In Shakespeare's play Hamlet there are many quotes revealed with meanings that are more than superficial. In depth, what the statement means is more broader than what meets the eye. The play gives an endless variety of quotes by all different types of people.
Hamlet speaks of something in Act I scene II that suggests an act was done in order for the other to occur. Speaking to Horatio, he says, " Thrift, thrift, Horatio! The funeral baked meats Did coldly furnish forth the marriage tables. Would I had met my dearest foe in heaven Or ever I had seen that day, Horatio!" It reveals to readers that Hamlet is upset with his mother for marrying his father's brother so quickly after his father's funeral.
This quote should foreshadow or give readers an idea that Hamlet is going to find out that his father was murdered. In an essence, Hamlets words, "the funeral baked meats Did coldly furnish forth the marriage tables" means that the wedding was so quick that the leftovers from the funeral furnished the food for it, but I think there is more to it than what meets the eye.
I think Hamlet also meant that the fuel from the funeral was also necessary for the wedding's existence; therefore, the funeral had to happen for the wedding to take place. This means that his father had to be murdered for Claudius and Gertrude to be married. By this, it is assumed that one of them had to take part in the killing. Hamlet then asks, " Would I had met my dearest foe in heaven" which has an alternate meaning. A dearest foe is the key in this sentence. This would have to be somebody that is your enemy; yet, it is somebody close to you.
Words hacked, not minced.
Many, many times I am thinking: "I know what you mean, but that's not what you are saying." I do not have enough room to extrapolate on the many cases right now, but I would receive a C if I submitted this as a Sophomore in High School, much less College.
I'm guessing that this was a close reading exercise; it should be known that "clandestine meanings" created by context and metaphor are no secret in any literary work. The paper seeks to contest an issue that is in no contention and that should be very obvious.
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