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Hamlet 1.5 Dig Deeper: The Ghost's Vocabulary
King Hamlet was murdered without the chance to confess and be absolved of his sins, necessitating his atonement in purgatory. The ghost's use of archaic and unusual language, such as "unhoused," "disappointed," and "unaneled," imbues his...
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Hamlet 1.5 Dig Deeper: Poisoning
Claudius murdered King Hamlet by stealthily applying poison to the king's ear during his afternoon rest in the garden, which gruesomely curdled his blood and induced a skin condition akin to the bark of a tree, evocatively compared to...
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Hamlet 1.5 Dig Deeper: King James's Revenge
The premise of the play Hamlet mirrors the real-life events of King James of Scotland, whose father was murdered, his mother remarried the murderer, and he was later compelled to take revenge. Though not necessarily a direct influence on...
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Hamlet 1.5 Allusion: Serpent
The video discusses the ghost's revelation that Denmark has been misled about King Hamlet's death, invoking biblical imagery by likening Claudius, who now wears the crown, to the serpent in the Garden of Eden. This comparison deepens the...
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Hamlet 1.5 Allusion: No reckoning made
This passage explains the significance of the sacrament of confession within Catholicism, where sins are confessed and absolved by a priest, emphasizing the importance of last rites before death to ensure one's sins are forgiven and the...
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Hamlet 1.5 Allusion: Lethe
The ghost warns Hamlet that failing to avenge Claudius would render him as forgettable as a weed growing on the banks of Lethe, the river of oblivion in Greek mythology's underworld, where the dead drink to forget their past lives. This...
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Hamlet 1.5 Allusion: Lazarus
The ghost recounts the horrifying effect of the poison Claudius poured into his ear, leading to a rapid and gruesome skin disease that covered his body with a crust resembling tree bark. This skin condition is described as "lazar-like,"...
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Hamlet 1.5 "Duty Bound"
Hamlet believes that he's duty-bound to hear out the ghost because the ghost resembles his father and he therefore owes it to his father's memory. The ghost replies that Hamlet will be equally duty-bound to revenge once he's heard what...
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Hamlet 1.4 What's Happening?
As scene 4 opens, night has fallen and Hamlet has joined the guards hoping that the ghost will reappear. When the spirit does indeed return, Hamlet notices that he looks very much like his dead father but he's suspicious it could be the...
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Hamlet 1.4 Interview with Hamlet
In Act 1 Scene 4 of Hamlet, the scene shifts to Elsinore Castle at midnight during the ongoing celebrations by King Claudius. Against this backdrop, Hamlet discusses with Horatio the problematic Danish custom of heavy drinking,...
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Hamlet 1.3 Word Nerd: Husbandry
Originally, the term "husband" referred to someone who owned a home and land, or who managed property on a large estate, before it evolved to denote the male partner in a marriage. The concept of husbandry initially encompassed the...
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Hamlet 1.3 Word Nerd: Habit
The word "habit" originates from the Latin term for having or holding, traditionally referring to one's demeanor, appearance, or even clothing. In contemporary English, while its usage to denote clothing is largely archaic, specific...
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Hamlet 1.3 Word Nerd: Censure
The words "censor" and "censure" originate from a Latin term meaning to judge or assess. In contemporary usage, "censor" refers to the act of reviewing and possibly removing objectionable content, such as in films, whereas "censure"...
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Hamlet 1.3 Why It's Cool
This scene introduces us to the family of Polonius, one of the king's most crucial advisors, and his children Laertes and Ophelia, presenting a parallel family dynamic to Hamlet's own. Laertes warns Ophelia about the uncertainties of her...
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Hamlet 1.3 What's Happening
In this scene, we are introduced to Polonius and his children, Laertes and Ophelia. Laertes warns Ophelia about her romance with Prince Hamlet, cautioning that Hamlet, due to his royal obligations, may not be able to choose his bride...
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Hamlet 1.3 What the Critics Say
Polonius's first major speech in Hamlet leaves audiences and critics divided on his character: some see him as a wise, caring father imparting his wisdom to his son Laertes, while others view him as a foolish, meddlesome old man. His...
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Hamlet 1.3 Polonius's Suspicion
Polonius is immediately dubious of Hamlet's intentions towards Ophelia, jumping to the conclusion that Ophelia's behavior with Hamlet may not have been entirely proper. This reaction showcases two defining traits of Polonius's character:...
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Hamlet 1.3 Polonius's Proverbs
"Having the wind in the shoulder of the sail" is a metaphor Polonius uses to signify that conditions are optimal for Laertes to set sail, or metaphorically, to embark on his journey. It evokes an image of favorable winds supporting a...
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Hamlet 1.3 Polonius's "Blessing"
Polonius uses the metaphor of seasoning wood to express his hope that his fatherly advice will become increasingly valuable to Laertes over time. By wishing his blessing to "season" in Laertes, he implies that just as wood must be dried...
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Hamlet 1.3 Performance: Polonius Gives Advice
As Laertes prepares to leave for France, Polonius offers him a final blessing and a wealth of advice aimed at guiding his conduct abroad. This counsel encompasses moderation in all things, from speaking and acting judiciously to choosing...
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Hamlet 1.3 Moderation
Polonius's advice to his son Laertes emphasizes moderation and adherence to social norms, advising him to avoid extremes in behavior. Polonius says to avoid fights while being able to defend oneself, listen to others without necessarily...
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Hamlet 1.3 Meddling Father
In this humorous exchange, Ophelia promises to keep her brother Laertes' advice a secret, only for their father Polonius to immediately inquire about it, highlighting his character as an overly involved parent. In the scene, a chain of...
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Hamlet 1.3 Dull Palms
Polonius advises against wasting time by socially engaging with every new, inexperienced individual, likening this to dulling one's hand from excessive handshaking. He uses the metaphor of "unfledged" young birds who have not yet grown...
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Hamlet 1.3 Discussion: Household Management
"Borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry". Let's examine the language and context of this phrase to understand what Shakespeare means by this. In his time, husbandry meant household financial management so this phrase is a commentary on...