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Hamlet by William Shakespeare Analysis

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The drama “Hamlet” written by a great Playwright and actor who is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world’s greatest dramatic, William Shakespeare. The setting of the drama starts from the Denmark’s Elsinore Castle. This drama was written around 1600 in the final years of the rule of Queen of England, Elizabeth I. It is not offence to say that, there are so many Shakespeare’s plays are played in this period, but Hamlet is the best one which concerns transfer of power one monarch to the other.

The center of attention of this drama are particularly focuses on the unpredictability, disloyalty, disruption, and the general sense of anxiety and fear that surround them. The circumstance that Shakespeare presents at the beginning of the Hamlet is that a most powerful and adorable king has died, and throne that might has become heir to his brother, Claudius not by his son. No one knows in castle, what to expect from new one and still lamenting the old king having fearful and suspicious mind.

This drama started with list of character in the stage direction. Once he came to know that his uncle king, Claudius killed his dad, Hamlet feels morally and legally obliged to take revenge, but he is not sure. What action should take and how to execute those action. He begins to behave out of frustration and eventually kills Polonius by mistakes. He is drags with mentally conflict and falls in dilemma which makes end of the Hamlet horrifying behavior with her mother.

The play expose Hamlet is during three crises. First his nation is under attack, second is royal family Is falling apart and last is dragging with mental conflict. The next scene deepens our sense that Denmark is in political crisis, a Claudius prepares diplomatic strategy to divert the threat from Fortinbras. We also see that as far as Hamlet is concerned his family is in crisis, Gertrude and Claudius are worried about his mood, and his first soliloquy we discover that he feels suicidal,” O that this too, too sullied flesh would melt” (I, II).

As the rising actions build towards the climax. Hamlet internal struggle deepens until he starts to show signs of really going mad. At the same time Claudius become suspicious of Hamlet, which creates an external pressure on Hamlet act. Hamlet begins Act three debating whether to kill himself: “To be or not to be- that is the question” (iii, i) and moments later he hurls misogynistic abuse at Ophelia. He is particularly upset about women’s role in marriage and childbirth— “Why wouldst thou be a breeder of sinners?” (III.i.)—which reminds the audience of Hamlet’s earlier disgust with his own mother and her second marriage.

The troubling development of Hamlet’s misogynistic feelings makes us wonder how much Hamlet’s desire to kill Claudius is fueled by the need to avenge his father’s death, and how much his desire fueled by Hamlet’s resentment of Claudius for taking his mother away from him. Claudius, who is eavesdropping on Hamlet’s tirade, becomes suspicious that Hamlet’s madness presents “some danger” (III.i.) and decides to have Hamlet sent away: Hamlet is running out of time to take his revenge.

The play’s climax arrives when Hamlet stages a play to “catch the conscience of the king” (II.ii.) and get conclusive evidence of Claudius’s guilt. By now, however, Hamlet seems to have truly gone mad. His own behavior at the play is so provocative that when Claudius does respond badly to the play it’s unclear whether he feels guilty about his crime or angry with Hamlet.

As Claudius tries to pray, Hamlet has yet another chance to take his revenge, and we learn that Hamlet’s apparent madness has not ended his internal struggle over what to do: he decides not to kill Claudius for now, this time because of the risk that Claudius will go to heaven if he dies while praying. Hamlet accuses Gertrude of being involved in his father’s death, but he’s acting so erratically that Gertrude thinks her son is simply “mad […] as the sea and wind/When they each contend which is the mightier” (III.iv). Again, the audience cannot know whether Gertrude says these lines as a cover for her own guilt, or because she genuinely has no idea what Hamlet is talking about, and thinks her son is losing his mind. Acting impulsively or madly, Hamlet mistakes Polonius for Claudius and kills him.

The play’s falling action deals with the consequences of Polonius’s death. Hamlet is sent away; Ophelia goes mad and Laertes returns from France to avenge his father’s death. When Hamlet comes back to Elsinore, he no longer seems to be concerned with revenge, which he hardly mentions after this point in the play. His internal struggle is not over, however. Now Hamlet contemplates death, but he is unable to come to any conclusion about the meaning or purpose of death, or to resign himself to his own death. He is, however, less squeamish about killing innocent people, and reports to Horatio how he signed the death warrants of Rosenkranz and Guildenstern to save his own life.

Claudius and Laertes plot to kill Hamlet, but the plot goes awry. Gertrude is poisoned by mistake, Laertes and Hamlet are both poisoned, and as he dies Hamlet finally murders Claudius. Taking his revenge does not end Hamlet’s internal struggle. He still has lots to say: “If I had time […] O I could tell you— / But let it be” (V.ii.) and he asks Horatio to tell his story when he is dead. In the final moments of the play the new king, Fortinbras, agrees with this request: “Let us haste to hear it” (V.ii.). Hamlet’s life is over, but the struggle to decide the truth about Hamlet and his life is not.

Cite this paper

Hamlet by William Shakespeare Analysis. (2020, Sep 19). Retrieved from https://samploon.com/hamlet-by-william-shakespeare-analysis/

FAQ

FAQ

What is the analysis of Hamlet?
The analysis of Hamlet is a complex study of the themes, characters, and literary devices used in Shakespeare's play. It explores the psychological depth of the protagonist and the themes of revenge, madness, and mortality.
what is the climax of hamlet?
The climax of Hamlet is when Hamlet finally kills Claudius in revenge for his father's death.
What is the main message of Hamlet?
The main message of Hamlet is that revenge is not the answer. Hamlet is a story about a young man who is seeking revenge for his father's death. He is consumed by his anger and hatred, and this leads to his downfall.
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