Introduction

The behavior elicited by an individual is in many times shaped by life issues that one has experienced. Some of the issues are unbearable if repressed and therefore for one to lead a normal life, they need to deal with them. Hamlet if going through a dilemma as he is expected to follow his father’s ghost advice to avenge for him since his death was a result of murder which was committed by Claudius Hamlets Uncle. He is therefore expected to kill his own uncle to avenge for his father. The following discussion will be answering the question of whether the death of Polonius was a cold blood or warm.

Discussion

The death of Polonius was as a result of cold blood murder. This is because he did not deserve to die as there was no conflict between him and Hamlet. Cold blood murder happens when there is no provocation whatsoever, where the assailant mercilessly kills the victim without any core reason.

Hamlet is summoned by his mother, Queen Gertrude who has an issue to discuss with him. In the process of their discussion a conflict arises and there is a bit of commotion. The Queen is convinced that Hamlet wants to kill him and this causes her to scream for help.

Polonius who is spying the whole act behind the scene and is convinced that the queen is in danger He panics and raises alarm to rescue the queen. Hamlet thinks that he is actually the king Claudius who is hiding in the arras(Oliver 12)He draws his sword and pierces him through the cloth killing him on the spot.

The reason why this is a cold blooded murder is that he is remorseless even after committing that act (John. 22). He is callous and it appears as though nothing weird has happened. He blames him for his death “thou wretched, rash, intruding fool, fare well”

(3.4 .40).

Another reason that demonstrates his numbness is when he is asked what he did with the dead body ( 4. 2. 40). He says that he compounded it with dust. Had he done the act accidentally he would be sorry for what he did.

Hamlet: How now! A rat? Dead for a ducat, dead! Makes a push through the eras (3. 4. 27)

(The actor is holding his sword looking at the dead body arrogantly then he swaggers on stage feeling that he has achieved much by murdering the victim. He is remorseless, full of rage that if someone is to appear at this point, he might be risking his own life.).

Hamlet: compounded it with dust, where to ‘tis kin’ (4.2. 7)

(He is walking majestically onstage demonstrating how he buried Polonius in the soil. He assumes the position of a person burying something in the soil, uses his sword and feet to push the body in the pit, then he buries it.)

Hamlet: thou wretched, rash, intruding fool, farewell (3. 4. 40)

(He roughly withdraws his sword from Polonius body. He is so callous that he is not moved by the blood that is oozing profusely from the victim’s body. He walks away oblivious of the damage that he has made and cursing Polonius for causing his death.)

Conclusion

The unexpected death of Polonius was a cold blooded one caused by the callous personality of Hamlet.

References

William Shakespeare : Hamlet. Act 3, scene 1, 40

William Shakespeare : Hamlet. Act 3, scene 4 27

William Shakespeare : Hamlet Act 4 scene 2, 7

Oliver R D, Historic Parishes of England & Wales,HDS, ISBN 0-9540032-0-9 p 12 2001

“Vision of Britain — Administrative Units Typology — Status definition: Hamlet”. Great BritainHistoricalGISProjecthttp://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/types/status_page.jsp?unit_status=Hmlt Retrieved 2007-08-31.

Lennard, John. William Shakespeare: Hamlet. Literature Insights ser. Humanities-Ebooks,. ISBN 184760028X 2007