Characters Hamlet – religious and philosophical, thinker not doer, moral character, scruple, multidimesional Claudius – King of Denmark, killed Hamlet’s father to usurp the throne. Decisive and manipulative.
Gertrude – wife of Claudius and former wife of Hamlet’s father. Smart and sneaky. Polonius – father of Ophelia and Laertes, subservient, want to win favor of King, spy, verbose Laertes – Ophelia’s brother, hot-headed, honorable man, likes to party, easily manipulated by king Ophelia – unintelligent lover of Hamlet, physical relationship. Daughter of Polonius.Horatio – Responsible, caring friend of Hamlet Fortinbras – Prince of Norway, hot-headed and military man, doer, not thinker (foil to Hamlet) Rosencranz and Guildenstern – Hamlet’s old friends who spy on Hamlet at the king’s request (backstabbers) Themes What does Shakespeare think of revenge? Looking for vengeance is self-destructive, and those who don’t seek revenge end up benefiting.
What does Shakespeare say about being a good leader? A great leader takes action quickly, but only when it is wise and opportune to do so. What does Shakespeare say about staying true to one self? “To thine own self be true” – Polonius said to Laertes) Non-vile characters who are true to themselves end up having fulfilling lives. (no idea?? ) -Hamlet is not true to himself (this is his flaw). He is an educated and religious man not capable of being a murderer.
-Fortinbras stays true to himself (as a military man), and ends up benefiting. -Laertes stays true to himself (as an honorable man), and forgives Hamlet at the end, squealing on Claudius) -Claudius is true to himself, but has no honor. Idea of Hamlet as a Classical Tragic Hero Tragic flaw: elevated character who falls from great height -Too religious and philosophical, not a hothead -He is a sweet man, not a murderer “To be, or not to be: that is the question. ” – Hamlet says we continue living because we are scared about what would happen if we kill ourselves.
Motifs -Motif of Sanity/Insanity -Hamlet & Ophelia -Motif of Acting -Hamlet, Gertrude -Motif of Vengeance -Hamlet (filial piety), Fortinbras, Laertes, Claudius -Motif of suicide: “to be or not to be” -motif of religion: Hamlet is hesitant to kill because he fears going to hell. Motif of misogyny -Motif of planning -Poor planning (Hamlet’s harebrained plans: no endgame) King’s revelation of guilt = turning point Devices -Elizabethan Echo: everything goes wrong if someone does something wrong (like karma) -Soliloquy, aside dialogue: used to characterize -Hamlet expresses true feelings -use of royal pronoun (we) -Business Diction between Claudius and Gertrude -Ghost as character or plot device? -Conflict: Hamlet & Claudius, Hamlet vs. self -Hamlet as mirror of what other people want -Players as mirror of larger play Metaphor of death as sleep -Foil: -Claudius’ lack of religion/Hamlet’s religion -Hamlet is a thinker, Claudius is man of action -Hamlet is overly moral with low self-esteem, while Claudius is amoral and pragmatic. -Fortinbras is hot-headed and follows orders (Foil to Hamlet) -Irony: Claudius wasn’t praying, Hamlet could have killed him -Tone, puns, poetic language -Crisis, catharsis -Deus ex machina Questions: -Is it better to act on an emotion or think about it? oIt’s hard to kill a human being after time passes.
Examples 1.Hamlet’s soliloquy about his mother being pathetic for marrying Claudius Tone: bitterness, anger, sorrow, grief FORESHADOWING SOMETHING BAD TO COME 2. Business Diction between Polonius and Opelia “my lord” (respect for father? ) Tenders, woodcocks (dumb birds), maiden presence0 3. Hamlet insane or acting? Hamlet ignores his friends and goes to look for ghost (strong and firm) “something is rotten in the state of Denmark” 4.
Hamlet’s major inner conflict/tragedy: he is not a killer! “The time is out of joint. O cursed spite that ever I was born to set it right! ” 5.Claudius as manipulative and decisive “your son” vs “our love for him” Gertrude calls him “my lord” Tells hamlet “your dad died, move on” Tells Laertes “you must avenge your dad” ? Sets them against each other 6. Laertes is not religious (I will kill him in the church), Claudius is not religious (couldn’t pray) 7. Eye for an eye ? religious killing Seneca Tragedy Roman Tragedy Versions or imitations of Greek tragedies but notable for their recurring use of the motif of vengeance, as well as descriptions of blood and murder.
Seneca also introduces supernatural with elements such as the ghost.
