Monday, July 4, 2011

Conflict Between Reason and Custom in Shakespeare's Hamlet Part Two

The King's reaction to the play convinces Hamlet of the truth of what the Ghost related to him, O, good Horatio, I'll take the ghost's word for a thousand pound (Ham.3.2.280-281). Hamlet is happy and excited to have evidence of the King's guilt, which almost leads him to killing Claudius directly after the play when Hamlet comes across him unexpectedly. But, once again, Hamlet is impeded by his reason. Hamlet determines that killing Claudius while in prayer would be hire and salary, not revenge (Ham.3.3.79). Therefore Hamlet decides to wait until he can catch Claudius in an act which would have no relish of salvation in't (Ham.3.3.92).

Hamlet gets this chance, or so he believes, shortly afterwards in the Queen's closet when he mistakes Polonius for the King and kills him. The appearance of the Ghost shortly after this could be interpreted to recall Hamlet to custom. Hamlet is trying to reason with his mother by showing her the sinfulness of her acts: if damned custom have not braz'd [your heart so/That it be proof and bulwark against sense when the Ghost appears (Ham.3.4.37-38). The Ghost tells Hamlet he has come to whet thy almost blunted purpose (Ham.3.4.111). The purpose the Ghost speaks of may well be Hamlet's intention to not think of anything else except avenging his father.

That Hamlet is torn between his reason and his call to fulfilling custom can be seen in his conversation with Horatio:

Give me that man That is not passion's slave, and I will wear him In my heart's core, ay, in my heart of heart, As I do thee. (Ham.3.2.71-73)

Hamlet clearly admires Horatio as a man of reason, and values his judgment. This is emphasized again when Hamlet seeks Horatio's approval of his plot against Claudius, is't not perfect conscience/To quit him with this arm? (Ham.5.2.67-68). Horatio evades the question by changing the subject. This shows that Horatio cannot agree with Hamlet, but he makes no effort to restrain Hamlet from doing what he believes he must.

As a man unaccustomed to adherence to the madness of social customs, Hamlet is paralyzed because he can't be sure of what is the proper way to act to obtain revenge. This is the reason for the mimetic models exhibited in the characters of Fortinbras and Laertes (Girard 173). When Hamlet sees the army of Fortinbras pass by on their way to Poland, he learns from the Captain that it is possible for a man to fight and die over something trivial; in this case a patch of ground that the Captain would not pay five ducats for (Ham.4.4.18, 20).

After seeing this army, Hamlet vows, from this time forth/My thoughts be bloody or be nothing worth (Ham.4.4.65-66). His forging of the letter that sends Rosencrantz and Guilderstern to their death evidences that Hamlet is serious about conforming to custom and leaving reason behind. Hamlet no longer requires proof of complicity; he can't be sure that Rosencrantz and Guilderstern knew Hamlet would b e put to death in England, but their deaths are not near [his conscience (Ham.5.2.58).

Hamlet finds an even better model in the person of Laertes, because their circumstances are similar: For by the image of my cause I see/The portraiture of his (Ham.5.2.77-78). Laertes is traditional; he can perform with the utmost sincerity all the actions his social milieu demands (Girard 173). When Hamlet watches Laertes' behavior at Ophelia's funeral, he demands of him to show me what thou't do and he will do't also (Ham.5.1.269, 272). Now that Hamlet understands the proper actions in adhering to customs, he decides that he, too, would act according to the demands of society (Girard 173).

When the fencing match is proposed to Hamlet, he suspects there may be danger, but dismisses it as no matter (Ham.5.2.209). Horatio counsels him to obey his mind if it dislike anything; that is, to obey his reason over the custom of fencing, but Hamlet proceeds with the match (Ham.5.2.213).

Fully aware that Laertes is bound by custom to avenge his father, Hamlet tries to explain how the error came about. Hamlet says that it was not he that wronged Laertes, but rather his madness, his adherence to custom that caused the mistaken killing of Polonius (Ham.5.2.233). Laertes responds that in his terms of honor he stands aloof and will no reconcilement (Ham.5.2.243-244). Laertes proceeds with the conspiracy, but has one moment of doubt. He says to himself, And yet it is almost against my conscience (Ham.5.2.300). He continues though after Hamlet mocks his fencing ability, which insults his honor.

The conclusion of the play shows the madness of the custom of revenge, which does not end until everybody is dead. According to the dictates of society, one murder leads to another, which causes another, and another. There is no reason or sense to it; it is all madness. Hamlet entreats Horatio to live and to report his cause aright (Ham.5.2.344). Horatio underta kes this task to report his story lest more mischance/On plots and errors happen (Ham.5.2.399-400). Horatio clearly sees the futility of the custom of revenge, and wishes to avert the madness by promoting reason.

Bibliography

Eliot, T.S. Hamlet's Problems. Hamlet. Ed. Harold Bloom. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1990. 43-46.

Girard, Ren. Hamlet's Dull Revenge. Hamlet. Ed. Harold Bloom. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1990. 166-185.

Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. The Arden Shakespeare. Ed. Harold Jenkins. London: Thomson Learning, 2000. 165-419.

Mary Arnold is an author on http://www .Writing.Com/ which is a site for Creative Writing.

Her writing portfolio may be viewed at http://www.Writing.com/authors/ja77521


Author:: Mary Arnold
Keywords:: Hamlet, Shakespeare
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