"O heavens, die two / months ago, and not forgotten yet? Then there's / hope a great man's memory may outlive his life half / a year" (3.2.138-141).
Hamlet sarcastically responds to Ophelia's questions. As the reader, we know that Hamlet would never mock his own father. The only thing that is keeping Hamlet sane is the memory he has of his father. King Hamlet was noble and honorable: someone who is not easily forgotten. The fact that Hamlet suggests that his father is not forgotten yet parallels Queen Gertrude's feelings on the matter. She has just married King Claudius after two months of her husbands death. Apparently, that is enough time for her to move on in her life. Since Hamlet is mocking this situation, it shows that Hamlet is coping with his miserable life by playing along with the situation. Hamlet loves his father, and he would not dare mock his father on purpose in any manner.
No comments:
Post a Comment