Essay on Hamlet Journal

Samantha Johnson
Lindenwood University
Fall 2013
ENG 202

Hamlet Journal

(1) Act 1, Scene 5, line 32

Ghost: I find thee apt,
And duller shouldst thou be than the fat weed
That roots itself in ease on Lethe wharf,
Wouldst thou not stir in this. Now, Hamlet, hear.
'Tis given out that, sleeping in my orchard,
A serpent stung me. So the whole ear of Denmark
Is by a forgèd process of my death
Rankly abused. But know, thou noble youth,
The serpent that did sting thy father’s life
Now wears his crown.

(2) Paraphrase: a. The ghost is glad that Hamlet is so excited about revenging the father’s death. The ghost explained how his death was meant to look and that his death was a lie. Then the ghost informed Hamlet who was responsible for his death. Hamlet’s uncle is the one who murdered his father. (3) My comments b. I think that this is the start of the book; before this the book was just getting you use to the characters. When the ghost appears to Hamlet he is eager to get revenge for his father’s death. But when the ghost tells Hamlet that his uncle is the one who kills him; I feel like when this is revealed it took the story to a new level. First your father just died, your mom married your uncle and now all of a sudden a ghost appears to tell you that his death was a lie. On top of it being a lie, the person who did it was your uncle. I think this is going to make Hamlet lose control over him. He will either go into a deep depression or he is going to be so angry and not be able to control himself.

Hamlet Journal #2

(1) Act 2, Scene 1, line 77

Ophelia: My Lord, as I was sewing in my closet,
Lord Hamlet, with his doublet all unbraced;
No hat upon his head; his stockings fouled,
Ungartered, and down-gyvèd to his ankle;
Pale as his shirt; his knees knocking each other;
And with a look so piteous in purport
As if he had been loosèd out of hell
To speak of horrors—he comes before me

(2) Paraphrase: a. Ophelia is telling her father about how Hamlet looked when she was talking to him earlier. She described Hamlets attire as if he was dressed like a bum. She states that when Hamlet came to talk to her he looked like he had just returned from Hell.

(3) My comments b. I think that Hamlet and Ophelia’s relationship is one for the books. They have such ups and downs in their relationship it is really hard to follow. In this scene when Ophelia describes Hamlets wardrobe to her father; her father said that they had to tell the King immediately because he sounded like he was love-craziness. And that type of love makes people crazy they can even self-destruct. I think Ophelia and Polonius both know that Hamlet is going crazy. Just what type of crazy is he going…

Hamlet Journal #3

(1) Act 3, Scene 3, Line 40

Clauduis: Though inclination be as sharp as will,
My stronger guilt defeats my strong intent,
And, like a man to double business bound,
I stand in pause where I shall first begin,
And both neglect. What if this cursèd hand
Were thicker than itself with brother’s blood?
Is there not rain enough in the sweet heavens
To wash it white as snow? Whereto serves mercy
But to confront the visage of offence?
And what’s in prayer but this twofold force,
To be forestallèd ere we come to fall
Or pardoned being down? Then I’ll look up.
My fault is past. But oh, what form of prayer
Can serve my turn, “Forgive me my foul murder”?

(2) Paraphrase: a. Claudius is talking to himself confessing that he did in fact murder his brother. His guilt is finally setting in and bothering him. He is trying to ask for forgiveness for the sin that he has committed. He finally starts to pray to God for forgiveness for murdering his brother.

(3) My comments b. I think that in this part of the act that we are finally seeing Claudius feel guilty for murdering his brother. He doesn’t confess to anyone else; but while he is

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