Jun-Hao Rosalyn Shih
Shakespeare I
Prof. Julie Crawford
October 6
th
, 2008
Interpretations of the Word “Common” and Their Tell-Tale Differences
The many applications of the word “common” in Act I Scene 2 shows how the
characters of
Hamlet
use language to challenge, manipulate and control each other. The use of a
word that connotes unity and universality ironically exposes conflict and disharmony. Even
more, the handling of language signals telling clues as to how the characters manipulate their
surrounding problems.
In the court, Gertrude uses the word “common” to convey the indiscriminate nature of
death. “Thou know’st ’tis common” (1.2.72), she chides Hamlet and his unnecessary display of
grief over his lost father.
“Common” is used to insist that death “[belongs] to all mankind alike”
(
OED a
.1b). Gertrude points out that all lives must come to an end, “passing through nature to
eternity” (1.2.73). To her, Hamlet must cease his mourning because death is merely a transitional
phase. She contrasts the universality of this passing with the “particular” nature of Hamlet’s
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- Spring '08
- Crawford
- Shakespeare, Hamlet, Gertrude, Characters in Hamlet, Prince Hamlet, Polonius, King Claudius
-
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