Shakespeare draws on the stage metaphor, an ancient idea stretching back to the time of Pythagoras, and incorporates this comparison of the real world and the world of theatre into a number of his plays. In Hamlet, he uses the concept of metatheatre to emphasise on the theme as well as to create and use a forceful instrument that forcefully thrusts the current situation into the next set of events. He creates an illusion within an illusion which has a profound impact on reality as the play within the play explores the ideal truth and the moral universe. He uses it as a foil and at the same time a device that will assist various pivotal characters to take their decisions and the next line of action.
Unlike the action heroes of today where action …show more content…
In the same way Hamlet’s dilemma is his search for truth and reality in the shadowy mass of illusion. Hamlet deals with this problem by creating one of his own - his madness. He enters the realm of illusion versus reality by embracing madness, making even the audience dwell in the realms of illusion versus reality. Till date critics debate whether Hamlet’s madness is real or an illusion donned by him to deceive others and this is a masterstroke of Shakespeare that even today we ask like Pilate, ‘What is …show more content…
It means a proper shift from illusion to reality, from the delusionary mind games into the realms of the real and the actual. The safest and most secure place for Hamlet is his own thoughts and feelings, everything else is subject to doubt. According to critic, A.C.Bradley, “In Shakespeare, character is destiny.” Character takes precedence over actions. The action here is dynamic as it is flowing in the dynamic battlefield of Hamlet’s mind and thoughts unlike Aristotle who was a firm believer in structure and so for him action preceded character. Hamlet’s actions are unlike physical action but recalls the action that is like that of the stream of consciousness method used by the American writer, Virginian Woolfe. Physical action becomes less important than the mental thought processes that unveil the nature of the character.
Looking at Hamlet’s character more realistically, who would want to kill a person without ascertaining that they were truly guilty unless the crime is committed due to ulterior motives. Everyone who is a part of the moral universe would not kill without reason and would first want to be fully certain before taking such a drastic action. Hamlet’s lack of remorse on killing Polonius throws the reader off balance again. The death of Polonius presents how dangerous swift action can be. As aptly observed by Nerissa in The Merchant of Venice , Act 1, scene 2, the
Unlike the action heroes of today where action …show more content…
In the same way Hamlet’s dilemma is his search for truth and reality in the shadowy mass of illusion. Hamlet deals with this problem by creating one of his own - his madness. He enters the realm of illusion versus reality by embracing madness, making even the audience dwell in the realms of illusion versus reality. Till date critics debate whether Hamlet’s madness is real or an illusion donned by him to deceive others and this is a masterstroke of Shakespeare that even today we ask like Pilate, ‘What is …show more content…
It means a proper shift from illusion to reality, from the delusionary mind games into the realms of the real and the actual. The safest and most secure place for Hamlet is his own thoughts and feelings, everything else is subject to doubt. According to critic, A.C.Bradley, “In Shakespeare, character is destiny.” Character takes precedence over actions. The action here is dynamic as it is flowing in the dynamic battlefield of Hamlet’s mind and thoughts unlike Aristotle who was a firm believer in structure and so for him action preceded character. Hamlet’s actions are unlike physical action but recalls the action that is like that of the stream of consciousness method used by the American writer, Virginian Woolfe. Physical action becomes less important than the mental thought processes that unveil the nature of the character.
Looking at Hamlet’s character more realistically, who would want to kill a person without ascertaining that they were truly guilty unless the crime is committed due to ulterior motives. Everyone who is a part of the moral universe would not kill without reason and would first want to be fully certain before taking such a drastic action. Hamlet’s lack of remorse on killing Polonius throws the reader off balance again. The death of Polonius presents how dangerous swift action can be. As aptly observed by Nerissa in The Merchant of Venice , Act 1, scene 2, the