My initial reaction to this story was one of fright. I’ve read other Shakespeare plays before and didn’t have too many problems, but back then I also was able to concentrate a bit more. Reading through Hamlet is difficult and quite the task. His style of writing, however, is beautiful. I still do have problems picking up on tone, though. I get confused very often. I have never read Hamlet before, and going into it I knew absolutely nothing about it besides the fact that Shakespeare had written it.
Reading through Act I first, I saw Horatio as a sneaky, suspicious sort of character. I suppose I might have misread when the first night guard, Francisco, called Horatio a “rival” to his watch. I’m not entirely sure what that means, I figured it meant that Horatio was a rival of the King, and when he said that he was friends of the ground, I did not trust him. However, I read through some study guides online and found that most of the study guides spoke of Horatio as a good, reliable, loyal friend of Hamlet. I was confused as I read this, but now, looking back and Horatio’s character, I suppose I can see, assuming Horatio was telling the truth, how he would be a loyal character.
As for the theme, I believe that, through diction, Shakespeare might have been trying to say that it is difficult to trust others. For me, seeing how easily that I mistook Horatio as an enemy, it’s also equally as easy to see Horatio as a friend of Hamlet’s. I have not exactly read too much Shakespeare, so I am not entirely sure if this is his style, but perhaps he made the characters seem suspicious in order to cause a sense of mystery. I could just as easily see Horatio tricking Hamlet into doing something terrible as I could see him trying to save Hamlet’s life. This sense of mystery really does make this story interesting.
I was wondering if anyone else agreed with me about the mystery, and if you think Shakespeare purposefully made the characters seem suspicious - or is it just me? I am quite confused while reading this, so I might be completely off. If so, I’d love to hear other people’s thoughts.
I didn't see Horatio as sneaky or bad during the first scene. When he said rival I think he was just saying that this is the person who is supposed to be taking the next watch, not that he is necessarily bad or a rival to the king. But I love how much thought you but into this and all the conflicts you saw. Shakespeare is hard to read. I think he made the characters somewhat suspicious because it adds drama to the play and makes you wonder what is next.
ReplyDeleteExcellent different perspective. I like the way you think about how Shakespeare is creating mystery in his characters. I think it adds mystery and intrigue into the story to have mystery built into the characters. To know what they're going to do all the time is interesting or appealing, at least to me. I think it's great to know that you don't know which way a character is going to go, or what they're going to do.
ReplyDeleteI had never read any Shakespeare so I agree with your assessment wholeheartedly. I was confused about Horatio and Bernardo’s roles initially. I thought the sense of mystery and suspense was intriguing. It compelled me to continue to read. I didn’t expect a ghost. And because I don’t use this type of language every day, it was not easy for me to follow along.
ReplyDeleteAshley,
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your perspective. I agree with you completely regarding the mystery in Hamlet. It kept me on the edge of my seat. I have to admit, I thought reading Hamlet was going to be boring. I was wrong! I do think that Horatio is who he appears to be. He has integrity and tells it the way it is.