...''Themes are the fundamental and often universal ideas explored in a literary work.'' Or “The main subject that is being discussed or described in a piece of writing, a movie, etc.” Theme is a word having etymology from the Greek, "placed" or "laid down". Its origin is 1250–1300; Greek théma proposition, deposit, akin to tithénai to put, set down. In contemporary literary studies, a theme is the central topic a text treats. Themes can be divided into two categories: a work's thematic concept is what readers "think the work is about" and its thematic statement being "what the work says about the subject". The most common contemporary understanding of theme is an idea or concept that is central to a story, which can often be summed in a single word (e.g. love, death, betrayal). Typical examples of themes of this type are conflict between the individual and society; coming of age; humans in conflict with technology; nostalgia; and the dangers of unchecked ambition. A theme may be exemplified by the actions, utterances, or thoughts of a character in a novel. An example of this would be the theme loneliness in John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, wherein many of the characters seem to be lonely. It may differ from the thesis—the text's or author's implied worldview. A story may have several themes. Themes often explore historically common or cross-culturally recognizable ideas, such as ethical questions, and are usually implied rather than stated explicitly. An example of this...
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...The Theme of Hamlet - Revenge In Hamlet, Shakespeare created three revenge plots; all of the revenges involve a son seeking vengeance for the death of a father. Revenge has caused the downfall of many people. In my opinion, revenge is a very dangerous theory to live by. It will consuming ones nature and causes one to act recklessly through anger rather without any reason. Throughout Hamlet, revenge is a dominant theme. Prince Fortinbras, Laertes, and Hamlet all seek to avenge the deaths of their fathers. But in doing so, three of them rely more on emotion than thought, and take a very big risk, the risk which eventually leads to the downfall and death. In Act 1 Scene 1, Shakespeare was written about Prince Fortinbras's attempts to reclaim the land his father lost to Old Hamlet and that is the first of three revenge plots in the play. King Fortinbras was killed by King Hamlet in a sword battle. This entitled King Hamlet to the land that was possessed by Fortinbras because it was written in a sealed compact. "…our valiant Hamlet-for so this side of our known world esteemed him-did slay this Fortinbras."(Hamlet, Act 1 Scene 1 Lines 85) Prince Fortinbras was enraged by his father’s murder and sought revenge against Denmark. He wanted to take back the land that had been lost to Denmark when his father was killed. "…Now sir, young Fortinbras…as it doth well appear unto our state-but to recover of us, by strong hand and terms compulsative, those foresaid lands so by his father lost…"(Hamlet...
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...Hamlet Theme Quotes Order vs Chaos Have you had quiet Guard (Barnardo, 1.1.10) This bodes some strange eruption in our state (Horatio 1.1.72) The source of this our watch, and the chief head / Of this post-haste and rummage in the land (Horatio, 1.1.109-110) Sickness and Decay And I am sick at heart (Barnardo, 1.19) …Upon whose influence Neptune’s empire stands, / Was sick almost to doomsday with eclipse (Horatio, 1.1.122-123) Something is rotten in the state of Denmark (Marcellus, 1.4.90) And in the porches of my ears did pour / The leperous distilment, whose effect / Holds such an enmity with blood of man (Ghost, 1.5.63-65) Revenge Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder (Ghost, 1.5.25) Haste me to know’t, that I with wings as swift / As meditation or the thoughts of love / May sweep to my revenge (Hamlet, 1.5.29-31) His [Fortinbras] fell to Hamlet. Now, sir, young Fortinbras, / Of unimproved mettle, hot and full, / Hath in the skirts of Norway here and there / Shark’d up a list of lawless resolutes / For food and diet to some enterprise / That hath stomach in’t which is no other, / As it doth well appear unto our state, / But to recover of us by strong hand / And terms compulsatory those foresaid lands / So by his father lost (Marcellus, 1.1.98-107) Reason vs Passion Thou know’st tis common: all that lives must die, / Passing through nature to eternity (Gertrude, 1.2.73-74) Or that the Everlasting had not fix’d / His canon ‘gainst self-slaughter. O God! O God! (Hamlet...
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...Hamlet Final Essay What do you think makes Shakespeare’s Hamlet such a powerful and enduring play? Thesis William Shakespeare’s Hamlet (1603) explores the intrinsic aspects of humanity creating a powerful and enduring play by subverting the audiences’ expectation of a revenge tragedy play. Shakespeare enables universal anthropological appreciation through the emphasis on the thematic concerns of: the mystery and transcendental nature of death, clouded grey areas in between the dichotomy of good and evil morals, and the twisted manipulative nature of human behaviour. Therefore, through critical study of the play, Shakespeare augments and connects to the audience’s perspective and interpretations. Body Topic sentence 1. Overarching idea i. Point ii. Quote iii. Technique iv. Elaboration Sample Sentence Linking sentence (concluding sentence) Body 1 – Death Death is the inescapable reality of human life as explored in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the fact that the living world is made of death and decay is visible anywhere there is life. 1. Hamlet’s bereavement over his father i. Bereavement is an inescapable reality in which all humans must endure. ii. “But I have more within which passes show – These but the trappings and the suits of woe” iii. Rhyming couplet iv. To reinforce Hamlet’s underlying argument to his grief over the finality of his father’s death. Bereavement is an inescapable reality, exemplified when Hamlet says...
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...crazy; however there is a reason to them. Polonius also says: "Though this be madness, yet there is method in't" (2.2.203-204). This quote clearly shows that Hamlet is crazy, but there is reason behind his craziness, and sure enough there is. The question always remain whether Hamlet is crazy or not, but there is no denying Ophelias madness. Both of them have tragic events occur in their lives. Ophelia is asked to stay away from Hamlet from her father; she then gets rejected by Hamlet, tricked into giving up her virginity, and worse of all her father is killed by her ex lover. Ophelia starts singing about her father's death, Hamlets trickery and all the tricks of this world. To be singing after the death of your father shows there is something wrong with you: "A document in madness" (4.5. 175-176). Hamlet does not completely lose it after the death of his father but keeps his calm and mind focused on his plan. Also, Hamlet constantly talks about suicide throughout the play: "To be or not to be, that is the question" (3.1. 156). But he never actually goes through with killing himself, unlike Ophelia who does end up committing suicide. Shakespeare uses Hamlet to illustrate the complex workings of the mind, and how one must use deception in order to deceive others to get to the truth. In a way we all can relate to Hamlet. We decide on our own unique methods to overcome whatever problems lie in our way, maybe the methods may not be right, but we believe them to be right. That...
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...idea of friendship is an important theme that has been explored and explained through countless stories and books over time. Shakespeare's Hamlet is no exceptions as the character Hamlet has unique relationships with Horatio as well as Rosencrantz and Gildenstern which dictate different types of friendships. Hamlet seems to have a genuine relationship with Horatio and trusts him while his interactions between Rosencrantz and Gildenstern show another story. He is more suspicious of them and knows that they are working for the king and queen so he isn't always honest with them and ends up turning on them. These two types of friendships show the idea of a real friend and someone playing the part or befriending someone to gain something else....
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...Compare the techniques used by Shakespeare to develop the theme of guilt in key scenes in both Macbeth and Hamlet. Guilt is defined as the remorseful awareness of having done something wrong. It was not unusual for Shakespeare to feature a lot of conflicted emotion in his plays, a favourite emotion for Shakespeare to right was guilt and therefore features heavily in his plays; Hamelt and Macbeth included. The use of guilt is often used to make the audience feel sympathy for the character or to change their perspective on the character as a whole; it is also used to drive the plot of the play and to create an atmosphere within the play. Macbeth showcases a lot of guilt to change the tone and atmosphere of the scene and to show how guilt affects religion and beliefs. For example in Act 2 Scene, after Macbeth has killed King Duncan, the audience finds him struggling with the guilt he feels. Shakespeare shows Macbeths guilt through his inability to say ‘Amen’ which would have previously come easily from him. But after killing Duncan Macbeth believes God has turned his back on him because he committed the biggest sin- Regicide- and have gone against the divine right of kings and so would no longer be under the protection of God. Furthermore, in his mini-soliloquy in Act 3 Scene 1 Macbeths says the murder of King Duncan “put rancours in the vessel of my peace”. This shows he is being tormented with a constant reminder of his crime and sins and this can be perceived as guilt coming...
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...writing depth and makes it something to remember. In fact, it is the very concept that makes Hamlet stand out from other pieces of literature. The intense struggle between the two main characters make it one of Shakespeare’s most well-known pieces of writing. From beginning to end, two characters have the power to create, mould and exemplify countless themes throughout Hamlet. The fierce conflict between Claudius and Hamlet is essential to develop the action and inaction, revenge, the impossibility of certainty and appearance vs. reality themes. The contrast between action and inaction is emphasized between Claudius and Hamlet due to the conflict between these two characters. To begin, Claudius sends Hamlet to an almost certain death immediately after he suspects Hamlet’s knowledge of his father’s murder. Quickly, he confides in Rosencratz and Guildenstern that, “[Claudius likes Hamlet] not, nor stands it safe with [everyone] / [t]o let his madness range” (III.iii.1-2), and demands, “therefore prepare you. I your commission will forthwith dispatch / [a]nd he to England shall along with you” (III.iii.3-4). It seems Claudius proceeds impulsively, however his calculated and rapid actions are the key to the development of the theme of action. Claudius smoothly uses “[Hamlet’s] madness” as the source of his nephew’s departure, though it is his own safety that concerns Claudius. Next, Hamlet cannot find the strength to kill his father’s murderer throughout most of the play. ...
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...August 8, 2013 Is Hamlet Primarily a Tragedy of Revenge? The play Hamlet has several occurring themes, romance, sex, madness, suicide, or even death. It is a very famous play written by Shakespeare in the early 1600's, which is also known for the many different perspectives it gives readers. Despite all these themes being present in Hamlet, Shakespeare may have intended another topic to be the prominent theme in this tragedy. The main event which sets the story, is the murder of Prince Hamlet's father, King Hamlet. The ghost of King Hamlet tells his son to seek out his killer and avenge him. The most primary theme in the tragedy of Hamlet is definitely revenge. The idea of “an eye for an eye” revenge is demonstrable in several circumstances in the play, since Hamlet swears to carry out revenge on his uncle Claudius, Prince Fortinbras of Norway vows revenge on the state of Denmark, and Laertes swears revenge on Hamlet. During the onset of the play, a ghost appears to Hamlet, and claims he is his deceased father, and that he was murdered by Hamlet's uncle Claudius in order to steal the throne of Denmark. It is evident the ghost wants Hamlet to seek revenge, since he tells hamlet he must do it by his command: "So art thou to revenge, when thou shalt hear"(1.5.7). The ghost also reminds Hamlet his purpose on multiple occasions. Hamlet is very distraught at the thought of his mother marrying his...
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...Horatio, to watch with them. When he sees the ghost, he decides they should tell Hamlet, the dead King's son. Hamlet is also the nephew of the present King, Claudius, who not only assumed his dead brother's crown but also married his widow, Gertrude. Claudius seems an able King, easily handling the threat of the Norwegian Prince Fortinbras. But Hamlet is furious about Gertrude's marriage to Claudius. Hamlet meets the ghost, which claims to be the spirit of his father, murdered by Claudius. Hamlet quickly accepts the ghost's command to seek revenge. Yet Hamlet is uncertain if what the ghost said is true. He delays his revenge and begins to act half-mad, contemplate suicide, and becomes furious at all women. The Lord Chamberlain, Polonius, concludes that Hamlet's behavior comes from lovesickness for Ophelia, Polonius's daughter. Claudius and Gertrude summon two of Hamlet's old friends, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, to find out what's wrong with him. As Polonius develops a plot to spy on a meeting between Hamlet and Ophelia, Hamlet develops a plot of his own: to have a recently arrived troupe of actors put on a play that resembles Claudius's alleged murder of Old Hamlet, and watch Claudius's reaction. Polonius and Claudius spy on the meeting between Ophelia and Hamlet, during which Hamlet flies into a rage against women and marriage. Claudius concludes Hamlet neither loves Ophelia nor is mad. Seeing Hamlet as a threat, he decides to send him away. At the play that night, Claudius runs...
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...Hamlet, In spite of a prejudice current in certain circles that if now produced for the first time it would fail, is the most popular play in our language. ~ G.H.Lewes. The distinctive concerns of a time and place construct the foundation and shape meaning in a text. The Shakespearean play of Hamlet is an enduring play as the themes introduced in the play by Shakespeare are closely parallel and touch on with the intricacies of human conditions. Shakespeare’s Hamlet is complex play where numeral themes are intertwined. These themes reinforce the development of a revenge tragedy. Without any doubt, the most essential theme present in Hamlet is revenge. Revenge is a frightening bloodthirsty emotion which forces individuals to act blindly. This aspect of revenge is explored through the play by Shakespeare creating the idea in which Hamlet seeks to avenge the murder of his father, King Hamlet, by Claudius. In a typical revenge tragedy, a revenger craves and takes his revenge, leaving himself in a vicious cycle of ongoing revenge. However Hamlet is quite different, “prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell, / must like a whore unpack my heart with words” As instead of taking revenge he talks about it. William Shakespeare very effectively uses soliloquies to accentuate character traits and to reinforce specific themes in his play. A soliloquy spoken by hamlet in act 3 clearly portrays his character flaws and reinforces...
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...Ross ENG4U July 17, 2016 The Theme of Appearance vs. Reality The famous play Hamlet, written by William Shakespeare, is a very successful tragedy filled with love, conflict and dishonesty. A tragedy is described to be a play that is serious, and has a very sad ending, usually involving the death of the main character. This specific tragedy begins with the main character, Hamlet, feeling a great deal of sorrow from the loss of his father, and his mother’s re-marriage. Soon after these events occur, the ghost of his father explains to Hamlet that Claudius killed him. Claudius was not only Hamlet’s uncle, but also his mother’s new husband. From this point on in the play, the plot explodes with conflict. The characters conceal their true intentions, to figure out what the other characters are really thinking. Throughout the play, it is proven that one of the major themes is appearance versus reality, due to the characters Hamlet, Claudius and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern hiding their own realities from the other characters. Primarily, appearance versus reality is a key theme in the tragedy, due to the illusions Hamlet creates throughout the play. At the beginning of the play, everyone thinks Hamlet is depressed over the loss of his father, King Hamlet. Though this is true, Hamlet is most upset about his mother getting re-married to his uncle Claudius. His sadness increases exceedingly when he learns Claudius is the man who killed his father. Hamlet keeps this knowledge to himself...
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...Explain how Shakespeare uses literary elements (irony, tone, mood) to develop two or more themes in the text. Use evidence from the text to support your explanation. Have you ever been confused of why someone you thought loved you betrayed you? In William Shakespeare's Hamlet, There is different emotions throughout act 3. These emotions portray what happens. These themes of confusion and betrayal develop the irony, tone, and mood in act 3 scene 1. Two element’s Shakespeare uses in Hamlet is situational and dramatic irony. A example of this is when Hamlet expresses how he feels about ophelia and says “ You should not have believed me, for virtue cannot so inoculate our old stock but we shall relish of it. I loved you not..” This shows act of betrayal when Hamlet tells ophelia he never loved her when she thought he did and was blindsided by him. Another example of irony is dramatic irony when the king and Polonius are spying on Hamlet and ophelia conversation. This shows act of confusion of what’s wrong with Hamlet as they have seen the betrayal before their eyes. In addition to irony, Shakespeare uses tone to develop the themes....
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...t With underlying themes of revenge, incest, and suicide, William Shakespeare’s Hamlet was remembered by many Elizabethan Era viewers as both a philosophical and oft-debated masterpiece (Dickson). These controversial themes attracted viewers everywhere, enticing them to see the play. One scene in particular from the original text of the play where this proves true is act IV, scene iv, lines 31-65, in which the titular character Hamlet decides that the time for revenge is at hand in an insightful soliloquy. The audience would have been attracted to the scene because they would receive a moral insight into Hamlet’s mind, revealing his true thoughts. It also would have expanded on the theme of revenge, and how this theme would affect the final scene of the play. Finally, by focusing on the theme of morality, the soliloquy would have provided audiences with a thought-provoking look into their own consciences. In Shakespeare’s original version of Hamlet, Hamlet’s speech from Act IV, scene iv effectively targets the Elizabethan Era audience. Through the soliloquy, the audience is able to clearly see Hamlet’s thoughts, and this discerning look behind his motif effectively catches the audience’s attention. At the beginning of Hamlet’s speech, the audience becomes aware that Hamlet regrets his hesitation to avenge his father, and he decides the time for vengeance is upon him. The prince admits this when he thinks to himself, “How all occasions do inform against me,/ And spur my dull...
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...modern context. Tragedies such as Hamlet by William Shakespeare (1564-1616) and Endgame by Samuel Beckett (1906-1989), though written in completely different eras hundreds of years apart, both serve as sources of boundless pessimism and situational comedy. Though their themes are bleak and sometimes wholly depressing in nature, playwrights often capitalize on extreme negativity to yield more impacting comic relief. Both Hamlet and Endgame have pessimistic themes in common; one of Hamlet’s recurring themes is the inevitability of death and the inescapability of destiny, no matter the amount of procrastination. Endgame’s prevalent themes are the human existential dilemma and the effect of man’s lack of control over everyday life. Despite these bleak undertones, both Hamlet and Endgame yield situational comedy to lighten their audiences’ moods, manifested in Hamlet’s interaction with Polonius and the many comical instances involving Nagg. In order for the audience to fully appreciate the slight wit of comedy, both Shakespeare and Beckett develop their tragedies’ pessimistic themes to an excessive degree. Discussion: Tragedy as Unwaveringly Pessimistic Shakespeare, for example, employs some of the darkest themes in his classical revenge tragedy Hamlet. The namesake protagonist has been perceived by some as a procrastinator, unable to capitalize on opportunity because of speculated cowardice and indecision. Others have gone as far as to suggest that Hamlet is the harbinger of death and...
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