Hamlet: A Contextual Perspective

By: John Adams -- Blog Post 3

Humans are extremely observant creatures, and often place more emphasis on what they see rather than what they hear or smell or feel. The context in which we see something greatly influences how we understand it. The same holds true in literary work, especially in complex works such as Hamlet. In it, the setting (where and when actions take place) plays a monumental role in how we as an audience decipher the words and actions of the characters. Our ability to connect with and understand what happens in Hamlet is greatly influenced by the context in which things occur. Knowledge of the play’s larger setting of Denmark, to each individual setting like Elsinore Castle rooms or surrounding graveyards all impact the way audiences interpret the play and its message(s). Consider the following lines 7-37 from Act IV, Scene I:

Queen Gertrude:

Mad as the sea and wind when both contend

Which is the mightier. In his lawless fit,

Behind the arras hearing something stir,

Whips our his rapier, cries ‘A rat, a rat!’

And in this brainish apprehension kills

The unseen good old man

King Claudius:

O heavy deed!

It had been so with us had we been there.

His liberty is full of threats to all –

To you yourself, to us, to everyone.

Alas, how shall this bloody deed be answered?

It will be laid to us, whose providence

Should have kept short, restrained, and out of haunt,

This mad young man. But so much was our love,

We would not understand what was most fit,

But like the owner of a foul disease,

To keep it from divulging, let it feed

Even on the pith of life. Where is he gone?

Queen Gertrude:

To draw apart the body he hath killed,

O’er whom his very madness, like some ore

Among a mineral of metals base,

Shows itself pure: ‘a weeps for what is done.

King Claudius:

O Gertrude, come away!

The sun no sooner shall the mountains touch

But we will ship him hence, and this vile deed

We must with all our majesty and skill,

Both countenance and excuse. Ho, Guildenstern!

Friends both, go join you with some further aid.

Hamlet in madness hath Polonius slain,

And from his mother’s closet hath he dragged him.

Go seek him out; speak fair, and bring the body

Into the chapel. I pray you haste in this.

This interaction follows immediately after Hamlet murders Polonius in the bedchamber of his mother, Queen Gertrude, and is a critical moment in the play. Here, we discover much about Gertrude and Claudius. First, we see Gertrude’s betrayal of her son Hamlet. While she ultimately upholds her promise not to reveal Hamlet’s pretended insanity (and ultimate plan) to Claudius, she hardly hesitates to think twice before telling him the details of Polonius’ death. To me, her decision to confide in Claudius this information revealed her deceitful and self-serving tendencies aimed at securing a future, even if it meant her son’s well being. Second, we bear witness to the selfishness and political ambition of Claudius. While I’d like to think that most husbands would have responded to such news with concern and relief for his wife’s safety, Claudius instead remarks that he might’ve been in danger had he been in the room. He more so directed this would be concern inward towards the security/stability of his political power and immediate personal safety. These things, as well as his intention to characterize Polonius’ murder to his court and Danish constituents in a way that best serves/reflects him, lead to his eventual decision to ship Hamlet to England and then secretly execute him.

The setting of the scene is important to consider as it provides additional clues for the audience’s understanding of/connection to the minds of the characters and overall point(s) of the play. The audience is aware of the play’s overarching location at Elsinore Castle in Denmark – the Danish royal palace and home to the throne and royal family. In most instances one would expect a royal palace and those within it to remain pure and incorruptible, especially to ensure the stability of the nation-state the palace is meant to govern and symbolize. One would expect that the close-quarters of such a castle would foster deep relationships based on mutual trust, understanding, and respect. Instead, the setting (Elsinore Castle) in Hamlet serves as an incubator for scheming, deception, betrayal, corruption, and murder – helping to reinforce the key themes and messages Shakespeare is aiming to employ. Because Gertrude and Claudius interact in an environment that is, for the most part, intended for selfless and honorable purposes, their words and actions in the royal palace seems to provide yet another layer to their already overt sense of selfishness, corruption, and ruthlessness. It makes their actions appear that much more dishonorable and vile – an important perception for the audience to have to advance both character development and the plot line. The scheme to execute Hamlet is birthed inside Elsinore Castle, and is a strong indicator of several of the plays themes: power, morality, the significance of life and death, etc. How we see the play and depict its meaning is largely a product of the setting(s) we are exposed to.