William Shakespeare, extensively known as one of the greatest writers in the history of the English language in addition to England’s National poet. He has been responsible for the construction of an impense amount of histories, comedies, tragedies and poems. A portion of plays written by William Shakespeare were constructed and designed to influence his audience in many different ways. Wither it be social, cultural or economical each play would stimulate the thoughts and emotions of the audience and often creating a debate. The causes and effects are responsible for the different points of view on Hamlet. Shakespeare may display multiple themes throughout each of his plays, which also led to a debate, themes including, love, hatred, power, incest, but above all is revenge. Revenge is a theme that has been unquestionably displayed in Shakespeare’s play Hamlet along with multiple other themes.
Claudius had secretly sent orders for the death of Hamlet upon his arrival to England. In Claudius’ speech to Queen Gertrude he pursues to convince her that Hamlet deserves such violent punishments due to his actions. Throughout his speech the audience is completely aware that this is a set up done by Claudius himself. This speech builds a feeling of distance and mistrust between the audience and Claudius as they are entirely aware was the reasons behind Hamlets banishment. By his wording in the speech it displays Claudius’ character as a liar. If to be sitting in an Elizabethan
Hamlet kills Polonius and Gertrude becomes scared as to what is going to happen with Hamlet. Claudius betrays her trust by taking advantage of it and takes matter into his own hands. Claudius solution to the problem is to have Hamlet sent to England, where he is going to be safe from the law and will not have to deal with any consequences for his actions. " O Gertrude, come away! The sun no sooner shall the mountains touch. But we will ship him hence, and this vile deed. We must, with all out majesty and skill, Both countenance and excuse" (4.1.28-32). Claudius makes Gertrude believe he is setting this up because he wants to protect Hamlet. But even though the audience knows the real reason as to why he is doing this. He is sending Hamlet to England to be killed. " By letters congruing to that effect, The present death of Hamlet" (4.3.66-67).
William Shakespeare worked in the genres of tragedy, comedy, and history. Shakespeare's Hamlet, talks about a dark story of twisted love and ends in tragedy. Families have their differences but not going as far as to plot revenge and murder. The play has family members killing within their own family and plotting revenge and to kill more, and the content shows dark and depressing moments. Hamlet, son of Gertrude and the late King Hamlet, and Claudius, brother to late King and married to Gertrude, have several differences but some similarities. However, their differences is what creates the tension and divide between their characters. The comparison between Hamlet's and Claudius's manipulation, ambitions, and the false impressions they give off about their characters is what keeps the play interesting.
King Claudius expresses, “Welcome, dear Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Moreover that we much did long to see you, the need we have to use you did provoke our hasty sending.” (2.2.1-4) He addresses them in what is seemingly a sincere manner, proclaiming the supposed yearning he has had. However, these so-called sincere actions towards Hamlet’s childhood friends are just to convince them to take on the role of spying on Hamlet’s actions and reporting them back to Gertrude and Claudius. He continues to mask his true motives by saying, “To draw him on to pleasures and to gather...you may glean..to us unknown, afflicts him thus that, opened, lies within our remedy.” (2.2.15-19) King Claudius’ choice of words convey an inkling to the audience that he cares for Hamlet because of how he expresses his need to find out Hamlet’s condition, and fix it. This also presents Gertrude with the idea that Claudius has Hamlet’s best interests at heart. This, in King Claudius’ favor, solidifies his honorable, yet selfless stature with his contriving
From the perspective of Claudius, Hamlet is insane and this discourse is motivated by Claudius’s desire to silence his nephew. Claudius feels the urge to silence Hamlet because he is asking far too many questions about his father’s death and appears to be getting too close to the
In Elizabethan times, a type of play known as a "revenge tragedy" became popular. These plays revolved around, "... the revenge of a father for a son or vice versa, the revenge being directed by the ghost of the murdered man..." (Harmon and Holman #6). Other characteristics include real or pretend insanity, philosophic soliloquies, hesitation on the part of the protagonist, conspiracy, and the use of horror. William Shakespeare's Hamlet fully satisfies each of these traits, making it an excellent example of a revenge tragedy. Certainly, the most critical theme in the play by far is that of revenge; it fuels the plot and story of Hamlet, reveals the hamartia of the protagonist, and is used successfully to
The play, Hamlet by William Shakespeare, surrounds the central idea of revenge and betrayal. Revenge drives the characters and determines their actions throughout the play, which results in several instances of betrayal. With revenge, the friendship and loyalty of characters are tested and conflicts are established between characters. Hamlet’s father, the king of Denmark, was helplessly poisoned by his own brother, Claudius. Hamlet, the protagonist, becomes aware of his father’s death and finds himself seeking revenge and starting a cycle of hatred. Hamlet embarks on his journey for revenge by displaying an act of craziness. Throughout the play, there were several moments where Hamlet’s actions caused confusion and made it difficult for
King Claudius's contribution to the conversation exacerbates the tension in the scene. When he refers to Hamlet as “my son “ Hamlet immediately rebuffs him, saying that he is “a little more kin and a little less kind”. The young prince feels aversion towards his malevolent stepfather who has taken over the role of the king and has also married his mother. Claudius does not try to console Hamlet or offer him any support. Instead he criticises behaviour and treats him like a stubborn ignorant child. In Claudius's long speech, refers to Hamlet’s grief as “unmanly“ suggestion that his actions are and fitting for a man. He also declares that his step-sons behaviour is “It shows a will most incorrect to heaven”. This is very offensive as he is saying that Hamlet is going against God's wishes. The sentences Claudius use in his speech clearly imply that his relationship with Hamlet is very distorted.The antagonist continues by adding “why should we in our peevish opposition/ Take it to heart?”. Claudius is acting in a very philosophical and inhuman as if his brother has not died recently. He sees death as a meaningless phase in life and that Hamlet should move on like he did. Two bold words jump out of his speech “unprevailing well“. He can’t feel the pain Hamlet is enduring and that’s why he thinks Hamlet is overreacting. Shakespeare has successfully sent us the message that Claudius is a very insensitive man and that Hamlet is feeling great aversion towards him and this is a reason why their relationship is very weak.
William Shakespeare was a very talented man known for his various works of literature. His works include poems, plays, and sonnets. His works are then broken down into tragedies, comedies, and histories. Shakespeare left this world centuries ago, but his writings continue to live throughout the world today. He has greatly impacted the world of literature and his existence will forever be remembered.
In sources of literature, authors illustrate different themes to advance the plot. This is definitely the case in Shakespeare's play, Hamlet. The author presents the theme of morality through many characters. Also, in many scenes of the play, the audience witnesses the theme of revenge. Furthermore, Deceit is another theme that is seen in the play from the beginning until the end. In the play, Hamlet, the theme of revenge, morality, and deceit are portrayed within the characters.
Shakespeare writes in a way that is difficult to understand for anyone that speaks the modern language. His story Hamlet is understood through the emotions felt by his characters. Hamlet is the main character who is conflicted with revenge and conspiring friendships. Hamlet returns home from Germany for his father’s funeral only to find far more troubling things. Hamlet is a conflicted character but that doesn’t stop him from knowing what he wants. Revenge is the main cause of his confliction but with great reason, which is important to understand about this play because it helps explain all the betrayal and tragedy.
William Shakespeare made London his home by making his mark as a writer and actor, he traveled back and forth between the city and the town where he was born, Stratford. His London was a small and theatrical world where everyone knew each other. Famous playwrights, poets, and actors contributed to his lifestyle. It helped him shape characters in his play to perform starting off at the Globe Theatre. To go above and beyond, he became the acquaintance of superior courtiers to publicize himself as well as his writing. After his plays gained recognition throughout the city, he performed them before Queen Elizabeth at the Whitehall
Many of the works of William Shakespeare have seemed to last through time. The plays often contain many issues that can connect with the issues of the current times, which is why many schools still teach his writings. Jealousy and dealing with death are often included in the themes of his plays. Throughout the story of Hamlet, there are many things that could be compared to the modern world, such as death of loved ones, failed love, revenge, and corruption.
Though William Shakespeare is recognized as one of literature's greatest influences, very little is actually known about him. What we do know about his life comes from registrar records, court records, wills, marriage certificates and his tombstone. Anecdotes and criticisms by his rivals also speak of the famous playwright and suggest that he was indeed a playwright, poet and an actor.
William Shakespeare lived through a turbulent time in England’s history. There was a constant threat of subterfuge, violence, and sedition. During this time, London had to go on about its day-to-day life, and the people wanted some way to let out the tension that they felt around them. A growing distraction was the theater, where they could escape from the chaos for a few hours. Shakespeare was an up and coming playwright and had just moved his theatre. He needed a big opener to impress the crowds. Right around the same time, a new translation of Plutarch’s histories (a Latin book which was written in the 1st and 2nd centuries A.D.) was published, featuring stories about famous Greeks and Romans. However, the book was inaccessible to the masses. Shakespeare was inspired by the story of Julius Caesar, seeing in it many of the same themes that he saw in London at the time. The play premiered in the summer of 15__ and was a resounding success. The people loved the story, finding it a perfect example for their current worries. But, did Shakespeare take liberties with the story to shape in such a way that it would be more palpable for the people? Cas the Caesar on the stage of the Globe Theatre anything like the man who was the first emperor of Rome?
Loved ones come and go and must be birthed, and ultimately buried, it is the drama of this existence. Often a person finds he or she is seemingly incapable of performing some unsavory duty. But life and death have a way of making it impossible to avoid this unpleasantness and one finds the nerve or stomach to do that which must be done; accept the task as just another experience in the tapestry, and move on. Once upon a time there was no service that provided assistance in times such as these. If a friend or family member was stabbed or had his brains bashed in, well… someone had to clean it up.