In Hamlet 1.1, Francisco demands Bernardo's repentance (Ten Commandments Series, prelude)

Because Francisco has the watch and is not yet relieved by Bernardo, many observe that Bernardo is speaking out of turn when he says the opening line of the play, "Who's there?"

Francisco rightly refuses to answer, and demands that Bernardo "unfold himself" -- identify himself to Francisco instead.

Is it acceptable for one soldier or sentinel to demand reform of another? Bernardo violated the rules of the watch: In a time of war or potential war, following such rules carefully can mean life or death.

Hamlet is a play in which many rules (such as the Ten Commandments) are broken, and lives are lost.

Bernardo doesn't really answer Francisco's question: Francisco guesses Bernardo's identity, and Bernardo confirms it. Rather than be a stickler for military protocol (rules for their own sake), Francisco backs off. Bernardo's approach didn't represent a sneak attack from an enemy, but merely a mistake by another nervous sentinel.

Relieved of his watch, Francisco speaks of being sick at heart. Hamlet will later tell Horatio: "thou wouldst not think how ill all’s here / about my heart." (5.2.226-7)

So in 1.1, Francisco demands reform of Bernardo. In Act 3, scene 4, Hamlet similarly demands reform of his mother, who by marrying her brother-in-law, also broke rules.

Is it acceptable for a son to demand reform of his mother if he thinks her eternal life may be at stake?

Whether Shakespeare wrote his Hamlet on his own, inspired in part by works like Thomas Kyd's The Spanish Tragedy, or revised an older play by Kyd or some other, he must have pondered a bit regarding how to coordinate all of these many thematically related details ...

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This is the first in a series of posts about Hamlet and the 10 Commandments (Decalogue). I will add to the index link as I add new posts [1].

NOTES: All references to Shakespeare plays are to the Folger Shakespeare Library online versions: https://shakespeare.folger.edu

[1] SERIES INDEX: https://pauladrianfried.blogspot.com/2026/07/series-index-ten-commandments-in-hamlet.html

GENERAL INFORMATION: Ten Commandments in Hamlet (Series) - July 30, 2026 
https://pauladrianfried.blogspot.com/2026/07/general-information-ten-commandments-in.html


IMAGES:
Screen shots from 2009 RSC production directed by Gregory Doran: Barnardo (lower left) played by Ewen Cummins; Francisco (the other three images) played by Robert Curtis. Fair use, via YouTube https://youtu.be/aHtacpVY8DY?si=p8M5U5lvc3u_2gF- 


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Disclaimer: If and when I quote or paraphrase bible passages or mention religion in many of my blog posts, I do not intend to promote any religion over another, nor am I attempting to promote religious belief in general; only to explore how the Bible and religion influenced Shakespeare, his plays, and his age.
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Thanks for reading!
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My current project is a book tentatively titled Hamlet’s Bible, about biblical allusions and plot echoes in Hamlet.

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