Hamlet Essay Holly Silm

Hamlet Essay Holly Silm
Hamlet Essay
Holly Silm
'Explore how time and place are used in Shakespeare's Hamlet to shape the audience's
understanding of corruption'
The attribution of universality to a particular text is a prerogative of literary criticism that is fraught
with the responsibility of contriving reconciliatory persuasions in preservation of the fundamental
textual integrity of that text. William Shakespeare's Hamlet has inspired diverse interpretations
regarding its authorial preoccupations, structure and language choices, peculiar to the ideological,
historical and cultural lenses of its commentators. The consequent reception and significance
assigned to this text over the centuries simultaneously betrays the polyspersectivity of critical ...
Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Shakespeare reflects the wider tensions of his own context regarding the conflict between filial duty
and Christian morality in the execution of vengeance to shape the responder's perception of the
fraudulence required to commit murder. Shakespeare develops the conventions of the revenge
tragedy to reflect his society's changing code of honor, from the medieval duty of revenge to a value
of individual conscience revived by the Protestant Reformation. The question of Christian morality
reveals itself in Claudius' prayer as he shows genuine remorse for his act of murder: 'It hath the
primal eldest course upon't/ A brother's murder.' This allusion to Caine and Abel emphasises the sin
of killing one's 'kin', encouraging the audience to question Hamlet's justification for vengeance as a
filial duty to his father and the state, (what he believed) to restore stability to his own context.
Hamlet's driving sense of filial duty is reinforced, as he believes 'the villain kills my father, and for
that/I his sole son do this same villain send/to heaven'. The parallel of 'son' and 'father' conveys this,
while the repetition of 'villain' is an unconscious attempt to justify his intent. However, Hamlet's
dilemma between filial love and Christian
... Get more on HelpWriting.net ...

Free Will vs. Fate in The Winter's Tale Essay
The Winter's Tale
The Winter's Tale is one of jealousy, betrayal and redemption. While this story involves many
characters and opens questions of the flaws in human nature and the power of forgiveness, there are
two main characters of particular anomaly. The actions of Leontes and Perdita in this play are
unique unto themselves. As King, Leontes' every decision weighs heavily upon the court and his
country. As we have seen in several other plays by Shakespeare, when the King is in distress, Nature
herself is disrupted. The cosmic connection between Leontes and Nature allows for the supernatural
forces that are seen late in the play. He has the opportunity to use these forces to accomplish great
things. Instead he chooses to let ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Hunter considers Leontes' actions to be the worst we have seen. He asserts the idea:
Leontes is his own calumniator, and the most completely unexcused of all Shakespeare's humanum
genus figures. Bertram has the complaisance of Parolles...and even Angelo and Antonio can be seen
as tempted, the one by the beauty of Isabella, the other by the prospect of power. No one encourages
or tempts Leontes, or lies to him. His sin is all his own work. (190)
Leontes is clearly a creature of free will. His sins are grievous and yet he is redeemed in the end.
Leontes has a free nature, thus enabling him to make both good and bad decisions. Since most of his
decisions are bad, his free nature allows him to eventually see his errors, express sorrow and repent.
. Hunter considers Leontes faults:
With hatred in control of his mind, Leontes attempts to destroy the innocent––to kill his best friend,
his wife, and his own newborn child ...for this intended murder is `what Shakespeare makes the
symbol of complete wickedness: to command to murder a child.' In The Winter's Tale, infanticide
takes on an added horror from the fact that the child is Leontes' own. (192)
The Winter's Tale hinges on the Order of Nature, thus calling into question the roles of free will and
fate in human existence. Our two champions of these ideas are Leontes and Perdita. Leontes, for
example, uses his powers, as king to exert his will

Characterisation And Symbolism In Hamlet
William Shakespeare's metaphysical tragedy Hamlet, explores the complexities of the human
condition, in a world shaped heavily by tensions triggered by Medieval and Renaissance paradigms.
Shakespeare's masterful use of language, content and construction serves to reflect enduring values
through Hamlet's struggle in distinguishing truth from illusion, and his navigation of the moral
complexities of revenge and human mortality. Despite changing interpretations of the play,
Shakespeare's characterisation and symbolism of Hamlet as an existentialist hero engages the play's
textual integrity, fuelling its transcendence of contextual boundaries and continual relevance with
modern audiences.
Through Hamlet, Shakespeare expresses the epistemological doubt our realities are built upon by
exploring the duality of human behaviour in a pursuit for total truth. Hamlet's antithetical
questioning of the Ghost as either "a spirit of health" or "goblin damned" evinces ambiguity within
Hamlet, with the imagery "foul, strange and unnatural" reiterating the dramatic tension evoked by
the "warlike" Ghost. The use of the ghost as a plot device coupled with the epanalepsis "Seems,
madam? Nay it is, I know not seems" cautions the fallibility of the Ghost in its possibility of
unveiling "some foul play". Through the dichotomous epizeuxis "One may smile, and smile, and be
a villain" and his fretful diction "all is not well", Hamlet contests the veracity of mankind,
catalyzing his misogyny towards Ophelia as evinced through the hendiadys "Th' expectancy and
rose of the fair state" which highlights the splitting duality at the heart of human nature. This is
reinforced by the juxtaposed portrayal of the lines "most beautified Ophelia" and "Get thee to a
nunnery", exemplifying Hamlet's deceitful means of relationship as a manipulative front.
Marcellus's synecdoche "something is rotten in the state of Denmark" substantiates the corruption
infecting Denmark state, drawing upon the motif of decay as attested by Hamlet's metaphor "an
unweeded garden that grows to seed. Things rank and gross". Hamlet's employment of 'The
Mousetrap', the mise–en–abyme, ultimately heightens the frailty of truth, sparking fallacious notions
as he attempts to

Human Condition In Hamlet Essay
Humanity's ontological quest to discover the extent of its realit. William Shakespeare's revenge
tragedy Hamlet, 1603, is one such attempt which stands out amongst all others through its
encompassment of universal themes such as moral corruption, our inevitable mortality and our
ability and desire for deception and the ambiguous nature of reality. Through his mastery of literary
and dramatic elements, involving his manipulation of language, construction and content, Hamlet's
journey to avenge his father acts as a vessel for Shakespeare to explore the human condition,
providing an opportunity for many diverse interpretations. As a result, Shakespeare's Hamlet is able
to transcend the effects of time and therefore maintain its textual integrity for contemporary
audiences
In Hamlet, Shakespeare explores the detrimental ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
This is immediately highlighted through he uneasy atmosphere in the first scene of the play
combined with the fragmented dialogue in "bitter cold night" and the hyperbole "I am sick at heart"
imbuing the opening with an ominous effect. This is further shown later on in the play in the
dialogue "something is rotten in the state of Denmark", alluding to the violation of the great chain of
being by Claudius murdering the king. Hamlet's description of the country as "weary stale and
unprofitable" and "an unweeded garden", further emphasises this idea showing how Claudius, being
the weed, has been allowed to grow in power instead of punished. This garden imagery is built on
later in the play with hamlet telling Gertrude to "not spread compost on the weeds to make them
ranker" once again emphasising the nature of the corrupt monarchy, which is usually an integral part
of the

Abraham Stoker and Theater
Abraham (Bram) Stoker began his life bedridden, weak, and helpless. Stoker, third of seven
children, was born in Clontarf, a suburb of Dublin, on November 8, 1847 (Whitelaw 9). His parents
were Abraham Stoker, from Dublin, and Charlotte Mathilda Blake Thornley, who was raised in
County Sligo ("Bram Stoker"). He spent most of his early childhood laying in bed, watching his
brothers and sisters play outside through a dusty old window. "As a child, he wondered if he would
get sicker––if he would end up dying" (Whitelaw 10). He could fully comprehend the definition of
misery by the age of ten. Stoker was considered lucky, given his paralyzed condition, to have a
mother who sat by his bedside telling his stories to keep his mind off of his illness. He grew up
fantasizing about vampires and fairies in Irish tales. It is not very shocking to see that, because he
grew up around misery, he became so intrigued with dark literature. His mother built the foundation
that Stoker would later build his theatrical/literary empire on. His love for theater introduced him to
the literary world. Stoker's work and interest with theater is what eventually led him to become so
involved with Gothic Literature. He was not fully capable of his writing abilities until after he
enrolled in college. "[Stoker] enrolled at Trinity, a highly respected college of the University of
Dublin, in 1863" (18). He was a very athletic student; rugby, football, swim, and crew were the
sports that earned him an award

Hamlet Feature Article
Write a review of Hamlet based on a viewing, whereby you ponder the question of the text's
enduring relevance. A news feature based on the play where having seen the play, you analyse why
the play remains relevant to modern audiences. In itself becomes a text of textual integrity. How do
people value it? Discuss some aspects that you would argue to allow the text to view it as something
engaging and valuable. Hamlet Through Time Hamlet. Not just your typical revenge tragedy, but
something deeper, and more than able to rival the likes of 'Desperate Housewives', despite it's age.
What the audience gets with the play, Hamlet, is a storyline that is complex and intricate, a plot that
is interwoven with tales of love, betrayal, murder and ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
As the main character, Hamlet presents the audience with an image of the renaissance man, one who
offers insights into how one might deal with complex emotions such as love and grief. The audience
follows Hamlet on his journey to avenge his father's death, which was brought about by his late
father's brother, Claudius, the current reigning king. The story clearly centres around the ever–
hesitant prince and his struggle to enact his revenge. It is Hamlet's procrastination and inability to
act that drives the story to its disastrously orchestrated end. Despite all his faults, the audience
feels a sense of affection for the young prince and connect with him on a level that is unavailable
with the other characters. It is in this connection that the interest of the audience is captured, such
that one can almost experience his joy and his grief, or his jealousy and love, all things that are
encountered by modern day humans. All the choices that Hamlet makes, allows the audience to
understand his character a little better. No doubt, this is the result of good acting and excellent play
writing, however, there is an element of value that only time brings. Another character that must be
examined, is the aforementioned, Ophelia. Stuck in an Elizabethan world where misogynism is the
norm and women don't have a say, Ophelia is subject to the will of the men in her life. She is
chastised by her brother and father for her relationship

Hamlet Acts Morally, Harms Others by his Actions, and...
Hamlet is Shakespeare's most famous work of tragedy. Throughout the play the title character,
Hamlet, tends to seek revenge for his father's death. Shakespeare achieved his work in Hamlet
through his brilliant depiction of the hero's struggle with two opposing forces that hunt Hamlet
throughout the play: moral integrity and the need to avenge his father's murder. When Hamlet sets
his mind to revenge his fathers' death, he is faced with many challenges that delay him from
committing murder to his uncle Claudius, who killed Hamlets' father, the former king. During this
delay, he harms others with his actions by acting irrationally, threatening Gertrude, his mother, and
by killing Polonius which led into the madness and death of Ophelia. ... Show more content on
Helpwriting.net ...
That would be scann'd A villain kills my father; and, for that, I, his sole son, do this same villain
send To heaven. (Act 3.3.74–79) Here, Hamlet shows despite his need to revenge for his father, he is
held back from his constant thought of his actions as well as his moral considerations. It's been
clearly stated that Hamlet has a strong sense of heaven and hell; that he won't kill his uncle while
praying, because he thinks he might go to heaven. Hamlet himself doesn't want to kill his uncle
without being assured that he is guilty. This is why, by the end of the play, Claudius' death is
something we applaud, regretting only that he was not killed sooner. The reason of this delay is
because of Hamlets' moral triumph. His morality often keeps him from acting; it makes him mull
around in his uncertainty and anxiety, instead of just acting and bringing his struggle to an end.
Although Hamlet has thoughts on the moral consequences of revenge, which is the cause of the
delay to gain vengeance for his father, he deceives others by his irritating actions. After threatening
the queen in her bedroom, telling her that she is not leaving the room until he knows that she is
innocent from his fathers' death. Come, come, and sit you down; you shall not budge: You go not,
till I set you up a glass Where you may see the inmost part of you. (Act 3.4.19–21) As Hamlet was
threatening her, he hears a voice behind the

The Human Condition and Ideologies in Hamlet by Willliam...
Hamlet
Texts reflect their context and paradigms but transcendental texts that explore aspects of humanity
can resonate through time and remain relevant and accessible to audiences. William Shakespeare's
introspective play, Hamlet, explores the complexity of the human condition by reflecting ideologies
such as justice, loyalty and morality. Although these deeply human ideas ensure the plays resonance,
they are somewhat secondary to the depths of Hamlet's human struggle. These thematic concerns
reflect how flaws in the values of society descend into corruption. Through an exploration of the
characterization, Shakespeare invites a re–evaluation of the values that shape human nature. The
textual integrity of Hamlet makes it of distinctive ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Hamlet sees something that is rotten in his kingdom and he knows it is his moral responsibility to
resolve this issues however he finishes off by saying that in actual fact he is powerless "but break
my heart, for I must hold my tongue" admitting his weakness. Hamlet begins to grapple with the
nature of humanity and morality following the confrontation with the ghost. The appearance of the
ghost triggers Hamlet's existential struggle "All is not well... I doubt some foul play... foul deeds
will rise" (Act 1 scene 2) through the use of foreshadowing, Shakespeare exposes the nature of
humanity to audiences through the construction of Hamlet's character. He emphasises that a strong
sense of morality can cause conflicts in the decision to make noble choices.
The relevance and significance of the revenge tragedy is in the way it explores human nature and
forces audiences to evaluate ideologies such as revenge and justice. The concept of revenge is
accompanied by moral conflict and Shakespeare demonstrates that by acting immorally society is
likely to be riddled with corruption. Hamlet seeks to avenge the death of his father but struggles
with the ramifications of seeking righteous revenge through an immoral act. The imposition of
revenge instills the existential questioning on Hamlet as it contradicts his with his social
expectation. His

William Shakespeare 's Hamlet And Hamlet
An author's ability to express ideas, in a text, throughout a range of contexts preserves its enduring
value. Hamlet's ability to be portrayed in a variety of contexts is due to the multifaceted nature of
revenge. Furthermore, the ability of a text to have different interpretations and discussions about
these varying interpretations contributes to the textual integrity of a text. Madness and its portrayal
throughout Hamlet and Hamlet's ruminations endows audiences thoughts into the complex nature of
revenge. The impacts of madness, introspection, uncertainty and honour on Hamlet's ability to enact
revenge contribute to the complex nature of revenge in Hamlet. Thus, the textual integrity of Hamlet
is linked to the enduring debate over the ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Hamlet's revenge becomes more complex as his plans have to change as his original plans failed.
Originally, Hamlet's plan for revenge was "The play's the thing wherein I'll catch the conscience of
the king", however, when Claudius did not announce that he was a murder, Hamlet plan for revenge
had to change. Later, in Act 3, Scene 3 Hamlet catches Claudius alone praying, however, as revealed
in his soliloquy "Why, this is hire and salary, not revenge" Hamlet does not think that killing
Claudius whilst he is praying is proper reimbursement for the crime Claudius committed, "A villain
kills my father, and for that, I his sole son do this villain send to heaven". Act 5, Scene 5, is the end
of the play where Hamlet finally takes his revenge, as he finally has trustworthy evidence that
Claudius is a murderer, "Thy mother's poisoned...the king, the king's to blame". Furthermore,
witnesses to Claudius deed would support that Hamlet's revenge was righteous. Therefore, Hamlet's
uncertainty in taking revenge leads to Hamlet being one of Shakespeare's longest plays, thus
showing the complex nature of revenge.
A text's enduring nature is linked to the ability of the themes to reinforce each other. The
deliberation by characters as to how their revenge will affect themselves and others, shows the
complexity of revenge. Altruism is not Hamlet's main motive in his revenge, he is more concerned
with

Human Condition In Hamlet
A metaphysical rendering of William Shakespeare's revenge tragedy play Hamlet serves to embody
the struggle of the human condition, in which the coalesce of corruption, deception, delay, and
mortality reflects our underlying moral principle. The adoption of the Senecan and Aristotelian
tragedy conventions and use of theatre as the lens to view the Elizabethan Machiavellian Zeitgeist
has contributed to the textual integrity of Hamlet. Altogether, Shakespeare's exploration of the
ubiquitous aspects of the human condition permeates through contextual barriers, hence contributing
to Hamlet's canonical status.
Through the corruption that lies at the core of humanity, Shakespeare explores the ontological battle
for moral justice. Immediately, the question "Who's there?" in the exposition develops an angst
ambience, foreshadowing a Denmark wrought with corruption. This foreboding sense of corruption
is further implored by the supernatural connotation of Hamlet's Father's apparition and natural
imagery "Tis an ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
This notion is encapsulated by those in positions of power. The incognito of Claudius' and
Gertrude's immoral disposition is constantly preserved by a public façade. Claudius is represented
as a proficient orator; whose controlled vernacular and lexicon allows him to discreetly engage his
audience with propagandistic messages. The juxtaposition between Claudius' public and private
persona is captured by the paradoxical phrase "with mirth in funeral and with dirge in marriage".
Claudius employs the aid of anaphora and sycophantic language to conceal and embellish his true
persona. Similarly, Gertrude's prompt remarriage paints those in positions of power as deceptive.
The anthropomorphism "a beast would have mourned longer!" alluding to the Great Chain of Being
satirises humanity's regressive nature. Ultimately, deception reflects the moral discourse of

Shakespeare's Use Of Textual Integrity In Hamlet
Through the incertitude that plagues virtually every major character in Hamlet (1603), Shakespeare
dramatizes humanity's philosophical quandaries of morality and action in an imbalanced, bleak
society. Drawing upon the contextual zeitgeist of the Renaissance, Shakespeare examines
humanity's ontological quest to ascertain truth in foregrounding thematic undercurrents of the
conflation between appearance and reality. Shakespeare substantiates the misguided struggles and
existential disillusionment of the human condition, by drawing upon the incompatible dualities of
the value systems of Medieval Europe and of Renaissance philosophy. Shakespeare delves deep into
elements of the human experience and thus Hamlet retains textual integrity, resounding ... Show
more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Corruption is central to the textual integrity of Hamlet, as it mirrors the political tension that took
place during the Elizabethan period and still resonates with today's social fabric. Foreshadowing
disease imagery demonstrates this most clearly; "Something is rotten in the state of Denmark" is
both interpreted as the threat of war, but also Claudius' corruption, validated in personification in
"the serpent that did sting" that affects the 'health' and thus the stability of the kingdom. Moreover,
the vivid imagery "Blister on the fair forehead of an innocent love," further exemplifies Hamlet's
disenchantment with Gertrude's "o'er hasty marriage" to Claudius. "The unweeded garden that grow
to seed, things rank and gross in nature," as a biblical allusion, provides a metaphorical image of
corruption spreading within the social structure and sets up Hamlet's assumed role as the 'gardener'
to rid the 'garden' of 'weeds' to avenge Old Hamlet. Although it is Claudius who epitomises
corruption, from the Elizabethan belief of revenge being a moral right, Hamlet is also corrupt. This
is highlighted in the way that he is trapped by the 'avenger's dilemma', metaphorically in
"Denmark's prison," not taking revenge will reduce him and will make him unfit to rule by his own
standards, yet acting incurs eternal damnation. Thus, Hamlet becomes a face of corruption and
deceit himself, and he too must die in order to restore stability and balance to the state of Denmark.
Thus, Hamlet's inability to reconcile with his Renaissance values in a place pervaded with
corruption, and amidst a Medieval time period, Shakespeare clarifies how corruptive powers lead to
a bleak and unbalanced

Theme Of Revenge In Hamlet
It is possible to discern revenge as a concept within William Shakespeare's "Hamlet" by
acknowledging the play as a part of a genre. That is, the genre of revenge tragedies commonly
played as "a tragedy whose leading motive is revenge and whose main action deals with the
progress of this revenge, leading to the death of the murderers and often the death of the avenger
himself." (Ashley H. Thorndike, 1902) Hamlet although fundamentally a revenge tragedy can be
considered as a slight deviation of the genre, breaking many of the rudimentary rules. Shakespeare
in response to this sets the focal point away from the action of avenging and more towards the
destructive and poisonous effects of revenge itself, symbolising the evils of conforming to such a
"bestial" standard.
There is a complicated representation of law within the essence of revenge tragedies. This
representation manifests itself in everything from the distorted interpretation of evidence to the
more explicate corruption of justice. The play is set in a situation where the rule of law is weak, and
revenge is deemed as the only way to obtain justice. Without significant recognition of the social
and political context in which early revenge tragedies were written, Hamlet differs in the sense that
it displays less engagement with the idea of correcting injustice but with Hamlet's deep personal
struggle with achieving vengeance. In saying that, the tragedy of the situation denotes from
Hamlet's psychological nature

Human Vengeance In Shakespeare's Hamlet
Shakespeare's tragic play Hamlet (1602) reveals memorable ideas through its dramatic construction
of a vulnerable protagonist whose exploration of the human condition resonates with modern
audiences. Devastated by his confrontation with the twin human evils of death and hypocrisy,
Hamlet fails to find a sense of closure in a social backdrop of corruption and falseness. His revenge,
therefore, becomes one of social reform as he seeks to affirm his loyalty to his father and its noble
spirit. Yet with it, Hamlet's resolve is challenged as Christian ideology conflicts with Renaissance
humanism. Shakespeare ultimately redeems his tragic hero through a new affirmation of the
providential sanctity of life and it is this final "readiness" which proves ... Show more content on
Helpwriting.net ...
Hamlet is convinced in his fulfilment to passionately honour his father's legacy when he first
encounters the ghost, metaphorically exclaiming that "with wings as swift as meditation or the
thoughts of love", he will "sweep to [his] revenge." However, this proves to be highly ironic, as
while he is swearing by heaven, a slight suspicion arises that it may have been a devil from hell as
he rhetorically exclaims to the "old mole! Canst work i' th'earth so fast? O worthy pioneer!" As
devils were often symbolically compared to "pioneers" or "moles" in that they worked underground,
Hamlet's uncertainty stems from a religious questioning of the true nature of the ghost. In this way,
Shakespeare extends upon 16th century Christian ideals about mortality and the afterlife to
demonstrate how potent external pressures are on our decision making. As a Christian gentleman,
Hamlet is pulled by opposing codes of values to the point of stagnation and his guilt at such inaction
generates a self–deprecating response as he concedes, in his second soliloquy, that he is "pigeon–
livered and lack[s] gall / to make oppression bitter." The bird imagery to symbolise morality, a
common practice throughout the Renaissance, reveals his intense self–loathing as he is "prompted to
[his] revenge by heaven and hell" yet paradoxically, for the very same reason, must metaphorically
"unpack [his] heart with words," neither able to commit suicide nor murder as it is religiously
forbidden by the "canon" of "the Everlasting". Shakespeare crystallises that Hamlet's state of
hysteric limbo is a result of his inability to find closure not only in the physical world, but also, the
spiritual, and as a result questions, after months of inaction, "what is a man" if "conscience does
make cowards of us all." As such,

Struggle And Disillusionment In Shakespeare's Hamlet
As with the majority of Shakespeare's works, the 1601 tragedy of Hamlet still remains as an
acclaimed source of inspiration for complex interpretations and in–depth criticism. Its values lies
not within its plot, but rather within the constituents that gives rise to the textual integrity of the
play. Hence, such thematic concerns of Struggle and Disillusionment are dramatically explored
through elements of the dramatic form to impart an effect on the audience that allows the play to
transcend contextual barriers. Such elements include the characterisation of the eponymous
protagonist, various soliloquies, character foils, and the structure of the play. Edgar Johnson,
expresses in his text "The Dilemma of Hamlet" (1956) that Hamlet's ... Show more content on
Helpwriting.net ...
Additionally, this would lead to an internal struggle unique to the audience as the notion of 'antic
disposition' becomes blurred as the play progresses. This is further supported by the presence of the
Ghost in Act 3, of which only Hamlet notices. Gertrude assures Hamlet, "This is the very coinage of
your brain/This bodiless creation ecstasy/Is very cunning in." (Act 3 Scene 4). This gives rise to the
suggestion that the Ghost is a manifestation of his newfound madness and hence the authenticity of
Hamlet's apparent madness is a source of conflict within the audience. Johnson, however, views
Hamlet's madness as an innate quality that encompasses 'the temptation to wreak justice for the
wrong reasons and in evil passion...'. He does not consider the audience's knowledge of Hamlet's
'antic disposition' which allows for the interpretation that the dilemma is perhaps his progression to
madness. Accordingly, the peculiar dramatic treatment of struggle through the multifarious and
inwardness nature of Hamlet directly engages the audience continuously. The internal struggles and
disillusionment of characters are conveyed to the audience in an intimate manner through the use of
soliloquies. His core dilemma is revealed to the audience in his first soliloquy in Act 1, Scene 2
where he expresses his disillusionment with the world and life upon his mother's swift remarriage to
his uncle, describing it as "...weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable/Seem

Mind and Hamlet
"An admirable text does not define or exhaust its possibilities". What possibilities do you see in
Shakespeare's Hamlet? Discuss your ideas with close reference to at least two scenes from Hamlet.
Shakespeare's texts have been re–visited, re–interpreted and re–invented to suit the context and
preferences of an evolving audience, and it through this constant recreation it is evident that Hamlet
"does not define or exhaust its possibilities". Through the creation of a character who emulates a
variety of different themes, such as revenge, realisation of reality and the questioning of humanity,
we can see the different possibilities within Hamlet as an "admirable text" with enduring human
value. Furthermore, the emotional journey of Hamlet ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
A more definitive reading of Hamlet disputes the claim that he was mad, and instead suggests that
Hamlet feigns madness in order to become closer to the truth. This reading is an example of
Shakespeare demonstrating the changing context in Denmark through the projection of the
protagonist as an extended metaphor for the emerging Renaissance Humanism period. This period
was defined by choice and analysis of events, and is emulated through Hamlet's alliterated statement
in his soliloquy in Scene 3, Act 1, 'conscience makes cowards of us all.' Hamlet believes he is in a
psychological state of cowardice, and that his conscience is holding him back through his
assessment of the consequences of acting on the orders of the ghost. L.C. Knight believes Hamlet is
the "exploration and implicit criticism of a particular state of mind or consciousness". This
questioning on the theme of humanity and the final stage in Hamlet's complex thought process is
finally resolved in the soliloquy in Scene 4, Act 3. Hamlet's characterisation, once that of a pure
man whose mind was riddled with angst at the idea of murder shifts to a mind of "bloody" thoughts
as a result of his bound duty. This personified imagery is a reflection of Hamlet's now tainted mind
since the murder of Polonius, and the constant obsession with Claudius' murder. Hamlet accuses
himself of 'thinking too precisely', and

Hamlet Essay Holly Silm

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

More from Jessica Stapleton

More from Jessica Stapleton (7)

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (20)

Hamlet Essay Holly Silm