Hamlet

=Title of the Work= //Hamlet// =Author= William Shakespeare =Nationality/Ethnic Background= English =Genre and Sub-genres= Renaissance revenge tragedy =Biographical Information= William Shakespeare was a playwright, poet and actor, born in April 1564. He grew up in Stratford-upon-Avon and lived in London for sometime during his career. It is believed he went to school at the King's New School in Stratford, a free school where he would have been taught rigorous lessons based on Latin. There are very few historical evidence of what Shakespeare did before play writing, or even when he started writing. However, the first documented evidence is in 1592, when his plays were preformed on the London stage, becoming famous not only by his plays but of being criticized by another playwright. In 1594, the Lord Chamberlain's Men, a play company, who Shakespeare was one of the owners, not only preformed his plays, but became the leading play company in England. They changed their name to the King's Men, and built the Globe in 1599, the theatre that has become synonymous with his name. It was in 1598 when his fame reached its peak and just his name could sell. He not only acted in his own plays, but also plays written by others. Because many plays were worked on by more than one author, scholars have speculated that Shakespeare's early works were written this way. There have been speculations that many of his plays are just stories rewritten, or that Shakespeare never wrote them at all, but took credit of work done by another author. Either way, he is one of the most famous playwrights in history. Williams Shakespeare returned to Stratford a wealthy man from all his work and investments he had made.. Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616 but little is known of the cause. He is buried inside the chancel of Holy Trinity Church in Stratford. //Hamlet// was published around 1602. It is considered one of his best works, along with //Macbeth//, //King Lear//, O//thello//, //Julius Caesar//, and //Henry VI//. =Literary Historical Period/Movement and Pertinent Background= Most plays performed in England were influenced by Bible stories and Greek/Roman mythology. The Elizabethan Era, 1558 to 1603, was the golden age in England and height of the Renaissance, a time when plays and stories flourished. During the years in which Shakespeare wrote, Greek and Roman classical literature in England was recreated, mixing with Christian beliefs.The result of this mixing, which sometimes caused conflicting views, was a production of many dramatic literature. Shakespeare used these mixing beliefs in his plays for great affect. For example, the presence of King Hamlet's ghost in the play represents the Roman and Greek belief of a spirit of the dead wanting revenge, but also the Christian belief of purgatory. Scholars have said that inspiration for the play was another play called //Ur-Hamlet//, and the archetype of a foolish hero(tragic hero). =Major Characters, Their Relationships, Their Conflicts= __**Hamlet**__ - Protagonist of the play. He is the son of the deceased King Hamlet and of the queen Gertrude,and nephew of Claudius. His father's ghost appears to Hamlet reveals that he was murdered by Claudius. Hamlet is now conflicted with the fact that his mother is newly married to not only her brother-in-law, but the man who murdered her late husband. Hamlet struggles with acting out of revenge. He strange actions, outbursts, and violent behavior are believed to be caused by madness. __Gertrude__ - Mother of Hamlet and the wife of the late King Hamlet. Gertrude remarries to her brother-in-law Claudius. Gertrude is conflicted on how to deal with her son's sudden change of behavior. She is torn between obeying and being loyal to her new husband, and looking out for the well-being of her son. She does not understand why he does not agree with her new marriage. __Claudius__ - The major antagonist of the play. Hamlet's uncle and step-father. It is speculated that he killed King Hamlet for the throne and his wife, and even makes references to it. Acts coldly to Hamlet's outbursts, though he does show some concern. But he decides the only solution is to send Hamlet to his execution in England. __Polonius__ - Councilor to King Claudius, father to Laertes and Ophelia. Polonius volunteers to help King Claudius in his investigation of Hamlet's strange behavior. Is killed by Hamlet, who thought he was Claudius. __Ophelia__ - Daughter of Polonius and suspected love interest of Hamlet. Hamlet's love for her is thought to be one of the reasons why he went "mad". It is hinted of a relationship that went on between Hamlet and Ophelia, but it seems to have grown apart. Hamlet's rude and violent behavior towards her and her father's death(caused by someone she had loved) caused her to go mad. __Laertes__ - Son of Polonius who loves his sister greatly and is protective of her. Laertes wants revenge after finding out of his father's death, and then of his sister's. Is asked to spy on Ophelia. __Horatio__ - Hamlet's best friend from college and his confidant. One of the few people who actually talks to Hamlet and try to comfort him. __Ghost of Old Hamlet__ - Also known as King Hamlet. Father of Hamlet. He appears to Hamlet alone and demands revenge for his death. It is never proven that it is a real ghost or the imagination of Hamlet's mind. =Brief Plot Summary= The King of Denmark, King Hamlet, has died. Prince Hamlet is in mourning and distraught over his mother's quick marriage to his uncle, Claudius, brother of the late king. The ghost of King Hamlet appears to Prince Hamlet, claiming that Claudius murdered the former. To add to his mourning, confusion, and stress, Hamlet must now revenge his father's death. At one point Hamlet contemplates suicide because of his depression, and wonders about death, but his views conflict with this option. It seems that Hamlet acts crazy to deceive everyone else, but it is never proven if he is actually mad or not.Hamlet devises a plan to make Claudius feel guilty: Hamlet has a group of performers act out a play that is eerily similar to the murder of King Hamlet. Claudius leaves during the play, and Hamlet follows him to kill him. But because Claudius is praying Hamlet fears that would mean if Claudius dies now his soul will go to heaven, so Hamlet waits for another opportunity. Claudius is afraid of Hamlet's madness, so he plans to send his nephew to England. Hamlet confronts Gertrude, and when he hears a sound behind the drapery, he stabs the person behind it, believing the person is Claudius. It is actually Polonius, who was just talking to Gertrude and hid when Hamlet came. Hamlet is sent to England by Claudius, who wanted Hamlet executed, with his childhood friends, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, who possess a letter sentencing Hamlet to his death. While Hamlet is supposed to be on his journey to England, Ophelia is left mourning over her own father's death. Ophelia sinks into a state of depression and is found dead, having drowned either by accident or by suicide. Earlier she was thought to have become mad because oh her father's death and Hamlet's attitude toward her, mumbling a song about a young maiden who was rebuked from marrying her love because the maiden had slept with him. Laertes returns to avenge his father's death, and is now struck with the news of his sister's death. Laertes immediately threatens to kill Claudius. Claudius calms Laertes down, suggesting that Laertes assists Claudius in killing the "real" culprit, Hamlet. Laertes agrees to a plan that includes poison and fencing. Hamlet returns to his home, having switched the letter of his sentencing with one that includes the sentencing of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern instead. He arrives to see the funeral of Ophelia and seems distraught. After Hamlet argues with Laertes about who loved Ophelia most, Hamlet agrees to fence with Laertes to fulfill a request from Claudius. Claudius has a poisoned drink set for Hamlet in case the fencing situation fails, but Gertrude drinks it instead and dies. Hamlet is struck by Laertes's foil, poisoning him, and as the fighting continues, Laertes and Hamlet exchange tools. Thus Hamlet stabs Laertes, and the latter dies of his own device. As Hamlet dies, he stabs Claudius, fulfilling his duty to seek revenge. Fortinbras, the Norwegian prince who was fighting Denmark, has reached the castle. Horatio tells him what happened to cause so many deaths, and names Fortinbras the king of Denmark. The play ends with Fortinbras declaring a military funeral for Hamlet.

=Motifs (Recurring Images, Ideas, Figures of Speech, Symbols, Colors) & Their Thematic Significance= __Revenge__- Hamlet seeks revenge for his father. This vengeance tears Hamlet apart, and is possible one of the reasons why he went "mad". Shakespeare is showing how revenge is not morally correct, and is the downfall of Hamlet. Both Hamlet and Laertes plan to seek revenge for their dead fathers, and because of this decision both die. Revenge is never justified.

__Illusion vs. Reality__- None of the characters can believe what they hear or see. Hamlet uses madness to deceive the other characters, but this "illusion" possibly comes "reality" as his madness and actions progress. Gertrude seems to be a loving wife, but is it possible that she herself helped Claudius, since she married so quickly after the funeral with hardly any mourning. Hamlet cannot even trust his friends: Rosecrantz and Guildenstern are used to spy on Hamlet, and Polonius uses Ophelia to spy on Hamlet. Another example is the ghost, who seems to be only seen by Hamlet. It could be possible that the ghost is a figment of his imagination, but the play never states if the ghost is real or not.

__Incest__- The idea and motif of incest is used for friction in the play. The marriage of Gertrude and Claudius is the example of the motif of incest since they were sister- and brother-in-law before their marriage. Hamlet finds it disgusting that his mother married her brother-in-law, but could also be conflicted with an Oedipus complex, and feels jealous about his mother remarrying. It is never stated that Hamlet has an Oedipus complex, but there are hints of it in the play, especially when Hamlet confronts his mother in her bedroom. Shakespeare uses incest as a theme that incest corrupts and destroys a family.

__Poison__- Poison is initially introduced in the beginning when Old Hamlet discusses his death with his son, Hamlet. He reveals that Claudius poured poison into his ear as he was sleeping. At the end of the play, Laertes's foil is dipped in poison and Claudius attempts to kill Hamlet with a goblet of poisoned wine. There are numerous references to poison throughout the play. But poison is not only the physical kind. Hamlet's revenge is a poison to both Claudius and Hamlet, while the poison of both Laertes' sword and vengeance kills both him and Hamlet, and the "incest" of Claudius and Gertrude lead to their downfall. Shakespeare believes that poison is not only a dangerous weapon, but it is also a double-edged sword. It is the poison of revenge that kills Hamlet, while the poison on Laertes' sword kills him, and Gertrude dies from the poison in Claudius' cup.

__Insanity__- Throughout the whole play Hamlet seems to be insane. As the play goes on it becomes worse, and possibly the insanity he pretends to have is now real insanity, and Hamlet has lost his mind. This is related to Illusion vs. Insanity, since not only could sanity be faked, but also an insane person could see illusions that other people do not. Ophelia is also affected by insanity, and it causes her to fall from a willow into the river and drowns. This insanity is caused by the grief of Polonius' death and the actions of Hamlet.

__Warrior Vs. Thinker__- Two extremes are expressed in the play, Laertes, the Warrior, and Hamlet, the Thinker. Laertes acts rashly and rushes into action, whereas Hamlet contemplates too much and does not act on his ideas. Hamlet is constantly thinking, but every time he has a chance to strike, his thoughts get in the way. The only time he acts first is when he kills Polonius, showing that if you wait too long and then strike you will miss you target and fail. On the other hand, as soon as Laertes finds out about his father's death, he charges at Claudius, who he believed killed Polonius. When Laertes is told Hamlet killed Polonius, he challenges Hamlet to a duel. While Hamlet left a wake of ruin behind his path for vengeance(killing Polonius, causing part of Ophelia's insanity), Laertes gets his target, Hamlet, and only inadvertently kills himself. Shakespeare is showing how someone should balance his/her actions with thoughts. The Warrior might have got his man, and the Thinker took too long to act, if they had either think more or act more less tragedy and grief would have happened.

__Dust__- The motif of dust derives from the Creation story in the Bible. It is written in the Bible that man was created by dust and will return to dust when he dies. In //Hamlet//, Hamlet understands the meaning of dust during his soliloquy on suicide and his soliloquy in the graveyard. He realizes that since humans turn to dust, what they do has no meaning. No legacy left behind, no memories. Hamlet realizes that it is possible that the dust from the most powerful men of world could have been used to make clay for pottery. Revenge and hatred does not really matter since everyone will return to dust.

=Other Significant Thematic Elements (Significant Character's Names, Significant Quotations, Significant Actions/Events)=

"This above all: to thine own self be true"(Act I, Scene III). - This quotation is from Polonius's speech to Laertes before he leaves. It means: "This is most important: be true to yourself." This is ironic since every character in the play lies, and like Hamlet's madness, could start to believe their lie.

"Though this be madness, yet there is method in 't."(Act II, Scene II). - This quotation is also said by Polonius, but this time to Hamlet. It means: "Even though this is an act of madness, there is method(or technique) to this act." This shows Polonius' belief that it is love for his daughter that makes Hamlet crazy, but that Hamlet could be faking it.

"What a piece of work is a man, how noble in reason, how infinite in faculties, in form and moving how express and admirable; in action how like an angel, in apprehension how like a god: the beauty of the world, the paragon of animals- And yet, to me, what is this quintessence of dust?" (Act II, Sc. II). -Hamlet says this to Rosencratz and Guildenstern, mocking their superior view of man. It means: "How interesting man is, how he acts so noble, how he has so many abilities, in both expressive and admirable movements; acting like an angel, thinking he is a god: the beauty of the world, the excellence model of animals- but what i think about is what is the core of these beings made of dust?" This recalls the motif of dust, and how Hamlet is interested in what happens after death. Man seems so great, yet he is made of just dust.

“To be, or not to be- that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing end them. To die- to sleep- No more; and by a sleep to say we end The heartache, and the thousand natural shocks That flesh is heir to. 'Tis a consummation Devoutly to be wish'd. To die- to sleep.”(Act III, Scene I) - A section of Hamlet's famous "To be or not to be" speech, this soliloquy expresses Hamlet's extreme despair and desire to die. It means: "The question is to live or not live. Is it better for the mind to suffer the punches and blows of life or fight back against this sea of troubles, and by doing this to end life. Dying, like sleeping forever, ends heartache and the pains that the living(hence the flesh) is common to. This end is wished to completed. To die is to sleep." Hamlet wonders if it is better to die, and what lays on after death. Is it heaven, or a nightmare that no one can wake up from?

=Major Themes=


 * 1) __Distrust Is Poison In Relationships__ - In a relationship, distrust erodes the connections between people slowly with disastrous effects. Hamlet does not trust Ophelia with the knowledge of his revenge plot and this distrust slowly tears their relationship apart, causing Ophelia to go crazy. Hamlet also distrusts his mother, Gertrude, because he thinks she may have had a hand in his father's murder and his suspicion causes him to violently confront her. Due to Hamlet's "insanity," he is ultimately sent to England to his death because Claudius does not trust Hamlet while afflicted with insanity.
 * 2) __Don't Trust the Eyes or Ears__ - What one sees is not always real. Hamlet is the only person who sees the ghost of his father up close. The second time the ghost appears, Gertrude does not see the ghost while Hamlet does. When Hamlet is acting crazy, the other characters in the play believe in his facade.
 * 3) __Incest Can Tear a Family Apart__ - Hamlet suffers from the Oedipus Complex. He lusts for his mother who is married to Claudius. He become extremely jealous of their marriage, causing him to seek fulfillment to his childish fantasy.
 * 4) __Insanity Can Be Dangerous__ - The actions of people who are insane are difficult to determine, therefore they are dangerous. Claudius believes Hamlet to be insane and therefore watches him closely. He sends Polonius to watch Hamlet's actions while he is in the bed chamber with his mother. Ophelia develops insanity and becomes a danger to herself.
 * 5) __Revenge Can Be More Harmful Than Honorable or Helpful__ - Revenge has no bounds for those seeking vengeance. Hamlet is driven to exact revenge for his father's murder causing him to pursue Claudius and his mother and in the process killing Polonius accidentally. Laertes becomes enraged and vengeful from this turn of events and he insists on killing Hamlet to restore his family honor. The revenge, aided with Claudius's poison, leads to the deaths of Claudius, Hamlet, Gertrude, and Laertes.