Claudius and Hamlet Claudius & Hamlet, would the inhumane and sick character please step forth. Upon reading the sampling of Hamlet criticisms in John Jump's Hamlet (Selections) I disagreed with a few of the critics, but my analysis was the most different from Wilson Knight's interpretation. ... Although Knight's views of Hamlet and Claudius are almost the extreme opposite of my interpretation, I understand how he developed this interpretation. ... Although I see the validity of Wilson Knight's interpretation of the play, I disagree with his views. ... However, Hamlet does ...

• Word Count: 2834
• Approx Pages: 11
• Grade Level: High School

Hamlet's ability to be re-contextualized is due to its universal themes and unique characterization, allowing for multiple interpretations throughout the plays lifespan. ... This is evident in Act 1, in which Hamlet's love and passion for his father naturally positions him to be inferior to King Hamlet's apparition. ... Modern interpretations are influenced by the growing understanding of psychology and therefore analyse Hamlet's intentions, yet Shakespeare's audience would have characterized him as a hero of the revenge tragedy. ... Following the Elizabethan interpret...

• Word Count: 1435
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Is Hamlet's Madness Genuine? ... The main character of this play, Hamlet, has been subjected to numerous interpretations and studies; his actions and thoughts have been analyzed again and again. The question of Hamlet's essential sanity has become a major issue in the interpretation of this play. Is Hamlet truly insane, or is it all an act? ... Another example of Hamlet's possible sanity is that while Hamlet does see and talk to a ghost, Horatio, Hamlet's rational friend, does the same. ...

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The Female Hamlet The idea of a women acting has Hamlet is not incredibly new. In 1899 Sarah Bernhardt took on the role of Hamlet. ... In 1920 a female Hamlet was produced with the belief that Hamlet could never have been a man due to Hamlet's procrastinating tendencies. This comes from a Victorian interpretation of Hamlet that could trace its roots to Edward P. ... Fatma Girik's Hamlet of 1977 casts Hamlet as a female who is raised as a male. ...

• Word Count: 468
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• Grade Level: High School

William Shakespeare wrote Hamlet in 1602. It has been performed and directed more times with more interpretations than perhaps any other work in the English canon. ... While this interpretation would be warmly received by those sympathetic with Sigmund Freud, it radically distorts the play. ... Critics have long wondered why Hamlet does not immediately kill Claudius for the murder of Old Hamlet. ... Hamlet worries that the devil has sent the ghost to trick Hamlet into murdering Claudius unjustly. ...

• Word Count: 1039
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• Has Bibliography

Thesis In the play "Hamlet", by William Shakespeare, Hamlet is sane because he plans his actions very rationally, is well aware of his surroundings, and  he admits to wanting others around him to think he is insane.    ... This demonstrates how clever Hamlet is as he does not kill Claudius despite of having the upper hand. ... Another interpretation can also conclude that Hamlet is sane because he does not start a conflict with the army for passing through his land, representing that Hamlet is aware of his surroundings and the repercussion of his actions. ... Thus, Hamlets awareness of his...

• Word Count: 799
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• Grade Level: High School

"Hamlet," by William Shakespeare, is one of the most widely read dramatic works of the English language. It has gained critical acclaim as a great classical work of literature and has appeared within multiple interpretations, making Hamlet an extremely provocative story transcending cultural significance and appeal through generations. ... One, where she is genuinely going to change her behavior, or what I tend to believe more from my personal interpretations of the text, which is that her question simply reflects her conflict between husband and son, reason and conscience, in her wish to ple...

• Word Count: 1062
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

The Royal Deceit and Hamlet have their differences but all in all they seem have their basic goal covered, which is to portray the awry, clever Hamlet and his tragedy. Franco Zeffirelli's interpretation of "Hamlet" with Mel Gibson is a bit physical and upbeat. ... A scene that is unfamiliar to the original film would be at the wake of Hamlet's father where Hamlet, Gertrude and Claudius confront each other over the coffin. ... In the Royal Deceit we see how they focus more on the Ophelia -Hamlet relationship as oppose to Mel Gibson's version of which the focus is on mother-Hamle...

• Word Count: 440
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Hamlet fears that if he murders Claudius while he is praying he will go to Heaven, a place where Hamlet's father never had the chance to go. ... Not only does this soliloquy reveal the continuing conflict of Hamlet choosing to murder or not; but, it has now inflated this conflict to Hamlet only being able to put Claudius to death while he is being sinful. ... Additionally, Hamlet's inability to control his thoughts backfires on him. ... Additionally, the audience is presented with the unpleasant nature of the murder of Hamlet Sr. when Hamlet is speaking about Claudius and says, ""...

• Word Count: 843
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Hamlet - The Anti-Coward An extended question that arises in Hamlet is: why is there a delay in the actions of the Prince? ... Remember me Hamlet: So, uncle, there you are. ... At first interpretation one could assume Hamlet is scared to actually live up to his word, but at second examination it can be seen that Hamlet is aware he can not kill the King now for many reasons. ... The first three acts of Hamlet bring Hamlet much grief and traumatic experiences that most people could not face. ... Hamlet is a hero. ...

• Word Count: 992
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

Upon first reading, Hamlet's soliloquies provided me with the insight into Hamlet's religious and social milieu. ... Hamlet's various plans educe a sense of intelligence, with Hamlet confiding in his trustworthy companion, Horatio, that he will "put an antic disposition on" and it is through Horatio, as a sounding board for Hamlet, that the audience is revealed of Hamlet's plans to avenge his father. However, Hamlet vacillates in the play, exuding a sense of uncertainty shown in his encounter with the ghost of Old Hamlet. ... " While various interpretations ...

• Word Count: 1105
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• Grade Level: Undergraduate

In the process of being made into a film, many works of literature may be changed according to the interpretations of directors, actors and audience. Shakespeare's plays are always open to interpretation; this is seen clearly through several movie versions of his famous play Hamlet. ... In Branagh's version of Hamlet, the ghost is portrayed as a feared figure that instigates fear in Hamlet and is the main driver for Hamlet to avenge his father's death. ... As in the play, when Horatio and Hamlet first meet up, Horatio tells Hamlet about the ghost on the battlements. ... When Ha...

• Word Count: 1209
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• Grade Level: High School

How is the character of Hamlet presented? ... The character of Hamlet seems to stand by itself. ... Certain facts are clear about Hamlet. ... What do Hamlet's soliloquies tell us about him? ... In the text there is no clear evidence of the "murder" until Claudius confesses his sins to God and also his reaction to the players interpretation of Old Hamlets death. ...

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• Grade Level: High School

Hamlet has the mind of a true thinker. ... According to this interpretation, Claudius becomes an embodiment of Hamlet himself, and thus Hamlet is unable to kill, in a sense, his other self (Stearns 267). ... Others say Hamlet hesitates due to Sigmund Freud's theory that Hamlet has an Oedipal complex. ... Hamlet. ... "Hamlet and Freud." ...

• Word Count: 1772
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• Grade Level: High School

In William Shakespeare's Hamlet, we are introduced to the character, Hamlet who is by far one of the most intriguing and yet elusive characters ever presented in history. ... All of these aspects nevertheless intertwine to produce Hamlet. ... Hamlet does play numerous roles throughout the play. ... Therefore the soliloquies are used to provide the reader at discovering the intimidate thoughts of Hamlet and also providing "direct access to the real Hamlet." ... Hamlets age is open to interpretation; however he is often known to be in young adulthood, since he returns from university studi...

• Word Count: 1574
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• Grade Level: Undergraduate

In Shakespeare's Hamlet, the theme of corruption and decay is a recurring theme that is explored through the use of time and place. ... " It is through the creation of a central, unpleasant location of Denmark within the founding scenes that Shakespeare is able to craft an interpretation of corruption with Hamlet. ... Shakespeare's uses a progressive timeline and Hamlet's madness to identify corruption within Hamlet as a character. ... Time and place is further used to influence and corrupt Hamlet's once romantic relationship with Ophelia. Hamlet describes his love w...

• Word Count: 782
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• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Laertes vows revenge on Hamlet. Fortinbras vows revenge on King Hamlet. ... Hamlet also suspects murder. ... Hamlet's relationship with Gertrude is affected greatly by the death of King Hamlet. ... Polonius does not like his daughter seeing Hamlet and forbids her to talk to Hamlet. ...

• Word Count: 2360
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• Grade Level: High School

Imperfection is innate to the human condition and it is exemplified in "Hamlet." ... The intense personal relationship of Gertrude and Hamlet is constructed in a form in which Hamlet's fixation is provided little context, allowing for the development of speculative interpretations. ... However, just as critical interpretations gain favor throughout history, Gertrude's perceived corruption can be validly interpreted as motivated solely by sincere innate human desire. ... All mortal existence, no matter how prestigious the individual, is subject to utter decay, a rebuking of religious ...

• Word Count: 875
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: Graduate

Question Is Hamlet primarily a tragedy of revenge? ... Response There are multiple ways to interpreter Hamlet. An interpretation is based on experiences and morals by the individual, and Hamlet is a character in which the meaning of his action depends on the individual's interpretation. ... The interpretation and comprehension of the play is probably quite different today, and the original essence of the play might have changed throughout the 400 years. ... As a result of this there is no concrete interpretation of the play. ...

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• Grade Level: High School

Questions As a group, compare the interpretations of one of the key soliloquies in the play, "Hamlet," from the individual films you watched over Reading Week. How does the character of Hamlet interact with the viewer? ... We felt that this was slightly over-dramatic of our expectations of Hamlet but effective nonetheless. ... To similar effect, although we found this a very weak and ineffective adaptation of Hamlet and the insanity and struggle of his character, was Laurence Olivier's version (GB, 1948). Again, Hamlet was the focal point of the shot, heightened by the dull background, fu...

• Word Count: 718
• Approx Pages: 3
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

This belief was very prominent in the Franco Zeffirelli interpretation of the play. ... However, the age varies in many interpretations of Hamlet. In the interpretations by Kenneth Branagh (1996) and Zeffirelli (1990), Hamlet can be seen as somebody who looks exceptionally old. However in the more recent adaptations of Hamlet, such as Doran's interpretation (2009), the prince looks far younger. ... In many interpretations of Hamlet on screen, they depict the wanting the action of taking one's life to come true, but some are very dramatic like in an actual play, and some seem life lik...

• Word Count: 1825
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

The play "Hamlet" is one of the greatest works of William Shakespeare. ... It also shows that the murder is making him paranoid; he fears everything Hamlet is doing and desperately wants to have Hamlet out of his way. ... Hamlet is a very complex and a multilayered character. ... The complicity of the character leaves both options open to interpretation. ... " – Hamlet Act I, Scene V, Line 170-180. ...

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

It almost is like Hamlet committed suicide, because he and Laertes were in such remarkably similar frames of mind. ... Fortinbras now has control over the kingdom, as Hamlet's dying wish was to let Fortinbras be king. ... Why let Fortinbras, a man who, again, mirrors Hamlet so brilliantly, take a throne he was on his way to usurp? ... Hamlet, whether willingly or unwillingly, based on interpretation, sacrificed the lives of his entire family, his lover, and a good portion of the court (and almost the entire cast of characters), only to die himself at the end, and leave a foreign power in ...

• Word Count: 653
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

"Hamlet" begins much the same as any other previous revenge play, with the visits from the ghost of King Hamlet and his requests of Hamlet to avenge his death. ... In "Hamlet", Shakespeare actively rejects this expected plot line and focuses instead on Hamlet's delay and struggle to take action, as opposed to the actual act of vengeance. ... Hamlet is so intent on making sure Claudius is guilty he employs actors to preform a play to the court, reenacting the way Claudius supposedly murdered King Hamlet as told by the ghost. ... After hearing of his fathers murder, Laertes actively seeks i...

• Word Count: 1503
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• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Although Hamlet is not a completely irrational character, the ghost evokes enough emotion to stir Hamlet's soul and gear him towards murder. ... Although there may be a variety of factors why Hamlet does not kill Claudius instantly, it may be argued that Hamlet is displaying rational behavior, and this rational behavior keeps him from bloody murder. ... One way in which readers and scholars of Hamlet have interpreted the significance of both reason and passion in the play is by shaping the interpretation with various philosophies throughout history. 17th century Romanticists may see Hamle...

• Word Count: 1742
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School