[1]
[Footnote 1: See ante, sec. 55.]
The subsequent scene with the ghost convinces Hamlet that he is not the
victim of malign influences--as far as he is capable of conviction, for
his very first words when alone restate the doubt:
"O all you host of heaven! O earth! _What else?_ And shall I couple
hell?"[1]
and the enthusiasm with which he is inspired in consequence of this
interview is sufficient to support his certainty of conviction until the
time for decisive action again arrives. It is not until the idea of the
play-test occurs to him that his doubts are once more aroused; and then
they return with redoubled force:--
"The spirit that I have seen
May be the devil: and the devil hath power
To assume a pleasing shape; yea, and, perhaps,
Out of my weakness and my melancholy,
(As he is very potent with such spirits,)
Abuses me to damn me."[2]
And he again alludes to this in his speech to Horatio, just before the
entry of the king and his train to witness the performance of the
players.[3]
[Footnote 1: I. v. 92.]
[Footnote 2: II. ii. 627.]
[Footnote 3: III. ii. 87.]
59. This question was, in Shakspere's time, quite a legitimate element
of uncertainty in the complicated problem that presented itself for
solution to Hamlet's ever-analyzing mind; and this being so, an apparent
inconsistency in detail which has usually been charged upon Shakspere
with regard to this play, can be satisfactorily explained.
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