... ghost tells him "the serpent that did sting thy father's life / now wears his crown" (1.5.39-40). Hamlet learns that Claudius murdered his father by pouring poison in his ear. With all of the things Hamlet was already upset about he now had an even bigger problem to face, avenging his father's death. With this ... Claudius right away. Ophelia becomes mad after her father's death. Whether or not she was mad because her father died, or because the man she loved (Hamlet) is the one who killed her father is uncertain. Ophelia just walks around the castle singing tunes that do not make any s...

• Word Count: 1604
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... an outlet in general for the tremendous stress his obsession causes within him. She is a convenient target because, being a woman who loves him, she does not fight back against Hamlet (in addition, Hamlet's insanity also prevents her from doing so). In addition, the straining of his love bond towards Ophelia, although a form of estrangement, helps to pre-empt the even greater psychological ... since, having previously confronted Gertrude with the premises of Claudius' crime, she apparently failed to respond to these premises with recognition of them and contempt for Claudius. Ultimately...

• Word Count: 3498
• Approx Pages: 14
• Grade Level: High School

... all forms, all pressures past... And thy commandment all alone shall live Within the book and volume of my brain, Unmixed with baser matter. (I.5.99-104) Hamlet seems to decide with determination that he will "wipe away" all of his memories of "youth", and all "past pressures" so that the ghost's "commandment ... opinion of society, and perhaps in his own mind, he would be committing the highest act of treachery. This is very important with respect to Hamlet's indecision and resulting isolation since his duty to the monarchy and to society is in direct conflict with his duty to his dead ...

• Word Count: 1891
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

... if she did it (killed his father), he just wants his "mommy" back; this is due in part to his Oedipal feelings. Proof of Hamlet's hostility and manic behavior observed by his remarks to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern about his mother's message that she wants to speak to him. His remarks ... and upsetting, unlike some of his other witticisms, to be humorous and they appear to be very like manic behavior. Another interesting point is that Hamlet compares himself with Nero, who killed his mother and also had an incestuous passion for her (Charlton, 67). The Emperor Claudius was Nero's step ......

• Word Count: 3265
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• Grade Level: High School

... night Been thus encounter"d: a figure like your father Armed at point exactly, cap-a-pie, (I,ii 196-200) Horatio's care for Hamlet is seen here. He makes sure that Hamlet is aware of the apparition, and the events surrounding the appearance of his father's ghost. Upon hearing the news of the appearance ... (I,iiii, 71-78) Horatio wishes only the best upon his friend Hamlet. He truly fears the safety of Hamlet, and expresses his concern through this quote. Horatio not only cares for Hamlet, but Hamlet also cares deeply for Horatio as well. Hamlet knows that it is only Horatio that truly do...

• Word Count: 1781
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

... to act through anger instead of acting through reason. Its foundation is on an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. Hamlet feeds off the death of his father to seek revenge. Hamlet's revenge was one of personal revenge. Hamlet's father, the king, died and his Uncle Claudius married his mother, Gertrude. The marriage took place during the mourning period and raised ... to Claudius. Claudius gained the crown and the kingdom. This was the motive for Claudius to murder the king and a foundation for Hamlet's revenge. Claudius stole what was rightfully Hamlet's. Hamlet behavior was erratic...

• Word Count: 1136
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... And in the porches of my ears did pour "i(Act 1:5 60-63) The ghost has come back seeking revenge on Claudius. He is using Hamlet to get back at Claudius for killing him for taking over the kingdom and his wife. Trust is not shown between the two brothers, showing that sometimes ... tragic interaction with his family. It shows how people resort to killing their own family member to get what they want but, do not deserve it. Hamlet is talking to himself about his uncle's reaction to the play: "With most miraculous organ. I'll have these players Play something like the ... An inability una...

• Word Count: 1278
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... the king's secrets. They both try to hide their thoughts and feelings from each other to deflect suspicion of knowing information the other doesn't. Hamlet's madness is an act to help hide his true emotions from Claudius which helps to plot against him. Claudius tries to hide his guilt of ... uses to deceive the king's mind. By making the king go insane, he is able to learn about Claudius' true feelings towards murdering his father. Hamlet explains the process of his plan by telling Horatio; "The harlot's cheek beautied with plast'ring art,/ Is not more ugly to the thing that ... case ...

• Word Count: 1146
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• Grade Level: High School

... for revenge. Crying for his father is probably a more natural reaction than the inclination to kill. In the last act, Shakespeare's idea of the nature of revenge is very clear. Hamlet and Laertes had lost their lives by taking revenge into their hands. Fortinbras, who did not avenge his father, gained a kingdom. His actions were rewarded, and his father's death ... was avenged without the tragedy that Hamlet and Laertes experienced. "Fortinbras is the man of the hours, the representative of a restored political stability" (David Bevington). Fortinbras acted commendably and was recompense...

• Word Count: 1080
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• Grade Level: High School

... / Have by the very cunning of the scene/ Been struck so to the soul that presently/ They have proclaimed their malefactions."(II, ii, 601-604). Hamlet wanted to make the king feel his guilt so he would confess to the death of his father: "I'll have these players/ Play something like the murder ... delaying so much and is putting on this play instead of just getting it over with. His thoughts have kept him from achieving his plan once again. Hamlet's thoughtfulness is not always a bad trait for him in the play. It helps him through hard times, helps him figure out more about what is ... g...

• Word Count: 1897
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

... to kill Claudius, yet he always comes up with some excuse preventing action. Throughout the play we see many different aspects of Hamlet's personality by observing his actions and responses to certain situations. Hamlet takes on the role of a strong character, but through his internal weaknesses we witness his destruction. First and foremost, after ... for his father's murder. He then thinks up the Murder of Gonzago to verify the truthfulness of the ghost and also to allow himself more time to think. Hamlet says: If his occulted guilt Do not itself unkennel in one speech, It is a damned...

• Word Count: 1177
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• Grade Level: High School

... that matter? A ruler needs to be very trustworthy, honest, hard working, fair, forgiving and intelligent. Especially where there is a king, as in the play Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, because a king is in charge of the whole community. He has to keep in mind all of his subjects as he makes tons of ... leader. It was Claudius" obsession for control and power that ruined a great kingdom. The question left to be answered however is this, would Hamlet have made a good king? Hamlet possessed many qualities that would have made him a suitable king. First of all, his father was the king, s...

• Word Count: 1928
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

... He can be thought of as a person who is mentally strong and stable. He doesn't doubt or question himself unlike Hamlet. I believe Hamlet admires Fortinbras for those two qualities. Hamlet himself questions whether or not the ghost of his father was tangible. He has to put on a play in front of ... mouths at the invisible event.'' (Lines 48-50, Act 4 Scene 4). He admires him for not being afraid of death. However, in Act 4 Scene 4, Hamlet reflects on a sick society when he learns of Fortinbras' attempt to capture worthless land from Poland. But seeing Fortinbras' army in front of him, he c...

• Word Count: 1548
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• Grade Level: High School

... Ghost: "I am thy father's spirit" (Act I, scene V, page 41, l. 9) Ghost: "Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder." ( Act I, scene V, page 41, l.25) Hamlet: "Haste me to know't, that I, with wings as swift (...) May sweep to my revenge." (Act I, scene V, page 41, l. 29-31) Ghost: "But know, thou noble youth ... which is where souls go if they hadn't confessed recently and clearly themselves of sin. After the play, Gertrude wants to talk to Hamlet about her disappointment. Hamlet, who is very angry because of Claudius" involvement in his father's death and also her marriage with the Kin...

• Word Count: 1643
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• Grade Level: High School

... the way to England. (He stole the letters that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern were taking to the King of England, which instructed the king to kill Hamlet. Hamlet, our hero, immediately wrote out several new letters and sealed them using his signet. The new letters ordered that the two men accompanying him should ... managed make Laertes fumingly irate. The clever incident with the arranged killing of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern is the point in which Hamlet melts pure thought Hamlet and pure action Hamlet into one superhero. Hamlet is growing up. Not only is he learning to take smart deci...

• Word Count: 942
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... . The Fortune Wheel is the belief that a man on top will soon be on the bottom; a man that has it all will soon fall. This happens to, Hamlet, the tragic hero of the play. Usually the tragic hero of a play lacks description, but luckily during the Renaissance era Humanism was developed. Humanism allows readers to get ... didn't think that he was the right person for the job of murdering his uncle. "Oh cursed spite that ever I was born to set it right!" (I.v.210-11). Hamlet cannot decide when to kill Claudius. He had the chance to kill Claudius, but he decided not to. "Now might I do it, ...

• Word Count: 1069
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• Grade Level: High School

... heaven. He puts himself in a situation where he can easily accomplish his intention of killing the King. As he was standing behind the King, with sword in hand, Hamlet says to himself, "Now might I do it pat, now he is praying;/ And now I'll do't: and so he does to heaven:/ And so I ... gaming, swearing, or about some act/ That has no relish of salvation in't:" (3.3.90-93) in order for Claudius to go to hell, where Hamlet thinks he belongs. Hamlet expresses that if he were to kill Claudius while he was praying, it would not truly be revenge, "O, this is hire and salary, not revenge ... ...

• Word Count: 1120
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• Grade Level: High School

... he is only acting insane to convince others he is yet he actually has complete control of his mind. The second point to proving Hamlet's sanity was in Act 3 Scene 2. Hamlet plans out what the performers are going to perform which was call the "Mousetrap." The mousetrap was a play that was performed ... of what emotions are and uses it to his advantage, which is something an insane person would be to foolish to comprehend. Later in that scene Hamlet does what he told Horatio and observes King Claudius while he is watching the play. The book then says while the play in being performed and ....

• Word Count: 1097
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• Grade Level: High School

... this. What is he hoping to accomplish by acting mad? Also, how can we tell the difference between his antic mask and his real madness? Hamlet's questionable state of mind can be explored throughout the play using his actions and the reactions of those around him who bear witnesses to his madness. ... the play he puts on his antic mask and pretends not to love her. Polonius thinks he can mend Hamlets madness by getting Ophelia and Hamlet together. When Hamlet meets her he suspects he is being spied upon so he gets angry and acts even more crazy, "I say, we will have no more ... a foul dise...

• Word Count: 1402
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... proving the murderer and is often perceived as mad. He is no longer very logical and over analyzes situations always thinking and never acting. Hamlet 3 represents the Hamlet who is aware of Claudius" guilt. He is brash and full of anger and passion. His actions often occur with little or no premeditation ... , yet he always acts. It is almost a foil of Hamlet 1, his original self. The murder of the King strikes Hamlet at a very personal level. Being an intellectual person, when he drives himself near mad with obsession, it is one of ... the desired deaths have occurred along with some ...

• Word Count: 754
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... And as a result, his lack of action only adds fuel to his tragedy. His inaction causes tragic actions to occur. Throughout the play Hamlet seems incapable of deliberate action. When it comes to killing his uncle Claudius, the new king of Denmark, the same man who murdered his ... 1 where he debates about his sins and the afterlife (1492 1-89)? I contend they are further exhibits of his extreme emotionality. I believe that Hamlet suffered profound emotional depression (possibly understandable, given the situation as we are shown it) and because of this he struggled greatly when it came ...

• Word Count: 1642
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... to his most trusted confident, Horatio, when he says "Thrift, thrift, Horatio! The funeral bak'd meats did coldly furnish forth the marriage tables."" Hamlet's madness and confusion is partially the result of his inability to end his mourning over the death of his father. So long as the task of ... you are. Now to my word: "It is Adieu, adieu, adieu, and remember me."" I have sworn't. Andrews explains the significance of this passage in relation to Hamlet's mourning and confusion by saying: This is a crucial and dreadful vow for many reasons, but the most important, as Freud places us i...

• Word Count: 1047
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• Grade Level: High School

... change could be as serious as the loss of a parent. A permanent change such as this could alter your perception of life itself. In Shakespear's Hamlet, the main character suffers the devastating loss of his father and he seems to change, alter, and ultimately fall into a deep depression. Seems is the ... this, Hyperion to a satyr, so loving to my mother, That he might not beteem the winds of heaven.""(Act 1, Scene 2, lines 139-141) Hamlet is also very sensitive and emotional. He feels his father's death very deeply and his hurt is only amplified by the quick remarriage of his mother to ...

• Word Count: 1079
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• Grade Level: High School

... Antiquity forgot, custom not known, The ratifiers and props of every word, They cry, "Choose we! Laertes shall be king!"" (Shakespeare, Hamlet, IV, v, 96-104) The way both Hamlet and Laertes deal with there problems will eventually lead to their deaths which could have been easily averted if they had went about their ways ... puts a very lethal poison on the end of it so all he has to do is scratch Hamlet and he will die. Laertes accomplishes his little mission on killing Hamlet and says, "Laertes: It is here, Hamlet: Hamlet, thou art slain: No medicine in the world can do thee good, In...

• Word Count: 1071
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• Grade Level: High School

... decides to wait until the king is taking part in an action of sin to kill him. Only then, will he receive absolute fulfillment for himself. Hamlet and Laertes are similar in the way that they both appeared to lose control and go mad due to the fact that someone intentionally their fathers. After ... no more marriages. Those that are married already, all but one, shall live. The rest shall keep as they are. To a nunnery, go (3.1. 158-161). Hamlet is saying to Ophelia that he is declaring that there will be no more people getting married because he has had enough weddings in his life alre...

• Word Count: 1084
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School