Hamlet is a tragedy concerned with tension and anxiety until the end of the play. The world of searches, judgement, revenge, love, death, and other themes are very well developed. Although it is important to highlight that revenge is the central theme. Death is another important aspect since there are no less than nine deaths in the play, one before it begins and eight during the course of the action. .
In Shakespeare's time, poets used death as an element to call public attention and make them attracted by the tragedies. .
The first death that takes place in the play is caused by Claudius who kills Hamlet senior, his brother, in order to marriey Gertrude and be crowned King. Claudius" actions toward Hamlet senior created numerous and unforseen consequences which spoiled the whole reign of Denmark. .
But it is especially the prince himself, Hamlet, who is responsible for the enormous interest of the play. .
Hamlet is informed by the ghost of his father that he has been murdered by the man who is now King of Denmark and new husband of Hamlet's mother. After informing this to Hamlet the ghost charges him to avenge this murder. At that moment, Hamlet accepts without hesitation but the rest of the play is concerned with Hamlet's process of revenge-taking. Hamlet becomes afraid of the request of the ghost because he is in doubt if it could be a demonic or heaven-sent apparition. .
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 more nearly the circumstances of his father's death.
