One of the most iconic speeches in Hamlet is from Act 2 Scene 1, when Ophelia delivers a
speech to Polonius regarding Hamlet’s clothing situation. Ophelia says:
“My lord, as I was sewing in my closet, Lord Hamlet, with his doublet all umbraced; No hat upon
his head; his stockings fouled, Ungartered, and down-gyved to his ankle; Pale as his shirt; his
knees knocking each other; And with a look so piteous in purport/ As if he had been loosed out
of hell/ To speak of horrors– he comes before me” (Hamlet 2.1.77-85).
This is an important scene, as it showcases the relevance of power and clothing– a topic the
audience may relate to, as it was an indication of wealth and social status in the Elizabethan Era.
In the Elizabethan Era, clothes were a symbol of class, and it determined your hierarchy. When
Ophelia insulted Hamlet’s lifestyle, due to his choice of clothing, the audience can see the power of
clothing and how it impacted individuals in the Elizabethan Era. Ophelia’s speech targets people from
the Elizabethan Era, as it portrays the importance of clothing amongst individuals and the difference of
hierarchy between different social classes. The importance of proper, clean clothing reminded the
audience of their social class, as Hamlet’s lifestyle and state of emotion was in correlation to how he
dressed. Therefore, during the entire play, the audience gets a feeling on how life truly is in the
Elizabethan Era.
The Elizabethan Era was known for its dramatic clothing and how it served as a purpose of life
for members of the family. Queen Elizabeth I had imposed laws on how clothing must be worn and what
different individuals had to wear. In Ophelia’s speech, the audience may infer that Hamlet’s clothing
situation was humorous and amusing, however, there is some judgement left to the audience that you
may be criticized and judged if you did not dress accordingly to the Elizabethan custom. Shakespeare
uses allusion here to portray what Hamlet’s clothing situation infers. Furthermore, dramatic irony is also
used during Hamlet’s clothing scene. The audience in fact knows the significance of Hamlet’s selection in
clothing and its consequence, even though he is completely unaware– presenting dramatic irony in this
scene. Moreover, Shakespeare does not forget to utilize Elizabethan laws that were present during that
time. When Ophelia states, “No hat upon his head” (Hamlet 2.1.77-85), this is in fact a clothing law
made by the state. The law indicated that anyone over the age of six must be wearing a woolen hat on
Holidays and Sundays. The audience recognizes this correlation and could therefore connect it to the
Elizabethan Era.
As Hamlet’s physical demeanor is shown in this scene, Ophelia is also able to express Hamlet’s
emotional state and this correlation to clothing. Shakespeare utilizes similes and imagery in this scene,
utilizing lines such as “pale as his shirt”, and, “with a look so piteous in purport as if he had been loosed
out of hell” (Hamlet 2.1.77-85), to showcase how Hamlet looked while he was in the room with her. This
scene describes Ophelia’s encounter with him, and how she viewed him as a lunatic for how he looked.
Furthermore, the audience is also able to see through the imagery how ridiculous Hamlet’s appearance
looked to Ophelia. An emotionally unstable Hamlet here, reminds the audience the correlation of
clothing and its relation to modesty, as he was regarded as ridiculous in Ophelia’s eyes. The concept of
clothing in this passage, showcases the power of clothing and how it impacted individuals in the
Elizabethan Era. Shakespeare ensures to excavate the significance of clothing to the audience, allowing
it to grow as a greater concept in the theme of power.
In conclusion, the speech made by Ophelia, was utilized as a source for the audience to connect
to the current situation in the Elizabethan Era. Shakespeare utilizes the theme of clothing to engage with
the audience on the importance of clothing and how your social status correlates with what you wear.
As a result, throughout this scene, the audience gets a summary of how life in the Elizabethan Era truly
is.