| Author | William Shakespeare |
| Shakespeare | 1564-1616 –> Stratford on Avon, England |
| Written in | 1600-1601; while Elizabeth is the monarch |
| Hamlet | real 12/13th century Danish king |
| Ur-Hamlet | Written by Thomas Kyd’Regarding Hamlet’Plagarist |
| Anolothi | Story has origins in Norse legendCharacters connected to Hamlet and what happened |
| Possible interpretations of Hamlet’s character | 1. Hamlet, the victim of external difficulties; Claudius is too powerful2. Hamlet, the Sentimental Dreamer, too much thinking, not enough action3. Hamlet, the victim of Excessive Melancholy – “Melancholy Dane” – Clinically depressed; mentally unstable4. Hamlet, the victim of an Oedipus Complex – Freudian interpretation; he has an unhealthy love or attachment to mother5. Hamlet, motivated by ambition – he will do anything to be king6. Hamlet, misled by the Ghost, not an honest ghost; revenge |
| Major themes found in Hamlet | 1. Justice and Revenge2. Destiny and the Purpose of Life3. Madness and Sanity (many characters)4. Appearance vs. Reality (Claudius = king, appears good with situation, but not all is true)5. Role of Women (Gertrude/Ophelia… purpose?)6. Rights and Duties of Kingship (how should a king act?)7. Poison and Corruption (Decay and Disease) |
| The Shakespeare 5 Act Structure | Act I –> ExpositionAct II –> Rising ActionAct III –> Climax and Dramatic ReverseAct IV –> Falling ActionAct V –> Catastrophe |
| 6 Elements of a Shakespearan Tragedy | 1. Revenge Motive2. Internal/External Conflicts3. Comic Relief4. Tragic Hero/Flaw/Mistake5. Supernatural Element6. Chance Happenings |
| Steps Taken for a Perfect Revenge | 1. Victim must be tortured mentally, emotionally, and physically (wants to make sure person suffers even after death)2. Victim must be damned after death3. Person who takes revenged must damn her/his own soul (must be really committed) |
| Claudius has taken 3 steps to gain the throne | 1. Murdered King Hamlet2. Married Queen Gertrude3. Held a fake election (swung by Polonius) |
| Hamlet’s Background | – Student at the university in Wittenberg, Germany- Has come back for his father’s funeral- Finds his mother married to his uncle- Finds his uncle is king- Has had some sort of relationship with Ophelia (daughter of Polonius) |
| Very Beginning of Play | – Ghost appears to the guards of the castle (Elsinore)- Ghost = King Hamlet- Shakespeare liked to play this role |
| Soliloquy | the act of talking to oneself; a dramatic monologue that represents a series of unspoken reflections |
| Aside | character speaks directly to audience |
| Oxymoron | two opposing words used together to make a pointex: pretty ugly |
| Foil | character set up to contrast main characterHamlet’s foils: Horatio (minor), Laertes, Fortinbras |
| Entrapments | 1. Polonius –> Reynaldo; follow Laertes to France2. Rosencrantz/Guildenstern –> brought by Claudius/Gertrude to watch Hamlet; find out why he’s acting weird3. Polonius/Claudius –> spy on Ophelia/Hamlet4. Hamlet –> actors/play; Murder of Gonzago, murder of King Hamlet; Claudius = guilty |
| Ghost’s requests for Hamlet | 1. Hamlet must avenge his death2. Gertrude is not harmed, leave her for heaven3. Tells Hamlet to be careful |
| Climax | Act III; Hamlet had opportunity to kill Claudius while he was “praying” in the chapel. Decided to leave him alone because if he killed him while he was praying, he would go to heaven. After he left, Claudius says something about it being useless… can’t pray |
| Dramatic Reverse | Act III; Polonius is killed by Hamlet’s hand, who thought it was Claudius hiding behind arras and spying on the Queen and himself; no longer innocent, begins his downfall |
| Requests Hamlet makes of Gertrude | 1. Don’t sleep with Claudius2. I’m faking insanity, but don’t tell anyone |
| Gravedigger scene | Provides comic reliefPrepares audience for upcoming death; commoner’s perspective |
Hamlet Background
August 31, 2019