...Hamlet and Horatio enter a hall in the castle. Hamlet is in the middle of telling Horatio his experiences since he left for England with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Hamlet recalls that that the first night he crept from his cabin and located the cabin of the two agents where he found the sealed packet containing Claudius' instructions to the English King. When he returned to his cabin, and opened the packet, he discovered that Claudius had ordered that Hamlet be beheaded in England. Acting quickly he wrote new instructions requesting the English king to execute the agents who brought the commission. The prince folded up the instructions just as the original ones were folded, sealed them in the packet with the seal on his father's...
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...In Shakespeare’s classic tragedy, Hamlet, there are several sets of foil characters. The foils, similar but different to their more prominent counterparts, highlight the worse and the better in those characters. The most obvious foil would, of course, be Laertes to Hamlet--they have different views and sides, but are both violent men who seek revenge for their fathers’ murders. However, there are also foils within the side characters: in this case, we see Horatio, a devoted servant and companion to Hamlet, and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, hands for the opposing side. Just as with any foils, they have clear differences, but are quite similar in their roles. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern act as a foil to Horatio in their role as the corrupt version...
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...In William Shakespeare’s “The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark” the characters Hamlet and Laertes are character foils. Both are young men whose fathers have been murdered and who set out to avenge and restore their family honour. The contrast of Hamlet and Laertes’ initial reactions to their fathers’ death, their journey of revenge and their actions taken to restore family honour are two very different paths. Prince Hamlet, the protagonist of the works, is portrayed as a very sensitive and intelligent character. It is clear that his mother Queen Gertrude and Uncle Claudius, now King, do not share his open grief of his fathers’ death. By marrying the queen and taking the throne for himself Claudius has quickly taken full advantage...
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...Adhikari Mr. Lee AP English Period 5 26 May, 2015 Hamlet Final Essay There are many instances in which the protagonist’s key traits are highlighted in the behavior of another character. In the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare, nearly every character is a foil to Hamlet in some way but three men stand out amongst the crowd. Young Fortinbras, Laertes and Claudius are all faced with problems that are similar to situations that Hamlet faces, and yet the reaction of each man in varies from Hamlet’s own methods of dealing with the same issues. The character of Young Fortinbras is the foil that is most similar to Hamlet in regards to the circumstance. Hamlet’s father has died, murdered by the hand of his own brother; therefore discarding Hamlet as heir to the throne. Similarly, Young Fortinbras is the prince of Norway and his father is murdered by Hamlet’s father so therefore, his uncle has unjustly stolen the throne from him. Hamlet is spending time merely contemplating revenge, while Fortinbras is leading an army in an attempt to reclaim the land that is his. Hamlet is a man of words while Fortinbras is a man of action. After Hamlet sees Fortinbras planning for revenge, he wishes for his “thoughts [to] be bloody, or be nothing worth” (86). Even while wishing for revenge, Hamlet wishes for his “thoughts” to be violent, not his “actions”. Fortinbras’ desire for action with which to avenge his father is the catalyst that Hamlet needs to catapult himself out of this state of inaction...
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...Not all the foils of Hamlet included by Shakespeare were used to demonstrate negative aspects of Hamlet’s character. Shakespeare also utilized King Claudius as a foil to Hamlet which allows for the elucidation of Hamlet’s positive qualities such as his values of honesty and loyalty. King Claudius and Hamlet both depict similar traits throughout the play that allow them to be compared as foils to each other. One of the reasons often mentioned when the cause of Hamlet’s procrastination is discussed is the fact that Hamlet may have realized just how similar he is to his uncle. In terms of the oedipal complex developed by Sigmund Freud, it is thought that perhaps Hamlet subconsciously had desired to murder his own father as a means of obtaining...
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...Nick Greco English 12 Ms. Norton 5/18/2014 Hamlet Essay In the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare, there are many central ideas. Two central ideas that are developed in Hamlet are revenge and action vs. inaction. Throughout the play, Hamlet has trouble making decisions even though he is set on avenging his father's death. These central ideas interact and build on one another over the course of the play. Hamlet expresses revenge when he says, “Let not the royal bed of Denmark be a couch for luxury and damned incest” (Act 1.5, lines 109-110). Hamlet is saying how he wont let his uncle, Claudius get away with killing King Hamlet and marrying his mother. Hamlet displays action vs. inaction when he says, “Like a John-a-dreams, unpregnant of my cause” (Act 2.2, line 595). This means that Hamlet has not done anything to get revenge on Claudius yet. Revenge and action vs. inaction build on each other because revenge drives Hamlets decisions to either take action or not throughout the play. At the end of the play revenge interacts with action vs. inaction when Hamlet finally decides to take action. After Hamlet sees Fortinbras’s courage, he decides to take revenge when he fences with Laertes. Hamlet takes action by finally killing Claudius when the chance presents itself. In Hamlet, Shakespeare uses many literary devices. One literary device is foil. Fortinbras is a foil to Hamlet because Hamlet is a coward and indecisive at times unlike Fortinbras. Both characters are similar...
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...common motivation for characters in a story. In Hamlet by William Shakespeare it is a motivation for the characters Hamlet, Laertes, and Fortinbras. In the play all three characters lose their fathers in by acts of murder, which causes the characters to want get vengence on those responsible. Having different personalities the audience gets to see different approaches and outcomes to the same situation by the three characteres. By the end of the story they are characters who ultimately reach their goals in similar but different ways as avengers. First looking at the character Hamlet, the audience can see a change of the character throughout the play, because of this it allows the audience to think about the character state of mind, based on the actions he takes throughout the play. At the beginning of the play we see that Hamlet is very saddened by the sudden loss of his father, only to find out after meeting the ghost of his father that his death was not a cause of age but murder, which was committed by the new king who has taken power, his uncle Claudius “ The serpent that did sting thy father's life Now wears his crown.” ( Shakespeare I.v, 7). Gaining this information from the ghost of his father we see where Hamlet wants to avenge his father which is proven by his soliloquy, “ that one may smile and smile and be a villain” (Shakespeare I.v, 63), “ now to my word...” ( Shakespeare I.v, 63). It is from this point we see that Hamlet starts to plan out his revenge by putting on...
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...Hamlet: Literary Essay NAME: _______________________________ As part of this unit’s summative, you will be required to write a literary essay on an element related to Hamlet. Here are some points you will need to consider and be aware of: • Your essay will be 5 paragraphs (typed, 12 point font, double‐spaced) • Your essay MUST include specific and direct proof from the play Hamlet • Your essay will focus on ONE of the following topics • Your essay must be proofread and free from grammatical errors • Your essay must follow MLA citations and include a Works Cited list • Follow the guidelines and requirements, as stated in the rubric • Submit a rough copy, polished copy, and rubric on _________________________________________________________ SAMPLE TOPICS: 1. Describe and explain the ways in which Laertes is a foil to Hamlet’s character. 2. Was Hamlet truly mad, or did he fake his madness? Explain fully. 3. Describe and explain the roles played by Rosencrantz, Guildenstern and the gravediggers. Explain the purpose each one of these characters serves in the play, and explain whether or not their roles are vital in the play. 4. Describe and explain the treatment of the female characters in Hamlet. Do these women “get what they deserve”? Explain, using specific details from the text to support your arguments. 5. “Suspicion always haunts the guilty mind.” Defend or refute this statement, using specific details to ...
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...Shakespeare uses the motive of corruption throughout the entire play. It starts with Claudius Hamlet’s uncle calling Hamlet’s mourning for his father a crime against heaven further tainting it with egocentric selfishness and pride. Throwing the guilt trip at Hamlet, demanding that he think about him as his new father. Corruption again reveals itself in the chat between Ophelia and her brother Laertes. He asking her to refrain from falling for the seductive ways of Hamlet. Acknowledging g his good advice she reminds him of his sinful debouched lifestyle frolicking with the court’s virgins. Polonius Ophelia’s father makes matters worse as he in his misguided corrupted perception of who Hamlet is and does his worst to destroy Ophelia’s and Hamlets...
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...Cause and Effect Hamlet Essay William Shakespeare, arguably the greatest language in the English language and England’s national poet, has written numerous histories, tragedies, comedies and poems. Throughout his plays, his use of dramatic irony, immaculate word choice and wording, and his vast imagination has made him a successful playwright even in his time. Shakespeare’s scripts for his theatrical company, needed to pertain to the needs and fascinations of the Elizabethan audience. It is safe to assume that all his sonnets, poetic speeches, electrifying action and soliloquies in his play were created for the delicate and quickly appreciative of language Elizabethans of his time. A particular example out of the many soliloquies present in the tragedy of Hamlet is the beautiful and moving speech in Act IV, Scene IV (IV, iv, 35-70) of Hamlet depicting his admiration of Fortinbras and his disappointment in himself. The poetic loving audience is noticeably the cause while this splendid speech, along with the many others, is the effect. This soliloquy is a mere example of Shakespeare’s disgust for the political manipulations of his time, the acceptance of murder, and the change of self brought on by others. In the brilliant vocalization of Shakespeare’s feelings through the speech made by Hamlet, it is evident that Shakespeare despises the waste of lives due to war without justification. Perhaps, knowingly that the audience would share this view or dissentient of lives lost...
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...Hamlet The prince of Denmark, and a student at the University of Wittenberg. At the beginning of the play, Hamlet’s father, King Hamlet, has recently died, and his mother, Queen Gertrude, has married the new king, Hamlet’s uncle Claudius. Hamlet is melancholy, bitter, and cynical, full of hatred for his uncle and disgust at his mother for marrying him. When the ghost of Hamlet’s father appears and claims to have been murdered by Claudius, Hamlet becomes obsessed with avenging his father’s death but keeps thinking of reasons why he should wait before killing Claudius—then chastizes himself for failing to act boldly. Hamlet is a character of contradictions. He admires characters like Fortinbras and the Player King, who behave passionately and even violently for no good reason, but is himself thoughtful, reflective, and philosophical. At times Hamlet is indecisive and hesitant, but at other times he is prone to rash and impulsive acts of violence. Claudius The king of Denmark, Hamlet’s uncle. The villain of the play, Claudius is a calculating, ambitious politician, adept at manipulating others for his own ends and willing to execute, assassinate, or murder to stay in power. He doesn’t understand Hamlet or Hamlet’s motives, but he is quick to perceive Hamlet as a threat and take decisive action against him. Claudius does occasionally show signs of remorse and human feeling—his affection for Gertrude, for instance, seems sincere. Gertrude The queen of Denmark, Hamlet’s mother...
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...Essay #4 Revenge causes the characters in Hamlet to act blindly through anger and emotion, rather than through reason. It is based on the Old Testament principle of an eye for an eye; this action is not always the best means to an end. Fortinbras, Laertes, and Hamlet were all looking to avenge the deaths of their fathers. They all acted on emotion driven by the want for revenge for their father's deaths, and this led to the downfall of two, and the rise to power of one. Since the heads of the three major families were each murdered, the eldest sons of these families felt that they needed to take some kind of action to avenge their father's deaths; this need to bring honor to their respective families was ultimately the demise of Laertes and Hamlet. To set the background we will start with Hamlet himself. Hamlet is the prince and heir to the Danish throne, under the King, his father, also Hamlet. His father has recently enjoyed a wildly successful military campaign against the King of Norway and actually killed King Fortinbras in a one on one battle to the death. By doing this, he is made a clear target of Prince Fortinbras, the son and soon-to-be-king of Norway. Also looking at his recent successes is his brother Claudius, who allegedly plots to kill the elder Hamlet in order to steal wife and Kingdom. Once the deed is done, Hamlet is visited by a ghost who explains the plot of Claudius. In order to divert attention, Hamlet begins to act as though he was mad. An idea...
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...Act IV-A: To Kill, That is The Answer Through Hamlet’s soliloquy, the concern of human action reinstates the focus of the play. In scene iv of act 4, Hamlet stumbles upon the Norwegian captain which serves as a reminder that Fortinbras is still present within the play. He is shown as Hamlet’s foil and points out the willingness to take action that Hamlet lacks. In Hamlet’s soliloquy, it is clear that he is both awestruck as well as ashamed of himself when reflecting on the daringness of Prince Fortinbras. Fortinbras not only dedicates his energy and risks his own life, but also risks the lives of thousands of soldiers, in order to claim a small, worthless piece of land. When hearing of this, Hamlet begins to understand that he is over-thinking,...
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...In the play Hamlet, written by William Shakespeare, the protagonist Hamlet must overcome his internal conflict to live or die. The famous “to be, or not to be” soliloquy by Hamlet reveals that he is contemplating to commit suicide. However, Hamlet’s mind is pulled in conflicting directions, one is the obligation to revenge his father’s death and the other is the motivation to end his life along with his worries. The conflict within Hamlet contributes to the meaning of this play because Hamlet questions the underlying question of what the purpose of life is and what will happen with death. Old King Hamlet had died and Hamlet continues to mourn his father’s death while losing track of time. His father’s ghost who told Hamlet that Claudius killed his father visited him. Hamlet is aware that he must revenge for his father by killing Claudius, the man who betrayed his brother and bed with his brother’s wife. In Hamlet’s soliloquy “to be, or not to be, that is the question…,” we can see that Hamlet faces an internal conflict. Hamlet does not want to live because life is too troublesome and tortuous. If Hamlet were to end his life, then he would be able to end his worries. Hamlet questions if he should live or die. However, if Hamlet chose to end his life, then he would be unable to fulfill his filial responsibilities to his father. Hamlet would be a coward if he selfishly chose to free himself from the torments of life. Although Hamlet wants to end the unhappiness he feels in his life...
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...Shakespeare proficiently brings together the main plot and sub-plots of the play, and moves rapidly towards the final resolution. Shakespeare decided to set corruption in Elsinor, a royal castle in medieval Denmark. Prior to the first act Hamlet’s mother, Queen Gertrude is widowed to King Hamlet. When this tragedy starts, we are introduced to Marcellus, Bernardo, and Francisco who guard the castle at night. While on watch an apparition of King Hamlet appeared to them and they then knew something was wrong, the question was what should they do. Once hamlet learns of his father’s return, he at once insists that he go on watch to witness his father’s appearance. The following night Hamlet’s father does appear and commands Hamlet to avenge his death. Hamlet’s father tells him of the corruption that has taken place behind the walls of Elsinor. He informs Hamlet of his uncle’s rage and what it has lead him to do. He tells Hamlet of the serpent who stung him, and how he goes by the name of Claudius. Hamlets composure wit, and strength would know be tested to their limits. What could Hamlet do, what would he do? A clever wit and common sense are his only hope to avenge his father’s death. Hamlet then lives in madness and by that madness hopes to force Claudius to confess his sin. Act One is considered to be a link in the revenge plot sequence, which is commonly known as the main plot. Act One distinguishes relationships between all of the characters in the play, and carefully develops...
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