How does the symbolism of Yorick's skull impact the play? What is the purpose behind it?
Zigbot
3/27/2014 01:13:50 pm
Through Yorick's skull we see Hamlets philosophical side as he analyzes how we become part of the earth once again. He talks about death's inevitability. Later, he talks about how Polonius will be eaten by worms - even kings will be eaten and returned to the earth.
Kano
3/28/2014 09:56:53 am
I like the idea of Yorick's skull representing inevitable death. It is one thing to state that death is bound to happen, but by giving a visual representation such as the skull, the message becomes more of a realization. I'm curious though, is this philosophical side driven by sanity or insanity?
erinrae
3/30/2014 07:35:40 am
I feel like Hamlet's philosophical side is driven by sanity. When Hamlet speaks to Yorick's skull, the reader can tell that something inside Hamlet's mind clicks. This click could be the idea that everyone, even he, will die, or about his revenge. The foreshadowing of almost everyone's death brings Hamlet down to earth and makes his train of thought seem to become sane compared to most of the play. Hamlet, after he takes the skull away from the clown, says "Now get you to my lady’s chamber and tell her, let her paint an inch thick, to this favor she must come" (V. i. 185-187). Hamlet continues on speaking of how great leaders such as Julius Caesar and Alexander the Great died as well. This stream of consciousness exhibits the connection Hamlet makes concerning death. As he thinks through his revenge and inevitable death, Hamlet does so seemingly sane. The click in his mind may have also been a break in his insanity causing him to become rational and philosophical.
Emma
4/7/2014 03:38:15 pm
Perhaps I am being to knit-picky. I agree with what your assumptions of Yorick's skulls representation is, but the statement of "inevitable death" seems extremely redundant to me. Hamlet will die, that is a fact. It could be murder, old age, illness, or any other of the many ways to die. It seems that your sense of "inevitable death" is only used in the sense that he will die soon due to the insurmountable amount of pressure that is rising in the play. True, it is only a matter of time before the plot and characters in it implode on themselves. There is only one certainty in life and that is; all living things will die, therefore the statement "inevitable death" seems redundant. Perhaps inevitably young death or inevitably soon encroaching death would better describe the situation.
Skyler Timmins
3/30/2014 10:53:39 am
This is absolutely Hamlet's realization that death will come to all humans. It doesn't matter how great, how rich, or how important a person builds them up to be in the this life, they will result in the same place that everyone is destined for. Becoming part of the Earth is a metaphor for the fact that death will take every person that is born on this Earth, and there is nothing they can do to change that fact.
Kano
3/28/2014 09:17:46 am
The purpose behind Yorick's skull is to further enhance the reader's interpretation of Hamlet's sanity. As we observed with the group that taught Act V to the class, this scene can give off various impressions of Hamlet's character based upon the tone in which it is read. If you read it with a sarcastic or comedic tone, Hamlet comes off as senseless and crazy. A more serious or depressing tone gives Hamlet an essence of humanity. The overall meaning of the skull is dependent on whether or not the reader believes Hamlet is sane. It doesn't make sense to believe he is sane and have him speak of the skull in a humorous tone. In this sense, it isn't so much the skull that is important, instead it is the manner in which Hamlet speaks of the skull.
Nicholette
3/30/2014 10:25:55 am
This is a point not many bring to light, the idea of other interpretations besides the obvious. I like the fact that you didn't just bring up the whole 'death is inevitable' thing straight up.
Kano
3/30/2014 01:31:16 pm
This is somewhat tricky because it is entirely a variable response. The message of death being inevitable can still be perceived from the scene even if the tone is some what satirical. The thing is however that it is a different outlook on death. It is a bit difficult to explain, but I will do what I can. Death itself has many possible representations. For some it is cleansing while for others it is heartbreaking.
Nicholette
3/30/2014 03:32:13 pm
Well in response to Kano's response to mine, I see where you're coming from on this, drawing back the idea of Hamlet's insanity. With the scene being portrayed as comedic and thus exaggerated, it shows Hamlet as insane again, as you mentioned.
Kate
3/30/2014 05:23:59 am
This was a very interesting scene. I personally found that Hamlet was read in more of a humanist light. I agree that this sheds light on death, and the skull as a physical representation that death does happen. This is clearly a realization for Hamlet that even if he does not extract his revenge on Claudius, death will still find him. The King is not more invincible than anyone else. It most likely dawns on Hamlet that he will die, eventually, and that the Grim Reaper waits for no one. Beyond Hamlets own realization, this is Shakespeare's comment on death and humanity. It is the realization that no one, not even the King or Queen of England, Spain, or anyone else, is invincible. Shakespeare was known to have some spats with the government, so this very well might be a dig at them. Everyone dies, and what is left to remember them by? Shakespeare will be remembered for his plays. He has left his mark. But those in power, the ones that try and ruin others joy, what will they be remembered by?
Nicholette
3/30/2014 09:40:29 am
I love this comment, Kate. It sums up (what I feel as) the true message behind the scene and a statement about humanity that no one is able to argue with. The entire play has been leading up to this moment of realization and suddenly it strikes Hamlet and he becomes aware of the true nature of things.
HR1997
3/30/2014 10:59:50 am
I agree with you Nicole, Kate's comment sums up the true message behind the scene. This is because usually in Shakespeare plays everything has a meaning to it, therefore the skull represents humanity. Shakespeare always leave a comment on humanity through his work. In Hamlet also he is using a skull as a tool to introduce the climax which will present the definition of "humanity" in front of us.
Ariana
3/30/2014 07:43:26 pm
Both Kate and Nicole make strong points that I agree with, but in response to Nicole comment on how it should have been a more important character's skull I think it being a jester's skull is very purposeful and more affective in conveying both the political and archetypal message that can be interpreted from this scene, though I do think Nicole's point is valid. Hamlet compares the skull to Alexander and Caesar to show that they both are no more then made of the same thing, though one had a story remember by many and one by only person. And the use of a jester's skull also evokes contrasting emotions for Hamlet. He rejoices in the memory of his life, but feels a melancholy that death forever quiets a man who now only lives in the memories of few. Also prior to him holding and confronting Yorick's skull, Hamlet contemplates other skulls and creates elaborate stories for them. But when he is faced with a skull of someone he knew, it makes it all more real the concept of death and life.
HR1997
3/30/2014 04:47:32 pm
I feel that through the representation of the skull, Shakespeare is trying to incorporate the situational archetypal of death vs. rebirth. This is because, one can clearly tell that the skull represents Hamlet's realization that death will come to all humans. In order to make this more effective, Shakespeare uses the idea of death vs. rebirth as back then there were a lot of people who believed this idea. This will make his story more people-oriented and a success.
Emma
4/7/2014 03:05:26 pm
I believe the skull represents humanities blindness. So many times people fight over who has more power, who is better, who is more important, and who matter more. Yet when we are stripped of our faces, skin, etc. we are all the same. I believe Shakespeare shows how much time we invest it the thoughts that we are better than the people around us, yet when we die every human being will be stripped of what made them "more important," leaving us all the same: merely bones. It is a morbid thought, but it is an ideal that has been taught to young children for generations. In the midst of sexism, racism, and other social troubles, we are forced to focus on what makes us similar. The basic is that we are human. We are made of the same blood, bones, and skin. Whether it is colored differently or not, we are all the same. When humans die, we will be reduced to the very things that make us similar. It does not matter if that person be a jester or a king, no one will be able to tell the difference when their skulls are laid side by side. Comments are closed.
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AuthorMrs. Lopez (AP Literature and Composition Instructor) Archives
September 2014
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