"swift"
Context and Language Videos
Act 1,
Scene 5
Lines 29-31a
Hamlet
Ghost
Hamlet
Ghost
[Exit.]
Hamlet
[Hamlet takes out his notepad and writes.]
Video Transcript:
RALPH: "As swift as thought" was a proverbial expression; so Hamlet wants to swiftly move to take his revenge as fast as thoughts can move — although it's a striking contrast between these thoughts, meditation, thoughts of love and Hamlet's actions, which will necessarily be violent.
SARAH: Notice also that "sweep" and "wings" evoke the image of a bird of prey diving on its victim.