... 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

... harshly all his days of quiet/ With turbulent and dangerous lunacy?" (Shakespeare III, i.) The King and Queen called Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to spy on Hamlet who was easily persuaded to do so by bribery of money. This act of theirs helps emphasize the fact that they are two young, and easily ... Although the two do not have a major role in the play, and do not inflict physical or mental harm upon Hamlet, they do open Hamlet's eyes. In the David 4 beginning of the play, Hamlet is angered and frustrated at the marriage of his uncle and mother, and then he is mad at his uncle ... of ...

• Word Count: 1310
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... order to have a tragic fault, the hero/heroin must be an above average character so that when they fall, it seems more dramatic. The first time we see Hamlet lose his level headedness is when he is confronted by the ghost, and threatens Horatio, "Unhand me, gentleman. By heaven I'll make a ghost of him that ... the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or to take arms against a sea of troubles, and by opposing end them-(III:i). Hamlet's solution is that the nobler choice would be to take up arms against his troubles, and by doing so he risks immanent death. This cho...

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

... murder. These topics remain current in modern society, which is the reason audiences and readers empathize with the play and why it has preserved through time. Hamlet is indecisive and analyzes situations along with the consequences yet when put in an emotional turmoil he acts out of passion, which is a common instinctive ... when he states, "A little month married with mine uncle O! most wicked speed, to post with such dexterity to incestuous sheets" (I.ii.147-159). Hamlet is an "idealist" expecting his mother to be above sexual desire. That is why he is so furious with his mother for ...

• Word Count: 1367
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... and the actions of the characters involved, Shakespeare's message about the importance of both reason and passion becomes evident. From the beginning of Hamlet, the reader is thrust into a world where reason and passion both have to be called into question. Shakespeare introduces the supernatural ghost into ... will succumb to the power of fortune. By chance, Gertrude happens to drink the poisoned wine and dies. These fortunate events finally give Hamlet enough incentive to follow through with his plan of murdering Claudius, and of fulfilling the ghost's wish. These irrational events are ...

• Word Count: 1742
• Approx Pages: 7
• 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

... Polonius. Their relationship certainly started out as an attraction, but things began to change after Polonius es disapproval and Hamlets news of his fathers murder. Hamlet pays Ophelia a visit after hearing the news of his fathers death. Very angry, he grabs Ophelia by the arm and gives her a long hard ... the play. The King also becomes suspicious of Hamlets madness and he gets two old boyhood friends of Hamlets, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, to spy on Hamlet. King Claudius tells them about the situation, Something have you heard. Of Hamlets transformation, so call it. (II, II) What ...

• Word Count: 1318
• Approx Pages: 5
• 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
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

... her love. Scolding, "you are the queen, your husband's brother's wife; and -would it were not so!- you are my mother"(III.iv.18-19), Hamlet berates his mother with sharp edged comments showing his lack of respect and his disapproval of her marriage. Angrily thinking, "Ere yet the salt of most unrighteous tears ... his opinion and feelings hers. Saying "Let me be cruel, not unnatural: I will speak daggers to her, but use none." (Act 3, Scene 2, lines 387-388), Hamlet is annoyed with his mother, but cares about her too much to physically hurt her. Although he scolds her often, he loves her...

• Word Count: 1273
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... her love. Scolding, "you are the queen, your husband's brother's wife; and -would it were not so!- you are my mother"(III.iv.18-19), Hamlet berates his mother with sharp edged comments showing his lack of respect and his disapproval of her marriage. Angrily thinking, "Ere yet the salt of most unrighteous tears ... his opinion and feelings hers. Saying "Let me be cruel, not unnatural: I will speak daggers to her, but use none." (Act 3, Scene 2, lines 387-388), Hamlet is annoyed with his mother, but cares about her too much to physically hurt her. Although he scolds her often, he loves her...

• Word Count: 1274
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... a loss for his country following the death of his father, who many felt was a great king. In the lines following his suicide thoughts, Hamlet compares Denmark to an unweeded garden in an attempt to symbolize the corruption within his country which is seeded in Claudius. "Fie on't, ah fie, ... his mother, and thus holds Claudius responsible for not only the loss of his father, but for the problems in Denmark. This only leads Hamlet farther in his misery and intensifies his hatred for Claudius. It also strengthens his desire to murder Claudius, an action he still can not ... follow-throug...

• Word Count: 1324
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... family because their deaths were not the consequences of their own sinful actions rather by the innocent involvement in the schemes of Claudius and Hamlet. Although some may say that Polonius deserved his death because of his sneaky style. Even though all he was really doing was following the ... 's youth. It is to my belief that he would have an easier time living during my time rather than his own. Laertes and Hamlet may be antagonists, but they do exhibit very similar characteristics. They both display impulsive reactions and rash behavior often acting emotionally rather than rational...

• Word Count: 1486
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... ears. Yet I, A dull and muddy-mettled b rascal, peak Like John-a-dreams, unpregnant of my cause, And can say nothing" (2,2,490-502) Hamlet is obviously very upset and even crazed by his inability to express the enormousness of his inner conflict as the actor can so easily show his emotions for ... office, and the spurns That patient merit of th"unworthy takes When he himself make his quietus make With a bare bodkin?" (3,1,70-77) During Hamlet's soliloquy he continually refers to himself in terms of all humanities fears and injustices. We see his mood as being one that is logical and almo...

• Word Count: 1666
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... or reason And draw you into madness? (I, iiii, 69-74) These words of wisdom from Horatio become reality and the ghost of Hamlet's father does tempt Hamlet and eventually leads him over a cliff of self destruction and complete madness. Hamlets psycological state quickly changes from a down to earth scholar ... should in the ground unsanctified been lodg"d. (IIIII, i, 220-223) This quote shows that everyone knew Ophellia's death was an act of insanity. Hamlet's psychological ruins are a result of his fathers death and his mothers marriage, Ophella's are a result of Hamlets ruins, which lea...

• Word Count: 1320
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... right thing to do and whether or not it is justified. Laertes and Fortinbras would probably have got their revenge instantaneously. Shakespeare separates Hamlet from the other characters at the beginning of the play, in order for the audience to realise that he is different from them ... . They are all celebrating the coronation and the marriage of Gertrude and Claudius, whereas Hamlet is left in mourning, making him appear very isolated. He is dressed in black during this time, which makes the play visually dramatic ... .364), but delays this action apparently because he wants Claudius t...

• Word Count: 1685
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... external appearance of things appears to be true when in reality it is the opposite. The actions others expect to see from Hamlet are constantly postponed through questioning, while he tries to obtain more knowledge about what he is currently pursuing; giving him two ... Hamlets first soliloquy is essential to the play because it highlights his inner conflict caused by the tragic events in the play (Coleridge). Hamlet endures pain and anger because of his father's death and his mother's incestuous remarriage, leading him to contemplate suicide for the first ... important illustration of ...

• Word Count: 1397
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... 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 been murdered. Because of this marriage, all the other events occur. Laertes and Fortinbras both wanted to avenge their father's deaths without truly ... In the play, Laertes ends up being killed because of his need to avenge his father's death, which brought him into a death dual with Hamlet. Fortinbras risks his own life to come to Denmark to fight for his land back, a decision made without the backing of his own government, ... men made...

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

... the emotion, and even the characters. It helps the reader gain a better understanding of what the underlining feelings and happenings are in the play. Hamlet's motif is that of both rotting matter and painted faces. These two topics may not seem to be related but there is a connection made in ... it through the same metaphors. Many other characters used the decaying matter to describe different aspects of the decaying morals of the people of Denmark. Hamlet himself described the situation of his mother's marriage almost immediately after his father's death as an " unweeded garden that gro...

• Word Count: 1359
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... middle of action with a question, "Who's there?"(1:1:1) This seems a rather odd line to open a play with, especially as there is no introduction or initial explanation as to what the play Hamlet is to be about. However, what this line does symbolise is the uneasy atmosphere into which the audience is lead and the sense of dread and foreboding that the characters ... stage, there is no clear direction to the play, and the audience is given no real insight into what the play will be about. There has been no mention of Hamlet, who he is, and why a play has been written about him. This prov...

• Word Count: 1515
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... Later, he clearly makes a statement about his mental health when he commits himself to avenge his father's murder. This quote allows the reader to follow Hamlet's train of thought in regards to his role as student, mourning son, and Prince to the throne: "I'll wipe away all trivial fond records, ... would he do Had he motive and cue for passion That I have?" (1078, line 515). In this complement to this player's acting ability, Hamlet is saying that if he were such an actor he would have killed Claudius by now. Therein, lies the struggle between acting, and actual vengeance, ... that pe...

• Word Count: 2118
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

... of his troubled mind was and, also, about what his true intentions are behind any of his actions. This thought is portrayed through Hamlet deceiving Polonius into believing that his love for Ophelia was the root of his madness. Consequently, Polonius went immediately to the king and queen ... needs marry, marry a / fool; for wise men know well enough what monsters / you make of them..." (3.1.138-41). It was also important for Hamlet to be so vulgar towards Ophelia because it would not have been possible for him to continue being a caring loving boyfriend while attempting to avenge his f...

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

... be perceived that Shakespeare intended for the audience to see the true negative nature of madness through these aspects, to show that it cannot be controlled, but it manipulates you. Hamlet's madness is deliberate, and Ophelia's is not. Through these characters Shakespeare highlights the effect of madness and the forms of it. Madness through affection; madness through misfortune. It is ... his hatred of women, and ultimately Ophelia. Peter Hyland stated Ophelia was "An appropriate figure to embody the conflicting tensions of a changing society"(4). Ophelia and Gertrude hold great releva...

• Word Count: 1550
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... find out if Claudius did in fact murder his father for the throne of Denmark. When Rosencrantz and Guildenstern go out to visit Hamlet, Hamlet has a foul feeling for their presence. Hamlet knew that the King and Queen has sent them both to spy on him and figure out if he was really going mad ( ... that did all this is representing Claudius. He then has Horatio spy and observe his uncles every looks and behaviors during the play (III, i.575-576). Hamlet knew that no guilty man sitting at the play could have a clear conscience, for there evil crimes will always live in there thoughts to ha...

• Word Count: 1944
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

... He has difficulties in coping with his fathers sudden death and to see his mother kiss and cuddle her new treacherous husband almost drives Hamlet over the edge. Hamlet, not wanting to offend his mother by telling her about his disapproval, hides his true feelings about the marriage. His disapproval then grows ... understand how to help her lover. "If she had been an Imogen, a Cordelia, even a Porita or a Juliet, the story must have taken another shape. Hamlet would either have been stimulated to do his duty, or (which is more likely) he would have gone mad, or (which is likeliest) he wo...

• Word Count: 1861
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

... school fellows, whom I will trust as I will adder fang"d"(Act 3 scene 4 line 204-205). This foreshadows that the Claudius's plot will be spoiled! and Hamlet will return. Love, honor, and truth are all major themes in the play, and are very clear in Act 3 scene 4. Love is expressed as the Ghost ... must be done to cleanse her soul and give her spirit safe passage. Gertrude shows love also as she comes to the conclusion that Hamlet is insane. To protect Hamlet she promises to keep their conversation private when she pronounces: Be thou assur"d, if no life to breathe what thou hast said to ...

• Word Count: 1332
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School