Hamlet Act I, Scene V

1. HamletAct I, Scene V By: Alex Quinn, Hanna Beydoun, & Hayley Bergen ENG 4U0

2. Scene Summary The ghost tells Hamlet that he was murdered by Claudius. He accuses Claudius and Gertrude of having an adulterous relationship before his death, and he describes exactly how he was poisoned. The Ghost commands Hamlet to take revenge for these wrongs. Hamlet is horrified by all he learns and swears to follow the Ghost’s commands. When he is joined by Horatio and Marcellus, he does not reveal what the Ghost told him. As his friends try to calm him, he forces them to swear secrecy about what they have seen. (i, v, page 63)

3. The Dramatic Purpose of a Scene • Develops Suspense • Provides Motivation for a Later Incident in the Plot • Advances the Plot • Character Links • Provides Useful Information • Demonstrates Conflict

4. Develops Suspense in the Scene In act one scene five of Hamlet, the ghost and Hamlet finally speak alone. At this time, the ghost (Hamlet’s father) reveals that though everyone in Denmark may believe he was killed by a poisonous snake, the truth is that Claudius, his own brother, poured a vile of henbane poison into his ears one day during his nap in the Orchard. To seek revenge, the ghost tells Hamlet to not harm his mother because she is so quick to sleep with Claudius, but to seek this revenge on his uncle for his horrible murder, which ultimately creates suspense for future conflict and events to occur in the plot of the play.

5. Point One Quote Analysis • “Ghost: Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder.Hamlet: Murder? Ghost: Murder most foul, as in the best it is.But this most foul, strange and unnatural. Hamlet: Haste me to know’t, that I, with wings as swiftAs meditation or the thoughts of love,May sweep to my revenge.” • This quotation between Hamlet and the ghost reveals that after Hamlet was told the truth about how his father actually died, the ghost tells him to seek revenge against Claudius for the unnatural and terrible murder he committed. This creates suspense in a matter that the audience and other characters in the play are thinking how Hamlet will take this revenge, or if he will even seek it to begin with. This creates suspense for everyone watching/ reading the play as well as the characters because everyone is now wondering what future events are to occur and what Hamlet is to do.

6. Point Two Quote Analysis • “Ghost: Oh, horrible, oh, horrible, most horrible!If though hast nature in thee, bear it not.Let not the royal bed of Denmark beA cough for luxury and damned incest.But howsoever thou pursuest this act,Taint not thy mind, nor let they soul contriveAgainst thy mother aught. Leave her to heaven.And to those thorns that in her bosom lodgeTo prick and sting her. Fare thee well at once.The glowworm shows the matin to be near,And ‘gins to pale his uneffectual fire.” • The ghost said this quotation after explaining to Hamlet the truth of his father’s death. It creates suspense the same way the past quotation did as well— it foreshadows future conflicts between Hamlet and Claudius. It develops suspense in a way that it leaves the readers/ audience/ characters wanting more of the plot, leaving them with such little information and detail that everyone is wondering what is to come next, or even if anything is to happen at all.

7. Provides Motivation for a Later Incident in the Plot Act 1, scene 5 provides motivation for a later incident in the plot when the ghost tells Hamlet to be careful about getting revenge on Claudius, and then Hamlet confirms after the ghost leaves that he will pursue revenge on Claudius.

8. Point One Quote Analysis • “But howsoever thou pursuest this act, Taint not thy mind, nor let thy soul contrive Against they mother aught.” (i, v, 84-86) • Translation: “But however you go about your revenge, don’t corrupt your mind or do any harm to your mother.” • This quote provides motivation for a later incident in the plot, because it foreshadows the outcome of Hamlet’s act of revenge toward Claudius. It leaves the audience wondering if Hamlet’s revenge will hurt his mother and if it will lead him to go insane.

9. Point Two Quote Analysis • “So, uncle, there you are. Now to my word.” (i, v, 110) • Translation: “So, uncle, there you are. Now it’s time to deal with the vow I made to my father.” • This quote provides motivation for a later incident in the plot, because it confirms that Hamlet is motivated and will take revenge on Claudius.

10. Advances the Plot Act one, scene five of Hamlet is a very important scene in the novel because it advances the plot by revealing the truth about King Hamlet’s death. According to the state of Denmark, old King Hamlet’s death was an accident, but the truth is unfolded when his ghost visits young Hamlet and reveals a sibling rivalry that was taken too far. The ghost expects his son to take full revenge on the situation, in which Hamlet agrees upon. Hamlet then begins to plot against his uncle/ step-father, therefore advancing the plot and revealing the main theme shown throughout the play; revenge.

11. Point One Quote Analysis • “Ghost: Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder.Hamlet: Murder?Ghost: Murder most foul, as in the best it is.But this most foul, strange and unnatural.”(i, v, 25-32) • This quote is quite relevant in advancing the plot because it reveals that King Hamlet, now deceased, was murdered and is seeking revenge. The King awakens from purgatory to tell his son, young Hamlet, that he wants him to take revenge on Claudius because he caused his death. Hamlet, who is very loyal to his father decides to take on the challenge of revenge against his uncle/ step-father and mother. • This scene begins the theme of vengeance, which is demonstrated throughout the play.

12. Point Two Quote Analysis • “Unhouseled, disappointed, unaneled.No reckoning made, but sent to my accountWith all my imperfections on my head.Oh, horrible, oh, horrible, most horrible!If thou hast nature in thee, bear it not. Let not the royal bed of Denmark beA couch for luxury and damned incest.But howsoever thou pursuest this act, Taint not thy mind, nor let thy soul contriveAgainst thy mother aught. Leave her to heavenAnd to those thorns that in her bosom lodgeTo prick and sting her. Fare thee well at once.The glowworm shows the matin to be near,And ‘gins to pale his uneffectual fire.Adieu, adieu, adieu. Remember me!(i, v, 77-91). • Not only does this quote develop suspense throughout the scene, but it also provides clues to what might occur later in the play. The ghost tells Hamlet to seek revenge, but without harming his mother or losing his head in the process. This quote foreshadows that Hamlet will probably loose his head while sabotaging his the new marriage and kingship.

13. Character Links Point One: In act one scene five of Hamlet, Shakespeare illustrates the character links between Hamlet, Horatio, and Marcellus, after hamlet asks the two to not tell a soul of what they have seen that night and to swear to God and swear on his sword. This reveals the trust bond created in their friendship that links all the characters together in a way that they are unable to do or to say specific things that Hamlet trusts them with. Point Two: Another character link that is illustrated in Hamlet, is the character link between Hamlet and the ghost of his father. This character link is one of a father-son bond that will link to Hamlet’s behaviour and actions in future events of the plot.

14. Point One Quote Analysis • “Hamlet: And now, good friends,As you are friends, scholars, and soldiers,Give me one poor request.Horatio: What is’t, my lod? We will.Hamlet: Never make known what you have seen tonight.Horatio, Marcellus: My lord, we will not.Hamlet: Nay, but swear’t.Horatio: In faith, my lord, in faith,Marcellus: We have sworn, my lord, already.Hamlet: Indeed, upon my sword, indeed” • This quotation, said by Hamlet, Marcellus, and Horatio, reveals the trust bond created between the three, in regards to Hamlet asking each to never tell anyone of what they have seen that night. This quotation illustrates the character links between the three in that of which it will now prevent Marcellus and Horatio from doing and saying specific things because they have sworn they will not.

15. Point Two Quote Analysis • “Ghost: …And ‘gins to pale his uneffectual fire.Adieu, adieu, adieu. Remember me. Hamlet: …So, uncle, there you are. Now to my word.” • This quotation reveals the father-son character link between Hamlet and the ghost (his father). The ghost earlier tells Hamlet to seek revenge on his uncle for the terrible murder he has committed and Hamlet agrees to keep with this promise. As the ghost is saying goodbye to Hamlet and telling him to remember him, he is not saying that Hamlet will forget about his father, rather he is reminding him to never forget the promise he made about seeking revenge on Claudius. In response, Hamlet says “Now to my word”, meaning that it is time to deal with the vow he made to his father.

16. Provides Useful Information Act 1, scene 5 provides useful information, because the ghost not only confirms that he is the ghost of the dead king, but he also admits to how he was murdered and by whom.

17. Point One Quote Analysis • “I am thy father’s spirit.” (i, v, 9) • Translation: “I am the ghost of your father.” • This quote proves that the ghost is the spirit of the dead king, which was unknown but guessed by Horatio and the other night guards. Now that information has been confirmed and it adds extra information to the plot.

18. Point Two Quote Analysis • “Sleeping within my orchard...thy uncle stole With juice of cursed hebenon in a vial, And in the porches of my ears did pour The leperous distilment... So did it mine... All my smooth body.” (i, v, 61-73) • Translation: “While sleeping in my orchard, your uncle crept up and put a poison in my ear and that is how he robbed me of my life.” • This quote proves that Claudius did kill the king by poisoning him.

19. Demonstrates Conflict Act one, scene five demonstrates person verses person, as the ghost reveals that he was murdered by his brother and betrayed by his wife. Hamlet learns the truth behind his fathers death and tells his friends about the occurrence, only to become upset with the ghost because he will not leave.

20. Point One Quote Analysis • “Sleeping within my orchard,My custom always of the afternoon, Upon my secure hour thy uncle stoleWith juice of cursed hebenon in a vial,And in the porches of my ears did pour The leperous distilment, whose effectHolds such an enmity with blood of manThat swift as quicksilver it courses throughThe natural gates and alleys of the body.”(i, v, 59-68) • Person verses Person • This quote reveals how King Hamlet was murdered by his brother, Claudius, who killed King Hamlet because he wanted his throne. The audience learns from this soliloquy that Claudius and Queen Gertrude had a relationship before the death of King Hamlet, which contributed to reason to murder the King. If he was deceased, then the two would be able to continue their relationship in the public eye.

21. Point Two Quote Analysis • “Hamlet: Never to speak of this that you have seen. Swear by my sword.Ghost: Swear.Hamlet: Hic et ubique? Then we’ll shift our ground. Come hither, gentlemen,And lay your hands again upon my sword.Swear by my swordNever to speak of this that you have heard.Ghost: Swear by his sword!Hamlet: Well said, old mole! Canst work I’th’ earch so fast?A worthy pioneer! Once more remove, good friends.”(i, v, 156-165) • Person verses person • After Hamlet converses with the ghost, he meets up with his friends Horatio and Marcellus and tells them about his father. They begin to realize that Hamlet is talking in an odd manner and question him, but he replies by telling his friends not to mention what has happened. As Hamlet speaks to his friends, the ghost repeats Hamlet’s words, which aggravates Hamlet and he begins to speak to his father in an unkindly manner. • This is an example of person verses person, or person verses the supernatural world, because Hamlet becomes upset with his fathers ghost and yells back at him.

22. fin Thank you.