"The purging of the emotions of pity and fear that are aroused in the viewer of a tragedy..”
Claudius Feels Pity Towards Ophelia:"O, this is the poison of deep grief; it springs
All from her father’s death, and now behold! / . . . First, her father slain; Next, your son gone, and he most violent author / . . . poor Ophelia Divided from herself, and her fair judgment, Without the which we are pictures, or mere beasts;" (Act IV, Scene 5, 73-74 & 77-78 & 82-84) |
Laertes & Claudius' Plan to Kill Hamlet:" . . . I'll anoint my sword. /
So mortal, that but dip a knife in it, Where it draws blood, no cataplasm so rare, Collected from all simples that have virtue Under the moon, can save the thing from death That is but scratch'd withal: I'll touch my point With this contagion, that, if I gall him slightly, It may be death." (Act IV, Scene 7, 140 & 142-147) |