Interpretive Question from Hamlet Movie

“Rightly to be great, is not to stir without great argument, but greatly to find quarrel in a straw when honor is at the stake. How stand I then, that have a father killed, a mother stained, excitements of my reason and my blood… and let all sleep. From this time forth, my thoughts be bloody… or be nothing worth.”

This scene was taking part at the restroom of the plane which Hamlet took to England. Hamlet was looking at the mirror and washing his face. He was talking to his reflection on the mirror. From his act, Hamlet was in a stressful condition. In the previous scene, he killed Ophelia’s father accidentally. He had been keep his hand from being dirty by somebody’s blood. But after that accident, he dirtied himself. It made him think that it already happened. He did not need to keep himself from doing sin anymore.

 “Rightly to be great, is not to stir without great argument, but greatly to find quarrel in a straw when honor is at the stake” means that Hamlet was keep his anger because he had not found any evidence yet. But, he felt that his dignity was being mocked. He felt the dilemma between himself, should he just keep quiet until the proof of his father case come up or should he follow his rage? By that words, he had will to find the evidence by himself. He needed to start his act.

“How stand I then, that have a father killed, a mother stained, excitements of my reason and my blood… and let all sleep”. Hamlet was being embarrassed of himself because he did nothing about his situations which his father was murdered by someone whom his mother was cheating with. This words came up to emphasize his will to start doing something. The fact that he was doing nothing made him felt guilt. This guilt lead to anger because he was too embarrass for himself. This was the important fact that Hamlet realize so that he would come to the conclusion what should he react from those situation.

“From this time forth, my thoughts be bloody… or be nothing worth”. He made up his mind, went out from the dilemma, and start to make his move. Hamlet was not care at all about everything since he had murdered once so it was no problem to make it twice. He was ready to avenge his father no matter what happens. The rage had conquered his heart and his thought. There would be something instead of nothing.