Emale Gray

Hamlet – the Sovereign King

            In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, revenge is presented as one of the main themes.  Though it may appear as if Hamlet is simply avenging his father’s death, there is so much more depth involved with the motives behind this revenge, and some of them can be revealed by taking a deeper look at Shakespeare’s use of the simple yet complex word “sovereign.”

            Horatio, a friend of Hamlet’s, speaks of how tending to this ghost “might deprive [Hamlet’s] sovereignty of reason/ And draw [Hamlet] into madness” (I.iv.73).  The word sovereign also includes the word “reign.”  The Oxford English Dictionary states one of the meanings of reign as holding or exercising “the sovereign power or authority in a state; to rule or govern as king or queen; sometimes in restricted sense, to hold the royal office without being actual ruler, to have a limited or nominal sovereignty.”  Hamlet is only a prince – not yet king – and this dialogue between Hamlet and Horatio suggests that Horatio believes Hamlet to hold more qualities of being a king than the previous king did.  Thus, he does not want Hamlet to degrade his persona by chasing madly after a ghost.  Furthermore, kings “reign” and Hamlet is presenting himself to his friend as deserving the respect and treatment of a king. 

            Other meanings of reign in the OED include “God” and “Christlike,” which suggests that not only does Hamlet deserve the respect of a king, but also of a God.  His reign deserves to be not only remembered but also serve as an example to future kings.  Just as Christians are to Christ, followers of Hamlet can never have a reign that is as powerful as his, but they should make an attempt to try to uphold his established beliefs and practices.  Reign also means “influence,” “dominion,” and “sway,” which further suggests that Hamlet has an influence over others and if he gives in to tending to the needs of this ghost, he will lose this influence that he has worked so hard to gain.           

            Another definition found in the OED for reign is “to flourish.”  Flourish is used to announce the entrance of “A fanfare (of horns, trumpets, etc.), esp. to announce the approach of a person of distinction” (OED).  Just as Hamlet’s reign shows his importance, dominion and influence, a fanfare with its elaborate use of horns ensures that one will drop everything they are doing and take notice to the forthcoming event.  Also, the fact that Hamlet’s entrance can be considered an “event” shows that his presence and reign is larger than life and more important than any other person’s, and should be held with reverence.

            Thus, by the examination of one word, one can delve deeper into Hamlet and comprehend even more of its many components.