Hamlet has heard the speech the actor is about to perform once before,
but he never saw it acted out in a play. The play was not performed more
often because it was not interesting enough for the public. The general,
as well as Hamlet received the play well, but others who had more authority
than Hamlet did not like the play because it was honest. In fact, Hamlet
thought the play was excellent. He states that he loves Aeneas' speeches
to Dido--especially the one about Priam's slaughter.
In the play, Pyrrhus is like a tiger. He has a dark complexion and has
strong arms. He is covered with the blood of mothers, fathers, daughters,
and sons that lend a terrible light to their lord's murder. Pyrrhus is
searching for the king to murder him. Hamlet is like Priam because he is
seekingâ€"or should be seeking--to avenge his father's death. Claudius is
like Pyrrhus because he has King Hamlet's blood all over him. When
Polonius interrupts Hamlet, it seems silly because it is just at the moment
that Pyrrhus is seeking Priam. It also seems strange that he would
compliment Hamlet at all since he is not an actor in the play.
The word "repugnant," being used to describe Pyrrhus' sword is like
Hamlet and his sword because it too, is repugnant to the ghost's command
that Hamlet avenge his father's death. The unnerved father means lacking
courage. This image is similar to Hamlet because he is afraid. Pyrrhus
stands "as a painted tyrant" because that is how Hamlet perceives him.
When Hamlet says, "And like neutral to his will and matter," (II.ii.506),
he is admitting that although he knows the truth about what happened to his
father, he is still unable to do anything about it.
The "silence" in the heavens is God not responding to the problems that
Hamlet is experiencing. After Pyrrhus pauses, he is filled with a new
spirit of vengeance. This is like Hamlet wil...