The Incognizance In Shakespeare's Hamlet

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This passage of Hamlet appears near the beginning of the play. Hamlet`s short speech occurs shortly after the appearance of a ghost apparatus presenting itself as Hamlet Sr. An emotion-filled Hamlet begins to ensue a series of comments addressing the ghost and it`s reason behind presenting himself. This exchange of words to his father represent an aspect of Shakespeare`s idea towards death. Hamlet`s lines in the passage reflect Shakespeare`s belief which alludes that mankind does not understand death through his incognizance, questions, and misjudgment. The incognizance displayed by Hamlet surrounding the subject of his father`s ghost is evidence of Shakespeare`s idea. Speaking to the ghost, he presents situations in regards to multiple possibilities, “Be thou a spirit of health, or goblin damned,/ Bring with thee airs from heaven, or blasts from hell,/ Be thy intents wicked, or charitable”(2-4). In his speech Hamlet presents his unawareness on the subject of the ghost’s presence. The manifestation of Hamlet Sr. occurs for reasons that Hamlet does not know. He cannot say if the apparition grants itself …show more content…

Hamlet believes their must be much more to his father`s death than simply a body in a grave, “Say why is this? wherefore? what should we do?”(19). He believes that since his father has passed their must be a major plan of seeking revenge since he is the king. Humans try to present death as a more significant and important event than it is. When it occurs they seek a revenge towards the death as a result of believing that death is such a huge event, when really its natural in life whether occurring naturally or not. The ignorant speculation that death presents a major importance and disruption to life shows proof that humans do not understand death; much like Hamlet does not understand what must be done as a result of his father`s