Page:The Psychology of Shakespeare.pdf/113

98 Hamlet's state of mind, the occurrence gives birth to rash conduct and vehement passion; passion, be it remarked, not caused by the struggle in the grave, but by the bravery of the brother's grief. Although after this scene Hamlet converses with thorough calmness with his self-possessed friend, there are passages which strongly indicate the morbid state of his mind. Speaking of his condition on ship-board, he says: “Sir, in my heart there was a kind of fighting, That would not let me sleep : methought, I lay Worse than the mutineers in the bilboes.”

And again, referring to his present feelings, he says: “Thou would'st not think, how ill all's here about my heart; but it's no matter.” “It is but foolery; but it is such a kind of gain giving as would, perhaps, trouble a woman.” Above all, if his conduct in the church-yard is not the

result of morbidly violent emotion, uncontrolled by reason, what can we say of his own explanation : “Give me your pardon, sir; I have done you wrong; But pardon it, as you are a gentleman. This presence knows, and you must needs have heard, How I am punish'd with a sore distraction. -

What I have done,

That might your nature, honour, and exception, Roughly awake, I here proclaim was madness. Wast Hamlet wrong'd Laertes ? Never, Hamlet: If Hamlet from himself be ta'en away : And, when he's not himself, does wrong Laertes, Then Hamlet does it not, Hamlet denies it. Who does it then. His madness : If't be so, Hamlet is of the faction that is wrong'd ; His madness is poor Hamlet's enemy. Sir, in this audience,

Let my disclaiming from a purpos'd evil Free me so far in your most generous thoughts, That I have shot my arrow o'er the house, And hurt my brother.”