At the end of Act 3, Scene 2, Hamlet makes some remarks about a cloud in the sky. He first states that the cloud is "almost in shape of a camel," but then that "it is like a weasel," and finally concluding it to be "like a whale" (III.ii.406-411). Polonius looks towards the cloud and after every statement of Hamlet's, he acknowledges that the cloud does looks like the animal in question even though all three of these animals are quite different from one another. The animals may have been meant as symbols. Camels are said to symbolize the "type of people who would not forgive or forget an insult or a mistake easily and he would wait for the right chance to burst and take revenge , keeping grudge & malice deep in the heart" ("What Does a Camel Symbolize?"). This description fits Hamlet well as a man who is hiding behind a mask of insanity and therefore not revealing his true intentions of revenge. Weasels are symbols of stealth, cleverness, and confidence. This also relates to Hamlet, for he is seeking out the truth of his father's murder in a clever and undercover way. He can see through all spies and therefore he is confident in his ability to find the truth. Whales are symbols of life and death. This is a prevalent topic in Hamlet, for The Ghost comes to Hamlet after death to tell of knowledge of life.
"What Does a Camel Symbolize?" WikiAnswers. Answers, n.d. Web. 14 Mar. 2013. <http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_does_a_camel_symbolize>.
No comments:
Post a Comment