Describe 3 of the deaths in Hamlet and show the ways in which Shakespeare causes the audience to experience horror, pity and fear.

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Describe 3 of the deaths in Hamlet and show the ways in which Shakespeare causes the audience to experience horror, pity and fear.

   Hamlet is a revenge tragedy play, which was a very popular theme at the time Shakespeare was writing. Hamlet was written at the time Shakespeare was writing at his very best. Hamlet was written over 400 years ago and has outlived most other revenge plays but still continues to hold great appeal due to the effect it has on all those who see and hear it

   As Hamlet is self-titled we know Hamlet will die and this event will bring a close to the play. Because we know how the play will end Shakespeare entices the audience by keeping us on the edge about when, where, how and why it will happen.

   In this essay I have chosen to write about the death of Gertrude, Claudius and Hamlet. All three characters die in the last Act, Act 5.

   Hamlet is a play set in Denmark. His father at the start of the play has already been brutally murdered by his (Hamlet’s) Uncle Claudius. – brother to the deceased king. The ghost of his father appears to him and reveals how Claudius so cunningly murdered him, and begs Hamlet to avenge his death.

        Ghost: Revenge his foul and most unnatural murther

Hamlet is already furious with Claudius for marrying his mother within such a short time of his father’s death.

Hamlet: …for look how cheerful my mother looks, and my father died                                within’s two hours. 

This causes him to wonder if his mother had had any part in his fathers murder also. Hamlet within him vows to obey the ghost of his father.

   While all this is happening Fortinbras of Norway is invading Denmark with the aim of avenging his fathers death that was taken by the late king of Denmark, Hamlet’s father.

   Hamlet decides to have the players play a play similar to the death of his father to see the reaction of Claudius.

        

Hamlet: I’ll have these Players,

          Play something like the murder of my father,

          Before mine uncle. I’ll observe his looks,...

He wants to be sure that the ghost was not evil and telling the truth. The play is a success and Hamlet can now be sure that Claudius is responsible for the death of his father.

   Gertrude, Hamlet’s mother along with everyone else are outraged by Hamlet’s change in character. Polonius, Lord Chamberlain, a good friend to the king believes Hamlet is mad as a result of his daughter Ophelia rejecting Hamlet’s love as he had ordered her too.

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   Gertrude asks for her son to visit her in her bedroom. Here Hamlet mistakenly stabs Polonius who is hiding behind the curtains when he heard Hamlet’s footsteps approaching after having been talking to the queen.

        

Queen: O what a rash and bloody deed this this!

   Polonius’ children now change in character. Ophelia turns mad and drowns herself, while Laertes returns from studying in France and is also driven to avenge his father’s death. 

   Hamlet’s madness causes Claudius to send Hamlet to England. However, Hamlet who seems always to be one step ahead of the king knows ...

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