... obliged to avenge his father's murder: "if thou didst ever thy dear father love revenge his foul and most unnatural murder-. Using guilt to lure Hamlet into killing Claudius, the Ghost describes Old Hamlet's murder in detail, therefore influencing Hamlet to hate Claudius passionately as the true horror of the murder is revealed: "And in the porches of my ears did pour The leperous ... , by dictionary definition, a hero. By the end of the play, Hamlet is forced to play his hand in killing Claudius or his opportunity will have been lost forever, and this fact disagrees with Goethe's opinio...

• Word Count: 2372
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: High School

... my death rankly abused: but know thou noble youth, the serpent that did sting thy father's life now wears his crown." (I.v.35-39); and "Let not the royal bed of Denmark be a couch for luxury and damned incest. But howsoever thou pursuest this act, ... rank [in heat] and gross [lewd] in nature [female sex] possess it [sexually] merely [ 'merrily', lecherously]." (Hull.uk). Furthermore, Hamlet is dominated by disgust for his mother's sexuality to an exaggeration; which according to T. S. Eliot is "a feeling which he cannot understand remains to poison ... like Polonius. In short, hi...

• Word Count: 1979
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

... revenge his foul and most unnatural murder" (1.5.25). Hamlet is shocked when the ghost tells him that his father was murdered. Hamlet is even more stunned when the 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. ... away. Ophelia becomes mad after her father's death. Whether or not she was mad because her father died, or because the m...

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

... thy commandment all alone shall live Within the book and volume of my brain - (I, v, 100-104) With this statement, the play makes a transition. Hamlet gives up the role of a student, and commits himself to nothing else but the revenge of his father's death. There is no confusion and certainly ... says, -O, my offence is rank, it smells to heaven; It hath the/ primal eldest curse upon't,/ A brother's murder."" (III, iii, 37-39) The way Hamlet thinks, is clearly abnormal, but it does not necessarily make him insane. What makes him insane is his inability to act, or at least act sensibly .....

• Word Count: 1433
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... At the end of the play young Fortinbras has more than succeeded in his plans. He sits upon Denmark's throne with the kingship handed to him by young Hamlet who proclaims: "But I do prophesy th'election lights on Fortinbras; he has my dying voice- (Vii.334-335). While young Fortinbras has his revenge ... is already dead at the hands of his brother, Claudius "the serpent that did sting thy fathers life now wears his crown- (Iv.38-39). The ghost of "Hamlet, King, father, royal Dane- (Iiv.45) tells the young Prince that poison was poured into his ear such that the "whole ear of ... the fina...

• Word Count: 1437
• Approx Pages: 6
• 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 The serpent that did sting thy father's life Now wears his crown." (Act I, scene V, page 41, l.37-39) A Company of players arrives at the castle. Hamlet hoping to assure himself of the guilt of Claudius, arranges for them to perform The Murder of Gonzalo, which he alters to fit...

• Word Count: 1643
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

... or charitable, thou com'st in such a questionable shape that I will speak to thee: I'll call thee Hamlet, King, Father, royal Dane: O, answer me!- (Act I, Scene IV, Line 39-45) In this speech by Hamlet, it is quite clear that he is unable to make a decision. Even though this spirit is right in ... front of him and has done nothing to either Horatio or the other men who have seen him, Hamlet is still unable to automatically assume that ... decision too quickly. The first, and most disastrous one, would be the Queen's marriage to her brother-in-law only two months after King Hamlet had be...

• Word Count: 1494
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... strikes and Barnardo notes, subtly referring to the sentiment of Denmark, that "tis bitter cold, and I am sick at heart" (I.1.8). Since the beloved King Hamlet has died and the Queen remarried, the morale of the people is low, and cold. The act continues, and the Ghost appears out of the dark ... his canon against self-slaughter." He further notes of the world as being "stale and flat", further examples of the pale images Shakespeare conveys. Later, Hamlet adds how "some vicious mole of nature" (I.4.24) can destroy the reputation of a nation or individual. He concludes how a tiny amount ...

• Word Count: 1339
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... of the body And with a sudden vigor it doth posset And curd, like eager droppings into milk, The thin 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 ... ghost's speeches indicates that he is not what he claims to be. Rather, he has come as a tempter to pour 'poison' into Hamlet's ear. Hamlet is a revenge tragedy, a common genre in Shakespeare's day. As with other theatrical genres, the revenge tragedy had certain conventions that could not ... into a pitiful emotional spiral t...

• Word Count: 1931
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

... which other people are harmed, for ones own well-being. In Hamlet, Shakespeare indicates that people who deceive with noble intentions will be rewarded, whereas people who deceive with ignoble intentions will endure suffering. This theme is developed through Shakespeare's play Hamlet, using leading characters showing noble and ignobles traits such as Hamlet and Polonius, as well as King Claudius, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern ... who solely demonstrate ignoble actions. The play Hamlet begins with deception as Claudius has killed his brother, King Hamlet, in order to take power and the lov...

• Word Count: 1918
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

... an eccentric individual whose mood changes erratically throughout the play. Using his quick thinking and puns, Hamlet expresses his feelings about certain situations. Hamlet's character portrays the most important and influential role in the play. Throughout the play, Hamlet experiences an immense amount of anger due to the circumstances in ... /So grace and mercy at your most need help you. (I v 190-202) In this quote the audience come across the irrational Hamlet. Accordingly, Hamlet has decided it will be better to act mad in order to be deceiving. No one is too know he is not truly ...

• Word Count: 1315
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... 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. In order to put on an ... antic disposition," (Shakespeare 1625) Hamlet's decision to act mad seems a bit strange after reading Hamlet and seeing how it ended. In the ... Polonius since what he said described Polonius. A funny part of this is that Hamlet says that Polonius has a lack of wit while Hamlet is actually us...

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

... using a similar dilemma to create a constant as if he was performing an experiment. Personality, philosophy, purity, and action all equate to consequence. The result of these characteristics is determined by the amount in which they are used. If one is out of balance then the outcome has dire consequence resulting in chaos and mayhem. In Shakespeare's "Hamlet ... Here he tries to outwit them with determining their true reason of appearing. Thus creating another obstacle that taints the purity pf Hamlet's cause. He is now concerned with deceiving his family and friends instead of committi...

• Word Count: 1975
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

... the course of the play. As "insanity" was undoubtedly a striking characteristic of the personality which drove Hamlet's actions in the play, the causes of "insanity" must be analyzed in order to fully understand Hamlet's character. In fact, Hamlet may have been feigning insanity, using madness as a mask to protect him from Claudius's fury at him. Behind the mask, is hidden the secret of King ... have grounds More relative than this. The play's the thing Wherein I'll catch the conscience of the King." Here, Hamlet shows that he cannot trust the ghost because the ghost could be the devil,...

• Word Count: 1516
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... involved with foreign affairs, while places like Norway are trying to take back land that they rightly lost. He simply does not have time for his son. Hamlet probably did not know his father very well. A lot of his life seemed to be spent away from home at boarding schools across the continent. His father ... if he doesn't know much about Claudius at all. He soon takes a disliking to the new father, mainly due to the suspicion of foul play. Surprisingly Hamlet is able to sense shenanigans going around without the ghosts help. While still dressed in black for his father's funeral he is al...

• Word Count: 1894
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

... the course of the play. As "insanity" was undoubtedly a striking characteristic of the personality which drove Hamlet's actions in the play, the causes of "insanity" must be analyzed in order to fully understand Hamlet's character. In fact, Hamlet may have been feigning insanity, using madness as a mask to protect him from Claudius's fury at him. Behind the mask, is hidden the secret of King ... have grounds More relative than this. The play's the thing Wherein I'll catch the conscience of the King." Here, Hamlet shows that he cannot trust the ghost because the ghost could be the devil,...

• Word Count: 1469
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... act, a hint of doubt over Hamlet's sanity will be ingrained in the audience's mind. The first time we see Hamlet after he decides to put on his "antic disposition" is later in the scene, when Polonius is sent to find out what he can about him. Hamlet, using his antic disposition as cover, ridicules ... him: Polonius: Do you know me, my lord? Hamlet: Excellent well; you are a fishmonger ... . Poloniuse: Not I, my lord. Hamlet: Then I would you were so honest a man. Polonius: Honest, my lord? Hamlet: Ay, sir; to be honest, as this ... he must take action. Polonius tries the same trick a...

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

... very intense and the power of it is seen in the language the characters use. Hamlet has dedicated more of his time and energy to the salvation of his mother, rather than taking revenge on Claudius. By using his crazy new attitude and anger, he is trying to convince her that she should ... to set the record straight. The beginning of this scene marks a return to material images of death; as opposed to the non-material ghost of Old Hamlet. Hamlet is confronting death directly rather than metaphysically when he handles Yorick's skull. For the first time, the skull is real, it is in his ha...

• Word Count: 1900
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

... garden (and generally a natural part of life), he feels that the weeds have grown out of control and now they have possessed him entirely. Hamlet is using weeds to describe the problems in his life. He feels that his problems are out of control, just as weeds are in a garden. After ... more by reason than hysterical emotion. Unable to do little but wait for completion of his plan to 'catch the conscience of the king,' Hamlet ignites an internal philosophical and ethical argument on the advantages and disadvantages of existence, and whether it is one's own right to end his or ... . His ...

• Word Count: 2110
• Approx Pages: 8
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... 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 intentions, for example, cold-hearted murderer. Polonius appears to be a loyal servant to his ... enjoys spying and probing around someone else's business. He appears to be a trustworthy and caring father when in reality, he is incredibly selfish, hypocritical, and carries dishonorable intentions. And finally, Hamlet ap...

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

... have been more like the prince of Denmark before his father's murder. However, within this jovial and perhaps slightly too good-natured behavior we see Hamlet's underlying malaise - he needs to prove his Claudius" guilt. "Had he the motive and cue for passion, That I have?" (Act2, Scene2 ... Hamlet's acceptance of the command to revenge his father this dislike turns to hatred. "O, villain, villain, smiling, damned villain!" (Act1, Scene5) He also burns with a great shame and jealousy that his mother shares such "incestuous sheets". However, Hamlet is careful to mask his feelings from his...

• Word Count: 2354
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: High School

... , and be a villain". To the audience this could look like the ghost is suggesting that Hamlet feign madness in order to avenge his father. However we do not ever find out truly if Hamlet is mad or simply feigning it. The audience is aware that Hamlet may be using madness as a cover in order to get people to let their guard down when talking ... to him. Hamlet's appearance changes also after he becomes "mad". For example Ophelia describes Hamlet coming to see her "with his doublet all unbrac ... "d, no hat upon his head, his stockings foul"d". This appearance could also be seen as a sign ...

• Word Count: 2360
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: High School

... of his father: "Tis sweet and commendable in your nature to give these mourning duties" By using the words "sweet" and "commendable" Claudius appears to be compassionate and tactful. He praises Hamlet for fulfilling his duty as a son and offers his condolence. His methodical and logical nature of ... that the mourning process occurs because it has to - not because the mourning is genuine. The theme of appearance and reality again surfaces. Claudius discounts Hamlet's genuine grief and decides that his sorrow is "impious stubbornness". "A heart unfortified, a mind impatient, an understandi...

• Word Count: 1997
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

... vial, 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 ... 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 unable...

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

... right-(I:iv) to seek vengeance. This request by the ghost puts Hamlet in an hardnosed situation. For he must revenge his father's death, knowing that it will certainly lead to his downfall. From this point on Hamlet begins to wear a "mask of madness- using insanity as scapegoat to insure that even if he caught he will ... not be put to death. This mask falls into one of many double binds that Hamlet must face. Even if he is not put to death ... and is pardoned from committing the crime, he is still locked up for life. We can see Hamlet's ... pipe? Call me what instrument you will, thoug...

• Word Count: 1406
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School