Monday, December 16, 2013

What are 5 quotes for each that resemble ambition, guilt, and the class system?

I will give you one for each to get you
started.


When Hamlet is speaking with Rosencrantz and
Guildenstern he misleads them to think that he is upset over the fact that he is not the
new King.  He says something about having bad dreams, but Guildenstern jumps on that and
says, "Which dreams indeed are ambition; for the very substance of a ambitious is merely
a shadow of a dream."  Guildenstern's line may be a truth, but is NOT true for Hamlet
right now.


As for guilt, Hamlet is constantly concerned
over his mother's actions and wants her to feel guilty about this quick marriage to his
uncle.  Finally in Act Three he makes he feelings clear and they leave quite an
impression on Gertrude.  She replies to Hamlet, "Thou turn'st mine eyes into my very
soul, And there I see such black and grained spots."  She sees the guilt of her
actions!


This play isn't really about the class system in
any signifcant way, but the relationship between Hamlet and Ophelia is potentially
troubled by the fact that Hamlet is a prince and has obligations to the state, and
Ophelia is not a nobleman.  Her father is a courtier, but not royal in any way.  Leartes
rightly points out to Ophelia that Hamlet's position "greatness weighed" must be taken
into consideration because, "his will is not his own; For he himself is subject to his
birth... for on his choice (of wife) depends the safety and health of the whole
state."

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