... 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
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

... 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
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

... , 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...

• Word Count: 1952
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

... Hamlet's "antic disposition- is used "as a device for seeming mad- (162). This strategy gives Hamlet a chance to find proof of Claudius' guilt and to contemplate his revenge tactic. Although he has sworn to avenge his father's murder, he is not sure of the Ghost's origins: "The spirit that I ... suspicions about the legitimacy of Hamlet's madness lead to his death when Hamlet stabs the "arras- in the mistaken belief that the eavesdropper is Claudius. Hamlet's soliloquies, his confidences to Horatio, and his elaborate plans are by far the most convincing proof of his sanity. Throughout t...

• Word Count: 1834
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... 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
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

... 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
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: High School

... 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
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

... when thou see'st that act a-foot, 80 Even with the very comment of thy soul Observe mine uncle: if his occulted guilt Do not itself unkennel in one speech, It is a damned ghost that we have seen; And my imaginations are as foul 85 As Vulcan's stithy. Give him heedful note; For I mine eyes will ... he would have to test his beliefs and reenact them because if he was right he would be proved right because Truth is unchanging. As it is, Claudius was not the only one hiding from Truth and her light. Hamlet hide behind the mask of madness to deter and cloud the understanding of his state of ....

• Word Count: 1504
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... quot; remains constant throughout the play. All the characters appear to be one thing on the outside, yet on the inside they are completely different. King Claudius, Hamlet's uncle, appears to be a caring, modest and just man on the outside, but he is using his loving personality to mask his true selfish ... finally, Hamlet appears to be mad and insane, but really he is using his madness to hide his true intentions of seeking justice/revenge for his father's murder. King Claudius, Polonius and Hamlet all share the common quality; appearing something what they are not in reality, which eve...

• Word Count: 1361
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... Gertrude, reveals the lack of respect he has for his mother. This is best portrayed when he is shattered by his mother's repugnant decision to marry Claudius so soon after her husband's death. Gertrude's decision is not entirely based on love, rather the need for a dictator. Hamlet, in his soliloquy, ... is forced into confrontation with Hamlet in her chamber. Hamlet enters her chamber blind to the fact that Polonius is secretly present, gathering details for Claudius. Polonius says, "He will come straight. Look you lay home to him. Tell him his pranks have been too broad to bear with ...

• Word Count: 1456
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... He also had motive for putting on the contrivance as it would disguise his investigation of his father's strange death and his plans for revenge against his uncle Claudius if he found him to be guilty. After Hamlet witnessed the appearance of his dead father's ghost and heard what the spirit had to ... wrong Laertes, / Then Hamlet does it not, Hamlet denies it. / Who does it then? His madness..." (5.2.230-33). Hamlet's pursuit of the truth and revenge was much better accompanied by madness rather than sanity which gave Hamlet a clear motive to fabricate insanity in the play. In the midst ...

• Word Count: 1678
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School