Hamlet commentary
IB English SL IOC First Draft Internal Conflict within Hamlet through the first soliloquy The extract from line 129-159, Act 1 Scene 2 of William Shakespeare's Hamlet, forms to be the first soliloquy of the drama and therefore appears in the beginning of the play. A soliloquy is a literary technique where the character is left alone on the stage and is able to express his thoughts clearly and directly. This technique enhances the text and succinctly yet powerfully exposes the mental compositions of the character, as in this soliloquy, Hamlet's conflict over his contemplation of suicide. In addition to his internal conflicts, the soliloquy highlights important relationships such as between Hamlet, Gertrude and Claudius as well as bringing out the cultural setting of the drama, which consists of differences between the medieval and the renaissance era. This is the first soliloquy of Hamlet in the drama, and is therefore an essential tool in the introduction of Hamlet's character as well as foreshadowing certain important themes which are going to be portrayed as the drama progresses. Since dramas did not include any narrators, soliloquies were the medium through which the writer could show insight into a character's mind. Through the first soliloquy, Shakespeare has shown Hamlet's contemplative character, due to all the thinking he does, such as thoughts about suicide and
Hamlet - review
Hamlet Coursework There were many factors which affected Shakespeare when he wrote Hamlet, one of which was the fashion at the time were all about revenge tragedies, the audience absolutely loved to watch violence. Shakespeare knew that, so most of his plays were in that category. When this play was written in 1601, Shakespeare's father died and also one of his generous patron and friend imprisoned due to the failure of a rebellion led by Lord Essex. Shakespeare himself had also taken part in the plot by authorizing a performance of Richard II on the eve of the events. Essex's followers compared Elizabeth I to Richard and the scene concerning the deposing of the King was to trigger that of the Queen. However, the theatre did not suffer any retaliation when the plot was exposed. From this year onward the tone of Shakespeare's plays became sombre, sad and bitter. This probably affected the way in which Hamlet was written. During the first 2 scenes of the play, Hamlet's father has died. Although he doesn't know exactly how he died but he suspected there was a murder as the quote 'My father's spirit - in arms! All is not well. I doubt some foul play.' showed. To make matters worse, Hamlet's uncle, Claudius immediately managed to marry Queen Gertrude (Hamlet's mother), which has made Hamlet even more angry and bitter. This has created the hatred deep inside Hamlet's heart
Hamlet essay
"How successful was Claudius likely to be as a replacement for Hamlet Senior?" In what ways does Shakespeare present the central antagonist to Hamlet in this play? It is argued among many critics that Claudius, no matter what his redeeming features may be within his psychological make-up, his failure to be a replacement as a father, Monarch and Courtier, are testament to the fact that he could never actually replace Hamlet Senior. Counteracting this viewpoint, though the court fails to be a place where justice overthrows all else, and becomes what can only be described as a "slaughter house", Claudius committed regicide for the reason that he was sure of what he wanted, which was to be everything that his brother was; a husband, father and Monarch. Having his desires fulfilled before his very eyes, Claudius would automatically look for qualities he posesses which are parallel to 'Old Hamlet's', in order to gain respect from Hamlet. These qualities to a certain extent already exist through his character's trait as a natural leader whereby he uses his skilled opportunism and his bold plotting; "Now must your conscience my acquittance seal, and you must put me in your heart for friend" These traits of character could be taught to Hamlet and Claudius could therefore succeed as a father figure. However, to succeed as a father figure Claudius would have to be supportive of his
Hamlet Qoutes
Hamlet's Views on Women Hamlet lives in a very enclosed world with a limited circle of friends and family. There are only two women in Hamlet of any significance, his Mother, Gertrude and his lover, Ophelia. Hamlet maintains a complex and torturous relationship with both women throughout the play. He uses their characters to make a complete evaluation of the characters of all women. " Frailty thy name is woman" Hamlets says this in the middle of his first soliloquy as he expresses his disgust towards the speed in which his mother moved from his father's grave ( King Hamlet) to his Uncle's (Claudius) bed. Hamlet sees her as no better than a fallen woman. Hamlet is disillusioned with her hasty marriage to Claudius. He thinks it is " incestuous" and at times seems angrier about it than his father's murder. "O God a beast that wants discourse over treason, Would've mourned longer,. O most wicked speed, to post with such dexterity to incestuous sheets." However, Gertrude seems happy with Claudius and finds him attractive. She tries to persuade Hamlet to accept Claudius as his father" Good Hamlet cast thy knighted colour off and let thine eye look like a friend on Denmark" She is a shallow, amiable character. She thinks only about her body and external pleasures. Despite her genuine caring attachment to Hamlet, she is still willing to let Claudius exclude him from the throne
Discussing Hamlet.
Hamlet coursework By Kieran Teeluck 2MS At various times, Shakespeare has been seen by critics as presenting Hamlet as a sensitive poet, unable to endure the cruel pressures of the world, a man driven by sexual desire for his mother, and a representative to a corrupt political regime. Which would be your interpretation and why? The character of Hamlet can simply be described as he who "embodies all that man represents in earth"- as 'Toril Moi' so eloquently points out. My interpretation, like Toril's, is that simplicity is an element that lacks in tremendous proportions in Hamlet; he is a complex and three-dimensional character to an infinite extent. So much so, his complexity allows him to assume an 'antic-disposition' and also appear truly insane at the same time. It is evident that Shakespeare adopted the 'Senecan' classical revenge tragedy style of plot, which clearly sets out the characteristics of Hamlet: As the son of the dead king/father, it was obligatory to avenge his father's death, however hindering this act is the hero's hesitation, which one could describe as Hamlet's cowardice. Eventually, Hamlet killing Claudius fulfils the revenge tragedy. Hamlet is therefore a revenge tragedy in plot, but not in central character. In my opinion, it is more intriguing to use the vengeance theme as a carrier to express the unimaginable depth of emotion contained in Hamlet.
Hamlet Today
William Shakespeare's "Hamlet" in Today's Society William Shakespeare's play "Hamlet" remains relevant in today's society as the play explores many themes that are still appropriate. Such themes include death, suicide, duty and an individual's place in society. These themes are as prevalent today as they were in Shakespeare's time - during the Elizabethan Era. In the play 'Hamlet' we are aware that the character of Hamlet is attempting to rationalize certain issues in order to create a link between what he perceives is right, just and moral and that of society's expectations. The reason for Hamlet's relevance in society today is because the themes that were once illustrated through 'Hamlet' have lasted the test of time. Themes such as death are still abundant today. For example, Hamlet's third soliloquy reminds us that death is the only element that will allow us to feel as though we have a purpose. With death comes striving for a life that we will be content with in order to feel as though we have fulfilled a successful life. Hamlet later realizes that death is ethereal and does not fill this void because once we are dead nothing can or will maintain out life. "Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, and by opposing end them." It is then evident that Hamlet has decided that there is an uncertainty of the afterlife and abandons the sense of heaven/hell in order to
Discussing Hamlet.
GCSE English Shakespeare Coursework By Adam Thorogood 11F Hamlet is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare. The story follows the main character, Hamlet, in his struggle to deal with the sudden death of his father and his even more sudden remarriage of his mother to his uncle, Claudius. Hamlet discovers Claudius in fact murdered his father, and soon swears vengeance upon the new king. Throughout the play Hamlet opens up to the audience and shows them what he is feeling at that time using soliloquies. Hamlet if often doubtful of himself and forces himself to rethink his actions. Soliloquies are important in this play as Hamlet often changes his view and feelings on things and the 7 soliloquies reveals this to the audience. Hamlet has a very strange state of mind. This is shown throughout the play. For example in soliloquy 1 he is in a very depressive mood, "Oh that this too solid flesh, would melt, thaw, and resolve itself into dew" as well as in soliloquy 4, "To be, or not to be, that is the question" which shows he is suicidal. However in soliloquy 5 he is very different. He has changed from being suicidal to being confident in himself. "Now could I drink hot blood" Was Showing he needs to clench his thirst for blood so to speak. The play uses a semantic field of religion. For example in soliloquy 1 "Winds of heaven" "Hercules" etc as well as in soliloquy 7 "Bestial
Role of Symbolism in Hamlet
“Compare and contrast the role of symbolism in at least two plays you have studied”. . Role of symbolism in the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare. Hamlet is one of the greatest tragedies written by the famous English author William Shakespeare, presumably in the early 1600’s. Hamlet, who is the protagonist of the play, is nephew to the present King of Denmark and son to the former and now deceased King. He experiences different complications throughout the play that tie to the ideas of love, death and betrayal. Throughout the play, we can notice important symbols such as Yorick’s skull, Hamlet’s costume change or poison. The symbols in Hamlet are significant to the play as they have a powerful effect on the protagonist, they add more depth to the plot, and represent a certain state of mind of the characters. One of the ways that symbolism is significant to the play Hamlet, is the powerful effect that it has on the protagonist. The symbolism behind Yorick’s skull and the graveyard brought Hamlet to certain realisations that he would not have come to before. When Hamlet dug up the skull of Yorick, a court jester that meant a lot to him in his childhood, he began to reflect upon death, and everything began to have a greater meaning to him. The skull symbolises afterlife, the finality of death and the fact that no matter what social class we are in, what lives we
Portrayal of women in 'Hamlet'
Sophie Ryle 12JDM An exploration of Shakespeare's portrayal of women in 'Hamlet' Although not as fully realised as the main male characters, the female characters in 'Hamlet' play an absolutely crucial part in developing the deep running themes in the play, and prompting fundamental questions about human psychology for the audience. Hamlet's relationships with the two women in the play are complicated and turbulent. The cold rejection of Hamlet by his childhood love, Ophelia, and the disloyalty and gross, publicised sexual activity of his over-sensual mother, conspire to produce misogynous feeling in Hamlet. Hamlet often expresses his thoughts and feelings, conscious and unconscious, through imagery. In Act II scene ii, he describes fortune as a "strumpet", or whore. This comment hints at his misogyny, but these feelings can perhaps be best illustrated by his exasperated cry, "Frailty, thy name is woman". The female characters in the play can be interpreted as either manipulative, using those around them to gain for themselves, or manipulated, being pushed around by those in more powerful positions. Certainly in a patriarchal society like the one described in Hamlet, (or indeed the society in which Shakespeare lived), women had very little independent power, and therefore had no choice but to use the men around them if they wanted any influence whatsoever. Perhaps
Directing Hamlet
Sarah Kelly 10X 23rd November 2001 If I were to have the pleasure of directing "Hamlet" I would first think about how and where the scene would be set. I would have the scene set in the suburbs of Italy where the 'gangsters' are, because the portrayal of gangster Italy, on television (which the audience may be familiar with) is like the situation in Hamlet. Where revenge must be taken by the son, also upholding the family honour and such family situations. Also the portrayal of Italians is that they are very religious and that they tend to be Catholics, so the religious aspect of this scene (trying to pray and having the need to be forgiven by god) would fit in with my version and Shakespeare's. I would have this scene set in a Roman Catholic Church to support the fact that Claudius wishes to pray here and that he is Catholic. I would like the church to echo the voices to show that Claudius' heart must be empty for him to have committed this evil crime, so all he hears is the voices of his head, telling him what he thinks is the right thing to do, for example to pray for forgiveness. However his heart would be telling him to give up the things that he killed for, which Claudius himself mentions, "since I am still possess'd of those effects for which I did the murder". I would like the lighting to be
