answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

When King Claudius takes a drink, he orders the cannons and trumpets to sound. It was a custom in Denmark apparently. Hamlet says "it is a custom more honoured in the breach than in the observance." In other words, it is a custom which it is more honourable not to follow. Hamlet's dislike of this custom is probably brought on by Claudius's love of doing it (he does it again in Act 5 at the contest between Hamlet and Laertes); anything Claudius likes, Hamlet feels bound to hate.

User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Why do the trumpets and cannons sound according to Hamlet?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Movies & Television

Why do the trumpets and cannons go off frequently as Hamlet and Horatio wait upon the platform of the watch?

King Claudius likes to have trumpets sound and cannons fire when he drinks. In I ii he says "No jocund health that Denmark drinks today, but the great cannon to the clouds shall tell." In Act V he's still at it: "let the kettle to the trumpet speak, the trumpet to the cannoneer without, the cannons to the heavens, the heaven to earth, 'Now the King drinks to Hamlet'". Horatio asks if it's a custom and Hamlet bitterly replies "Ay, marry, is't but to my mind though I am native here and to the manner born, it is a custom more honoured in the breach than the observance." that is there would be more honour in not keeping this custom than keeping it.


In hamlet Why is the king planning a celebration?

He isn't. He announces in Act 1 Scene 2, that all night, whenever he has a drink, they'll fire off cannons and sound trumpets. He says it is because "this gentle and unforced accord of Hamlet's sits smiling to my heart", but surely he is being ironic, since Hamlet's accord is patently anything but gentle and unforced. What is more, we learn that this noisemaking while drinking is a custom, a custom more honoured in the breach than the observance according to Hamlet (probably because it seems to be a custom Claudius likes--he does it again in Act 5), but a custom nevertheless. It does not appear to be a particular celebration, just a customary way of having a booze-up.


What was the Tapestry in Hamlet?

When Prince Hamlet goes to confront Gertrude (the queen) after the actors perform, Polonius, the king's adviser runs and hides behind a tapestry that is hanging on a wall in the queen's room. As Hamlet yells at Gertrude, she feels threatened and screams for help. At the sound of this, Polonius is worried and calls for help also. Hamlet hears this, and thinking it's Claudius, runs toward the tapestry and pierces through it with his sword, accidentally stabbing Polonius.


Why are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern in Denmark?

It says in my Hamlet book that "Claudius and Gertrude set Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, two boyhood friends of Hamlet, to spy on him to discover the cause of his apparent madness. After the returned ambassadors announce their success in stopping Fortinbras's planned invasion of Denmark, Polonius report his 'discovery' that Hamlet is mad for love. Claudius is unpersuaded but agrees to join Polonius in spying on Hamlet”.


What is the difference between Claudius' treatment of Laertes and his treatment of Hamlet?

Quite a lot. He respected Laertes, in public at least, and had no evil plans to kill him. Polonius, Laertes' dad, was Claudius' right hand man, and so Claudius had no reason to treat Laertes badly. Conversely, Claudius could never truly see Hamlet through the eyes of a father figure (as he told him he did) because C had killed Hamlet's dad. When the king found out that Hamlet knew about the murder of Hamlet snr., Claudius obviously distanced himself from Hamlet, even sending him to England to be killed.

Related questions

Why do the trumpets and cannons go off frequently as Hamlet and Horatio wait upon the platform of the watch?

King Claudius likes to have trumpets sound and cannons fire when he drinks. In I ii he says "No jocund health that Denmark drinks today, but the great cannon to the clouds shall tell." In Act V he's still at it: "let the kettle to the trumpet speak, the trumpet to the cannoneer without, the cannons to the heavens, the heaven to earth, 'Now the King drinks to Hamlet'". Horatio asks if it's a custom and Hamlet bitterly replies "Ay, marry, is't but to my mind though I am native here and to the manner born, it is a custom more honoured in the breach than the observance." that is there would be more honour in not keeping this custom than keeping it.


In hamlet Why is the king planning a celebration?

He isn't. He announces in Act 1 Scene 2, that all night, whenever he has a drink, they'll fire off cannons and sound trumpets. He says it is because "this gentle and unforced accord of Hamlet's sits smiling to my heart", but surely he is being ironic, since Hamlet's accord is patently anything but gentle and unforced. What is more, we learn that this noisemaking while drinking is a custom, a custom more honoured in the breach than the observance according to Hamlet (probably because it seems to be a custom Claudius likes--he does it again in Act 5), but a custom nevertheless. It does not appear to be a particular celebration, just a customary way of having a booze-up.


What is the name of the animal who makes the sound of the trumpets?

elephant


What are the release dates for Harry O - 1973 Sound of Trumpets - 1.17?

Harry O - 1973 Sound of Trumpets - 1.17 was released on: USA: 30 January 1975


What are the release dates for Playhouse 90 - 1956 To the Sound of Trumpets 4-10?

Playhouse 90 - 1956 To the Sound of Trumpets 4-10 was released on: USA: 10 February 1960


What is the sound of trumpets?

A Trumpet is a music instrument that is a member of the brass family. The sound of a trumpet is called a taratantara.


What is the trumpets unique sound?

Seen on an oscilloscope the trumpet has a distinctive sawtooth waveform.


What is background sound in broadcasting in a news?

trumpets are the intro and then there is a quiet beat in the background


Are trumpets only made of brass?

trumpets can be silver, brass, copper, or a mix of the metal.they honestly could be made of any metal, but those create the best sound.


Which animal do trumpeting?

One animal that trumpets is the trumpeter swan. The link has of what they sound like.


What do cannons sound like?

When they're loading "plonk blonk", when they are fired "babboomx100."


When does as soon as mean 'when' and when does it mean 'just after'?

It always means both. You can substitute the word 'when' for the phrase 'as soon as' and both meanings will be preserved. You can also substitute 'just after'. As soon as the clock strikes twelve, the trumpets will sound. When the clock strikes twelve, the trumpets will sound. Just after the clock strikes twelve, the trumpets will sound. The phrase 'as soon as' refers to the moment that something will occur. The rest of the sentence tells us what happens 'just after'.