... Lost, II.i.203 This was a very rude curse because a man's facial hair was a point of pride for him. And "to play with someone's beard" was to insult him. "God's body" 1 Henry IV, II.i.26 Swearing by Christ's body (or any part thereof,) was off limits in civil discourse. "God's Bod(y)kins, man" Hamlet, II.ii.529 The word bod(y)kin means "little ... two worst of these Shakespearean swears were "'zounds" and "'sblood." "'Zounds" had twenty-three occurrences. Ten of them were in 1 Henry IV. The rest appear in Titus (once), Richard III (four times), Romeo and Juliet (twice), and Othello (six...

• Word Count: 1988
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• Grade Level: High School

... 's scholarly concern that the ghost "bodes some strange eruption to our state." (I.i.69) Because of this confusion, not knowing whether Old Hamlet's ghost was "a spirit of health or goblin damn"d," (I.iv.40) the Elizabethan audience would have supported Hamlet in his choice to be sure before killing Claudius, his father's murderer. This shows how Shakespeare uses the audience's uncertainty to manipulate ... Days of Christmas 1). So, even though this night could have been looked at as deception and foolery, it had a Christian core. Henry V deals with the ideals of heaven and hell when the...

• Word Count: 1416
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• Grade Level: High School

... of anger, "But to live in the rank sweat of an enseamed bed, stewed in corruption, honeying and making love over the nasty sty- -(III:iv). This intense emotional reaction between Hamlet and his mother results in the death of Polonius, who is hiding in the room. We can make an assumption that ... from the rational. This is shown in the same scene, after Hamlet slays Polonuis through the curtain he asks the question, "Is it the King-(III:iv). It is apparent that Hamlet's thoughts becomes colored with passion for revenge. Hamlet already knows that the King cannot be hiding in the room, for ...

• Word Count: 1406
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• Grade Level: High School

... little crazy. He also makes a point of saying, "I must be cruel only to be kind; this bad begins, and worse remains behind."(iii.: iv.: 1019). Many of his actions are explained by this saying. For example, his love relationship with Ophelia and his attitude towards his mother. Hamlet is ... to the profoundest pit.I dare damnation: to this point I stand,negligence, Let come what comes, only I"ll be revenged most thoroughly for my father."(iv.:iv.:1029). Laertes has vowed vengeance to his father's murderer, and Claudius uses this to his advantage. Hamlet is the killer. Claudius and Laerte...

• Word Count: 1335
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• Grade Level: High School

... was willing to take the chance of going mad to find out information, whether it was good or bad, "It waves me still./ Go on; I'll follow thee."(I,iv,85-86), Hamlet took action into his own hands and followed the ghost. Hamlet also takes action by putting on the play, The Murder of Gonzago, to get a ... inform against me,/ And spur my dull revenge. What is a man/ If his chief good and market of his time/ Be but to sleep and feed?"(IV,iv,34-37). Hamlet accuses himself of not acting on revenge and is mad at himself, "My thoughts be bloody or be nothing worth ... that he was being spied on b...

• Word Count: 1897
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• Grade Level: High School

... will happen to him in this life or after his death, and he states, "that both the worlds I give to negligence, let come what comes- (IV.V.131). The only thing of consequence is vengeance for his father's death. When the true culprit is brought to his attention, he is ready to take action ... immediately and is instantly creating a dastardly plan to ensure that revenge is achieved. 2 He claims he will "cut his throat I' the church- (IV.VII.127). The consequences of Laertes' rash actions are seen in the final scene, when he realises that Hamlet is not to blame, stating, "mine and my ... f...

• Word Count: 1685
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• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

Nature vs. Nurture Sociological views of evil in Shakespearean and current society "Company, villainous company, has been the spoil of me." This quote in William Shakespeare's play Henry IV (3.3.11) showcases one of the common themes in many of William Shakespeare's plays: the role of the villain. For any storyline to be interesting, it must have some type of ... ...

• Word Count: 1501
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... lacks any actions of dishonour or deceit. Albeit his course does involve "the imminent death of twenty thousand men for a fantasy of trick and fame- (IV.iv.60-61), his character is otherwise devoid of any dishonourable intentions. It is believed that it is because of his honourable convictions that he is rewarded with ... large role on how Laertes would have otherwise dealt with the situation, "Let come what comes, only I'll be most revenged most thoroughly for my father."" (IV.v.135-136). Quick to avenge the loss of his family, we see a rather rash and hot-headed Laertes, and although on...

• Word Count: 2387
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• Grade Level: High School

... was not to be against King Hamlet. He is already dead at the hands of his brother, Claudius "the serpent that did sting thy fathers life now wears his crown- (Iv.38-39). The ghost of "Hamlet, King, father, royal Dane- (Iiv.45) tells the young Prince that poison was poured into his ear such that the "whole ear ... of Denmark is by a forged process of my death rankly abused- (Iv.36-37). Prince Hamlet is charged to "revenge his foul and most unnatural murder- (Iv.25). It is not however just a murder, it is a loss "of life, of crown, of queen at once dispatched ... villain in the play, has ...

• Word Count: 1437
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... many critics to be an excuse for his delay towards revenge. However, Shakespeare acknowledges that Hamlet does hide from his "bloody deed" [IV.iv.58] through the pretence of madness when he still had, "cause, and will, and strength, and means to do't". [IV.iv.40] Hamlet himself admits it is a, "bestial oblivion, or some craven scruple / Of thinking too precisely on th"event ... " [IV.iv.41] (that inhibits him from action. It is arguably Hamlet's thoughts and scruples, which lead him to don the cloak of madness, which ... ...

• Word Count: 1550
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• Has Bibliography
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... To this point I stand, That both the Worlds I give to Negligence, Let come what comes, onely I"ll be reveng"d Most throughly for my Father." (IV, V, 130). Hamlet, in contrast, is very private with his grief. His grief for his father, King Hamlet, is very long and drawn out, two months ... revenge and does not seem concerned with punishment. Laertes is concerned with the physical and the present, "That both the worlds I give to negligence, "(IV, V, 134) he declares. Hamlet however, philosophizes about the afterlife, and whether "...In that sleep of death what dreams may come."(III, I, 66...

• Word Count: 1938
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• Grade Level: High School

... there are several hints that the young prince suffers from the Oedipus complex. Claudius is quoted, "The queen his mother / Lives almost by his looks" (IV.vii.11-12). This reveals a sense of closeness between Hamlet and his mother. This also shows that Hamlet is needed in his mother's life. Hamlet ... an act that looks like he is forcing his mother into a sexual position. The Ghosts speaks, "But look, amazement, on thy mother sits" (III.iv.113). Last, Young Hamlet finally decides to confront his mother about the situation about which he is extremely upset. However, instead of talking abo...

• Word Count: 1901
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• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... mother; as is apparent in the following: "My pulse as yours doth temperately keep time and makes as healthful music". (III. iv. 161-162). Because of this tendency, psychologists have concluded that Hamlet must have suffered from an Oedipus complex (pinkmonkey.com). According to the ... my uncle's bed. Assume a virtue if you have not Refrain and that shall lend a kind of easiness to the next abstinence," (III. iv. 180-188). Additionally, the Ghost is indirectly related to the theme of Hamlet's procrastination, which is considered his chief weakness. This weakness was copied ... about so...

• Word Count: 1979
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... other plots in the play. The newly crowned villain, Claudius, later remarks "Diseases desperate grown by desperate appliance are relieved, or not at all" (IV.3.8), directly before the scene of Hamlet revealing the location of Polonius' dead body. Here, the evil king considers his plan to send the mentally ill ... Hamlet away to England, ridding himself of . Later in this scene, Claudius compares Hamlet to "the hectic in my blood and thou must cure me" (IV.3.65), portraying the psychologically ailing prince as a personal sickness, a fever raging in his body. Hamlet, later, in his first sol...

• Word Count: 1339
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... he has not done anything, and then he decides that he contemplates too much! It is made apparent that Hamlet is connected to Fortinbras. He references Fortinbras as a "divine prince." (IV, iv,45-47) Hamlet deeply respects what Fortinbras has done in honoring his father, and is ashamed because he turned his back when his family's honor became an issue. Rightly to ... be great Is not to stir without great argument But greatly to find quarrel in a straw When honor's at stake (IV, iv, 55-58). For the remainder of this soliloquy, Hamlet is concentrated again on his course of action. Only to ...

• Word Count: 1492
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... to take action, it does not work out as he plans. " this counselor / Is now most still, most secret and most grave, / Who was in life a foolish prating knave." (III, iv, __) Hamlet speaks of Polonius in this quote after he commits the act of murder. Hamlet, thinking that it was the King who was listening in on his conversation with his ... the King and Laertes, Polonius" son, enough time to plan revenge against Hamlet. "So you shall; / And where it is, let the great axe fall. / I pray you, go with me," (IV, vii, __) The King and Laertes decide to have a sword fight against Hamlet, in wh...

• Word Count: 1428
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... . Polonius offers Laertes good, fatherly advice before Laertes leaves Denmark. Polonius tells him, "Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice; / Take each man's censure, but reserve thy judgement." (I, iv, 68-69). He wants his son to be wise and stay clear of conflict. He suggests that Laertes should listen to others rather than interject. Polonius eventually offers his last ... contest. At one point, the queen and Hamlet eventually talked to each other and the queen says, "Hamlet, thou hast thy father much offended." (III, iv, 9). Hamlet responds. "Mother, you have my father much offend...

• Word Count: 1575
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... views in her, and uses that to his benefit. Hamlet states, "you are the queen, your husband's brother's wife; and -would it were not so!- you are my mother"(III.iv.18-19). Hamlet berates his mother with sharp edged comments showing his lack of respect and the disapproval of her marriage. Hamlet's fury is displayed as he generalizes that not ... too broad to bear with and that your grace hath screened and stood between much heat and him. I'll silence me even here. Pray you, be round (with him."" (III, iv, 1-7) In this quote Polonius is convincing Gertrude to try and uncover the genuine m...

• Word Count: 1456
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... natural gates and alleys of the body, And with a sudden vigour it doth posset And curd, like eager droppings into milk, The thin and wholesome blood. So did it mine."" I.IV Claudius' usurpation of the crown and Hamlet's final act of revenge in killing Claudius fulfills the conventions of an Elizabethan revenge tragedy. During the play, Hamlet seems to display a complete ... to be almost disgusted by her, and she lives: "in the rank sweat of an enseaméd bed, Stewed in corruption, honeying and making love Over the nasty sty - - III.IV This speech, spoken in such a sexual manner, is effec...

• Word Count: 2372
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... making a comparison to their bed and a pig's sty he says, " In the rank sweat of an enseamed bed, / Stew"d in corruption, honeying and making love/ Over the nasty sty--" [III . iv . 94-96]. The bed and the act of making love are the images of corruption in the quote. The continuing incest and corruption break the Elizabethan order of the universe ... . Hamlet is very angry comparing his mother to a prostitute says, "Calls virtue hypocrite, takes off the rose/ from the fair forehead of an innocent love,/ And sets a blister there;- [III . iv . 44-46]. The blister is an image of sickness an...

• Word Count: 1647
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• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... Hamlet is aware that he murdered his father, Claudius begins to plot and scheme against his nephew out of fear. "O come away, / My soul is full of discord and dismay." (IV,I, 44-45) Here, the King's fear at the thought of Hamlet's knowledge is shown. His first cowardly action is to call upon Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, two of Hamlet's colleagues. More ... . Do it, England; For like the Hectic in my blood he rages, And thou must cure me. Till I know" tis done, Howe"er my haps, my joys ne"er begun. (IV, iii, 65-69) Hamlet out smarts his uncle, and escapes before he is sent off to England...

• Word Count: 1781
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... in Gertrude's closet), Hamlet berates himself because of his indecisiveness: 'Why (must ) I live to say 'This thing's to do; / Sith I have cause and will and strength and means / To do't' (IV.iv. 44-46). Hamlet realizes that his strength and opportunity are of no avail until he feels morally right in following through on his vengeful task. Looking towards Horatio as a model ... ' he had been pulling. He finally mentions to Gertrude that he believes she had some underlying part in his father's death. She, in turn, is astonished, "As kill a king?' (III.iv. 30). This response corroborates t...

• Word Count: 1879
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• Grade Level: High School

... because he was too occupied with other people's affairs. "I took thee for thy better. Take thy fortune Thou find'st to be too busy is some danger." (Act III, scene iv, page 137, l.34-35) We can notice that even when Hamlet knows that he has killed Polonius instead of the King, he doesn't feel guilty. He acts in a very passionate ... virtue of mine eye! - By heaven, thy madness shall be paid by weight, (...) After the thing it loves." (Act IV, scene V, page 150, l.152-160) "One woe doth tread upon another's heel, So fast they follow - your sister's drown"d, Laertes." (Act IV, scene VII, ...

• Word Count: 1643
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... left his family to pursue a career as an actor in London. "Shakespeare wrote his first play in 1592. It was a historical play called Henry VI, which was one of the biggest successes of the year" (Hazlitt). Some scholars criticized him because he did not have a university education like ... son of James Burbage, the designer of The Theatre. Other important members of the company were John Heminges, who was their permanent business manager, and Henry Condell, another actor in the company. These two men later published the first complete edition of Shakespeare's play, after Shakespeare's de...

• Word Count: 1655
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... to be a common theme within these soliloquies. Accompanying the Freudian beliefs is another scene. This scene does not contain a soliloquy but has a long discussion with his mother. In Act 3 scene iv, we see Hamlet and Gertrude arguing how clouded Gertrude's vision has gone, and we see how upset Hamlet is with his mother. "Such an act That blurs the grace ... , Calls virtue hypocrite, takes off the rose From the fair forehead of an innocent love And sets a blister there, makes marriage-vows As false as dicers' oaths--..." (Shakespeare iii. iv. 43). What he is saying is that she is a lyin...

• Word Count: 1825
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School