Hamlet

“What is a man, If his chief good and market of his time Be but to sleep and feed? a beast, no more. Sure he that made us with such large discourse, Looking before and after, gave us not That capability and god-like reason To fust in us unused.” In this quote from Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”, Hamlet sees Fortinbras’s men fighting for a piece of land that isn’t worth fighting over. He realizes they are doing it for their honor, and through performative utterance it is made clear to him that he too needs to fight for his honor. This moment is central in understanding Shakespeare’s dauntless tone for the last act and his continuing theme of courage and action. Hamlet is finally confronted with the reality of his situation, and he has to make the choice to either be a coward or to be brave and take action.

                When Hamlet is making his speech about him being a coward because he won’t kill Claudius, even though Fortinbras’s men are willing to fight over something worthless, he reveals to himself that he has to be brave through performative utterance. “What is a man, If his chief good and market of his time Be but to sleep and feed?” In this quote Hamlet is saying that he can’t be considered a man if he doesn’t fight for his honor, and he just passes through life without taking action. “But greatly to find quarrel in a straw When honour's at the stake.” Hamlet is saying that there is always a fight to be had when honor is at stake, even if it is over something trivial. In both instances Hamlet reveals to himself through his words that he needs to fight for his honor and the honor of his family. He reveals to himself that he has more cause than Fortinbras’s men to kill Claudius and that he must take action. This speech causes Hamlet to agree to duel Laertes so that he may have a chance to kill the king, and his actions were revealed to him through his speech.

                When Hamlet realizes he needs to fight for his honor because he has seen Fortinbras’s men, Shakespeare’s dauntless tone for the final act is revealed. Hamlet is brave, and determined to fight for his honor after he is inspired by the soldiers. Shakespeare’s tone for this act and the one following it is very courageous, and it shows determination. “My thoughts be bloody, or be nothing worth!” In this quote Hamlet is stating his determination to kill Claudius no matter what, which supports Shakespeare’s dauntless tone. “Sir, in my heart there was a kind of fighting, That would not let me sleep” Hamlet is saying that even in his heart he can feel his bravery and courage coming forth, and this sets a mood for determination and fulfillment. This also sets a mood of anticipation and courage within the audience because they have been waiting for Hamlet to take action against Claudius. The scene with Fortinbras and the letter Claudius sent to execute Hamlet have only strengthened the audience’s resolve against Claudius. In the last scene Hamlet takes the poisoned rapier and stabs Claudius with it, which proves that Shakespeare’s tone was truly determined and brave because Hamlet actually carried out his intents.

                The constant theme in “Hamlet” is whether or not to take action. Hamlet spends the whole play deciding whether or not to kill Claudius, and Claudius spends the whole play trying to figure out how to deal with Hamlet. “My thoughts be bloody, or be nothing worth!” In this quote Hamlet makes up his mind to kill Claudius, which follows the theme of deciding to take action. Hamlet finally realizes that he has more cause and will to take action than the soldiers, and that Claudius has threatened his honor so he must stop him. The quote, “To be or not to be,” also supports the theme of deciding whether or not to take action because Hamlet is trying to figure out who he is. He is trying to decide whether or not to kill Claudius, and the kind of man he wants to be. When Claudius sends the letter for Hamlet’s execution he makes his choice and takes action just as Hamlet does. Claudius also has a dilemma earlier in the play when he questions himself and his actions at the altar, which shows that he is in the same boat as Hamlet. The theme in the play is supported by Hamlet and Claudius because they are both trying to figure out how to take action and the kind of men they want to be.

                When Hamlet finally realizes his honor has been threatened, and that he is going to kill Claudius it is largely due to performative utterance. Hamlet gives a speech about men and honor, and it lights his inner fire which makes clear to him what he has to do. “What is a man, If his chief good and market of his time Be but to sleep and feed? a beast, no more. Sure he that made us with such large discourse, Looking before and after, gave us not That capability and god-like reason To fust in us unused.” Hamlet is talking about being a man and how he has to take action in this quote. That is the central theme in the story, not only with Hamlet but with Claudius as well. The theme of taking action sets up a dauntless tone that continues into the next act and helps Hamlet to kill Claudius. The speech Hamlet makes about taking action ties together performative utterance, tone, and theme with his strengthened resolve and brings about the fulfillment of his intents.