Speech+Act+I

The three examples that deal with speech are:

Act 1 Scene 2 Line 159 where Hamlet says, "But break, my heart, for I must hold my tongue." Act 1 Scene 1 Line 55 where Horatio says, "Stay! speak! speak! I charge thee, speak!" Act 1 Scene 5 Line 159 where Hamlet says, "Never to speak of this that you have seen, Swear by my sword."

The first example stated by Hamlet is referring to the time in the play where Hamlet is very upset about the fact that his mother and Claudius got married only a few months after his father's death. This line plays into the motif of speech and communication because it is a time where Hamlet knows that he musn't bring up these emotions toward the marriage because it would be bad for the country. He knows that the best thing for everyone is to just hold his tongue and let it go for now. The second example is dealing with the ghost of King Hamlet at the beginning of the play. This example is a great example for this motif because it is all about how this ghost will not speak. Here the ghost is haunting them and haunting them but he will never speak of his reason for coming there. Horatio really wants to communicate with the ghost so he continusly tells the ghost to speak. From this scene there is this early idea that some characters maybe won't speak when they should or want to. The last example is again dealing with the ghost, but this time much later and when Hamlet is with both Horatio and Barnardo. This is where the ghost speaks to Hamlet and tells him of the murder of his father by Claudius and then Hamlet tells Horatio and Barnardo not to speak of it. This really builds the motif and sets it up for the remaining acts. It hits at the idea of holding ones tongue so that this doesn't get out. This is another example of holding back and not saying anything when there is so much to tell. Even though Horatio and Barnardo didn't know what the ghost had told Hamlet they promised not to speak of the incident and trusted Hamlet. This will lead up to Hamlet now not speaking of the incident throughout the second act and having to hold himself back and not say anything to his mother or Claudius about what he has heard from the ghost.