An analysis of repeated allusions in Shakespeare's Hamlet

“The serpent that did sting thy father’s life Now wears his crown. (I, V, 39-40) This is the Ghost of the late King Hamlet telling his son how his brother (Claudius) murdered him. He compares the serpent (from Adam and Eve) to his brother. This offers a entire new view of Claudius and what sort of person he actually is. This develops the theme every little thing is not as it seems. Claudius seems like he wants to assist and get closer to Hamlet but in reality, is just trying to maintain him from locating out that he killed Hamlet’s father.

“My father’s brother, but no far more like my father Than I to Hercules.” (I, ii, 152) This was following Hamlet finds out about the marriage of his mother and his uncle. Hamlet clearly does not trust Claudius and noticeably does not view him as a father figure. This allusion was employed here since it is foreshadowing that there is one thing that Shakespeare wanted the readers to know. He wanted them to infer that Claudius is not as wonderful as he seems.

For Hamlet and the trifling of his favor, “Hold it a style and a toy in blood, A violent in the youth of main nature, Forward, not permanent, sweet, not lasting, The perfume and suppliance of a minute. No far more.” (I, iii, five-10) This allusion is about Ophelia’s brother is telling her to not get to attach to Hamlet due to the fact he does not really care for her. He does not want his sister to get hurt. This develops the theme of not letting others take benefit of you. Ophelia is blind to see that Hamlet doesn’t actually love her. This is foreshadowing since in Act II Hamlet begins to detach himself from Ophelia.

“And in no way did the Cyclops’ hammer fall on Mars’s armor, forged for proof eterne, With less remorse than Pyrrhus’ bleeding sword now falls on Priam” (II, ii, 452-455)

Hamlet makes use of this allusion to highlight that he is going to attack Claudius for revenge. This motivates him to stick to his strategy of getting revenge for his father.

This is yet another scene to develop up to the climax. This makes it possible for the reader to see how significantly Hamlet cares for his father and will do something to prove justice for him.

“With eyes like carbuncles, the hellish Pyrrhus Old grandsire Priam seeks” (II, ii, 432) Hamlet compares himself to Pyrhuss (son of Achilles who was killed throughout the Trogan war) due to the fact he is determined for revenge. This shows a side an emotional side of Hamlet. This allusion makes Hamlet feel like a hero on a mission for revenge. This once once again shows how considerably Hamlet loves his father.

“O heart, lose not thy nature, let not ever the soul of Nero enter this firm bosom. Let me be cruel, not unnatural.” (III, ii, 356-357) Hamlet is reminding himself of Nero (a Roman emperor who murdered his mother) to hold himself in line. Even though he is extremely angry with his mother, he does not want to cause her any harm simply because he nonetheless cares about her. This adds to the theme due to the fact Hamlet makes use of this allusion to remind himself of his actual objective, which is to let his mother understand her blunders rather of actually provoking her into realizing what she has carried out.

“And my imaginations are as foul as Vulcan’s stithy” (III, ii, 77) Vulcan is the Roman god of fire. Hamlet is indicating his aggressive and “fiery” state of thoughts. This is yet another example of foreshadowing the horrible events in the play like Polonius’ murder and Laertes’ murder.

“To be, or not to be? That is the question” (III, I, 58) Hamlet is debating on exactly where he need to commit suicide or not. He is in deep discomfort and doesn’t know what to do. This shows the theme that almost everything is not as it appears. An individual as wealthy and strong as Hamlet is so depressed that he is prepared to take his own life. He may possibly appear sturdy and satisfied on the outside but deep down he’s so depressed.

“You ought to not have believed me, for virtue cannot so inoculate our old stock but we shall relish of it. I loved you not.” (III, I, 121) Following becoming approached by Ophelia who is attempting to return tokens of enjoy from Hamlet, he furiously denies providing her something. He tells her that he never loved her. After again Ophelia was blind to see that Hamlet didn’t genuinely adore her. He broke Ophelia’s heart and she is really devastated by the way that he spoke to her. Hamlet degraded her Ophelia mentions how sort and sturdy he employed to be towards her, clearly he does not care for her anymore.

“Oh, my offence is rank. It smells to heaven. It hath the primal eldest curse upon’t, a brother’s murder. Pray can I not.” (III, iii, 37-39) When Claudius is alone in the space he vents his guilt over the sin that he committed, killing his brother. He wants to ask for forgiveness but he does not want to give up what he gained from this sin (the crown). This shows a side of Claudius that makes the reader feel somewhat poor for him. He doesn’t know if God can forgive him for this horrifying sin. It also shows how selfish Claudius is, he does not want to give up his crown and the queen even although he had to murder his brother for it in the very first location.