"Show How Plot, Charecterisation and Theme Are Effectively Portrayed In Act 1 of Hamlet"

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Parastoo Karimi                                                                                                         English Literature Essay

“Show How Plot, Charecterisation and Theme Are
Effectively Portrayed In Act 1 of Hamlet”

In order to answer the above question, I will divide my essay into three parts first I will look at the plot, second the characterisation and thirdly the theme. Followed by a discussion how these three have been used effectively in the first Act of Hamlet.

In Act 1 Scene 1 we first meet Bernardo, Francisco and Marcellus who are officers of the watch we also meet Hamlet’s friend Horatio.

Marcellus and Barnardo have been on watch and seem to be very worried and conscious of something, they use short blunt lines to make there point and also they seem very agitated and impatient for the arrival of Horatio and Marcellus:

” Well good night.

If you do meet Horatio and Marcellus,

The rivals of my watch bid them make haste”

Marcellus and Barnardo had seen the ghost twice previously and due to Horatio's disbelief; Marcellus has convinced him to stand watch with them that night.  They believe that the ghost resembles the dead King Hamlet. The atmosphere has a sense of danger and a chill of excitement is running through the air. Around one o'clock, the ghost appears.  Horatio attempts to speak with it but the ghost will not answer and leaves:

Horatio: “ What art thou unsup’st this time of night,

Together with that fair and warlike form

In which the majesty of buried Denmark

Did sometimes march? By heaven I charge thee speak. “

As Marcellus, Horatio, and Barnardo begin to discuss how the late king conquered Fortinbras of Norway and seized his land, the men seem to respect the King. However as the night a proceeds there is a feeling of sadness, pride and anger. Anger because it is believed that Fortinbras of Norway may invade Norway because the old king is dead;


Horatio:
“ His fell to Hamlet. Now sir, young Fortinbras,

Join now!

Of unimproved mettle hot and full,

Hath in the skirts of Norway here and there
Sharked up a list of landless resolutes

For food and diet to some enterprise”

This speech is an omen for battle. However the ghost once again reappears and again Horatio implores it to speak and again, it remains silent.  The cock crows and the ghost exits.  The three then decide that the best course of action is to inform the prince, Hamlet, of what they have seen.  They believe that the ghost will speak to the prince, as it appears to be his late father. The ...

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