But look, the morn in russet mantle clad walks over the dew of yon high eastward hill
But look, the morn in russet mantle clad walks over the dew of yon high eastward hill
The line "But look, the morn in russet mantle clad walks over the dew of yon high eastward hill" is a beautiful and evocative description of the dawn breaking over the horizon. This line is from William Shakespeare's play Hamlet, specifically from Act 1, Scene 1. In this scene, the character Francisco is on guard duty at Elsinore Castle when he sees the ghost of King Hamlet, the recently deceased father of Prince Hamlet.The imagery in this line is rich and vivid, painting a picture of the morning sun rising over the hill, its rays casting a warm glow over the landscape. The use of the word "russet" to describe the morning's mantle adds a sense of warmth and richness to the scene, while the mention of the dew on the hill emphasizes the freshness and newness of the day.
Shakespeare was a master of language and imagery, and this line is a perfect example of his skill in creating vivid and evocative descriptions. The use of personification in describing the morning as being "clad" in a mantle gives the scene a sense of life and movement, as if the morning itself is a living being walking over the hill.
The choice of words in this line also creates a sense of anticipation and mystery. The mention of the "high eastward hill" suggests a sense of elevation and grandeur, as if the morning is ascending to a higher plane. This imagery sets the stage for the supernatural events that are about to unfold in the play, as the appearance of the ghost of King Hamlet signals the beginning of a series of tragic events that will ultimately lead to the downfall of the royal family.
Overall, this line from Hamlet is a perfect example of Shakespeare's ability to create vivid and evocative imagery that sets the tone for the rest of the play. It captures the beauty and mystery of the dawn breaking over the horizon, while also hinting at the darker events that are about to unfold.