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HAMLET ACT I
Act
1.) Whos there?
Speaker:Barnardo
Interlocutor:Francisco
Context/Irony etc.:
-
Sc
i
ll
1
p
7
B is on guard to watch the castle he says whos there to make sure its Francisco, and not the ghost of the
dead king. They identify themselves as loyal subjects to the crown so we know they arent royalty. They
say long live the king a lot which is ironic since we know he has to die in this Shakespearean tragedy.
i
2.) And I am sick at heart.
I
i
9
7
Speaker: Francisco
Interlocutor:Barnardo
Context/Irony etc.:
- He says this meaning he is depressed, about seeing the dead kings ghost. He says this to barnardo when
his shift is over, because he wants to go home. Depressed
5.)
and it was a bad sign that no one picked up on, but Horatio notes that he knows something bad must come
of this. Foreshadowing.
6.)
HAMLET ACT I
Act
Sc
ll
p
7.) But look, the mourn, in russet mantle clad
I
I
181-8
19
Speaker: Horatio
Interlocutor: Marcellus and Barnardo
Context/Irony etc.:
- This is personifying the morning, saying it is in russet mantle clad. This is right when the ghost has to
leave because morning is coming, and then scene ends.
8.)
9.)
ii
67
25
Context/Irony etc.:
- He is saying that he sees a lot of nepotism in Claudius letting Laertes go back to France. He already sees
through the corruption of Claudius. ???????????????????????
12.) Thou knowst tis common, all that lives must die,
I
ii
74-5
25
Passing through nature to eternity.
Speaker: Gertrude
Interlocutor: Hamlet
Context/Irony etc.:
- She is trying to make Hamlet get over his fathers death, with the consoling words of, death happens all
the time, and everything has to die at some point. This may be foreshadowing to her early death or
Claudiuss? Ironic since his father was murdered and didnt just die.
13.) Ay, madam, it is common.
I
ii
76
25
Speaker: Hamlet
Interlocutor: Gertrude (his mom)
Context/Irony etc.:
- He is being sort of a smart-ass here, patronizing his mom saying ohhhh sure yeah mom it happens all the
time.
25.) I doubt some foul play. Would the night were come!
I
ii
278-80 39
Till then sit still, my soul. Foul deeds will rise,
Though all the earth oerwhelm them, to mens eyes.
Speaker: Hamlet
Interlocutor: no one
Context/Irony etc.:
- He says that he feels like there is some foul play going on here (foreshadowing), and that he cant wait until
the night comes. Until then he needs to keep calm because no matter how hidden they are, all bad things
will rise to the surface eventually (foreshadowing).
iv
39-41
51
Context/Irony etc.:
- He is basically saying that even if you are the best person in the world, one drop of evil could ruin your
whole reputation. It is a metaphor to a dram of alcohol in whatever its mixed into will make the whole cup
of water bitter. He is talking about how great his country is, except they drink too much.
iv
73
53
Speaker: Hamlet
Interlocutor: Horatio and Marcellus
Context/Irony etc.:
- He is saying that he doesnt really value his life that much, so he doesnt care what happens to him if he
follows his dads ghost, even if it kills him.
54
59
He is saying to Hamlet that it is a shame that she has lowered her standards from a worthy king such as
himself, to a filthy brute like Claudius. This is another metaphor for Hamlets father to his uncle, from a
God to a beast.
93-5
61
Act
Sc
ll
p
38.) Meet it is I set it down
I
v
114-5
63
That one may smile and smile and be a villain
Speaker: Hamlet
Interlocutor: no one
Context/Irony etc.:
- He thinks to himself, I need to write that (people can smile all day but still be evil villains) down before
he forgets.
- He seems like he has good intentions, but Hamlet knows hes a villain.
183
67
Speaker: Hamlet
Interlocutor: Ghost
Context/Irony etc.:
- Hamlet is making Horatio and Marcellus swear on his sword that they wont tell anyone what they have
seen or heard. Then as he is making them swear, the ghost (from underground in purgatory we assume) is
agreeing with Hamlet and urging them to swear. This is almost comical in the story as he uses the
metaphor of a mole to describe the ghost, digging in the dirt.
42.) Swear.
I
v
203
69
Speaker: Ghost
Interlocutor: Hamlet and Horatio
Context/Irony etc.:
- This is odd as this is the ghost, once again speaking to the guys from underground in what we assume is purgatory
as aforementioned. Then Hamlet, ironically, says the ghost can go to rest, since he is being eternally punished for the
time being (paradox there haha).
43.) The time is out of joint. O cursed spite
I
v
210-1
69
That ever I was born to set it right!
Speaker: Hamlet
Interlocutor: Horatio and Marcellus
Context/Irony etc.
- He is saying that these times are so out of whack, and of course he is the one who has to set it right. This is
right at the last few lines of the scene. This is almost reminiscing to a time when things were much better, a
time when his father held the throne. Now everything is screwed up.
HAMLET Act II
1.)
II
ii
531
85
Context/Irony, etc.:
- He is saying to polonius, oh you know why Hamlets crazy?! Tell me!
II
ii
223
95
Polonius is talking to Hamlet who seems to be speaking gibberish. Polonius is suspicious though, that
Hamlet is legitimately crazy. He knows there is a reason for his craziness.
II
11
402-3
107
Interlocutor: R and G
Context/Irony, etc.:
- He is explaining his half-craziness to R and G, saying that he can be crazy at one moment, but then be
perfectly fine sometimes. Will R and G expose this later in the story? Well see. He uses metaphors of only
some directions he is crazy, but he knows his stuff when he needs to.
1.)
Speaker: Gertrude
Interlocutor: Claudius
Context/Irony, etc
Act
III
Sc.
i
ll.
41
pp.
125
She is (maybe ironically) saying shell obey Claudius and leave the room. This is when Claudius and
Polonius are trying to see if Ophelias rejection of Hamlets love is the reason for his insanity or if it is
something else.
2.)
III
131
131
He is saying go to the convent and become a nun, so you dont have to birth any more sinners into this
world which is already full of them. Then he proceeds to say that if anyone that isnt already married, gets
married that he will curse them forever. There is one person that is married that isnt safe though.
9.) Suit the action to the word, the word to the action;
III
ii
18
137
Speaker: Hamlet
Interlocutor: Actor
Context/Irony, etc.
- He is basically saying, fit the action to the word, and the word to the action. This basically means dont
be all over-the-top and ruin the play by exaggeration.
III
ii
76-8
141
He is basically saying, Show me the person that is the master of his own emotions, and I will hold them
near and dear to my heart. He is saying he wants someone to be friends with him who wont be overtaken
by emotion at anything he does. Foreshadowing?
15.)
21.)
III
ii
421
161
Speaker: Hamlet
Interlocutor: No one
Context/Irony, etc.
- He is saying that this is the part of the night when hell opens up and the witches come out. He could do
terrible things that he would never do in daylight. Foreshadowing to him doing something terrible?
24.)
30.)
31.) Let the bloat King tempt you again to bed (to 201)
III
iv
204
183
Speaker: Hamlet
Interlocutor: Gertrude
Context/Irony, etc.
- He is saying not to let Claudius tempt her into bed again so she can be his mouse, like a mouse in a trap.
That is the theme of being trapped. He then says that she should avoid it and break her neck in the process
so she cant sin anymore.
32.)
1.)
IV
7-8
191
Speaker: Gertrude
Interlocutor: Claudius
Context/Irony, etc
- She is telling Claudius that Hamlet has killed Polonius and is describing his madness with a metaphorhe
is as crazy as the waves and wind of a storm.
2.)
IV
12
193
Speaker: Guildenstern/Rosencrantz
Interlocutor: Hamlet
Context/Irony, etc:
- When G/R go looking for Hamlet and the corpse of Polonius, they find him and Hamlet says he would never
tell them any of his secrets because they are sponges (metaphor) that the king absorbs and squeezes them dry of
the information so they can go absorb more for him.
3.)
IV
iii
10-2
195
Speaker: Claudius
Interlocutor: His attendants
Context/Irony, etc
- He is comparing Hamlets disease to a terminal illness (metaphor), and is saying that a terminal disease
either needs to have an extreme treatment or just to be completely left alone.
4.)
IV
iii
22-3
197
Speaker: Hamlet
Interlocutor: Claudius
Context/Irony, etc
- When Claudius asks where the body of Polonius is, Hamlet replies at dinner being eaten by worms.
5.)
IV
iv
34-5
203
Speaker: Hamlet
Interlocutor: Himself
Context/Irony, etc
- He is basically saying, Everything I see that happens just reminds me how bleak life is, and I dont know
why I dont just get my revenge right now.
6.) Even for an eggshell
IV
iv
56
203
Speaker: Hamlet
Interlocutor: himself
Context/Irony, etc
- He is saying he doesnt know why those Norwegian troops are all putting their necks on the line for a land
no bigger than an eggshell, that they couldnt even bury all of their bodies on. The reason Fortinbras is
fighting is as thin as an eggshell (metaphor).
7.)
IV
34-8
207
Speaker: Ophelia
Interlocutor: Gertrude and Claudius
Context/Irony, etc
- She is singy her crazy songs about her father, Poloniuss dead body. She is saying that it is buried in the
grassy ground with a tombstone.
8.)
IV
89-90
211
Speaker: Claudius
Interlocutor: Gertrude
Context/Irony, etc
- He has just spoken to Horatio and Ophelia. Ophelia is crazy ever since her dad died. Claudius knows he
looks culpable for Poloniuss death since he buried him so quickly without funeral rites. People are
spreading crazy rumors about his death as well.
9.)
IV
118
211
Speaker: Messenger
Interlocutor: Claudius and Gertrude
Context/Irony, etc
- The messenger said that Laertes has risen an army, who is going to overthrow Claudius and make Laertes
king, since Laertes believes that Claudius killed his father (polonius).
IV
148-50
215
Speaker: Laertes
Interlocutor: Claudius
Context/Irony, etc
- He is basically saying, screw you old man. I dont have any allegiance to you. Allegiance and conscience
both can go to hell. I dont care if im damned. This is when he is talking to Claudius, and interrogating
where his fathers body is and says that Claudius better not mess with him or hell pay.
IV
177
215
Speaker: Laertes
Interlocutor: No one in particular
Context/Irony, etc
- This is Laertess emotional response to his sister going crazy, and that he is going to avenge her madness.
This is while he is talking to Claudius about getting revenge and Ophelia walks in saying crazy people
stuff.
IV
vii
77
227
Speaker: Laertes
Interlocutor: Claudius
Context/Irony, etc
- He is telling Claudius that hell let him make the decision, but Laertes wants to kill him.
- This goes to the theme of OBEDIENCE throughout the play
IV
vii
188
Speaker: gertrude
Interlocutor: Laertes
Context/Irony, etc
- She says, dude the bad news just keeps on rolling for you.. Your sister just drowned.
- Sucks to suck
233
IV
vii
215-6
235
Speaker: Laertes
Interlocutor: gertrude
Context/Irony, etc
- He is saying, I have some fiery words I could say right now, but my foolish tears are drowning them out.
- Fire= symbol for rage
Hamlet Act V
190
249
Speaker:
Interlocutor:
Context/Irony, etc
210-1
251
285-7
255
ii
11-2
259
Speaker:
Interlocutor:
Context/Irony, etc
ii
67-9
263
Speaker:
Interlocutor:
Context/Irony, etc
ii
73-4
263
ii
87-8
263
Speaker:
Interlocutor:
Context/Irony, etc
8.) Let a beast be lord of beasts, and his crib shall stand
at the kings mess.
ii
98-9
265
Speaker:
Interlocutor:
Context/Irony, etc
ii
231
271
ii
233-4
271
Speaker:
Interlocutor:
Context/Irony, etc
ii
255-8
273
ii
262
273
Speaker:
Interlocutor:
Context/Irony, etc
ii
336
279
Speaker:
Interlocutor:
Context/Irony, etc
ii
369-70
281
ii
374
283
Speaker:
Interlocutor:
Context/Irony, etc
ii
381
283
ii
393
283
11
395
283
Speaker:
Interlocutor:
Context/Irony, etc
ii
397-8
283
ii
411
285
Speaker:
Interlocutor:
Context/Irony, etc
ii
443-4
287