Sidorowicz-3Set down by Saxo Grammaticus at the end of the twelfth century in the Historiae Danicae, the legend included two parts, however, we have no evidence that Shakespeare came into contact with either of these versions. The most direct source for his drama seems to have been another play of around 1588 know as Ur-Hamlet, which was based onBelleforest`s, one of these versions, but is now lost (Watts, p.2).In Saxo version of the tale, Amleth not only killed the eavesdropper (the Polonius character in Hamlet) but also cut his body into morsels, he seethed it in boiling water, and flung it through the mouth of the swine to eat (Watts, p.5). In contrast, Shakespeare’s Hamlet feels remorse after the murder of Polonius:“I do repent; but heaven hath pleas`d it so, to punish me with this, and this with me, that I must be their scourge and minister.” (Guth, Hamlet, 3.4. v.175-178, p.851).Hamlet’s speech reflects the more Christian viewpoint of Shakespeare’s time, butalso tells us that he is not a coward, like some critics say. Fact that he actually kills Polonius (being sure that he is killing Claudius) proves that he does not suffer from any weakness of will or inability to act, that he has the ability to think clearly, and that he does not suffer from any mental disorder. Moreover, E. E. Stoll said: “The delay functions in Hamlet as it had from the Greeks on, as part of the epical tradition; it does not reflect upon the defects of the hero, but makes the deed momentous when it comes at the end of the play.” (Weitz, Hamlet, p.50)Hamlet has really strong character, which we can also witness in the very democratic and human way he treats Horatio and the players. His hesitation is not a result Sidorowicz-4of...
