'The Sin Of Hamlet' by Delmore Schwartz


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The horns in the harbor booming, vaguely,
Fog, forgotten, yesterday, conclusion,
Nostalgic, noising dim sorrow, calling
To sleep is it? I think so, and childhood,
Not the door opened and the stair descended,
The voice answered, the choice announced, the
Trigger touched in the sharp declaration!And when it comes, escape is small; the door
Creaks; the worms of fear spread veins; the furtive
Fugitive, looking backward, sees his
Ghost in the mirror, his shameful eyes, his mouth diseased.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Sin Of Hamlet: A Literary Criticism

The Sin of Hamlet is a poem by Delmore Schwartz, which was first published in 1938. It is one of the most popular and widely studied poems in American literature. The poem is based on William Shakespeare's play Hamlet, and it deals with the themes of madness, revenge, and betrayal.

Overview

The Sin of Hamlet is a long poem, consisting of 21 stanzas, each with six lines. The poem is written in free verse, with no rhyme or meter. The poem is divided into three parts, each dealing with a different aspect of the story of Hamlet.

In the first part of the poem, the speaker introduces the reader to the world of Hamlet. The speaker describes the setting of the play and the characters, including the protagonist, Hamlet, and his father, the King. The speaker also introduces the theme of madness, which is a recurring motif throughout the poem.

In the second part of the poem, the speaker focuses on the theme of revenge. The speaker describes the actions of Hamlet, who seeks revenge for his father's murder. The speaker also discusses the consequences of revenge, which ultimately leads to the downfall of the characters in the play.

In the third and final part of the poem, the speaker reflects on the theme of betrayal. The speaker describes the betrayal of Hamlet by his friends and family, who all turn against him in the end. The speaker also reflects on the betrayal of the reader, who is drawn into the story of Hamlet and becomes complicit in the sin that is committed.

Analysis

The Sin of Hamlet is a complex and multi-layered poem, which requires careful analysis to fully understand its meaning and significance. The poem is rich in imagery and metaphor, and it employs a variety of literary devices to convey its message.

One of the key themes of the poem is madness. Throughout the poem, the speaker uses images and metaphors to convey the sense of madness that pervades the world of Hamlet. For example, in the first stanza, the speaker describes the setting of the play as a "nightmare castle," which suggests a sense of unease and foreboding. The speaker also describes the characters in the play as "crazy with grief," which suggests that they are all suffering from some form of mental illness.

Another key theme of the poem is revenge. The speaker describes the actions of Hamlet, who seeks revenge for his father's murder. The speaker also discusses the consequences of revenge, which ultimately leads to the downfall of the characters in the play. For example, in the eleventh stanza, the speaker describes the "bloody end" of the play, which suggests that revenge leads to violence and death.

The theme of betrayal is also a central theme of the poem. The speaker describes the betrayal of Hamlet by his friends and family, who all turn against him in the end. The speaker also reflects on the betrayal of the reader, who is drawn into the story of Hamlet and becomes complicit in the sin that is committed. For example, in the twentieth stanza, the speaker asks, "Are we not also guilty?" which suggests that the reader is implicated in the sin of Hamlet.

The Sin of Hamlet is also notable for its use of language and imagery. The poem is written in free verse, with no rhyme or meter, which gives it a sense of spontaneity and improvisation. The language of the poem is also highly metaphorical, with images of madness, revenge, and betrayal woven throughout. For example, in the fifth stanza, the speaker describes Hamlet as a "hero of madness," which suggests that madness is seen as a heroic trait.

Interpretation

The Sin of Hamlet is a powerful and thought-provoking poem, which raises important questions about the nature of revenge and betrayal. The poem suggests that revenge is a destructive force that leads to violence and death, and that betrayal is a fundamental human failing.

The poem also suggests that madness is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon, which can be both heroic and destructive. The speaker describes Hamlet as a "hero of madness," which suggests that madness can be a source of strength and resilience. However, the poem also suggests that madness can be a form of weakness and vulnerability, as seen in the suffering of the other characters in the play.

Ultimately, The Sin of Hamlet is a poem about the human condition, and the complex emotions and motivations that drive us. The poem suggests that we are all capable of committing sin and betrayal, and that we must be aware of our own weaknesses and flaws. The poem also suggests that we must strive to overcome our weaknesses and strive for a better world, free from the destructive forces of revenge and betrayal.

Conclusion

The Sin of Hamlet is a classic poem of American literature, which continues to resonate with readers today. The poem raises important questions about the nature of revenge, betrayal, and madness, and it offers a powerful commentary on the human condition. The poem is notable for its use of language and imagery, and for its complex and multi-layered interpretation. Overall, The Sin of Hamlet is a powerful and thought-provoking poem, which deserves to be read and studied by anyone interested in the human experience.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Sin of Hamlet: A Masterpiece of Poetry by Delmore Schwartz

Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions, stir the soul, and transport the reader to another world. Delmore Schwartz's "The Sin of Hamlet" is a classic example of how poetry can capture the essence of a literary work and convey its themes and emotions in a condensed and powerful form.

"The Sin of Hamlet" is a poem that explores the character of Hamlet, the tragic hero of William Shakespeare's play of the same name. The poem is a meditation on the nature of sin, guilt, and redemption, and how they relate to the character of Hamlet.

The poem begins with the lines, "The sin of Hamlet is the sin of desire, / His sin is not that he loved his mother." These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a reflection on the nature of desire and its role in Hamlet's tragic fate.

The poem goes on to describe Hamlet's inner turmoil and his struggle with his own desires. "His sin is that he could not control / The desire that consumed him, / The desire that made him mad." These lines capture the essence of Hamlet's character, which is defined by his inability to control his passions and his descent into madness.

The poem also explores the theme of guilt and how it relates to Hamlet's sin. "His guilt is not that he killed his father, / But that he could not forgive himself." These lines suggest that Hamlet's guilt is not so much about the act of murder itself, but about his inability to come to terms with his actions and find redemption.

The poem concludes with the lines, "The sin of Hamlet is the sin of all men, / The sin of desire that consumes us, / The sin of guilt that haunts us, / The sin of redemption that eludes us." These lines suggest that Hamlet's story is not just a tragedy of one man, but a reflection of the human condition itself, and the struggle we all face with our own desires, guilt, and the search for redemption.

Delmore Schwartz's "The Sin of Hamlet" is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the essence of Shakespeare's play in a condensed and powerful form. The poem explores the themes of desire, guilt, and redemption, and how they relate to the character of Hamlet. It is a meditation on the human condition and the struggle we all face with our own passions and the search for meaning and purpose in life.

The poem is also a testament to the power of poetry as an art form. Through its use of language, imagery, and metaphor, the poem is able to convey complex emotions and ideas in a way that is both beautiful and profound. It is a reminder of the importance of poetry in our lives, and its ability to inspire, uplift, and transform us.

In conclusion, "The Sin of Hamlet" is a classic example of how poetry can capture the essence of a literary work and convey its themes and emotions in a condensed and powerful form. It is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the human condition and the struggle we all face with our own desires, guilt, and the search for redemption. It is a testament to the power of poetry as an art form, and a reminder of its importance in our lives.

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