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Replies | Post Reply | Shakespeare Queries From Genuinely Interested Students 3.15.97: Top | Help
This is a much more complex question than you might suppose. First of all, Hamlet finds that neither his mind nor his heart is up to the task at hand, revenging his father. The heart may for a while be stirred up by passion, but once that fades, the energy goes out of his intention. The mind may for a while convince itself of the need for action, but without passion, that conviction pales and may turn to cowardice. Even after the "sea change" when Hamlet thinks he's got his heart and mind sorted out, and can reason (curiously but dispassionately) about death, the sudden surprise of Ophelia's funeral unhinges him once again and passion (which he thought was under contro) takes over. His problem is that the task he has been set--revenge--is not one he can wholly give himself to, either in mind or in heart, because revenge, while it may be part of God's plan, cannot be undertaken with a clear conscience by man. So finally, man must--ironically enough--not try to take revenge, must not commit to it either in mind or in heart, must rather put it all in God's hands; and just then, when he yields to Providence, and makes himself its instrument, rather than his own motivator, the revenge can be taken. It's tragic and ironic that this is so, but this is what Shakespeare seems to be suggesting.Posted by Dakin on March 22, 1997 at 11:50:59
In Reply to "consequences of Hamlet's detached mind and heart!" posted by HAMLET??? on March 22, 1997 at 09:47:45
Replies | Post Reply | Shakespeare Queries From Genuinely Interested Students 3.15.97: Top | Help