William Shakespeare (1564-1616), the most considerable literary figure of the Elizabethan Age and often called the English national poet is considered by many to be the greatest dramatist of all time. He occupies a unique position in world literature. The opening lines of Dr. Samuel Johnson’s Preface to Shakespeare are tribute to Shakespeare’s long–continued popularity, which Johnson considers to be an acceptable criterion of greatness. According to Johnson, no other test of the greatness of literary works exists “than length of duration and continuance of esteem.”¹ Johnson even says that Shakespeare has begun “to assume the dignity of an ancient, and prescriptive veneration.”² He finds that as Shakespeare has won the applause of the readers
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The darkness of midnight has overspread the battlements before the Castle of Elsinore. Silence prevails everywhere. A single sentry is keeping guard. As soon as the relief guard enters, he challenges the man on duty to reveal his identity. This is contrary to the usual practice according to which the new-comer should be challenged by man on duty. This ‘inverted challenge’ and the very few words exchanged between the two sentries in a low, hushed voice add the elements of suspense and fear to the tense atmosphere. And then enter Horatio and Marcellus. They ask anxious questions about some appearance. Marcellus remarks that he and Bernardo saw the ‘dreaded sight’ on two previous nights. Bernardo says how on the previous night he and Marcellus were keeping watch …show more content…
This reveals the element of excessive sensibility in the character of Hamlet. Very few young men would think of committing suicide if their parents are found guilty of infidelity towards each other. But Hamlet is a young man of lofty ideals and extreme sensibility. This image of his mother that he had cherished in his mind was that of an ideal woman–pure and chaste, deeply loyal and devoted to her husband. This image is now shattered to pieces by the hasty remarriage of his mother so soon after the death of his father. Hamlet cannot reconcile himself to the stern realities of life. The dramatist has exposed the tragic weakness in the character of Hamlet at the beginning of the play. Hamlet fails to adjust his lofty ideals to existing realities of his environment, and thinks of committing suicide. Hamlet’s tragedy is the tragedy of
The darkness of midnight has overspread the battlements before the Castle of Elsinore. Silence prevails everywhere. A single sentry is keeping guard. As soon as the relief guard enters, he challenges the man on duty to reveal his identity. This is contrary to the usual practice according to which the new-comer should be challenged by man on duty. This ‘inverted challenge’ and the very few words exchanged between the two sentries in a low, hushed voice add the elements of suspense and fear to the tense atmosphere. And then enter Horatio and Marcellus. They ask anxious questions about some appearance. Marcellus remarks that he and Bernardo saw the ‘dreaded sight’ on two previous nights. Bernardo says how on the previous night he and Marcellus were keeping watch …show more content…
This reveals the element of excessive sensibility in the character of Hamlet. Very few young men would think of committing suicide if their parents are found guilty of infidelity towards each other. But Hamlet is a young man of lofty ideals and extreme sensibility. This image of his mother that he had cherished in his mind was that of an ideal woman–pure and chaste, deeply loyal and devoted to her husband. This image is now shattered to pieces by the hasty remarriage of his mother so soon after the death of his father. Hamlet cannot reconcile himself to the stern realities of life. The dramatist has exposed the tragic weakness in the character of Hamlet at the beginning of the play. Hamlet fails to adjust his lofty ideals to existing realities of his environment, and thinks of committing suicide. Hamlet’s tragedy is the tragedy of