For this relief much thanks. 'Tis bitter cold, and I am sick at heart.
In Shakespeare's "Hamlet," the character expresses deep gratitude for the relief he experiences. This statement also reveals his emotional turmoil, highlighting the contrast between his external circumstances and internal feelings. The coldness he refers to symbolizes both the physical environment and his gloomy state of mind, emphasizing a sense of despair and discomfort.
The use of the phrase "sick at heart" indicates Hamlet's profound distress and disillusionment. This passage encapsulates the play's themes of struggle and emotional suffering against a backdrop of a harsh reality, showing how external hardships can mirror one's internal battles.