OBSERVANCES OF SHAKSPEARE. 257 



Orestes. He was the predestinated avenger of the Deity ; Hamlet, 

 on the contrary, is, by his nature, at variance with himself. He 

 revolts from an act that has no other warranty than a supernatural 

 apparition, and which, reasoning upon, becomes itself an object of 

 suspicion : 



" The spirit that I have seen, 

 May be a devil : and the devil hath power 

 To assume a pleasing shape." 



While from his philosophy, that ever-busy, capable understanding, 

 he doubts even the reality of the apparition ; that it is a delirium of 

 the heat-oppressed brain, directed by the enemy of souls ; 



" Yea, and, perhaps, 

 Out of my weakness and my melancholy 

 (As he is very potent with such spirits). 



Abuses me to damn me." ; 



; Utii : RhMff 



The old question of Hamlet's madness is at once answerable from 

 this very reason, that he is even reasoning against what may possi- 

 bly be a delusion. He is too wise to err^ and yet not wise enough to 

 be resolved. That Hamlet is not mad is self-evident ; his seeming 

 insanity is predetermined from the first appearance of the Ghost, 

 before which, though we perceive the same dark, meditative, melan- 

 choly disposition, yet withal he is composed, and even affectionate in 

 his reply to the Queen, 



" I shall in all my best obey you, madam." 



But directly after the exposition of his father's murder he resolves 

 on his conduct, as if the circumstances rendered it essential : — 



" There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, 

 Than are dreamt of in your philosophy. 

 But come ; — 



Here as before, never, so help your mercy ! 

 How strange or odd soe'er I bear myself. 

 As I perchance, hereafter shall think meet 

 To put an antic disposition on." 



The wicked speed with which his mother wedded to his uncle 

 soured his temper, and seems to have inspired him with a presen- 

 timent that " it could not come to good." The hatred which he 

 bore to his uncle was natural : altogether different from Hamlet, a 

 crafty, fawning sensualist, he could feel nothing but aversion for 



VOL. VI. NO. XX. KK 



