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All Site ContentHamletAct 3Scene 4
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"hell," "mutine," "virtue be as wax"
Metaphor
Act 3,
Scene 4
Lines 65-80a

An explanation of the wax metaphor in Act 3, Scene 4 of myShakespeare’s Hamlet.

Here is your husband, like a mildewed ear 
Blasting his wholesome brother. Have you eyes?
Could you, on this fair mountain, leave to feed
And batten on this moor? Ha! Have you eyes?    
You cannot call it love, for at your age 
The heyday in the blood is tame. It's humble
And waits upon the judgment, and what judgment
Would step from this to this? What devil was't
That thus has cozened you at hoodman-blind?    
Oh shame, where is thy blush? Rebellious hell, 
If thou canst mutine in a matron's bones,
To flaming youth, let virtue be as wax
And melt in her own fire. Proclaim no shame    
When the compulsive ardor gives the charge,
Since frost itself as actively does burn,
And reason pardons will.

Gertrude

Hamlet

Gertrude

Hamlet

Gertrude

[Enter Ghost.]

Hamlet   

[Seeing the Ghost]

Gertrude   

Hamlet

Ghost

[The ghost gestures toward Gertrude]

Hamlet   

Gertrude   

Hamlet

Gertrude   

Hamlet   

Gertrude

Hamlet   

Gertrude   

Hamlet

[Exit Ghost.]

Gertrude

Hamlet   

Gertrude

Hamlet

[Pointing to Polonius' body]
[Pointing to dead Polonius]

Gertrude

Hamlet

Gertrude

Hamlet

Gertrude

Hamlet 

[Pointing to Polonius' body] 
[Exit Hamlet, dragging Polonius.]

According to this metaphor, just as wax is melted by fire, a lusty young girl’s virtue is melted by the passion (heat) of her excited loins (rebellious hell).