Act I, scene IV opens with Hamlet, Marcellus, and Horatio on a stake-out for the ghost. The king is celebrating with the castle in the background. Hamlet is unhappy about Claudius' excessive drinking and partying, worrying that it will give Denmark the reputation of a territory of drunkards:
"This heavy-headed revel east and west
Makes us traduced and tax'd of other nations:
They clepe us drunkards, and with swinish phrase
Soil our addition; and indeed it takes
From our achievements, though perform'd at height,
The pith and marrow of our attribute."
Claudius' true colours come out a bit more here. These lines suggest he is unfit for the role of king, and show his irresponsibility when Fortinbras' large army looms over the kingdom of Denmark.
After Hamlet continues to philosophize:
"As infinite as man may undergo-
Shall in the general censure take corruption
From that particular fault: the dram of eale"
This can be interpreted as "a little bit of evil can ultimately spread into complete corruption". This could hint strongly to the secret of Old Hamlet's death which Hamlet will soon learn, leading to the hefty death toll by the end of the play, along with Fortinbras' invasion. The scene compiles itself with the ghost appearing, and Hamlet wandering off to follow it. Marcellus says "something is rotten in the state of Denmark", and Horatio replies with "Heaven will direct it.". Suggesting that God will ultimately sort out any evil that has been done in due time.
- Tyler Scott
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