The closet scene

In this scene Hamlet shows Gertrude the two portraits of his father and his uncle Claudius.

Right from the start Hamlet uses the imperative, the reader understand Hamlet does not feel insicure and the queen is directed by her soon.

In the 1^st line Hamlet starts comparing the two portraits, the use of this- this focuses on differences, it makes understand that even if they are brothers they are so different and also implies

a negative opinion of Claudius. Also in the 2^nd line Hamlet underlines this characteristics using the words counterfeit presentment of two brothers.

He focuses his attention first on his father's portrait, this choice is not casual, he wants to underline the importance of his father.

In the 3^rd line Hamlet starts describing his father brow related to grace. He says: See what a grace was seated on this brow, the decision to connect grace to brow makes readers understand he wants to underline the characteristics of his father, they go behind the physical appearance.

In the same line the use of simple past (was) underlines his father is murdered.

In the 4^th line Hamlet compares his father's hair to Hyperion's hair and his father's forehead to Jove's one.

In the 5^th ,6^th and 7^th line he continues comparing his father to gods: An eye like Mars, to threaten and command; A station like the herald Mercury.

It is clear Hamlet presents his father as the best characteristics of the gods.

He has Hyperion's curls, the front of Jove, an eye like Mars, and a station like Mercury. Hyperion was one of the Titans. Jove was the king of gods. Mars was the god of war. Mercury is the messenger of the gods.

Continuing the analysis in the 7^th line Hamlet underlines the extraordinariness of his father.

He wants to make his mother reflect, he was her husband, the man she loved and there is too many difference between him and Claudius.

In the 11^th line Hamlet tries to make his mother understand what happened, Claudius poisoned his brother. He is the opposite of his father even if they are brothers.

Have you eyes?
Could you on this fair mountain leave to feed,
And batten on this Moor?

In these lines Hamlet asks his mother if she has got eyes, if she understand the situation.

He also uses a metaphorical language, he says his mother if she wants to feed that mountain and glut herself in that swap. In fact the marriage with Claudius can only cause more problems.