Hamlet:
- play is based around his character
- avenging his father's death
- reoccurring idea of his youth
- insane? is it an act?
- life is going wrong (Ophelia, Mom, Uncle, kingdom, insanity, personally)
- affair with Hamlet
- portrayed as innocent and pure
- grieves her father's death
- turns crazy
- feels betrayed by her brother for leaving her
- King dies, marries his Brother
- Incest?
- betrayal to husband and son
- Queen with a reputation to uphold
- cares for her son, wants to help him
- Kills his brother
- assumes the crown by marrying the Queen
- wanting to kill Hamlet
- betrays the family
- strong, sturdy personality
Certainty: There are aspects in the play that are always uncertain. Is this character supposed to by acting this way? Is it an act, or is it really? Is there incest? Pregnancy? Suicide? Hamlet is seen to be "crazy" throughout the entirety of the play; it is uncertain if it was an act or if he was actually mentally insane. Ophelia turns crazy after her father passes, but there are some secrets. Some say she was pregnant with Hamlet's child. Some think she just went crazy because she was grieving for her father.
Insanity: Was Hamlet simply mad? He acts crazy and is supposed to be insane, but maybe he was really. When he sees the ghost and the ghost speaks to him is also a sign of his insanity. Ophelia turns crazy and skips around, sings, and is almost ditzy. However, her insanity is always followed by deeper clues.
Death: ALMOST everyone dies. It starts with the King, and then Hamlet to avenge his father. He kills Polonius. Ophelia commits suicide. The king tries to poison hamlet, the Queen gets it instead. Laertes gets killed by the sword. Hamlet makes the king drink the poison, and finally Hamlet falls. Death is seen everywhere all throughout the play.
Motifs
Incest: The Queen displays incest for marrying her husband's brother shortly after death.
Women: Hamlet loses faith in women after his mother betrays their family. Ophelia is told to stop seeing him, and he had loved her. He makes a huge mistrust amongst women in the society.
Quotes
"To be or not to be..." is a very well known quote throughout today's society. It has a misinterpretation of pertaining to a person's well being, goals or achievements. It is in actuality a quote of Hamlet considering suicide. After all the betrayal and insanity going on around him he does not feel the need to live. However, he goes on in order to avenge his father's death.
Hello!
ReplyDeleteNot much to say about this, it looks pretty good! (I especially liked your theme about uncertainty.) You might want to add a more in depth summary though, so that when APs come around you won't have to reread the play!
Erin Donahue
Like Erin said, you did a good job on this one! I do agree that you need more of a summary though. I like that you came up with multiple themes!
ReplyDeleteI really really liked your theme about the uncertainty about some of the actions. It almost makes it better to read the play than to actually see it because when you see it the director makes some of the decisions for you. A summary would be good. You have a little bit of plot in the character summary though.
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