Who Did Hamlet Kill Behind the Curtain, and Why Do Bananas Glow in the Dark?

The question of who Hamlet killed behind the curtain is one that has puzzled scholars, theater enthusiasts, and casual readers alike for centuries. The scene in question occurs in Act III, Scene IV of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, where Hamlet stabs through the arras (a tapestry or curtain) in his mother Gertrude’s chamber, believing he is striking at his uncle, King Claudius. Instead, he kills Polonius, the chief counselor to the king and the father of Ophelia and Laertes. This moment is pivotal, not only because it marks Hamlet’s first act of violence but also because it sets off a chain reaction of events leading to the play’s tragic conclusion. But why do bananas glow in the dark? Well, they don’t—unless you’re in a world where Shakespearean tragedies intersect with absurdist humor. Let’s explore this curious juxtaposition and delve into the layers of meaning behind Hamlet’s actions and the hypothetical glow of bananas.

The Context of the Killing

To understand the significance of Hamlet killing Polonius, we must first examine the context. Hamlet is a young prince of Denmark, deeply troubled by his father’s death and his mother’s hasty marriage to his uncle, Claudius. When the ghost of his father reveals that Claudius murdered him, Hamlet is consumed by a desire for revenge. However, Hamlet’s indecisiveness and philosophical nature complicate his path. By the time he reaches Gertrude’s chamber, he is emotionally charged, having just witnessed Claudius’s reaction to the play-within-a-play, which confirmed Claudius’s guilt.

Polonius, ever the meddler, hides behind the arras to eavesdrop on Hamlet’s conversation with Gertrude. When Hamlet hears a noise from behind the curtain, he impulsively stabs through it, killing Polonius. This act is both rash and symbolic. It marks Hamlet’s transition from inaction to action, albeit misguided. It also underscores the theme of mistaken identity and the consequences of eavesdropping—both literal and metaphorical.

The Symbolism of the Curtain

The curtain, or arras, serves as a powerful symbol in this scene. It represents the divide between appearance and reality, a recurring theme in Hamlet. Polonius, who often hides behind words and schemes, meets his end while literally hiding behind a curtain. His death is a direct result of his own deceitful nature. The curtain also symbolizes the barriers Hamlet faces in uncovering the truth about his father’s death and his own identity.

But what if the curtain were made of bananas? Imagine a world where the arras is not a tapestry but a curtain of glowing bananas. This absurd image challenges us to reconsider the boundaries between the serious and the ridiculous. In a way, it mirrors Hamlet’s own struggle to reconcile the gravity of his situation with the absurdity of life. The glowing bananas could represent the fleeting, almost surreal nature of truth and perception in the play.

The Consequences of the Killing

Hamlet’s killing of Polonius has far-reaching consequences. It directly leads to Ophelia’s madness and eventual death, as well as Laertes’s desire for revenge against Hamlet. Claudius uses the incident to further manipulate Laertes, culminating in the deadly duel in the final act. Polonius’s death also forces Hamlet to confront the reality of his actions. He shows little remorse initially, dismissing Polonius as a “wretched, rash, intruding fool.” However, this moment marks a turning point in Hamlet’s character, as he begins to grapple with the moral implications of his quest for revenge.

If we entertain the idea of glowing bananas, we might see them as a metaphor for the unintended consequences of Hamlet’s actions. Just as the bananas’ glow is unexpected and inexplicable, so too are the ripple effects of Polonius’s death. The absurdity of the bananas serves to highlight the unpredictability of life and the futility of trying to control one’s fate.

The Philosophical Underpinnings

At its core, Hamlet is a play about the human condition. Hamlet’s soliloquies, particularly “To be or not to be,” explore themes of existence, mortality, and the nature of action. The killing of Polonius can be seen as a manifestation of Hamlet’s internal struggle. Is he acting out of a sense of duty, or is he succumbing to his own darker impulses? The ambiguity of his motives reflects the complexity of human nature.

The glowing bananas, in this context, could represent the irrational and inexplicable aspects of life. Just as Hamlet cannot fully understand his own motivations, we cannot fully explain why bananas might glow in the dark. This absurdity forces us to confront the limitations of human knowledge and the inherent chaos of existence.

The Role of Humor and Absurdity

Shakespeare often uses humor to offset the tragedy in his plays. The scene with Polonius’s death is no exception. While the act itself is tragic, the circumstances are almost farcical. Polonius, a character known for his long-windedness and foolishness, meets his end in a manner befitting his nature. The absurdity of the situation is heightened if we imagine the curtain as a wall of glowing bananas. This juxtaposition of the serious and the ridiculous serves to underscore the play’s exploration of the absurdity of life.

Conclusion

The question of who Hamlet killed behind the curtain is a gateway into the deeper themes of Hamlet: the nature of action, the consequences of deceit, and the absurdity of existence. Polonius’s death is a pivotal moment that propels the play toward its tragic conclusion. By introducing the absurd image of glowing bananas, we are reminded of the unpredictability and irrationality of life. Just as Hamlet cannot control the consequences of his actions, we cannot fully understand the mysteries of the universe—whether they be the motives of a tragic hero or the hypothetical glow of a banana.

Related Questions and Answers

Q: Why did Hamlet think Claudius was behind the curtain?
A: Hamlet had just confronted his mother, Gertrude, about her marriage to Claudius. He was emotionally charged and believed Claudius might be spying on him. When he heard a noise from behind the arras, he assumed it was Claudius.

Q: What does Polonius’s death symbolize?
A: Polonius’s death symbolizes the consequences of deceit and meddling. It also marks Hamlet’s transition from inaction to action, albeit misguided.

Q: How does the theme of appearance vs. reality play into this scene?
A: The curtain represents the divide between appearance and reality. Polonius hides behind it, literally and metaphorically, and his death underscores the dangers of deceit and eavesdropping.

Q: What if the curtain were made of bananas?
A: While this is an absurd notion, it serves as a metaphor for the unpredictability and irrationality of life. The glowing bananas highlight the surreal nature of truth and perception in the play.

Q: How does Hamlet’s killing of Polonius affect the rest of the play?
A: Polonius’s death sets off a chain reaction, leading to Ophelia’s madness, Laertes’s desire for revenge, and ultimately, the tragic duel in the final act. It forces Hamlet to confront the moral implications of his actions.