Question

Hamlet: what do lines 193-195 in scene 5 reveal about Hamlet’s attitude toward the responsibility given to him by the ghost? Why does he feel this way?

Answer 1

Hamlet felt sorrow towards the ghost by the responsibility given to him. He ghost told him to "swear" and commit to revenging his father. He feels scared to do this because he was shaken by the experience as he talked to Horatio and Marcellus.

Answer 2

Lines from 190 to 195:

"The time is out of joint. O

cursèd spite.

That ever I was born to set

it right!

Nay, come, let's go

together."

The Ghost has asked Hamlet to kill his uncle- Cornelius- and avenge his death. He makes Hamlet promise he will do this, which turns Hamlet slightly insane, on edge, even secretive. He would rather not been given this request, as he says "o cursèd spite,/ That ever I was born to set it right!". Basically, Hamlet is saying he is the only person who can set the wrong right (Cornelius killing his own brother- Hamlet's father- to usurp the throne), and he wishes he wasn't the one who has to do that. He feels the weight of the problem that has been placed upon his shoulders by the ghost of his father, and what he says on these final words show that he feels he is unfit to do the task.