Can anyone explain to me the sudden mood shift when Osric asks Hamlet to "Vouchsafe the answer" in response to the fencing trial? I am given to understand that Hamlet's interpretation of Osric's statement is "darker" than Osric intended, but what was he actually thinking?

-- mikken (mikken@neo.rr.com), July 03, 1999

Answers

It may be that Hamlet's response "How if I answer no?" to Osric's "Vouchsafe the answer" may be a subtle insight into Hamlet's uneasiness about this 'trial' between he and Laertes, which Hamlet knows the King has devised. With this in mind perhaps Hamlet's inquiry could then be better thought of as a rhetorical 'aside' of sorts rather than an actual question of Osric. Indeed, it is shortly thereafter that Hamlet reveals his sense of foreboding to Horatio: "But thou wouldst not think how ill all's here about my heart." Uh, I don't think it is of much significance, but a literal reading of Osric's full line, which concludes with "Vouchsafe the answer", does find the King as the subject of the sentence. Osric continues, using the pronoun 'him' and 'he' ("Between yourself and him he shall not ") without qualifying that 'him' and 'he' actually refer to Laertes. The full line reads, "The King, sir, hath laid, sir, that in a dozen passes between yourself and him he shall not exceed you three hits; he hath laid on twelve for nine, and it would come to immediate trial if your lordship would vouchsafe the answer." Could it be that Hamlet is 'once again' unable to muster the courage to take on the King himself (not Laertes if the sentence is taken literally)? A bit of a stretch, huh!?

-- Glen (gkandia@prodigy.net), December 12, 1999.

Just one more thing to round out my answer. The mood shift that we see in Hamlet after his question ("How if I answer no?") is of particular significance here as well. Hamlet's immediate reply to Osric's offering, "I mean, my lord, the opposition of your person in trial." may be an attempt to quickly dismiss his short lapse into darker thought and steer himself back to the attitude he formerly maintained throughout his repartee with Osric. Again, this seems to be reflected in his discourse with Horatio soon thereafter. Here it is perhaps not so much his actual mood that changes but we see again an attempt to quickly dismiss his darker thoughts: "But thou wouldst not think how ill all's here about my heart. But it is no matter." And then after Horatio's attempt ("Nay, good my lord ---") to console his friend Hamlet continues, "It is but foolery, but it is such a kind of gain-giving as would perhaps trouble a woman." So we see him having these dark thoughts at both times in this scene and then we see his 'losing' attempt to quickly dismiss them after they are shown.

-- Glen (gkandia@prodigy.net), December 12, 1999.

By the way; sorry I didn't say this in my previous replies but this is a great question!

-- gkandia (gkandia@prodigy.net), December 12, 1999.

Thanks. So, are you saying that the "How if I answer no?" is really "What happens if I don't play the king's game?" ? Is he suddenly seeing both danger and opportunity? Or just danger? No, I think it's both because here is a chance to prove himself sane and get back into the good graces of the court and maybe have another go at Claudius later. Now he's ok with the dying thing and he's already damned for Polonius and R&G, all he needs is a little time alone with Claudius....

-- mikken (mikken@neo.rr.com), December 13, 1999.

I think that opportunity may be an influencing factor somewhere in Hamlet's thinking (if we can actually speak of such a thing) but I believe that it plays a somewhat minor role. And I believe that there is more than mere danger that looms within his head. In this scene I think we can best observe the great sense of apprehension, coupled with the recognition of some fatality, in Hamlet's thoughts and words. Hamlet knows that the King can't be trusted; not even at his open word (that which he would say in front of anyone in Hamlet's presence). The man excels at the craft of manipulation, especially toward devious ends. Hamlet knows the King employed two of his best friends to escort him to his death. And contrived the mechanics of that death. Then, Hamlet's vague suspicions about this event were further warranted by the haste with which the Lord was sent to him to learn if he was ready to play. Osric had just left the room! We have no clock in this play but if the words were the only meter of time that Lord would seem to appear far too hastily. Why the rush to put on this trial? Moreover, Hamlet must now realize that he may not have any control within this situation and could be playing into Claudius' hand. He is the invited to this trial, and the trial was arranged at the King's request!

But, even more to the point, Hamlet's apprehension is also borne of his perception of his fate: NOW may be HIS END! Again, he gives confession of these thoughts to Horatio. Would this not instill apprehension in us all? Even in those of us who have contemplated, in fact, in Hamlet's case wished for, death? Indeed, these concerns are so perceptible that they instill fear in his friend. But, could this not in some way serve also to liberate Hamlet; perhaps be his unforeseen impetus toward action as well? By accepting that this may be the 'IT', he can let himself say 'let come what may' and act with freedom from consequence, "Let be." (But I don't believe he was relinquished of all consequence until he was told of his fatal wounding.) I believe that "How if I answer no?" shows Hamlet asking himself, 'what if I don't go forward into this circumstance and walk the path the King has laid for me'; and, this too with the weight of the prescience of his death in his heart.

So Hamlet senses the doom but moves on

-- gkandia (gkandia@prodigy.net), January 21, 2000.

Though i really liked Branagh's take on this, my personal reading has always been that the moodswing should come when the Lord comes in next and asks Hamlet again (sort of, in effect, is Hamlet REALLY willing). To this Hamlet replies more warily than he did to Osric: "... provided I be so able as now." When Osric leaves, Hamlet is still concerned with mocking him to Ho

-- catherine england (catherineamer@hotmail.com), October 01, 2001.

Though i really liked Branagh's take on this, my personal reading has always been that the moodswing should come when the Lord comes in next and asks Hamlet again (sort of, in effect, is Hamlet REALLY willing). To this Hamlet replies more warily than he did to Osric: "... provided I be so able as now." When Osric leaves, Hamlet is still concerned with mocking him to Hor

-- catherine england (catherineamer@hotmail.com), October 01, 2001.

hello! have an awsome time in so cal

-- Michealle valdez (pequitas2424@yahoo.com), April 29, 2004.