Color
is often used by writers to evoke feelings and create understanding in their
audience. With color usage, the writer
often conveys a large idea or theme artistically and successfully. William Shakespeare scattered lush, colorful
language (often literally so) throughout his plays. This device helps speeches come alive. In Hamlet,
black and green are found in the first act, pointing to larger ideas contained
in this tragedy.
When
one thinks of Hamlet, the color that
comes to mind is black. This famous
tragic play has dark and melancholy associations that one cannot ignore. Even if one had not read this play, many know
that Hamlet is a character who dons black because of his image in popular
culture. The color choice is rooted in
the original text. The stage directions
found in 1.2 state, “Hamlet [dressed
in black].” His black dress signifies
multiple things. Primarily it is his
mode of showing grief and mourning for the recently deceased King Hamlet, his
father. Donning black is not uncommon
today when one goes to funerals, so Shakespeare’s choice is still pertinent to
modern Western culture. This color
choice also separates the character from others, who are not described as
wearing a specific tone. Hamlet is very
much an outsider in this play - alone in his thoughts and plots. The black showcases his inner emotional
struggle from losing his father and his mother being married to his uncle.
Act one
mentions black more than any other color, so it is worthy to note and obviously
important to Shakespeare. Queen Gertrude
questions her son with concern over his attire and attitude: “Good Hamlet, cast
thy nightly colour off/ And let thine eye look like a friend on Denmark”
(1.2.68-9). I love the imagery
Shakespeare conveys with the rich description of “nightly colour.” While abstract, it is still easy to
understand the concept behind Gertrude’s words.
I think of deep blues, purples, and blacks when “nightly colour” is
said. This evokes moodiness and weight in
the scene and in Hamlet’s overall condition.
The footnote in the text cites her words to reference not only Hamlet’s
dark garments, but his “melancholic behavior” (p.1072, footnote 8). The description perfectly captures both aspects. Later, in the same scene, Hamlet states that inner
feelings are truthfully reflected in his outer mode. He is not simply putting on a show: “But I
have that within which passeth show-/These but the trappings and the suits of
woe” (1.2.85-6). Shakespeare is hinting
through these lines that Hamlet is not ashamed of his emotions and
mourning.
More allusions
to blackness are found in the speech previously mentioned as Hamlet answers the
Queen. His “inky cloak,” and “suits of
solemn black” refer to color, but in creative ways (1.2.77-8). I think the description “inky” is perfect as
it makes one think of Hamlet covered in some liquid black that is seeping into
his soul. It is much more valuable to
say “inky” than simply “black cloak.”
The word “solemn” contrasts nicely with the actions of Hamlet’s uncle,
Claudius. With the quick funeral and
wedding afterwards, Hamlet views Claudius as irreverent. The prince chooses to observe and memorialize
his father’s life with the color black. Claudius
even states that his nephew’s “obstinate condolement is a course/ Of impious
stubbornness, ‘tis unmanly grief…”(1.2.93-4).
Perhaps this showcase of “black” makes Claudius nervous as it is a
constant, visual reminder of the wicked death deed he has done to become
king.
Black
is not a solo color in the play. Green appears
multiple times in act one. In the
beginning of 1.2, Claudius puts on a show of sadness over his brother’s death
with, “Though yet of Hamlet our dear brother’s death/ The memory be green, and
that it us befitted To bear our hearts in grief…” (1-3). A modern version might
say, “the king’s life and death are still fresh in our minds.” It is so close in time to the king’s murder
it is as if he is still is alive and no one has had time to process the death,
especially the black wearing Hamlet.
Green symbolizes not only life and springtime, but also prosperity. King Hamlet is still prospering, although deceased,
because his memory lives on in the minds of the court. Shakespeare provides a wonderful contrast
between the black that Hamlet wears and the greenness that describes his
father. The former is the one actually living,
but shrouded in a death-like color, while the latter bears the tone of
life.
Green
is not used exclusively for the royal family in the text. Polonius calls his daughter the same color
that Claudius uses in relation to the former king. In 1.4, Polonius sates, “You speak like a
green girl/ Unsifted in such perilous circumstance” (101- 02). The “green girl,” Ophelia, is belittled and
treated as a child by her father. This
color touches more on inexperience.
Polonius does not trust his daughter, so he tells her what to do and not
to do. He later commands her to “think
yourself a baby,” and a “woodcock” or gullible bird (1.3.105 and 115). The color choice fits perfectly with Ophelia
being naive, young, and dependent on others.
Her father and brother want to think for this “green girl” who has so
much to learn.
In Hamlet,
black and green are filled with meaning.
They showcase themes in a powerful manner. I am eager to notice more color usage by
Shakespeare throughout the remainder of this tragedy.
4 comments:
I never really noticed the constant references to color throughout the play. This was a very insightful and interesting post and I commend you with doing a great job on exploring this idea. I just wanted to add that I think that the green that you mentioned in reference to Hamlet the son might also represent his naivete when it comes to the situation of his father's death. The father is portrayed in such a positive light throughout what we have read so far which makes his non traditional or honorable death an even harder blow for Hamlet the son to come to terms with.
This was an extremely interesting post for me to read. Being that I usually focus on characters I didn’t even think about picking up on text clues. This is really interesting and I didn’t even notice the use of color. As you mention, the primary color I always think about when referencing Hamlet, is black. I have also seen four film versions of Hamlet, and in all four for the most part, when Hamlet is sulking in sorrow he is wearing black. This must be something the movie directors try to keep in touch. My favorite part of your post is how you bring in the connection between the colors and Hamlet’s mood. I find this to be a great parallel. After reading your post I plan on looking out for more color references and seeing what they say about the characters. It is clear Shakespeare had a way with words and really knew how to use every single word in the right way. Even if matching colors and character’s actions and moods was not his intention it still works!
Also, your title is what really intrigued me, simply because I said to myself, "how could Hamlet be considered a colorful tragedy?"
Jacey, it really is interesting to note that Hamlet, who is alive, wears black which also "showcases his inner emotional struggle" but that green refers to his father, who is dead, and, as you noted, green is the color of life, springtime and prosperity--all things that are missing now that the old King Hamlet is dead. Fascinating.
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