(Killing of Polonius) Extract Practice
Exemplar Candidate Work - H472_01 Summer 2018 examination series.pdf
2018_Question_Hamlet_English Literature June 2018.pdf
Discuss the following passage from Act 1 Scene 5, exploring Shakespeare’s use of language and its dramatic effects. [15 Marks]
This extract is taken from the end of Act 1, in which the ghost has already revealed the cause of old King Hamlet’s death (Old Hamlet’s ghost has revealed the cause of his own death to be Claudius committing regicide), and Horatio and Marcellus have just met Hamlet again. In this extract, a frenetic dialogue between Hamlet and his friends takes place in which Hamlet makes Horatio and Marcellus swear their secrecy on his sword. The ghost also reminds us of its invisible presence with cries offstage, and Hamlet introduces the theme of his own madness to Horatio.
In the dialogue between Hamlet, Horatio and Marcellus’, Hamlet’s frenetic urgency is shown through his language in the line “My Lord we will not.”, a clear statement with the concluding full stop cementing its clarity. However, Hamlet’s immediate interjection within the line “Nay but swear’t” contradicts them, further emphasising his panic. This upsets the rhythm of the iambic pentameter, and draws emphasis to the word “nay”. The verse is further disrupted with short, rapid phrases “Indeed, upon my sword, Indeed”. The use of repetition (of ‘indeed’) shows Hamlet’s insistence on Horatio and Marcellus keeping the events that have just occurred a secret, relating to the revolving theme of secrecy in the ‘Rotten state of Denmark’. The closeness between these three characters shows Hamlet’s genuine leadership capabilities and what could have been if Claudius had not taken the throne. Shown through Hamlet’s address of the Horatio and Marcellus as “friends, scholars, and soldiers”. By putting them on an equal level, it not only shows his humility, but that Hamlet could have been a just ruler.
The ghost’s presence and “cries under the stage” validifies Hamlet’s panic through the ghost’s reinstatement of Hamlet’s “swear”, making Hamlet seem as a mere vessel for the supernatural ghost’s command. This gives us the sense that not even a prince holds any power before an ‘unworldly’ creature. The ghost’s presence also puts forward the idea of the its omnipresence (similar to that of God), with the ability to watch Hamlet’s actions as the rest of the play elapses.
Despite Hamlet’s reinstated panic through his sense of urgency, he is able to retain his intellect, making a joke at the stage direction (”Ghost cries under the stage”) calling the ghost an “old mole” in reference to his physical position. Hamlet also shows his knowledge of French idioms as with “Hic et ubique?” again in reference to the ghost, translating to ‘Here and everywhere?’. As this is still the first act, this is used to promote Hamlet’s positive first impressions as a academic, humble prince. Establishing a respectable character is implicit in creating a greater fall for the tragic character by the end of the play.