are ‘on the same boat’. They both lost fathers and are acting out of anger. . (1.2.107-113), Horatio talks about how Fortinbras is angry and how he has plans to attack Denmark to get back land. Fortinbras originally wanted revenge (before he was stopped) and Hamlet wants to revenge; there isn’t any other character other than Fortibras to show him the level of motivation and he needs to be to be able to revenge for his father’s death. Going to war for a small piece of land, Fortinbras might want to get it back in honor of his father but it’s unclear. In (4.4.51-54) the ambiguity in Fortinbras’s action might be a reason why Hamlet should not look up to Fortinbras as role model.
ReplyDeleteSydney I.
ReplyDelete1. Both speeches say that over thinking lead to inaction which leads to cowardice in the end. In the “To be or not to be” speech, Hamlet is introducing himself and the audience with vivid description that thinking too much about something makes you a coward, and thus you do not act on the impulse that you were going to originally. This, he says in the 4.4 speech, is what separates humans from animals. In their free time, animals sleep and eat, and a man who does the same is nothing but an animal, but the man who thinks is human. He goes onto say that God did not give man the brainpower for it to be wasted. But why do humans have that, if it only leads to cowardice? Because mankind thinks too much, we miss opportunities and lose that instinctual part.
2. Hamlet wonders why it is easy for some people to get worked up over nothing. Fortinbras has nothing against Poland, and the player isn’t even in the situation he’s pretending to be in, yet they are both so passionate about what is happening around them. In 2.2.593, Hamlet says “Yet I/ a dull muddy-meddled rascal… can say nothing-no, not for a king/upon whose property and most dear life/ A damned defeat was made. Am I a coward?” Hamlet believes that because he can’t seem to work himself up over something that is actually hurting him that he needs to be more like Fortinbras, and just go, act on instinct and do whatever he wants.
3. I don’t think that Fortinbras is a good example for Hamlet. He’s already done some stupid things by acting too quickly. Has Fortinbras fully thought out the invasion of Poland? Hamlet would have, with no detail left out. Based on what he thought about, he would be able to go ahead or not. Fortinbras is acting on pure testosterone and adrenaline. We already know Hamlet to be mischievous and sarcastic, as evidence by his interactions with Ophelia during the play, and how he responded to R and G about the body. Tacking on a bold and headstrong attitude to something already so dangerous, would just blow up straight into Hamlet’s face.
I’m sorry if I repeated myself too much or it’s not as in-depth as you would like it. I’ve been working a lot and have to try to compose my thoughts late at night after a long shift. Forgive me, haha.
Kirsten S.
ReplyDelete1.Hamlet's ultimate cause of his mental destruction is his thoughts. His overpowering thoughts ruin him in all ways possible. Both of these sections of his soliloquy's demonstrate that, for the main focus is on his reflection on life and his inner conscience. The soliloquy from Act IV, scene iv delves in to Hamlet's struggle with the idea self-reflection. He proposes that God gave him a problem; the ability to look back on his life, but not the ability to not do so, “Sure, he that made us with such large discourse/Looking before and after, gave us not/That capability and god-like reason/To fust in us unused.” (39-42) Though does he realize he is in fact reflecting on life in this soliloquy as well as all the others? He believes that thinking makes you a coward, and whatever you're thinking about accomplishing in the first place, you never do because the over thinking of the situation makes you too weak to do it, “I do not know/Why yet I live to say 'This thing's to do;'/Sith I have cause and will and strength and means/To do't.” (46-49) In the “To be or not to be,” soliloquy, he plays off the same idea that the ability to think ruins himself, though uses a more specific word, 'conscience.' He is saying that ourself inside of ourselves is in fact a coward, and takes all the action out of solutions we have created, “And thus the native hue of resolution/Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought.” (92-93) There is some sort of truth in that, for when one over thinks, we tend to get to the very core of our problems again, and again, and again. The only thing that makes us revisit problems in life is our conscience, for without it we would act without a thought. Which then relates to Hamlet's question to himself of if he has the power to do something, why can't he act upon it? It's endless cycle of back and forth, Hamlet's thoughts about thinking. It's the core to his madness.
3. Fortinbras is not a good role model for Hamlet, and I say this because Fortinbras went to war and innocent people were killed, for not a good reason at all, “The imminent death of twenty thousand men,/That, for a fantasy and trick of fame,/Go to their graves like beds, fight for a plot/Whereon the numbers cannot try the cause.” (63-66) To act on no reason at all could be costly for Hamlet, it could cause damage. For the way I see it is that right now, Hamlet has so much reason to start a war, to murder someone, but yet he hasn't. With so much on his plate, all he can do is think. So why would Fortinbras be a good role model, for he would only teach Hamlet to take action when none is needed. Before the death of his father, Hamlet wasn't a disturbance, he had no reason to be. But to say you can be a disturbance without reason, could cause destruction. It would be bad.
2. Hamlet struggles with the fact that people other than him, like the player and Fortinbras, can act so greatly for something, wherein Hamlet has all the reason to, but he can't bring himself to do it. This plays with the act of over thinking making him a coward, but also with his envy towards people who can have little will to do anything, and he can't. In the Act II, scene ii soliloquy Hamlet says, “But in a fiction, in a dream of passion,/Could force his soul so to his own conceit/That from her working all his visage wanned,/Tears in his eyes, distraction I his aspect,/A broken voice, and his whole function suiting/With forms to his conceit-- and all for nothing!” (579-584) This player has no emotional connection to Hecuba whatsoever, nothing at all. Yet he can bring himself to tears for her, and becomes passionate, but none of it is real. Hamlet has tears in his eyes for the death of his father, for the marriage of his mother to his uncle. He has hatred too, he has complete and utter madness for the situation he is in, but yet cannot take a single action. He brings this up again in the Act IV, scene iv soliloquy, but with Fortinbras' action of war. Fortinbras went to war though for not a significant enough reason, “Whereon the numbers cannot try the cause,/Which is not tomb enough and continent/To hide the slain?” (66-68) People, a lot of people, died for no reason. This thought, as well as the player, continually runs throughout Hamlet's mind. He has reason, but he is a coward. He is a coward because he thinks. He thinks because God makes him. It's never ending. Though the truth of the matter is that Hamlet doesn't take action because he is spending his time contemplating whether or not to, it's because he has reason, but is it reason enough? Does he even believe that the vengence of this father's death is worth the turmoil. For everyone thinks, and people can act without connections to the subjects they are acting about, so Hamlet can do that too. Though the center of thinking and acting is believing. That's the thing Hamlet lacks; belief. Hamlet is not taking action because he doesn't believe, not because of anything else. And what he is always trying to convince himself of, is that he does, that he can. But can he really?
ReplyDeleteKatie M.
ReplyDelete1. From lines 36-49 in the 4.4 soliloquy and from lines 91-96 in the “To be or not to be” soliloquy Hamlet expresses a lot of the same feeling. In the 3.1 soliloquy Hamlet mainly expresses how he has been acting. He completes this expression by giving examples of what a coward looks like. Hamlet says, “Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought. (3.1.93) By stating the description, he connects with the soliloquy in 4.4. In the 4.4 soliloquy Hamlet says, “If his chief good and market of his time/
Be but to sleep and feed? a beast, no more. (4.4.37) By becoming a coward he slowly fades from beign a man. Hamlet mostly resembles a coward but is slowly fading to what he does not want to be. He talks about how he wants to take action, but thinks too much, which delays his thoughts and plans. The two quotes connect in a sense of how Hamlet wants to change, and start taking actions.
2. In the two soliloquys (4.4 and the 2.2 “O What a rogue and peasant slave”) Hamlet displays the feeling of failure. He can’t express his feelings towards what is happening, he can’t take action very well. In the 4.4 soliloquy Hamlet complains of how Fortinbras can express his feelings clearer, and then in the 2.2 soliloquy Hamlet fears he does not show as if he cares he lost his father. Jealousy builds up at this point, because Hamlet keeps comparing himself to others, while in the meantime he is just confused and just needs to sort things out slowly, rather than the speed he believes should be the right one (fast and quick). “Of thinking too precisely on the even/ A thought which, quarter'd, hath but one part wisdom/
And ever three parts coward, I do not know.” (4.4.44) In this quote Hamlet gives up his thought process, and reveals when he thinks to much the outcome is not good. Most of what comes out of him being a coward is only a tiny part of brains and the rest him being scared. The part that is made up of the coward portion connects with confusion, which then leads to Hamlet thinking low of himself and bringing himself down more when referring to the subject of his reaction and action towards his father’s death.
3. I personally think Fortinbras can be an okay role model towards Hamlet, but then at the same time is not for Hamlet at all. Hamlet has been struggling with the fact of expression and action taking. Fortinbras expresses his feelings very well, and can take action without stopping to think. He tries to teach Hamlet these qualities, so the revenge on the King will go smoother than it would have gone. With a change in Hamlet, going from very cautious to okay I will kill you right now, can be a little extreme. With this type of action being shown harm can sure come out of it. With no thought process anything could happen, which can also backfire in the end and leave Hamlet worse than he even started. With the confidence Forinbras is trying to lay upon Hamlet, he can use on his own. Hamlet should not change into a person he is clearly not. “When honour’s at the stake. How stand I then.” (4.4.59) Sure Fortinbras could be a big help, but do his opinions help in the long run? No. The advice may help in his mind, but really the outcome will only really affect Hamlet, so he should be the one making the decisions. He can take advice and look upon Fortinbras for guidance, but Hamlet should really stick to himself. Who cares if he is a coward, but really has anyone ever said that to him?
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ReplyDeleteLiz M.
ReplyDelete1. Hamlet once again returns to overthinking his problem in his Act 4 scene 4 soliloquy. While he says “Conscience does make cowards of us all;” (3.1.91), Hamlet reaffirms this notion by judging a man’s worth by the thought he puts into something. The less thought, the more bestial he becomes. But if someone does think more and tends away from the bestial ways and enraptures himself with thought and meditation, this same thoughts that rip you from your low lying brethren makes you a “craven scruple” (4.4.42) according to Hamlet. The thoughts that enlighten make cowards of you. Your conscience desire to become a unique individual hinders you in the same way beast mode does.
2. Like Hamlet did in Act 2 scene 2, he compares himself to an outside person whom he knows nearly nothing about. The actor he speaks of can bring himself to tears about someone he knows but Hamlet finds himself unable to do this for the father and king he loved. Once again he compares himself to Fortinbras who races across a continent with at least 2000 men to right a wrong that was never made. Hamlet realizes honor is something to be preserved and that Fortinbras father was also slain but he also knows that he hasn’t reacted the way he feels he should have. His lack of violent reactions seems to trouble him, and while speaking of his dead father and dishonored mother, he says, “O, from this time forth / My thoughts be bloody or be nothing worth!” (4.4.68-69). He has seen the errors in his ways like he did previously in act 2 but no he has decided to set his mindset right. He will no longer meticulously plan his actions and words but slaughter many more like Polonius.
3. Hamlet is not Fortinbras. Therefore, Hamlet should not act like Fortinbras or set him as his role model. Fortinbras is a rash, violent and uncharitable person who undermine the authority figures above him and attempts to attack other nations with no other cause but violence in the name of his father’s death. While Hamlet is very similar, the script portrays Hamlet much more often than Fortinbras, allowing the reader and audience many more insights to his thoughts and mind than Fortibras. Hamlet is clever and witty, making many puns while speaking with his superiors. While this is similar to Fortinbras subversion it is much more subtly done. So while Hamlet may do better to be a bit more radical in his actions, the audience saw what happens when he acts before he thinks when he murdered Polonius. If Hamlet were to become a more radical and violent person like he says he will, the play will turn for the much bloodier.
Jordan W.
ReplyDelete1. Hamlet's dilemma in both soliloquy's is to take action, or not to take action. Whether he should be more like Fortinbras (as he discusses in the later soliloquy)and act on opposing forces as he does, or stay action-less as Hamlet has been. In the 3.1 soliloquy, Hamlet says that he could "take arms against a sea of troubles and by opposing end them." (3.1.67-68)Fighting against a sea may seem pointless, but maybe that would be what Fortinbras would do. Hamlet sees Fortibras in this sort of celebrity light, where he could do no wrong and never be defeated, and even if he was defeated, it would not end him. Hamlet wishes he had this trype of courage,but it is just not how Shakespeare wrote him. The main difference between the two soliloquys is that Hamlet isn't just saying that he should act on his feelings, but he is actually finding someone that he is able to look up to in Fortinbras. If it were me and my hero said "I'm going to go kill Hitler" I would want to do the same thing, and probably if I felt as strongly about my hero as Hamlet feels about Fortibras, then I wouldn't stop until I killed Hitler like he said he would. It's about how Hmalet has finally found a reason to act and would be disappointed or upset at himself if he didn't follow through.
2. In the 2.2 soliloquy, there is a parallel created by Hamlet about the idea of acting so well that it becomes a reality. Hamlet puts himself down because the actor can evoke emotions from himself without needing to actually feel pain, where Hamlet can feel the pain but not evoke any emotions. Carrying on with his thought process, he asks himself if he is a coward. In the 4.4 soliloquy, Hamlet makes it clear to the reader that he does not thing that he is a coward, in fact, he thinks exactly the opposite. Hamlet respects Fortinbras' abilities to act on the injustices he sees, no matter how small they may be; like taking war against a such a small country that it is hardly worth anything. Fortinbras sees it fit to invade and conquer the country, ans without putting too much thought into it, he simply does. Hamlet, on the other hand, puts so much thought into his actions that he second guesses his actions over and over again. The light at the end of this tunnel, however, is that the one time that Hamlet did act without thinking too much, it ended up in the death of Polonius, so perhaps the over thinking is what's keeping Hamlet and others around him alive.
3. I don't think that Hamlet could really be compared to Fortinbras because Fortinbras would never consider himself like Hamlet. Hamlet may wish to be like Fortinbras, but it is just not who he truly is as a person. In the comparison, though, it could help Hamlet see who he wants to be and what it would take to get there.
Diana D.
ReplyDelete1. Both Hamlet’s 3.1 and 4.4 soliloquies were based around the connection between cowardliness and inaction. In both soliloquies Hamlet says that “conscience does make cowards of us all” (3.1.91) and that thought is “one part wisdom and ever three parts coward” (4.4.45-46). Hamlet outright says that his inability to act comes from the self-doubt he has felt due to thinking over his plans. Instead of speaking more generally as he did in the 3.1 soliloquy, in the 4.4 soliloquy he was referring to himself. While he does seem to condemn logic in both soliloquies, this is portrayed in a stronger manner in the 4.4 soliloquy. By claiming that human thought was a gift from God then saying it is a hindrance to action, Hamlet hinted at being ungrateful to God. Being Elizabethan England, such a statement would show the audience that Hamlet was completely out of it. At the heart of it, both soliloquies are focused on overcoming the cowardice brought on by “god-like reason” (4.4.41). Unlike the “to be or not to be” soliloquy, in the 4.4 soliloquy Hamlet has clearly decided that it is nobler to “take arms against a sea of troubles” (3.1.67) as Young Fortinbras has. Using Young Fortinbras as his role model, Hamlet aimed to overcome the cowardice he lamented about in both soliloquies.
2. Both the 2.2 soliloquy and the 4.4 soliloquy revealed that Hamlet needs inspiration and motivation from others before he can act. Hamlet is jealous of both the player and Fortinbras; the player for his passion towards a cause and Fortinbras for his confidence in his own actions. In a way, Fortinbras is the player from 2.2 with “the motive and cue for passion” that Hamlet has (2.2.598-599). This anger at himself for his lack of action goes back to statement that “conscience does make cowards of us all” (3.1.91). Prior to meeting both men, Hamlet’s revenge plot was at a stand still; he had no idea how put his plan into action and spent most of his time trying to confuse those around him. By using the player ‘sand young Fortinbras’s passion as inspiration, Hamlet’s drive to avenge his father was restored. This inspiration from others can be seen when Hamlet decides to use the play to “catch the conscience of the king” (2.2.634). Interestingly enough, it was the actions that were inspired by the player’s false passion that set off the Tragedy of Hamlet. From these soliloquies we learned that to gain the confidence to overcome his cowardice, Hamlet must first look to others as examples.
3. I do not believe that Fortinbras would be a good role model for Hamlet. While Fortinbras’s passion and dedication is admirable, it should be noted that it was never Fortinbras’s plan to invade Poland, it was his uncle’s was of using the leftovers from his original plan. Listening to his uncle’s orders is not something Hamlet should do, especially now that it was confirmed that Claudius murdered King Hamlet. Not to mention Hamlet seems to be in some sort of idolization mode, as he exaggerates the number of men Fortinbras has with him from two thousand to “twenty thousand men” (4.4 63). Not to mention Fortinbras is sending thousands of men to their deaths for no real physical gain, which makes him seem like a horrendous strategist. While Fortinbras certainly does not lack the passion the Hamlet requires, I feel that Hamlet should step back and go through his choices again. Besides that, I feel that Hamlet can not act like Fortinbras even if he truly wanted to; if he could be as bold as he believed Fortinbras to be, Claudius would have been dead exactly one act and one scene ago.
Hope W.
ReplyDelete1. Hamlet reflects in both soliloquies about the cowardliness of people, over thought of action leads to no action at all. In his 4.4 soliloquy Hamlet says “if his chief good and market of his time be but to sleep and feed? A beast, no more.” Hamlet thinks about the fact that if a leader viewed by all as fierce just sleeps and eats he is not actually as fierce as people make him out to be. He is a coward. This idea of cowardliness comes up in the excerpt of the to be or not to be soliloquy where Hamlet is trying to understand that cowardliness results from consciences, or if you have too much time to think (as described in the 4.4 soliloquy) you become overcome with thoughts and unable to actually do anything at all. All of this can be brought back in touch with modern day by one of Newton’s laws, objects in motion tend to stay in motion, objects at rest tend to stay at rest unless a force acts upon them.
2. In both of these soliloquies Hamlet compares himself with someone in a similar situation (2.2 the play 4.4 Fortinbras) parallels are being brought up across the book and each of these two soliloquies embodies this fact. In the 2.2 soliloquy Hamlet says “What would he do, Had he the motive and cue for passion that I have?” here he is putting himself in the shoes of the actors mourning the loss of Hecuba, he compares their reaction to his own families reaction of king Hamlet’s death. This is very similar to what he is doing in his 4.4 soliloquy when he says “how stand I, then, that have a father killed, a mother stained, excitements of my reason and my blood,” Hamlet is again discovering how he and Fortinbras are alike both losing a father, and having reasons for revenge, only in this soliloquy Hamlet praises Fortinbras for being reasonable and taking out his anger in a fashion that will leave no major consequences, while he has killed people of importance in Denmark and plans to kill the king. Hamlet seems to have a steady flow of thoughts throughout the play making the same comparisons over and over each time reading deeper into it, as he does in these two soliloquies.
3. No, Fortinbras is not a good role model for Hamlet; he may have also had his father killed but his situation is not the same. Fortinbras is going off to Poland to kill thousands of people “the imminent death of twenty thousand men that for a fantasy and trick of fame go to their graves like beds,” Fortinbras is killing innocent soldiers, people with families and other lives just so that he can get out all of his anger and frustration of the loss of his father out. While Hamlet may not be handling his grief exactly right, he has only killed one person and plans on killing one more for the sake of his father “And I am then revenged to take him in the purging of his soul, when he is fit and seasoned for his passage? No.” as this passage shows Hamlet has serious feelings of hate towards Claudius for killing his father, Hamlet wants to make sure that Claudius goes straight to hell when he dies and not even see heaven. In this sense maybe Fortinbras is the bigger person for not blaming anyone in particular and plotting to kill them. But over the course of the book it is hard to believe that Fortinbras is a role model to Hamlet because he is going to war instead of plotting the murder of just one person, especially someone who has killed the king out of selfishness and greed.
Cara O.
ReplyDelete1. Hamlet, in this soliloquy from Act 4 Scene 4, further ponders his previous thoughts about the hesitation and cowardliness that is generated from overthinking situations. Hamlet notes that the ability to think is a gift, and what separates humans from animals, but also acknowledges that it can cloud one’s thoughts to the point of inaction. “With this regard their currents turn awry, and lose the name of action” and “I do not know why yet I live to say ‘This thing’s to do,’ sith I have cause, and will, and strength, and means to do ‘t” are phrases that both question why humans do not take action. Hamlet says that he has everything he needs to kill Claudius, but he is still standing around telling himself to take action. This is because his desires have been clouded over by thoughts that erase action. Hamlet uses the word “coward” in both soliloquies. He believes inaction is caused by fear, and this fear is caused by thinking. Both of these excerpts from the soliloquies involve Hamlet placing the blame for his inaction on the fact that he has been made a coward by thought.
2. In both soliloquies from Act 2 Scene 2 and Act 4 Scene 4, Hamlet is pitying himself because he cannot bring himself to kill Claudius. “O vengeance! Why, what an ass am I! This is most brave , that I, the son of a dear father murdered, prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell, must, like a whore, unpack my heart with words and fall a-cursing like a very drab, a scullion!” Hamlet is beating himself up because every part of him is telling him to go kill Claudius, but his mind is stopping him from doing so. He is taking pity upon himself because he believes it is foolish to experience such internal conflict, and wishes to just overcome it. In the 4.4 soliloquy, he mentions having opportunity, reason, physical ability, and ways to kill Claudius, yet he is still contemplating whether or not he will do it or not. Hamlet also mentions his major reason for action in both soliloquies, the murder of his father. “The son of a dear father murdered” and “How stand I, then, that have a father killed, a mother stained” are repetitions of Hamlet’s reasoning. Hamlet seems to be slightly jealous of the actors because he wishes his actions could be just as easy. He needs to become courageous and determined. Hamlet is also jealous of Fortinbras and his fantastic ambition. Even though he lacks a great purpose, Fortinbras still takes action to achieve his goals, and Hamlet wishes he could do that. In both soliloquies, Hamlet spends time wallowing in self-pity still trying to overcome the voice inside his head that is clouding his ambition.
3. I think Fortinbras is a good role model for Hamlet because he is taking action even though there are threats and downsides to his situation. He is going to invade Poland over a tiny piece of land which is pointless, but at least he is doing it. Fortinbras seems to lack Hamlet’s constant inner turmoil. Hamlet views Fortinbras as ambitious, and ambition is exactly what Hamlet needs to act upon. He needs incentive to kill Claudius, because he has not quite persuaded himself. “Led by a delicate and tender prince, whose spirit with divine ambition puffed makes mouths at the invisible event, exposing what is mortal and unsure, to all that fortune, death, and danger dare, even for an eggshell.” Fortinbras’ goal is not huge. He is fighting over a pointless section of land, but is still giving 110% so to speak. Hamlet has an enormous reason to kill Claudius, but is so hesitant, he is on the verge of inaction. Hamlet needs to act like Fortinbras and take action no matter what.
1. After comparing these two passages, I realize that, in both, Hamlet is trying to say that the fact that humans think and have a conscience doesn't make us less like animals. Instead, it makes us more so. In the "to be or not to be" soliloquy, Hamlet explains that "conscience does make cowards of us all." (2.2.91) At first, I thought that this made people more human, but on review, I realized that it made us less so. The fact that when we over think something, we become "cowards" makes me think of something that is driven purely by instinct. When I think of someone acting as a coward, I think of something that is unable to overcome their fear, and does what is best for them in the moment. I think that this is very primitive of us. Hamlet, too, emphasizes his distaste for analyzing and thinking about things. The fact that he says that thought is "sicklied o'er with the pale cast" (3.1. 93) makes me think of something that is weak and ill. This short line is enough to sum up all of Hamlet's feelings towards thinking. This reminds me of the soliloquy in Act 4 Scene 4 when Hamlet says that "capability" and "reason" are "unused." (4.4. 41-42)The fact that it is unused makes me think that it is easily looked over, which relates directly to the "pale cast." The relationship between these two soliloquies establishes Hamlet's feelings towards thinking and people in general, and illustrates how he believes how thinking make people return to their primitive instincts.
ReplyDelete2. In these two soliloquies, Hamlet establishes the fact that he is not so different than two other characters that seemingly have little in common with him: Fotinbras and one of the Players. It makes readers wonder how similar people really are, even to their own enemies. In the first soliloquy in Act 2 Scene 2, Hamlet establishes the fact that he and the actor are not so different after all. They both have the ability to project their emotions outwardly. The difference is, as Hamlet explains, is that the actor has much less cause to show these emotions, because he did not lose as much as Hamlet had. "What's Hecuba to him, or he to Hecuba, / That he should weep for her?" (2.2.586-587) Fotinbras, on the other hand, has almost an identical situation to Hamlet's. His father was killed and his uncle took over the throne. This creates a very interesting parallel between the characters. While Hamlet was able to relate to the Player because of their common ability to project the emotion, he seems to have much more in common with Fotinbras, who seems in the beginning to be his enemy. Fotinbras may be the only other person who can relate to what Hamlet is feeling. The Player seems to represent most of the other characters in the play, who just appear to empathize with Hamlet.
3. Overall, I don't think Fotinbras would be a good role model for Hamlet. I don't think that Hamlet would be a good role model for Fotinbras, either, though. I think that the two might need each other in order to deal with their similar grief. It seems to me that both of them are letting their emotions get the best of them, and is letting it overpower their rational thought. Fotinbras, to avenge his father's death, was going to march into Denmark to retrieve the land that his father had lost. Hamlet, to avenge his father's death, is planning on killing his uncle. Both of these decisions seem to be created solely by their own anger and grief, and lack any sort of rational thought. Neither of them seem to ever consider the fact that this revenge might not solve anything. In fact, it seems to me that it would only create more conflict. Hamlet does not seem to see this, though. Instead, he almost seems to idolize Fotinbras, calling him "a delicate and tender prince." (4.4.51) The fact that he and Fotinbras have so much in common gives me the impression that Hamlet is indirectly giving himself a compliment in this line. I feel that Hamlet is unable to ever give himself a direct compliment, but he manages to subtly do that in this line. All in all, I feel that neither should be a role model for the other, but I definitely do think that they could form a sort of bond over their common grief, that could perhaps solve many of the problems that have been created.
DeleteNicole B.
ReplyDelete1.From the “To be or not to be” soliloquy to the 4.4 “My thoughts be bloody” soliloquy, Hamlet escalates in his passionate dismay over his own cowardly lack of action. He is useless space because his “chief good and market of his time/Be but to sleep and feed…” (4.4.36-37) He cannot carry out one deed, he is nothing! He does not deserve this world. Hamlet shows just how serious he is by bringing G-d into the matter; “Sure He that made us…gave us not/That capability and godlike reason/To fust in us unused.” (4.4.38-41) We were not created to grow old sitting lazily around, letting everything rush by. Hamlet has escalated in his passion since the last soliloquy. In “To be or not to be”, Hamlet is blaming conscience; “Thus conscience does make cowards of us all…” (3.1.91), which is something that with willpower we could alter. In the 4.4 soliloquy, Hamlet is declaring that has not successfully become the creation that G-d intended. In the first half of this soliloquy, Hamlet appears to be on the verge of giving up.
Hamlet also intensifies his emotions from one soliloquy to the next with the adjectives he uses to describe himself. In “To be…”, Hamlet calls himself a “coward”. In 4.4 soliloquy, Hamlet calls himself a beast with no mind. The more he sits and bottles in his anger and grief, the more his passion grows. However, instead of any action being done, the emotion is exploding on Hamlet. He is hurting himself by not acting and instead lamenting over this inaction.
In both soliloquies, Hamlet reasons that overthinking is the cause of cowardly hesitation, “some craven scruple” (4.4.42), and pause. “…the pale cast of thought,/And enterprises of great pitch and moment/With this regard their currents turn awry…” (3.1.93-95) Thoughts, and the many ideas they bring to someone, can make you pale in the face of action. Too much thinking is a disadvantage, for you are aware of every little bit of the situation, and the great adrenaline and motivation is lost. The exhilaration fades away, and so does the intended goal. While thinking is usually responsible and the right approach, Hamlet is able to define thinking as normally beneficial, other than this case. The stand-out imagery of “the pale cast…” Pale, representing cowardice and cast meaning shadow: fearful thinking casts a shadow over us, causing us to halt. What irony; the pale shadow.
Though these two passages are in many ways similar, and have the same theme, Hamlet is vividly more passionate and full of emotion in the second soliloquy.
2. The 2.2 soliloquy and the 4.4. soliloquy are instrumental in the evolvement of Hamlet’s character. In both of these soliloquies, Hamlet is angry with himself for failing to take action, and in both soliloquies the anger is motivated after Hamlet compares himself to someone else. In 2.2, an actor outdoes Hamlet’s display of emotion, and to Hamlet it is shameful that he himself cannot bring about those tears and those facial expressions. “What would he do/Had he the motive and the cue for passion/That I have?”(2.2.87-89). This actor does not even have a good motivation, but yet he is doing more than Hamlet. In 4.4, Hamlet is angry that he still has not made any progress, while Fortinbras has an army prepared and on his way to Poland. Everyone in the army is doing more than Hamlet; they are willingly giving up their lives for measly cause. In both Hamlet believes he is the only one with a worthy reason to be angry, and yet the ony one who has failed in doing anything about it.
In the 2.2 soliloquy, Hamlet seems, at first, angry at the player for being better than him; “What’s Hecuba to him, or he to Hecuba..” (2.2.586). This is said in such a way it almost sounds like an indignant child: why is the player so good and I am not? By the end of the 2.2 soliloquy, Hamlet has transitioned from anger at the player, to anger at himself for being a fearful villain, and then to excitement over his newly-hatched plan. By the end of this passage, he has a foothold on the revenge mission, though at this point he still has not definitely decided that revenge is a necessary. For all we know, Hamlet is still unsure about the idea of revenge.
DeleteIn the 4.4 soliloquy, Hamlet definitely expands from one-dimensionally lamenting over his inaction at the start to questioning the morality of revenge; “Two thousand souls and twenty thousand ducats/..That inward breaks and shows no cause without/Why the man dies.” (4.4.26-30) Though this is right before the fourth soliloquy, it seems very crucial. With this monologue, you see Hamlet doubting going for revenge at all. Innocent people will die and nobody will be able to give a reason. However, Hamlet again reminds himself that if the army is wreaking revenge succefully, so can he. Because eof this, by the end of the soliloquy, Hamlet is able to come to terms with the fact that he will have to partake in bloody revenge. “My thought be bloody or be nothing worth!” (4.4.69) “Bloody” and “nothing worth” are strong choices, indicating Hamlet is serious this time. He is done debating; bloodshed now or never. This is a huge leap from Hamlet’s character at the beginning; a boy still nieve, and full of grief and depression. Through this play, he hardens.
3. For Hamlet’s general goal of revenge, Fortinbras is a good role model. When angry, Fortinbras took action immediately; prepping for an attack against Denmark and then an attack on Poland. Fortinbras motivated Hamlet’s 4.4 soliloquy: “[I] let all sleep, while to my shame I see/The imminent death of twenty thousand men” (4.4.62-63) Hamlet guilted himself into a resurgence of his motivation for revenge by comparing Fortinbras’ quick action to Hamlet’s own slow place. Fortinbras, without overthinking, without hardly any thinking, jumps into action while Hamlet spends most of his time lamenting his grief and his inaction. Though Fortinbras does seem to be such a great stimulator of courage and action in Hamlet, there are several reasons as to why Fortinbras is a bad role model. First of all, he under thinks his plans. While overthinking is cowardly and halting in planning, under thinking can result in a number of bad effects. Take Hamlet, in one adrenaline-dictated moment he kills Polonius, driving Ophelia insane. Fortinbras is jumping into a spontaneous was with Poland for land “That hath in it no profit but the name.” (4.4.20), according to his very own Captain. This impulsive move is probably making some of Fortinbras followers doubt his ruling. However, Fortinbras attack on Poland instead of Denmark is also a good decision for Hamlet to see. Fortinbras compromises; his uncle does not want him attacking Denmark, Fortinbras says okay but since he wants to attack someone, he is allowed to go after Poland. Hamlet, so far, is not the type of character to agree to any such deal, he is far too wrapped up in his own revenge tactics to help out anyone else. Of course, the way that Fortibras compromises is not a good example for Hamlet.
DeleteFortinbras’ biggest offense is that he seems to be without any emotion. He is attacking Poland originally because he was angry and needed to get that feeling out of him. However, Fortinbras is cool, calm, peaceful, and not at all in an excited manner as if he is about to war. It is not good to go mad like Hamlet did, but it is almost better than that then to appear emotionless. Because Hamlet is going mad and displaying such a large array of emotions we can tell that he is a human, with a soul. Fortinbras is much harder to connect with. If you are angry and about to take revenge, better do it with some meaning.
O’ Seiken
ReplyDelete1. Hamlet, in 3.1 says conscience, or objective morality stops people from acting but in 4.4 he adds that “Bestial oblivion” or the act of not thinking also prevents us from taking any steps. Hamlet is getting angry over his own impatience. If men use reason to cover up for inaction, they are worse than animals that do the same but without any mind and should therefore forfeit life-“I do not know why I live to say…” Thus even though we humans are greater than beasts by having conscience, it is a double-edged sword in that it generates reasons for us not to do something or other where animals wouldn’t hesitate. Hamlet is concerned if he should abandon conscience for the sake of the murder, which calls for some degree of apathy. In this light, the words “one part wisdom and ever three parts coward” may be describing conscience. It’s true that while animals don’t have to deal with all that, the nature of honour-which comes up later- stems from it too and we all know all noble murder is contingent upon honour.
2. It is clear things aren’t going to change unless Claudius dies and yet he hasn’t done it yet. Fortinbras is only acting on instinct and forgets vengeance altogether. I don’t know where he got “delicate and tender prince” but from this passage we get that Fortinbras through all his action is a fool. The player on the other hand is acting for the entertainment of the audience. Where all three are concerned with the concept of fighting, each has different motives and one is still wondering which path to follow. In 4.4 Ham says the validity of the fight is dependent on the reason. But by 2.2 Ham is impressed by the player’s choice and condemns himself for not being able to act that way. Also in 4.4 he disapproves of Fortinbras’s lack of fair reason, though he likes the fact that he took action anyways. In sum, Ham favors the player’s appearance of passion and Fortinbra’s action-taking. Though of course, the magnitude of his situation is totally separate from theirs as it concerns honor. Also, this is irrelevant but I think he’s overreacting and this soliloquy is inappropriate. I mean, he was close enough, wasn’t he? He didn’t hesitate to kill someone (anyone) behind the arras anyways.
3. No for better reasons than otherwise. Ham observed this himself but Fortinbra is laying down bodies for something trivial the likes of which “Which is not tomb enough and continent/ To hide the slain.” He doesn’t have any clue of what honor is and therefore is equal in value to a man without conscience which is a metaphor for a beast that sleeps and eats and in whose mind reason rots. He is not worth being compared to an eggshell (56). However, on the flip side, there is something to be admired about his headstrong style. Though he runs purely on instinct, they be manly instincts. By the same token, however, (and I’m sorry to have used this example already) he does not take action against Claudius, or Hamlet for that matter and is seen as capricious. And what better word to complete capricious than ‘fool.’
Anna G.
ReplyDelete1) Hamlet’s soliloquy “To be or not to be” 3.1, is very similar to this soliloquy in act 4.4. They both share alike qualities throughout. Hamlet is explaining how he does not want to be cowardly, which seems to be a recurring theme in the play so far. In the “To be or not to be” speech Hamlet is talking about sleeping, dreaming and dying, “To die, to sleep—To perchance to dream.” It relates to this soliloquy, which talks about death and sleep as well. He is torn with what he wants to do and what he has the courage to do. Sleep is an escape as would be death. He has an ongoing debate with himself trying to cause his mind to take action. He does not have any self worth at this point and wants to either take full action, by killing Claudius or doing absolutely nothing at all. Hamlet over thinks everything he does, which stops him from being able to avenge his father and it also causes self loathing and fear, “But that the dread of something after death, That undiscovered country from whose bourn No traveler returns…” (3.1.86-88)
2) In this play Hamlet has a continuous battle with conscience and motivation. “Am I a coward?” (2.2.598) He asks in the midst of yelling at himself for his decisions he has made. He is indecisive and questions himself and others. He degrades and annoys himself constantly. He is comparing his personality to others, like Fortinbras. Does he have enough passion to avenge his father? “How stand I then, That have a father kill'd, a mother stain'd, Excitements of my reason and my blood, And let all sleep? while, to my shame, I see The imminent death of twenty thousand men.” (4.4. 59-63) Here he is explaining how he feels ashamed and helpless. But instead of actually doing something, he steps back unconsciously (automatically) and shuts everything out.
3) Hamlet takes too much time trying to be like other people. He has extreme self-consciousness and is never satisfied. He should focus on attempting to better himself before he can look up to anyone as role model or “mentor”. Over time I believe Fortinbras would be someone positive that Hamlet should look up to. At this point in the play, Hamlet needs to work on improving and accepting who he is. Fortinbras seems strong-minded and brave; Hamlet aspires to be like that. But he should act like himself before he can begin to follow someone’s style of living.
James King
ReplyDeleteAct 4.4
1. In Hamlets Act Four Scene four soliloquy Hamlet realizes that acting without thinking is just as bad as thinking without acting. Hamlet felt great hatred for his self because he was not taking action to avenge his father he was just thinking about what he was going to do. This is made clear when he says “conscience does makes cowards of us all” and the quote “Lose the name of action.” but this is not how he feels in Act 4. Hamlet has final taken action and has killed Polonius the problem is that he did not consider the effects of his rash actions. The result was Hamlet being sent away to England to die. Hamlet understands know that one should think before you act but still make sure that you act.
2. Hamlet really slams on himself for not taking action in his Act 2 Scene 2 soliloquy and in his Act 4 Scene 4 soliloquy for taking rash action, he just can’t win. Hamlet admires those who can win or rather be successful he sees Fortinbras who is in a very similar situation acting very differently and the Actor who can cry from his own acting. Hamlet see how other people react to trauma and wonders why he can’t be like them, it is this school of thought that digs him into a deeper hole.
3. I do think that Hamlet needs to be more like Fortinbras in many ways but not all. What I mean is that Hamlet does not need to take action like Fortinbras does and go to war but he does need some of Fortinbras’s passion. Hamlet seems to lack the heart to avenge his father something he knows he has do. Hamlet says “And spur dull revenge!” to show that he does not feel for this cause that he does not want to kill Claudius. He has to do what Fortinbras or his Father would do in this situation and kill Claudius and not ponder on what to do even after he was certain of Claudius guilt. But Fortinbras and Hamlet are contrasting personalities. You never hear Fortinbras story which probably had many situations that could have been resolved by thinking. Hamlet and Fortinbras need to be more like each other to receive the proper amount of thought and proper amount of action.
Logan H.
ReplyDelete1) There are similarities and differences between the “To be or not to be” soliloquy and the 4.4. Soliloquy. One similarity is that they are both talking about being cowardice and not taking action towards something. The to be or not to be soliloquy is talking about humanity as a whole being too afraid to end their lives because of the uncertainty. The soliloquy in act four scene four is discussing Hamlet specifically, and how he is too much of a coward to take violent revenge. However, both of the soliloquies are different based on their opinion of war. The act four scene four soliloquy is idolizing fighting, going to war and being violent, where as the “to be or not to be” soliloquy is saying that it is useless to “take arms against a sea of troubles”.
2) There are also similarities and differences between the context of the act four scene four soliloquy and the soliloquy in act two scene two. Both of the soliloquies are comparing Hamlet negatively to someone else. In the act four scene four soliloquy, Hamlet is comparing his lack of action to Fortinbras’s aggressiveness, and shows admiration towards him. In the act two scene two soliloquy, he is comparing his lack of emotion to the great deal of emotion that the actor shows in his monologue to someone he is not emotionally attached to in real life. They are different because in the act four scene four soliloquy, Hamlet is encouraging himself to lose all of his empathy and become violent, where as in the act two scene two soliloquy, he wishes to be more emotional.
3) I feel that Hamlet should not want to take after someone as violent and reckless as Fortinbras. Hamlet fails to realize that he has admirable traits of his own, like his brilliant mind and ability to work the words that he uses like clay. The way he speaks makes people want to listen. Hamlet says in his 4.4 soliloquy that he “hath but one part wisdom And ever three parts coward”, but fails to realize that the one part wisdom that he has is what makes him spectacular, and just as admirable as Fortinbras and his bravery.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteCorinne D.
ReplyDelete1. The comparison of these two excerpts allows the reader to see more directly the transformation that Hamlet is making. In his "to be or not to be" speech, Hamlet acknowledges that thought makes him afraid of action, but he does nothing to counteract this fear.He simply ponders away the day, scolding himself for being a coward, but never attempting to change his ways. In this second soliloquy, though, Hamlet seems more lively, his purpose more potent, and his determination solidified. This speech gives the visual impression of Hamlet smacking himself upside the head. He realizes that, while he has successfully identified what is holding him back from avenging his father's death, he has not taken any steps towards overcoming this obstacle. In act four scene four Hamlet realizes that, being human and having reason, he should use his ability to judge and make decisions, not let it sit idle and disallow it to lead to action. To illustrate this, Shakespeare used the image of natural decay, saying that these skills of reason were not meant to sit inside of a man's head, growing moldy with age. Hamlet realizes that he has all the means he needs to carry out his murder of Claudius and avenge his father's killing. He acknowledges that there is no reason for him to not be able to do his father's bidding, and so he takes on this purpose with new fervor. There is something notably different in the two Hamlets that give these soliloquies. By comparing both of them, the reader i able to see just how far Hamlet has come, and how much farther he has to go.
2. Hamlet consistently compares himself to other characters in the play, and envies many qualities that they possess. The characteristic that he often pines for is the passion that he sees in others while carrying out tasks in their lives. Both the actor who performed for Hamlet and Fortinbras have put Hamlet’s resolve to shame. Both are characters who attack the task at hand with fervor and determination. When he comes into contact with such characters, Hamlet is often quick to react with a fast downward spiral into self-loathing and hate. After seeing how emotional the actor was capable of being, after witnessing the passion that he lent to his craft, Hamlet is overcome with frustration. He wonders how an actor, who stands for only fiction and myths, could have more intensity than himself, who, not only has a concrete cause for anger and distress, but has also been instructed by his dead father’s ghost. With Fortinbras, the story is very much the same. Fortinbras risks more to conquer a useless piece of cheap land than Hamlet does in avenging his father’s murder. In both cases, Hamlet is made to feel like an incompetent coward. He gets mad, and goes into long rants that reaffirm his determination. Hamlet continually gets his strength from the example of others. It’s by this inspiration that he could ever hope to finally avenge his father’s death.
3. If one simply looks at Fortinbras’ personality, then he could very easily be viewed as a good role model. However, put his character into context, watch how he applies it, and suddenly he’s not such a paragon. Fortinbras is determined and passionate and quick to take action, but he uses this in the wrong way. Instead of putting all of his energy into a useful or important cause, he decides to take on a more vain purpose, only trying to prove that he is capable of accomplishing something. He risks the lives of his men and himself in this effort, and for what gain? A mere piece of un-livable land? It is a futile mission, and no amount of gusto would change that. Hamlet would do well to learn from Fortinbras, but not necessarily follow his example. Hamlet should realize Fortinbras’ wastefulness and take care that he doesn’t go down the same path. I think Fortinbras serve more as a lesson than a role model.
Emily M.
ReplyDelete(Revised comment and done without a fever!)
1. The part of the to be or not to be speech, and the beginning of the act four scene four speech seems to be very similar, only that the 4.4 was more thorough in Hamlet’s thought process, even though it was more thorough in that Hamlet had clearer ideas, the thoughts themselves seemed a lot more vague and confusing as opposed to the to be or not to be piece chosen to be compared. In the 4.4 soliloquy Hamlet asks “what is a man?” 4.4.36 and “but to sleep and feed?” 4.4.38 making it seem more vague, and more open to let the reader make their own assumptions of life. What really defines man hood, is a man just on this earth to proved and work? In the to be or not to be part it is more just Hamlet’s opinions and not as big/bold concerning ideas and thoughts of life. “thus conscience makes cowards of us all” 3.3.91 is more of an assertion and conclusion Hamlet has come up with, and he seems less confused during this soliloquy than he is in the 4.4 soliloquy. Hamlet’s confusion comes through in the 4.4 soliloquy with his first question, and also when he says “Looking before and after, gave us not-That capability and god-like reason” he is saying god didn’t give humans the power to reason or be perfect in the decisions that they make, but does this enough reason to kill Claudius? He seems confused to say the least. Over all the two soliloquy are similar in that they convey Hamlets ideas of life, but Hamlet seems to confuse himself more in the 4.4 soliloquy.
2.In the 2.2 soliloquy and in the last soliloquy Hamlet seems to be struggling to find a role model, and also struggling to live up to the actions of a role model . In the 2.2 soliloquy Hamlet does not want to let his father down, he wants to live up to his father’s expectations. This is apparent when Hamlet says “like John-a-dreams, impregnate of my cause-and can say nothing; no, not for a king.” (2.2.573-573). Hamlet is basically questioning why he has to kill Claudius seeing that he is just a dreamer, and does not take action, and also that he is not quick, and because of this, he cannot live up to his father’s expectations. In the 4.4 soliloquy Hamlet wants to take after the actions of that of Fortinbras, but he also questions his ability to do so. “Witness this army of such mass and charge-Led by a delicate and tender prince,-Whose spirit with divine ambition puff'd-Makes mouths at the invisible event” (4.4.50-52) Hamlet is admiring Fortinbras’s army “witness this army of such mass and charge”. Hamlet wishes he had Fortibras’s ambition to lead an army, and channel that ambition to be able to kill Claudius without worrying about the outcome. Hamlet has sat back and just wondered for most of the play, as opposed to his father and especially Fortinbras, who are taking action and who have taken action in their mortal lives. Hopefully Hamlet‘s 4.4 soliloquy helps his realize it is the right time to take his first steps on the road to killing Claudius.
3. Hamlet in some ways should be more like Fortinbras, but in some ways he should not. Hamlet unlike Fortinbras has a plausible reason to kill, but Fortinbras is just taking his anger out on an innocent country. Hamlet understands he should not be a killer just to kill something that doesn’t affect his life, as Fortinbras is doing; this is how Hamlet should not take after Fortinbras. Hamlet should be like Fortinbras in his courage and in his drive to get revenge. Fortinbras is bringing a huge army to take vengeance over the death of King Hamlet, with no reason “and shows no cause” is what Hamlet said about Fortinbras, which Hamlet is right here, there should really be a cause to kill. Hamlet also says in his soliloquy “Sith I have cause and will and strength and means-To do't” (4.4.48) he is saying he isn’t like Fortinbras, because he does have a cause, but he is not like Fortinbras because Hamlet does not have the courage to avenge his fathers death. Overall I think it is good that hamlet is using Fortinbras as a role model, and can depict out how he should be like Fortinbras, and how he shouldn’t.
ReplyDeleteIvy G.
ReplyDelete1. There are many similarities and not as much contrast between this soliloquy and the “To be or not to be” soliloquy. In lines 36-49 of this soliloquy, Hamlet talks about how “hath but one part wisdom and ever three parts coward” and he also says in his “To be or not to be” soliloquy that “conscience does make cowards of us all”. He generalizes saying that everyone is a coward when they “think too precisely on the event”. Hamlet tries to puzzle out what man’s purpose is in life. When he says in this soliloquy “and enterprises of great pitch and moment with this regard their currents turn awry” it corresponds to the “To be or not to be soliloquy” where he says in lines 40-49 “that capability and godlike reason to fust in us unused.. I do not know why yet I live to say ‘this thing’s to do… witness this army, of such mass and charge”. The similarity is in the idea that such great things and abilities to reason weren’t given to humans to go to waste “unused”. These soliloquies show the development of Hamlet’s thoughts on the purpose of life through their similarities.
2. In the 2.2.576 soliloquy Hamlet was less certain of things that he seems to be certain of now in this soliloquy. It seems more like he was brainstorming in 2.2.576 because he asks himself “Am I a coward?” whereas in this soliloquy he comes out and forwardly states in line 46 “And ever three parts coward” which puts a firm definition on his previous theory. Another example to support that Hamlet has defined his thoughts stronger in this 4.4 soliloquy is that in the 2.2 soliloquy Hamlet asks “What would he do, had he the motive and the cue for passion that I have?” and in the 4.4 soliloquy he boldly says “Sith I have cause, and will, and strength, and means to do’t.” This shows a growth in character where Hamlet has become a bit more pronounced in his opinions; where he has found his reason to pursue a course of action.
3. I am not sure that Fortinbras is a good role model for Hamlet; he wouldn’t be very successful if he mimicked everything Fortinbras did. Hamlet has characteristics and critical thinking skills that Fortinbras lacks and therefore puts Hamlet in a superior position to Fortinbras in some cases. Hamlet seems to understand that he has more purpose than Fortinbras when Hamlet says “What would he do, had he the motive and the cue for passion that I have?” Though, Hamlet expresses disappointment in himself for not being able to muster up as much gumption as Fortinbras. I think the ability for Hamlet to recognize that enables him to succeed in his mission far more thoroughly than Fortinbras could. Conviction and purpose seem to be the differences between these two characters. Therefore, Fortinbras is not a perfect role model for Hamlet, but he is an adequate motivator.