William Shakespeare - The Complete Works/William Shakespeare - The Complete Works on CD-ROM.iso/library/line/ham/ham20.txt

Text File | 1994-05-22 | 15.4 KB | 436 lines

Act 5 Scene 2

Hamlet tells Horatio all the facts behind his sudden
return to Denmark. A courtier, Osric, brings
information of LaertesÆ challenge, which is readily
accepted by Hamlet. The duel is immediately
arranged, and we see the King preparing the
chalices. Hamlet and Laertes fight. There is
confusion, and the swords are exchanged; Hamlet
is wounded, and the Queen drinks from the
poisoned chalice prepared for her son. The truth is
revealed, and HamletÆs revenge is complete. The
play ends with the arrival of Young Fortinbras.
1    see the other: i.e. as he promised in 4, 6,
23û4.
6    mutines in the bilboes: mutineers in
shackles (which were attached to a fixed bar on
board ship).
7    let us know: let us remember. Hamlet
never fails to meditate on his experience.
9    pall: falter.
10, 11    HamletÆs metaphor is from building,
where the workmen cut (ôrough-hewö) the stone or
timber which is then shaped by the master-
craftsman.
divinity: divine power.
ends: purposes; and their results. The master-
craftsman both directs and completes the work of
the labourers.
14    sea-gown: This is described as ôa coarse,
high-collared, and short-sleeved gown, reaching
down to the mid-legö.
scarfed: wrapped round (not properly put on).
15    them: i.e. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
16    Fingered: got my hands on.
in fine: finally.
21    Larded: garnished.
22    Importing: concerning.
health: well-being, security.
23    bugs and goblins: i.e. imaginary dangers.
in my life: if I remain alive.
24    on the supervise: as soon as the letter is
read.
no leisure bated: without wasting time.
25    stay: wait for.
grinding: sharpening.
30    benetted: entangled.
31     ôMy brains had started to work before I
had even started to think what had to be done.ö A
ôprologueö outlines the action of the play which is
to be performed.
33    fair: in a clerkÆs handwriting.
34     ôI used to think, as statesmen (ôstatistsö)
think, that only clerks need to have good
handwriting.ö
37    yeomanÆs service: trustworthy, loyal
service ù although untrained ù such as the
English yeomen gave their feudal lords in times of
war.
38    ThÆeffect . . . wrote?: what I said in my
letter?
39    conjuration: injunction.
40    As England: because England.
41    As love: so that love.
like the palm: See Psalm, 92:12: ôThe righteous
shall flourish like the palm-treeö. Hamlet
successfully imitates the orotundity of the KingÆs
style.
42    wheaten garland: the symbol of plenty
and prosperity.
43    ôPeace should be a close link between the
friendly kingdoms, just as a comma links parts of a
sentence.ö
44    such-like . . . charge: such clauses
(beginning with ôasö) of great significance. Hamlet
perhaps indicates a pun on ôheavily burdened
assesö.
45    view and know: reading and
understanding.
46    without . . . less: without further argument
and doing exactly what was ordered.
47    sudden: immediate.
48    Not shriving-time allowed: without
allowing them to confess their sins ù just as
HamletÆs father was sent to his death

ôUnhouseled, disappointed, unaneledö
(1, 5, 77).

49    ordinant: ordaining, controlling.
Hamlet sees the shaping hand of ôdivinityö (line
10) in even the smallest details.
50    signet: signet ring.
51    model . . . seal: exact likeness of that
well known royal Danish coat of arms.
52    writ: writing.
53    Subscribed: signed.
impression: i.e. the impression of the seal on the
wax.
54    changeling: substitute ù literally, a
baby substituted by fairies to replace the child they
have stolen.
55    what . . . sequent: what followed this.
57    go toÆt: are going to their deaths.
Horatio is disapproving.
58    they . . . employment: Hamlet seems to
think that they were willing participants in the
KingÆs plots (although the text does not bear this
out). A new, ruthless Hamlet is emerging.
59    They . . . conscience: I donÆt feel guilty
about them.
60    insinuation: poking their fingers in,
intruding.
61, 62, 63    ôIt is dangerous when little people get
mixed up in the fighting of powerful opponents.ö
61    baser: lowlier.
62    pass: sword-thrust.
fell: cruel.
points: i.e. sword-points.
63    opposites: opponents.
64    stand me now upon: now oblige me.
66    Hamlet now makes it appear that
Claudius has somehow defrauded him of his right
to succeed his father; Shakespeare is deliberately (I
think) vague about the Danish monarchy.
67    angle: fish-hook.
proper: own.
68    cozÆnage: trickery. There is, of course,
word-play with cousinage = kinship.
perfect conscience: with a clear conscience.
69    quit him: pay him back.
70    canker: spreading sore.
73    issue: outcome.
74    The interimÆs mine: I can act in this
short time.
75    Hamlet is cryptic, perhaps referring to
counting as far as the number one, or speaking the
word ôoneö ù by which a fencer indicates that he
has hit his opponent.
78    image of my cause: judging by my own
case. Hamlet can see that Laertes must take
revenge for his fatherÆs death; but we can also
appreciate that Hamlet himself is the object of
LaertesÆ hatred.
79    court his favours: try to make friends
with him.
80    bravery: bravado.
84    water-fly: mosquito. The change into
prose signals a momentary lightening of mood.
86    gracious: blessed.
87    Let . . . mess: As long as a man owns
great possessions (though he is no better than the
creatures he owns) he will be entertained at court.
88    crib: food-box.
88    at the kingÆs mess: in the kingÆs
company (at a banquet).
chuff: boor, peasant. (But one who was well-to-
do.)
89, 90    spacious in the possession: owning
much property.
90    dirt: land.
91    Sweet lord: A common courtly greeting.
93    diligence: attentiveness.
94    bonnet . . . use: put your hat on.
Elizabethan hats were worn indoors, but removed
in greeting; in the presence of a social superior, the
hat would only be replaced with permission ù
although Osric seems reluctant to avail himself of
HamletÆs condescension.
95    very hot: Osric is unwilling to offend
court etiquette, and offers an excuse for not
replacing his hat.
98    indifferent: rather.
100    for my complexion: for one of my
constitution.
105    remember: i.e. remember your courtesy
ù which demands that the hat should be replaced
after the greeting.
106    for mine ease: I keep it off for my own
comfort.
110    Rapier and dagger: The fashionable
weapons c. 1600. The dagger (or ôponiardö, line
114) was held in the left hand to ward off the
opponentÆs rapier.
112    Barbary horses: Arab horses, valued
for speed and breeding.
113    imponed: staked.
114    assigns: accessories.
115    hanger: an arrangement of straps and a
pad which attached the sword to its ownerÆs girdle.
116    dear to fancy: well-designed.
responsive to the hilts: in keeping with the hilts of
the swords.
delicate: finely wrought.
117    liberal conceit: richly decorated.
Hamlet, in line 123û4, uses the phrase to mean
ôhighly imaginativeö.
118    What call you: what do you mean by.
120    germane: appropriate. Cannons are
properly said to be mounted and transported on
ôcarriagesö.
124     ôWhat Laertes has brought back from
France staked against the home-bred horses.ö
126    laid: bet.
passes: bouts.
126    The exact terms of the KingÆs wager are
obscure ù although an Elizabethan audience
would probably understand easily enough.
129    vouchsafe the answer: accept the
challenge ù although Hamlet pretends to
understand a more literal meaning.
135    breathing . . . me: my time for exercise.
137    hold his purpose: keep his word (about
the bet ù but the audience can appreciate a more
sinister sense).
and: if.
138    the odd hits: i.e. the extra three he will
have received (line 127).
139    re-deliver you eÆen so: return this as
your reply.
140    after what flourish: with whatever
fancy touches.
142    commend: present. But in line 144
Hamlet gives another meaning (= praise) to
OsricÆs courtesy.
143    Yours: Hamlet acknowledges OsricÆs
departure.
144    no tongues . . . turn: nobody elseÆs
voice to do it for him.
146    lapwing: The young lapwing (a wading
bird, of the plover family) leaves the nest within a
few hours of hatching ù and is proverbially a type
of youthful folly. Perhaps OsricÆs hat suggests the
egg-shell to Horatio.
148    comply with his dug: pay formal
courtesies to his wet-nurseÆs breast.
149    bevy: batch (HamletÆs word, usually
used of birds, was perhaps suggested by
ôlapwingö).
150    the drossy age: these degenerate times.
got the tune: learned the way they talk.
151    out . . . encounter: through meeting
with it regularly.
152    yeasty collection: bubbly conversation.
carries them through: enables them to meet with.
153    the most . . . opinions: men of well-tried
and carefully considered ideas.
154    blow . . . trial: put them to the test ù
prick the ôbubblesö and they burst: the fine
phrases are empty of thought.
157    at the odds: the ôthree hitsö of line 127.
158    how ... heart: how worried I am about
it.
161    gaingiving: misgiving.
164    forestall their repair: stop them from
coming.
165    Hamlet assumes the royal plural ù or
perhaps includes Horatio in a general refusal to be
panicked out of a calm acceptance of what is to
happen.
165 Hamlet affirms the teaching of St MatthewÆs
gospel (10:29) about GodÆs providence: ôAre not
two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them
shall not fall to the ground without your Father.ö
166    it: i.e. death.
168    readiness: See St Matthew, (24:44):
ôBe ye also ready.ö
168    ôSince no man knows what he is
leaving behind when he dies, what does it matter if
he dies early (ôbetimesö)?ö
172    See Additional Passage P, lines 11û12.
After asking a formal pardon from Laertes, Hamlet
disclaims responsibility for his actions and blames
the madness that possessed him; he was not
himself!
174    presence: royal assembly.
175    ôThat I am suffering from some severe
mental affliction.ö
177     nature: natural (filial) feelings.
exception: disapproval.
186    in this audience: in the presence of
these listeners. We are reminded that this is a
ôpublicö speech ù neither a soliloquy nor an
ordinary conversation ù and calculated for
different hearers.
187    purposed: intended.
189    Once released from the bow, an arrow
may fly much farther than it was meant to do, and
inflict unintended harm. The ambivalence of
HamletÆs relationship with Laertes is focused in
ôbrotherö.
190    in nature: i.e. as a son. LaertesÆ private
feelings are satisfied, but he must still think about
his public ôimageö ù his ôterms of honourö.
191    ôWhich (i.e. filial duty) should be the
strongest motive for revenge.ö
193    stand aloof: hold back.
will: desire.
195    voice and precedent: an authoritative
pronouncement, quoting precedents.
196    name ungored: reputation unharmed.
198    will not wrong it: LaertesÆ hypocrisy is
emphasized by HamletÆs next lines.
freely: without reservation.
199    frankly: honestly.
201    foil: background against which a jewel
shows more brightly.
203    Stick fiery off: shine out brilliantly.
208    laid the odds: backed.
210    he is bettered: they say he is better.
211    too heavy: Whilst the fighters are
choosing their weapons Laertes can find the
ôunbatedö foil, and poison the swordÆs point.
212    likes me well: suits me.
have all a length: are all the same length.
216    quit . . . exchange: draw level in the
third bout. The KingÆs meaning is not clear ù but
he obviously intends that Hamlet should drink
from the poisoned chalice as soon as possible.
217    ordnance: We know the KingÆs
drinking habits from the descriptions in 1, 2,
125û8 and 1, 4, 9û13.
218    better breath: renewed vigour.
219    an union: a very precious pearl, so
called because each one was unique ù such as
might be worn in a royal crown. The extravagant
gesture (pearls dissolve in wine) could conceal the
KingÆs murderous intention.
222    kettle: kettledrum. Claudius gives
instructions with his final preparations: the cups
are to be ready, and the salute fired, for the toast
when the King drinks to Hamlet. Such elaborate
arrangements intensify the suspense for the
audience, who are waiting for the fatal duel to
begin.
238    confess: admit it.
239    fat: sweating.
scant of breath: breathless.
240    napkin: handkerchief.
242    Good madam: Hamlet acknowledges
the QueenÆs salutation.
251    pass: thrust.
252    make a wanton of me: are just fooling
around with me. HamletÆs taunt dispels LaertesÆ
momentary wavering.
258    woodcock: a proverbially foolish bird.
to mine own springe: caught in my own trap (see
1, 3, 115).
269    Unbated and envenomed: See 4, 7,
110û21.
practice: trickery.
273    to thy work: Hamlet finally achieves
revenge ù although the King must be doubly
punished, to pay for his second crime in causing
GertrudeÆs death.
277    thy union: i.e. the pearl. And Hamlet
also puns on ôunionö (= marriage) as he forces the
King to drink from his poisoned chalice.
279    tempered: concocted.
280    Exchange forgiveness: As he asks for
HamletÆs forgiveness, also forgiving Hamlet for
killing Polonius, Laertes acquires some of the
PrinceÆs nobility.
281    come not upon thee: i.e. you are not
responsible for.
283    make thee free: absolve you.
285    chance: happening.
286    mutes: actors without speaking parts.
287    this . . . arrest: The personification of
Death as an officer of the law ù a sergeant-at-
arms ù is not uncommon in Elizabethan drama.
287    fell: stern, cruel.
288    strict: just, inescapable.
I could tell you: Elizabethans believed that those
near death had the gift of prophecy.
291    unsatisfied: those who are ignorant.
292    antique: ancient. The pre-Christian
Romans preferred to commit suicide rather than
live an ignoble life.
297    hold me in thy heart: love me.
298    Absent . . . awhile: i.e. do not die yet.
For Hamlet now, death is seen as the end of a
painful life and the beginning of eternal bliss.
304    oÆercrows: triumphs over (like a
victorious fighting-cock).
306    election: i.e. for the new king of
Denmark.
lights: favours, chooses.
307    my dying voice: my deathbed vote.
Hamlet was himself promised the ôvoiceö of
Claudius (3, 2, 328û9).
308    occurrents more and less: everything
that has happened.
309    solicited: persuaded me to speak for
him.
312    Horatio voices a common Christian
sentiment: ôMay you be carried to eternal rest by
angels, who sing as they flyö.
313    the drum: i.e. the marching soldiers
following the drum.
313s.d.    colours: standards, banners.
316    woe or wonder: sorrow or disaster.
317    quarry: heap of dead bodies (e.g. deer
killed in a hunt).
cries on havoc: proclaims wholesale slaughter.
318    toward: being prepared.
320    dismal: full of terror.
322    The ears: i.e. the KingÆs ears.
326    Had . . . life: even if he were alive.
328    so jump upon: so precisely at the right
moment.
question: business.
331    stage: platform. Horatio is asking for a
public inquiry, open ôto the viewö of all.
334    carnal: i.e. the marriage of Gertrude
and Claudius.
335    accidental judgments: divine justice in
what looked like accidents.
casual: happening (apparently) by chance.
336    put on: contrived.
forced: faked.
337    this upshot: i.e. the final outcome.
342    of memory: unforgotten.
343    ôThis seems a good time to claim
them.ö
345    draw on more: persuade other voices.
346    this same: i.e. the inquiry.
presently: immediately.
347    wild: agitated.
348    On: on top of, in addition to.
349    stage: platform (see line 331).
350    put on: put to the test.
351    for his passage: to mark his passing.
355    Becomes the field: is suitable for the
battlefield.