... vicious responses- are his wishes to seek revenge upon Claudius, to avenge his father and to satisfy himself for the hatred he has for Claudius and Gertrude's betrayal to him and his father: "Oh most pernicious woman! O villain, villain, smiling, damnéd villain!- During Claudius' first speech to the Court, Hamlet is rude ... views we have been introduced to, like female independence. In this respect, we can understand Hamlet's increased thirst for revenge against Claudius, because of his marriage to Gertrude, through our educated knowledge of the Oedipus complex. An Elizabethan audience...

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... is the one about revenge. Throughout the play there are three central plots for revenge. Hamlet vows revenge on his uncle, Claudius. Laertes vows revenge on Hamlet. Fortinbras vows revenge on King Hamlet. There is also another minor revenge plot during the play within a play where Priam seeks revenge for his father's murder ... seen as a sign of Hamlet's madness. Perhaps Hamlet's state of madness provided Hamlet with the ability he required to kill his uncle, Claudius. Hamlet's relationship with Gertrude is affected greatly by the death of King Hamlet. Hamlet obviously cannot understand ...

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... perhaps the most complex in the play and therefore is open to wide interpretation. Shakespeare ultimately presents Claudius as a "smiling damned villain" who rarely is what he appears to be. The most potent example of this occurs in act 1 scene 2 when Claudius first speaks. He issues a speech and begins by saying: " Though yet of Hamlet our dear brother's death " This gives the impression ... that Claudius is saddened by his brother's death, yet it is later revealed that it was he who murdered him. This is ... stand out - to ensure that the audience heard and understood what was being ...

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... A king is a symbol of his land. There cannot be a strong country without a strong king. In this play, which character would make a better king, Claudius or Hamlet, when all of their qualities and characteristics are examined? Hamlet would have been a better ruler because throughout the play he demonstrated how smart he was, ... how he thought things out before acting, how he questions things to find the truth and how he is a better person than Claudius. Claudius is considered by some to be a good king, despite the means by which he obtained the throne. He did prevent Fortinbras from comi...

• Word Count: 1928
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... in recent times has been played by Kenneth Branagh, Mel Gibson and famously by Lawrence Olivier. Hamlet is not the typical hero we expect from a revenge tragedy and this perhaps is the central reason why we find his unpredictability so interesting. Hamlet's first appearance is in court; here he seems like ... . He constantly delays action because he struggles with his conscience. Asking himself deep questions, for instance, is it an un-Christian act to take revenge or is it a matter that should be left to the judgment of God, like Gertrude's actions which the ghost of King Hamlet asked to...

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... both situations, a man kills a king, who is also a close relative, albeit for different reasons. This intensifies the moral dilemma and horror concerning these murders. Claudius highlights the 'unholiness' of these crimes in his first private speech: King: O, my offence is rank. It smells to heaven. It hath the primal eldest curse upon't, A brother's murder. Pray can I not, Though inclination be as sharp ... of his guilt and undermine his status in society. If Hamlet could indeed prove Claudius' guilt then he could proceed with his plan for revenge and (perhaps), eventually, be at peace...

• Word Count: 1891
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... and rational; and another which displays madness. These conflicting behaviors are related within Hamlet's internal struggle-to kill Claudius for revenge of his fathers' murder; or act responsibly, and await further proof of Claudius' guilt. Throughout the play, Hamlet teeters on the brink of insanity induced by his actions, or inactions. ... 241). In this instance, Hamlet is stating that behavior shapes reality. In act two, Hamlet is again prompted towards vengeance-this time by a poignant speech delivered by one of the players. Hamlet responds to this dialogue with, "What's Hecuba to h...

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... or about some act That has no relish of salvation it't:- (III.iii.89-93) Hamlet has vowed to take revenge on his mortal enemy at a time in which Claudius is in sin. That way, Claudius will go to hell, instead of heaven. Based on his past inaction, it is a promise that we are ... the most admirable aspects of Hamlet's character is his incredible knowledge of acting and the theatre. In a conversation with some players (actors), Hamlet recites a lengthy speech by rote. This is an impressive display of his superior memory. Hamlet is also a very witty person who uses sharp language to gain th...

• Word Count: 1991
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... he leaves, Hamlet is full of grief and anger, the main source of these traumatic emotions being the man his mother married after his father's death - Claudius. Hamlet despises Claudius, because he saw his father as a "God-, and in his eyes no-one could replace him. This, in a way, dismisses Froid's Oedipal theory ... changed considerably. In the latter soliloquy, Hamlet is mad, short-tempered and emotional, a huge change from the quiet anguish and frustration he demonstrated in his first speech. On page 23, we see Hamlet's first soliloquy. He is in a state of melancholy, and doesn't want ...

• Word Count: 1900
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... something cold and impersonal about their touch. Finally, their voices also say a lot about the characters. Gertrude's voice is very feminine, as opposed to Claudius' deep, rumbling voice. Gertrude was portrayed as a stereotypical female in this movie. She seemed weak, obedient, and blind to her husband's crimes and ... anything else she doesn't wish to see. Claudius was a very masculine character: he spoke with a great deal of strength in his voice showing how power-hungry and confident he was. 6. Examples of 5 different references of figures of speech and explain how they added to com...

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... and wholesome blood (1.5.34-39, 59-70).[9] It is possible that "poison in the ear" is an image of temptation. In that case, Claudius's later whispered plottings with Laertes, Ophelia, and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are further examples of "poison in the ear." In view of the development ... to their own devices. Laertes is killed by the poisoned sword he planned to use against Hamlet; Gertrude drinks the poisoned cup that Claudius intended for Hamlet; Claudius himself is poisoned by both sword and wine. The wicked, in short, fall into the very traps they set for others ( ... and Laerte...

• Word Count: 1931
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... publicly, leading a public riot that occurs outside the Castle Elsinore in response to Polonius" death and quick burial which served as a catalyst. He is suspicious, which is evident from his speech to Claudius. "How came he dead? I"ll not be juggled with. To Hell, Allegiance; Vows to the blackest Devil; Conscience and Grace, to the profoundest Pit. I dare Damnation. To this point ... what he has to do, and how he has to avenge the murder of his father. While Laretes acts on impulse, and on a false alliance with Claudius arising from the emotions of anger and revenge. Conversely, Hamlet...

• Word Count: 1938
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... of king Denmark, and killed his brother King Hamlet to acquire it. Claudius seem to have a large, booming voice in the film. Branagh uses costumes to suggest the 19th century. Claudius is dressed with a nicely contemporary look. When we first see Claudius, he strikes us an intelligent and capable ruler. He gives a speech to make his court and country proud, addressing his brother's death ... . Claudius knows that a change in government could ignite civil unrest, and he is afraid of possible ... things that he did not expect, such as the appearance of the ghost of his victim that ignited...

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... . Hamlet's also comments on the loving relationship enjoyed by his parents, in disbelief of Gertrude's actions. He does not understand why his mother married Claudius in such haste, causing such internal torment for Hamlet. This leads Hamlet to make a generalization about all women. "Frailty, thy name is woman ... , which will only inhibit one's action. Hamlet never discusses the act of vengeance, only the actor's ability to "cleave the general ear with horrid speech"(II, ii, 569). Hamlet also displays his low self-esteem in this soliloquy as he sarcastically describes his inaction. This ...

• Word Count: 1431
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... . Hamlet's also comments on the loving relationship enjoyed by his parents, in disbelief of Gertrude's actions. He does not understand why his mother married Claudius in such haste, causing such internal torment for Hamlet. This leads Hamlet to make a generalization about all women. "Frailty, thy name is woman ... , which will only inhibit one's action. Hamlet never discusses the act of vengeance, only the actor's ability to "cleave the general ear with horrid speech"(II, ii, 569). Hamlet also displays his low self-esteem in this soliloquy as he sarcastically describes his inaction. This ...

• Word Count: 1456
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... . For this reason he stages the play The Mouse Trap' to see if Claudius is guilty. At the start of the play he commands Horatio: "Observe my uncle. If his occulted guilt Do not itself unkennel in one speech It is a damned ghost we have seen- (IIIii.70-73) The play ... , which closely mirrors the story of Hamlet, Claudius and Gertrude, seems to hit a sore point with Claudius who abruptly ends the performance. A short while later Horatio confirms Hamlet's ... 111). Despite this she obeys Polonious's instructions and rejects Hamlet. She goes even further and agrees to be involved in the atte...

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... , because he thinks Hamlet might know something about his treachery and wants to deflect his guilt and detract from Hamlet's credibility. To the audience, who have already heard the ghost's speech, Claudius seems to be going over the top, saying that he can't imagine what has rendered Hamlet mad and going back to childhood memories. In Act II, we do not see ... , where she will never be able to marry. This is partially to try and protect her from the carnage that Hamlet must suspect will ensue when he eventually takes his revenge, but it is of course interpreted as the ravings of a madman...

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... a character and rises more speculation as to why he is delaying his revenge, not only by the readers but also by Hamlet himself: "That would be scanned," Hamlet feels his revenge needs further consideration under the circumstances that Claudius is praying. He feels that if he kills him at this point his ... avenger of his fathers" death - this is the true Hamlet. Certain facts are clear about Hamlet. He is extremely intellectual; his speech and interests express this, and even though as much as he loved his parents, university had been his chosen place until the Ghost bid him to ... so...

• Word Count: 2036
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... act brashly and with the passionate fury of anger, runs into headstrong dispute. And lastly young Fortinbras combines intelligence with vivacious action to provide the most successful path towards paternal revenge. Through the parallels of these three characters, William Shakespeare proves that the purity of action will determine the outcome of the exploit. The introduction of Prince Hamlet intensifies his malaise ... achieve successful action. Yet Hamlet waits and confronts Ophelia, which adds complication to his mission as she confides in her father, the conniving Polonius. Who in ret...

• Word Count: 1975
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... end of Act One, Scene Five. Hamlet was indecisive on how to channel his emotions into a productive plan. After much thought, he decides that he will seek revenge through Claudius's guilt (Hazlitt). This is shown in Hamlet's soliloquy in Act 2, Scene 2. "Had he the motive and the cue for passion That I have? He ... would drown the stage with tears And cleave the general ear with horrid speech, Make mad the guilty and appal the free .. -More relative than this. The play's the ... . Hamlet's play within a play led him to catch the conscience of the king (Hazlitt). However, when Hamlet had ...

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... do with the murder of old Hamlet. When Hamlet speaks to her about "The Mousetrap", she is predictably annoyed with Hamlet because he has upset Claudius "Hamlet thou hast thy father much offended" but she shows no signs of having a guilty conscience. Her innocence is further proven by the astonishment ... the two on the bed, or in the bedroom, to suggest their sexual relationship what brings out oedipal relationship between Hamlet and his mother. This speech seems to be very effective because it forces Gertrude to admit her faults and even ask Hamlet for a solution to this conflict "What...

• Word Count: 2226
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... his father. This lays the foundation for Hamlet's vengeful intentions. Hamlet is in disbelief of his mothers actions. He does not understand why his mother married Claudius in such haste, causing such internal torment for Hamlet. This leads Hamlet to make a generalization about all women. Frailty, thy name is woman(I, ii, ... his father. Am I a coward(II, ii, 578)? Hamlet never discusses the act of vengeance, only the actor's ability to cleave the general ear with horrid speech(II, ii, 569). Hamlet also displays his low self-esteem in this soliloquy as he describes his immobility. This ...

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... father himself, "But know, thou noble youth,/ The serpent that did sting thy father's life/ Now wears his crown " (1.5.38-40). Later, Claudius is seen giving a speech, acting as if he feels sorrow and remorse over the death of his brother, and former king, Hamlet. It is his doing to deceive the ... faced the consequences with their deaths. Finally, Claudius sets up a fencing duel between Hamlet and Laertes noting that it is to determine who has greater love for Ophelia. As that was told to Hamlet, Laertes was told it was to get revenge for killing Polonius therefore the tip of the sword ...

• Word Count: 1918
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... and depression. In his soliloquy, Hamlet reveals his contempt for his mother's rash and, (as he perceives it,) immoral marriage to his uncle, Claudius. This speech also gives the reader insight to Hamlet's low self-esteem and his great admiration for his father, and likewise, his discontent for his uncle. ... plagued with indecision. Not only can he not decide his own fate, but he also struggles to decide whether or not he should kill Claudius. He wants revenge against Claudius for killing his father, and he is at a loss for his country following the death of his father, who many felt w...

• Word Count: 1324
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... this initial impulse is derived from his embitterment towards his mother for remarrying so soon after his father's death and for selecting her late husband's brother, Claudius, as her second partner. In a witty statement to his closest friend Horatio, he expresses his indignation; "The funeral baked meats/ Did coldly furnish ... then Hamlet's comments about his mother's wedding. It is their behavior in the latter half of each story, which ties these two together. Revenge becomes a common prompt. For Hamlet, this is simply avenging his father's death after much contemplation and indecisio...

• Word Count: 2440
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• Grade Level: High School