Hamlet- Hamlet, Act 3- Tone recognition
In the examples from the play below, it is important to recognize the tone of the dialogue in order to understand the full meaning. You are to find 10 examples of dialogue from act three, recognize the tone of those passages, and write a short description of how that tone affects the interpretation. Think about how the degrees of tone would be represented, i.e., is the character angry, or is he irate?
Examples of tone from 3.1 and 3.2
HAMLET
Ha, ha! are you honest?
Tone –mocking- treatment with contempt or ridicule- Hamlet is really not asking this as a question, but offers this as more of a challenge.
Claudius
There's something in his soul,
O'er which his melancholy sits on brood;
And I do doubt the hatch and the disclose
Will be some danger: which for to prevent,
I have in quick determination
Thus set it down: he shall with speed to England,
For the demand of our neglected tribute
Haply the seas and countries different
With variable objects shall expel
This something-settled matter in his heart,
Whereon his brains still beating puts him thus
From fashion of himself. What think you on't?
Tone- nervous, worried- Claudius seems to sense that Hamlet’s behavior is becoming more confrontational. Perhaps this is reflective of his growing recognition of his own betrayal, perhaps guilt.
LORD POLONIUS
That did I, my lord; and was accounted a good actor.
Tone- pompous- Obvious bragging about his acting skills
OPHELIA
Nay, 'tis twice two months, my lord.
HAMLET
So long? Nay then, let the devil wear black, for
I'll have a suit of sables. O heavens! die two
months ago, and not forgotten yet?
Sardonic-scornfully and bitterly sarcastic. Hamlet again refers to his mother’s quick “change of heart” and is bitter for Gertrude turning her back on his father.