Hamlet Group

Question:

zinger
zinger
Student
High School - 12th Grade

In act 1 Scene 1, why is Bernardo the first to challenge Francisco rather than vice versa because he's the one that jumped Francisco?

Also by taking in consideration to the setting, atmosphere, emotional state of the characters, and curiosity aroused by the mention of "this dreaded sight."

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Posted by zinger on Tuesday March 13, 2007 at 3:08 PM and tagged with act 1, first line, hamlet, motivation, scene 1.

Answers:


  1. gbeatty Teacher
    College - Freshman

    It seems most likely that Bernardo challenges Francisco first for simpler reasons, like chance: he saw Francisco first. Both men are in the castle's service, and both challenge the other in that scene.

    (It could be that Bernardo is keyed up, because he knows he might see the ghost again, and that sharpens his reflexes.)

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/hamlet/29207

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    Posted by gbeatty on Tuesday March 13, 2007 at 4:51 PM

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