SPEECH+ACT+IV

Byron Butler Act IV Scene II Line 11-21 In this section of Hamlet, the motif of speech, and communication is clearly seen. Hamlet developes the motif with an indirect insult on the credibility of his "good friend" Rosencrantz. This is just one example of Hamlet using speech to get his point across. Earlier in Scene I the King tells Rosencrantz to "speak fair" to Hamlet, in order to appeal to Hamlet's rational side. This fails miserably though as Hamlet calls him out for his ways. He says that Rosencrantz is a sponge, which, of course, he doesn't understand. He then explains that people think that just because they do something for someone powerful, that they will receive some reward. Hamlet remarks on how when the King has no use for Rosencrantz anymore for talking to Hamlet, he will ring him out, leaving him "dry" or useless. This shows that no one can talk to Hamlet and expect him to be civil or rational. He is now in a dangerous state, and no matter how he is "handled" he will be irrational and mean.

Act IV Scene II Line 27-28 What do you know, another play on words by our good friend Hamlet. In this segment, Body refers to more than one thing. In the first part, "The body is with the King," refers to the fact that the King is currently living, while the second part, "but the King is not with the body," refers to the fact that the King has done nothing while in power. His play on words yet again confuses the simple Guildenstern. In a way I think this motif of communication with Hamlet leads to a smaller motif of confusion.

Act IV Scene III Line 19-30 Confusion reigns yet again as the King confronts Hamlet as to the wherabouts of Polonius' corpse. Hamlet tells the King a simple fact, that even a King, when it comes down to it is naught but worm fodder. This little speech does its job in confusing the King, changing the subject, and insulting the King as well. It also shows Hamlet's realist attitude towards life and death, that in death we are all equal. There are tons of these little quips and stories littered throughout this play that help the motif of speech. The motif revolves around Hamlet because of his skill with words.

Kelly Bertzyk speak/speech

//Queen "I will not speak with her."//
 * Scene V. pg 121 Line 1**

This particular line comes when the queen is asked to speak to Ophelia, after Ophelia has started to go insane. The queen immediately says the above line, expressing her undesire to speak with Ophelia. This represents the motif because it shows how speech can be denied. At times. one doesn't want to speak, even when given the opportunity to do so. This shows reader's a different side to Gertrude, because it shows that she doesn't really care. Even after her talk with Hamlet, part of her is still aprrehensive about everything, and this is shown when she does not want to speak to Ophelia.

//King: "Let him go, Gertrude. Speak, man."//
 * Scene V. pg. 127 lines 126-127**

Here, Claudias is telling Gertrude to let Laertes go, and then ordering Laertes to speak. He orders him to do this after Laertes appears to almost kill teh king. this scene/line is particularly important to the motif because it shows the power of speech. Laertes was about to potentially kill the king, when all of a sudden given the chance to speak, he refrained from doing so. Also, after the kind talked with Laertes, he was able to convinve him that it was Hamlet that he should be after. Speaking allowed the king to completly reverse laertes actions, and now, kill Hamlet. This proves how much power speech alone can have.

//Captain: "Truly to speak, and with no addition, we go to gain a little patch of ground that hath in it no profit but the name."//
 * Scene V pg. 118-119 lines 17-19**

This line cleary demostartes the motif, because it puts things inot perspective for Hamlet. After talking to the captain, Hamlet goes into his soliloquy about what makes a true man. In this soliloquy, Hamlet talks about man's gift of speech and reason, and how he should use that gift, rather than let it go to waste. The line above really makes hamlet think about all of these things, and put his whole situation into perspective. From there, he comes to the conclusion that he will begin his revenge, and that his only thoughts from now on will be bloody. This line lets him understand the power he has, and makes him go forth in his efforts for revenge.