The gears may somehow represent fate .
Strand: Fortune and Fate
“So, oft it chances in particular men, that for some vicious mole of nature in them, as in their birth, where in they are not guilty (since nature cannot choose his origin)” (23-25)
Hamlet realizes the existence of fate. He concludes that fate might ruin Claudius, because of his defect of drinking. He suggests that drinking would “break down [Claudius’] pales and forts of reason”, or ruin his reputation no matter how many achieves Claudius has. In fact, Claudius’ defect of drinking symbolizes his sin of murdering his brother, King Hamlet. His ambition to become king and intention to kill King Hamlet might not have been his initiatives or have originated from him, because he “cannot choose his origin”. (25) Fate is the reason for everything, and Claudius does not have the power to compete against fate to choose his “origin” or characterization. Claudius can only depend upon fate and accept whatever fate gives him. Therefore, Claudius didn’t choose to be evil at the very first place.
Fate also destroys Claudius by giving him defects. Among the defects of Claudius, such as to kill King Hamlet, to seduce Queen Gertrude, and to ruin their prince Hamlet, even one of the defects is sufficient to trap Claudius, because it “shall in the general take [him] to corruption.” (34) Hamlet not only predicts but also ensures himself of Claudius’ outcome. He believes in fate that it would compensate Claudius whatever he deserves.
1 comment:
I think this is when I became confident in doing my notebook entries on "Hamlet". Shakespare's works have always intimidated me even before I get to the actual reading. But because of the modern translation and short movies on Hamlet, I was able to catch up. And here is when I saw the way fate controls the life of Claudius and when I actually feel like I can finally understand Shakspare.
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