Analyzing Rosencrantz's Simile in Hamlet: Lines 16-18
In Shakespeare's Hamlet, Rosencrantz delivers a crucial simile in lines 16-18 of Act II, Scene II. Let's dissect the meaning and implications behind this seemingly simple comparison:
The Lines:
Rosencrantz: My lord, you know the good King and Queen have sent for you. Hamlet: To the celestial court? Rosencrantz: Not to that, my lord, but to the earthly. And to that end, I beseech you, bend you to remain in the cheer and comfort of their eye, whose bright beams of love **have ** shone **so ** long **on ** your gracious father, **like ** heaven's light **on ** **the ** face of the earth.
The Simile:
The simile lies in the phrase: "like heaven's light on the face of the earth." Rosencrantz compares the King and Queen's love for Hamlet's father to the sun's light warming the earth.
Intended Meaning:
This simile serves multiple purposes:
- Flattery: Rosencrantz uses this poetic comparison to flatter Hamlet and imply that his father was deeply loved by the King and Queen. This is an attempt to soothe Hamlet's grief and perhaps steer him towards a more positive view of the royal family.
- Subtle Manipulation: While flattering, the simile subtly suggests that Hamlet's father's death has left a void, like the earth without the sun's warmth. This resonates with Hamlet's feelings of loss and reinforces the notion of a world plunged into darkness after his father's demise.
- Undermining the Truth: Rosencrantz's use of the sun as a symbol of love and warmth implicitly contrasts with the reality of the situation. The play reveals that Claudius, Hamlet's uncle, killed his father and usurped the throne. This makes the simile feel ironic, highlighting the false pretense of love that masks Claudius' true intentions.
Interpreting the Meaning:
By comparing the King and Queen's love to "heaven's light," Rosencrantz paints a picture of warmth and affection, further emphasizing the contrast between Hamlet's perception of the world and the reality that he is slowly beginning to unravel. This simile is a key example of the play's use of language to conceal and reveal, creating layers of meaning that challenge the audience's understanding of the true nature of the situation.
