Advances the Plot
- “Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder” (act i, v, 25)
- Learns of his father’s death
- Murdered by his uncle
- Learning this Hamlet wishes to avenge his father
- Learns of his father’s death
Links Incidents in the Plot
- “With witchcraft of his wit, with traitorous gifts,-
- wicket wit and gifts, that have the power
- So to seduce!- won to his shameful lust
- The will of my most seeming-virtuous queen;” (act i, v, 44-47)
- Links:
- Murder of King Hamlet
- New Marriage
Develops Suspense
- Suspense of the moment
- “So art thou to revenge, when thou shalt hear.” (act i, v, 8)
- “Swear!” (act i, v, 83)
- Attention grabbing
- Chilling
- Suspense for the future
- “Taint not thy mind, nor let thy soul contrive” (act i, v, 86)
- Foreshadowing
Provides Motivation for a Later Incident in the Plot
- “O villain, villain, smiling, damned villain!” (act i, v, 7)
- “Thus was I, sleeping, by a brother’s hand Of life, of crown, of queen, at once despatch’d;” (act i, v, 75-76)
- The knowledge of the murder and warnings
- Foreshadowing
- Motivation to avenge the murder
Presents Useful Information
- “Brief let me be. Sleeping within mine orchard, My custom always in the afternoon, Upon my secure hour thy uncle stole, With juice cursed hebenon in a vial,” (act i, v, 60-64)
- Information:
- King Hamlets murder
- Uncles true nature
- Previous affairs between the Queen and new King
