Notebook Entry on Hamlet, Act III, Scence II

Character: Hamlet

“Tis now the very witching time of night, when church yards yawn and hell itself [breathes] out contagion to this world. Now could I drink not blood, and do such [bitter business as the] day…Soft, now to see my mother…let not never the soul of Nero enter this firm bossom…I will speak [daggers] to her but use none” (367-377)

Through setting up the play, Hamlet discovers Claudius to be guilty of his father, King Hamlet’s murder. He declares that “now” is the “witching time” because he is facing the truth and is confirming the need to seek revenge. Hamlet also sees “now” as the time for the “churchyards to yawn” and “hell to breathe”. The personification for “Churchyards” to “yawn” is creating a fearful imagery, because the “churchyards” are actually graveyards. It gives a feeling that the graves are getting bored and now they want new companions, the dead. The personification for “hell” to “breathe out to the world” also serves as a fearful imagery. It creates a picture that death is calling for more victims, and the unrest spirits are shouting their pains. In additional both imageries foreshadow the disaster of Denmark after all the brutal fightings at the end.

Within these lines, Hamlet also asserts his bravery and cruelty. He claims that he is now able to “drink hot blood” and to “do bitter business” which would make other people “quake” or tremble. Hamlet has clearly escalated his hatred toward Claudius. He aspires to cruelly kill Claudius and then drink his hot blood. Nonetheless, Hamlet commits to a promise that he won’t hurt his mother; he will only “speak dagger” to her but will “use none” of them. This foreshadows Hamlet’s success in following his father’s order as not to hurt his mother.