Hamlet - Key Themes
Hamlet might well claim to be Shakespeare's most famous play because of its language and the charm of its central character. Shakespeare wrote some thirty-eight plays. Taken individually, several of them are among the world's finest written works, taken collectively, they establish Shakespeare as the foremost scholarly talent of his own Elizabethan Age. The play "Hamlet" is one of the most well-known revenge tragedies of the world. The play revolves around the themes of revenge. Shakespeare is one of the most respected and inspiring writers in the field of English Literature and several of his works have been widely adored. Even though the background of the play is Denmark, it's concepts and concerns are about Elizabethan England. Shakespeare through this play establishes into the reader, the essence of good and bad, right and wrong, and teaches us to distinguish between one's appearances and his true realism. Hamlet, is essentially a philosophical scholar who avoids indulging in any kind of action. Hamlet, being a scholar also shows an understanding of the essence of a complete man. He shows a vivid understanding on the subject and defines the Divinity in man when he exclaims, "What a piece of work is man." Shakespeare has given plentiful descriptions of Hamlet's madness. Even though his madness is "crafty" it has been formed of disjointed thoughts leading to a disjointed
Compare the way in which Shakespeare presents Hamlet's 'antic disposition' to the way Ophelia's madness is presented to us in Act IV.
Compare the way in which Shakespeare presents Hamlet's 'antic disposition' to the way Ophelia's madness is presented to us in Act IV. In Hamlet, Shakespeare incorporates a theme of madness with two characters: one truly mad, and one only acting mad to serve a motive. To be able to compare true madness with feigned madness, we must first understand the term 'madness'. The Oxford English Dictionary defines madness as 'mentally ill or deranged, having a disordered mind, a person acting wildly or foolishly.' Minski's book of psychiatry defines madness as 'a mental deficiency or sub-normality where the patient is handicapped by an intellect of intelligence that is inadequate for the ordinary needs of everyday life.' It goes on to say that 'as with other illnesses, patients with mental illnesses have symptoms. They include phobias, apprehensions, suicidal feelings, insomnia, and loss of intellect, loss of energy, unpleasant delusions and hallucinations.' With these definitions, we can now analyse the disposition of both Hamlet and Ophelia and have an informed view of the differences and similarities that arise between the two characters. Hamlet's so called madness begins near the beginning of the play, far sooner than Ophelia's insanity. It begins when he encounters the ghost of his father, and learns that Claudius murdered his father. The ghost asks to speak to Hamlet alone,
Reflection on Hamlet
Write a final reflection on what you have learned from the study of Hamlet and how you have come to understand and explain different perspectives of the play in different contexts. In regards to the Shakespearean play "Hamlet", over the years as interpretations of a variety of elements have changed the structures, features and the timeless issues have remained similar in content. These timeless issues are untouched by context as the human condition and the quest for satisfaction has remained unfaltering. In relation to context there are two major differing contexts in which the play can be viewed. These are the Elizabethan viewpoint and that of today's society. To the Elizabethan audience the play of "Hamlet" was a text of moral instruction whilst the context of today's society is that "Hamlet" is the study of the individual. This essay will outline what has been learnt throughout the course of "Hamlet" with references to the two main differing contexts. The Elizabethan context conveys a theme of Christian Redemptive message where God's plan always prevails no matter what obstacles were presented. Therefore sin was punished and virtue rewarded. My understanding of this is in "Hamlet" it is that of rationalizing of behavior before impulsive action that affirms the values of the era. This is apparent through a variety of quotes such as "to be or not to be", "Alexander died,
How is Hamlet manipulated by Hamlet's Ghost in this area of the play
How is Hamlet manipulated by Hamlet's Ghost in this area of the play? (Pages 119-121) Close Analysis on language and persuasion This particular scene of the play brings the main plot into motion as Shakespeare finally introduces the ghost for the third time to Hamlet alone demanding his vengeance. Their interaction brings Hamlet to his madness in the next few acts, something of which Shakespeare does to expand his character and to change the minds of other characters that interact with him. It is clear by the ghost's speech that he was murdered by Claudius, and that sin must be returned with punishment. In this case, Claudius's act upon murdering King Hamlet is a sin, a sin that needs to be punished to restore order to the kingdom. The first line of the ghost's speech, 'Ay, that incestuous, that adulterate beast' immediately points out how vile and corrupt Claudius is, someone who has committed incest and married Gertrude, a woman who he only married to become king. The ghost's description of Claudius is very powerful and offensive, 'with witchcraft of his wits' a man who uses powerful manipulative words like the power of witchcraft to manipulate people 'so to seduce', in Denmark, to make it seem like he had nothing to do with his murder. Claudius has accomplished his goal successfully, 'won to his shameful lust' and his jealousies for the crown and his 'most seeming
How does the language and dramatic action of the opening lead the audience to an awareness of a state that is entrenched in both personal and political conflict?
How does the language and dramatic action of the opening lead the audience to an awareness of a state that is entrenched in both personal and political conflict? Throughout the opening scenes of 'Hamlet', Shakespeare brings to our attention that the state of Denmark is deep in conflict, using many different techniques. The play begins on the gun platform at Elsinore Castle, just after midnight, on a cold and bitter night. The first line is 'Who's there?' a question to establish a mood of anxiety and dread. Even now we can sense apprehension and tension in the air. The next few lines consist of abrupt, nervous exchanges between the guards, causing an atmosphere of anxiety and fear. It is already clear to us that something is not right in the state of Denmark. This idea is reinforced when Francisco says he is 'sick at heart'. The dramatic appearance of the ghost, bearing a striking resemblance to the dead King Hamlet, further indicates that something eerie is going on. Horatio, an educated scholar, is skeptical of the ghost's appearance and this is shown when he says 'tush tush t'will not appear' and 'tis but our fantasy'. However, when he accepts he has seen the ghost he is 'harrowed with fear and wonder' and 'trembles and looks pale'. Shakespeare uses Horatio to represent the audience's perspective throughout this scene and there is no doubt now of the ghost's existence or
Essay on Hamlet.
Essay on Hamlet William Shakespeare's "Hamlet" has come down to us as the classic tale of a person tormented by his indecisive nature. Early in the play , Hamlet , prince of Denmark , is visited by the ghost of his father, who was murdered some months before. The crime has remained unsolved, but the ghost tells Hamlet that the murderer was actually Hamlets uncle Cladius, who in the meantime has married Hamlet's mother and is now sitting on the throne. The ghost calls upon Hamlet to avenge his death by killing Claudius. This is where Hamlet's dilemma and the debate over whether or not he was truly " mad" begin.... Had Hamlet been an instinctual character, he would have immediately run and committed murder, and there would have been no play to speak of. But Hamlet cannot do this. He spends the next four and a half acts expressing his anxiety in little bursts of activity, most of which don't seem to get him any closer to avenging his father's death but which accentuate the debate over whether or not Hamlet was sane. Clearly, there is no question that hamlet is really not a play of action, it is a play of psychology under extreme stress. Nevertheless, it is possible to trace hamlet's actions throughout the play and show how they prepare us for the drama to come. Had Hamlet not only killed his uncle but survived his uncle's treachery, he would probably have continued to be
Why does Hamlet delay his revenge?
Why does Hamlet delay his revenge? The play Hamlet centres around the delay made by the central character in taking his revenge. Without this delay Shakespeare would simply not have had a play to write and Hamlet would not exist. It is therefore important that we understand the reasons why Hamlet did delay his revenge. These reasons do vary greatly but many centre around Hamlet's character as that of a thinker. Hamlet's reasons for delay differ from his own fear of death, and damnation due to his insecurity as to where the ghost has come from, to the theory of the Oedipus complex. Many of these reasons focus on the religious and is therefore representative of the period and the way in which the audience would be wrestling with two desires. To follow the basic need for revenge and the desire to follow the Church's teachings. Shakespeare's Hamlet is a typical revenge tragedy, involving the murder of a close relation, in this case Hamlet's own father, by a person who is considered to be out of the reach of common justice. In Hamlet the murderer is Hamlet's uncle, who is now the King of Denmark. The play centres on the difficulties that Hamlet faces as the avenger. Hamlet fulfils many of the conventions of a revenge tragedy. The victim is a close relation of Hamlet, the perpetrator is apparently 'untouchable' and the act of revenge finally results in the death of the hero:
Claudius soliloquy Hamlet
Act 3, scene 3 This is Claudius's soliloquy. At this point in the play, Claudius has just seen the play replicating the murder of his own brother. He realizes that Hamlet has found out the truth, and is shocked by it. He quickly stops the play and rush out to his chapel where he begins his soliloquy. This soliloquy is a fail attempt to pray and receive redemption from god. Claudius tries desperately to pray to god. Even though he realizes that "Pray can I not," syntax here is used to emphasize the word pray, he doesn't give up and ask "is there not rain enough in the sweet heavens to wash it white as snow?" The rhetorical question reveals his desperation as although he already knows the answer, he is willing to try and ask god for help. The tone here is pleading. This is his attempt to question god and ask for redemption. Additionally, the used of the word "snow" which symbolizes purity juxtaposes his act of "a brother's murder". Similarly, the colour "white" also opposes the colour of blood. Moreover, his choice of words of the "sweet heaven" may be interpret as an attempt to bribe god, therefore revealing his desperation and despair, emphasizing the seriousness of the crime he's committed. In addition, the feeling of despair is further supported by the repetition of sighing "O, my offence is rank", "O, what form of prayer can serve my turn?" and "O limed soul, that,
Hamlet Film and Play Comparison. Zeffirelli made some changes in Hamlet that do not take away from the overall meaning of the story, but rather, they change the viewers perception of Hamlet.
Jennifer Qing Mr. Atchison English B30 October 14, 2011 Hamlet Film and Play Comparison Any movie based on a well-known piece of written work will inevitably be critiqued and compared to the original story, and Zeffirelli's version of Shakespeare's Hamlet is no exception. Viewers who have read the play will scrutinize the director's interpretation of the film and judge whether the changes made in the movie do the play justice. For the sake of film aspects and duration of the movie, Zeffirelli made some changes in Hamlet that do not take away from the overall meaning of the story, but rather, they change the viewers' perception of Hamlet. The movie dismisses Hamlet's procrastination in another aspect as well; Hamlet's soliloquy about Hecuba is cut out. In this soliloquy, Hamlet compares his own lack of action to the actor's emotional speech: "What would he do, had he the motive and the cue for passion that I have? He would drown the stage with tears... Yet I, ... unpregnant of my cause, can say nothing" (2.2.557-565). Hamlet even goes as far as to call himself "a scullion" (2.2.585), which could not be more untrue considering Hamlet's position as the prince. Not only does Hamlet realize his own pettiness, his soliloquy also serves to make the viewers aware of the fact that Hamlet is "pigeon-liver'd and lack[s] gall" (2.2.574). In the play, Hamlet's character is both
Analyse the ways in which Shakespeare uses the dramatic monologue to trace the development of Hamlets character
Analyse the ways in which Shakespeare uses the dramatic monologue to trace the development of Hamlet's character Throughout the course of the play we see Hamlet go through a variety of character developments. These have been particularly pronounced in the four soliloquies that we have studied, as we can judge the changes between his different states of mind more clearly. The first soliloquy appears in Act 1, Scene 2, shortly after the death of Hamlet's father and the remarriage of his mother to his uncle. In this scene we see Hamlet trying to grasp control of his situation however not really succeeding in his attempts. On the surface Hamlet appears to have accepted the situation but from the first few lines of the monologue we can tell that his mind is still in turmoil and that he is struggling for acceptance, 'O, that this too too solid flesh' to 'O God! God!' Shakespeare's use of metaphor also gives the impression that Hamlet is not entirely content with the situation, as he would lead others to believe. The use of phrases such as 'solid flesh would melt', 'thaw' and 'dew' indicate that Hamlet feels as though his emotions are frozen, most likely from shock about the situation he has found himself in where he no longer feels trusting of his own family. This use of an extended metaphor by Shakespeare could also mean that Hamlet wishes his body was made of snow or ice and so
