Hamlet:
Not a whit, we defy augury. There is special providence in
the fall of a sparrow. If it be now, 'tis not to come; if it be not to
come, it will be now; if it be not now, yet it will come—the
readiness is all. Since no man, of aught he leaves, knows what is't
to leave betimes, let be. (Hamlet V.ii.191-194)
Hamlet has received Laertes' challenge by way of the King's toady, Osric. Horatio remarks that Laertes is known for his prowess with the sword and offers to make an excuse so that Hamlet can get out of the match. Both Hamlet and Horatio probably suspect that some foul play is afoot. But Hamlet refuses to put off the match. The above quote (on page 892 of our text) is his reply to Horatio.
What do you think Hamlet means? Note that the line about the sparrow is a reference to Matthew Chapter 10.
1 comment:
By this point in the play I am really thinking that Hamlet is not in his right mind. His feelings of misgivings are rightly felt; he has, after all, agreed to a duel where he will most likely die.
His first statement saying that "we defy augury" is when he tells Horatio that he is not going to be listening to his misgivings. He is saying that we, as humans, defy omens or our feelings often. His line about the sparrow brings God into the conversation. He tells Horatio that God controls everything and it is futile to try and resist the destiny that he has already determined. Hamlet's belief that everything will work out as it is meant to be is admirable in a purely superficial sense. Although it seems as though he is holding on to his faith and belief in God, I think this is kind of his cowards way out. He has lost his father, Ophelia and, to an extent, his mother, discovered that his supposed friends were helping facilitate Hamlet's death and has been given the task of killing the Kind of Denmark. Perhaps by this point in the play Hamlet is beginning to choose death. By using God and fate as a reason to enter into the fencing match, Hamlet is well aware that he, himself, is allowing his death.
This line, to me, seems insincere; it is just an excuse (or justification) for a decision that he has already made, not that God has made.
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