Explore how Shakespeare explores uncertainty in Hamlet.

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Explore how Shakespeare explores uncertainty in Hamlet. You must relate your discussion to relevant contextual factors and ideas from your critical reading.

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The theme of uncertainty is explored throughout the play and is always prominent. Uncertainty is presented by start of the play, the ghost and the political uncertainty of the nation. Considering the issues Elizabethans were dealing, including spying and not being able to trust one another, the audience is well orientated with this theme.

Uncertainty, a key theme in Hamlet, is seen from the beginning of the play as it starts in-media res with no introduction to the characters or where the play is set. “Who’s there?” is the opening line of the play, thus starting with a question that interestingly comes from Barnardo and not Francisco who is supposed to be on duty. It is a question of identity and Francisco’s answer is “unfold yourself” suggesting that Barnardo has to reveal his actual identity to the world and not his superficial image. The verb “unfold” suggests that hiding one’s identity was quite common in Elsinore, similarly Elizabethan’s had to be constantly careful on how they behave in public and who they associate with, as anyone could be the Queen’s spy, thus they could get in trouble. A sense of constant fear and threat meant Elizabethans could not trust anyone as appearances can be deceitful. Furthermore, same question is repeated when Horatio enters, emphasising how the same insecurities, uncertainty and need to have someone reveal themselves before talking remain.

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Ghost’s appearance further enhances the ongoing them of uncertainty in Hamlet. Horatio’s initial reaction when being told about the ghost could be interpreted as him mocking Bernardo and Marcellus for believing in the supernatural, saying it is their “fantasy” and it will “not appear”. His certainty is quickly crushed, and he is proven wrong the same night indicating how fast events can turn, foreshadowing following events and alarming the Elizabethan audience. His choice of adjective when describing the ghost, “strange eruption to the state” highlights how unfamiliar and unnatural the appearance of the ghost was for Elizabethans. Haverkamp’s interpretation “nothing ...

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