Hamlet Notes ~ Act I Scene V

• Old Hamlet is presently in limbo > never had the opportunity to atone because of his sudden death
• Young Hamlet is "bound to hear" as well as seek revenge
• DIRECTIVE: "Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder."
• story to justify king's death > bit by a snake in the apple orchard > truly killed by Claudius
• Claudius first seduced his Queen, then poisoned King Hamlet (life, crown, queen stolen)
• Old Hamlet tells Young Hamlet to avoid falling into his feelings, always keep his honor, always have a straight head
• "taint not thy mind" > don't go crazy thinking about revenge
• directions are to kill his uncle, Gertrude will be handled by God and her own guilt
• Young Hamlet knows exactly what he has to do; knowing & doing are two separate things
• "O, wonderful" - Hamlet has confirmed the murderer > doesn't take the men into confidence because he is a calculating guy
• Hamlet makes men swear that they will say nothing
• "There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy." > Hamlet is addressing Horatio, as well as the audience
• "The time is out of joint: O cursed spite, that ever I was born to set it right!"
• Hamlet tells the men that he may be acting odd, reminds them to say nothing, and that he wants people to think that he is a bit lunatic