3.4.08

Dialectical Journal Act I Scene V- Strand or Character

26.2.08

"Yea, from the table of my memory I'll wipe away all trivial fond records, all saws of books, all forms, all pressures past that youth and observation copied there, and thy commandment all alone shall live within the book and volume of my brain,"(lines 98-103).

In this quotation, Hamlet is speaking to the ghost who is presumably his father, saying that he will do what is right as a son and avenge his father's death. Halmet immediately because upset when the ghost reveals the truth about his father's death to him. He calls his mother "pernicious" (line 105) and King Claudius a "damned villain"(line 106). I find it interesting that Hamlet references to a book and volumes when mentioning his brain, as if it were a place of storage with vast amounts of information. His relationship and dedication shine through when he mentions the meeting with the ghost and what he asks of Hamlet as a "commandment" and not just a mere wish or favor. Clearly, he had a true bond with his father which he plans to respect by avenging his death. His anger over the matter also displays his affection for his father, or maybe even, his hatred for King Claudius.

1 comment:

Thespina says: said...

I chose this dialectical journal because it is one of my first on Hamlet. I remember starting to read it in class and with every line of Hamlet's, it slowly dawned on me how truly clever this character really is. This excerpt from Act I Scene V is one of the moments where I really got a taste of Hamlet's mind, which in some ways, is impossible. His whole 'books in the mind, my brain is a volume' thing just absolutely intrigued me and he is my favorite. What can you do.