Hamlet+1.4+and+1.5

Hamlet 1.4 and 1.5

5. When Hamlet goes off with the ghost to speak with him, it is reveled that King Hamlet was murdered. The ghost talks about his death. All along it was Claudius who murdered him! His own brother! I suspected this from the moment King Claudius was introduced because he is so fake and suspicious. This shows how much of a dirty liar Claudius is. I hate him! When Hamlet was sleeping in the orchard one afternoon, Claudius poured poison into his ear, not only killing his brother, but also killing him with out having the opportunity to repent. Claudius is a sneaky killer who does not deserve to be king at all.

4. Hamlet says, "O villain, villain, smiling, damned villain! / My tables-meet it is I set it down / That one may smile and smile and be a villain. / At least I am sure i may be so in Denmark. / So, uncle, there you are. Now to my word. / It is "adieu, adieu, remember me." / I have sworn't" (1.5, 113-119). I enjoyed this line because I think it is an interesting thought. He says this after it has been revealed that Claudius killed his father. Even though his uncle has committed a horrible deed, killing his own brother, he is still able to keep a smile on his face. It shows that you can not always trust the people you think you can, because even murderers can keep smiles on their faces. Hamlet is angry and is ready to take revenge, remembering his father.

6. I was very surprised when the ghost tells the story of his death. I was not surprised that King Claudius was the murderer, but more surprised by Hamlet's wife. Even though Hamlet loved her truly and deeply, she was won over by her brother in law through simple "wit and gifts, that have the power / So to seduce!- won to his shameful lust / The will of my most seeming-virtuous queen" (1.5, 51-53). This statement really makes it questionable as to whether she truly loved Hamlet. It is confusing to me that she could so quickly fall for Claudius based on materials. It is also very confusing to me how she could remarry so quickly after her husbands death. Did she ever really love Hamlet? Did she know about Claudius' murderous plot? Was she a part of her husbands own murder?