Suspense In Hamlet

Shakespeare develops the main plot of the play through the main character. Hamlet is initially portrayed as bitter and betrayed towards the issue of his mother being wed to his uncle, who is taking the throne of Denmark. Furthermore, Hamlet is informed of the news of a ghost shaped as his father. He sets to meet the ghost, who up until now, has not spoken to anybody. As Hamlet makes his way to encounter the ghost of his deceased father, the audience is on edge wondering whether the ghost will finally speak to somebody and if that somebody will be Hamlet. The suspense reaches a peak point as Hamlet follows the ghost, despite Horatio, and Marcellus, Hamlet's close confidants, begging him to refuse. This scene especially highlights how much of a low point Hamlet has reached, no longer valuing his own life, utterly hopeless. …show more content…
Leaving the most important plot until the final scene of the first Act forces the audience to remain in the seats because Shakespeare has already captured their attention, leaving them desperate to see more of what happens. Upon finally reaching the most anticipated scene, the audience finally hears of the bloody murder of King Hamlet. With the use of vividly descriptive language, Shakespeare reveals who betrayed King Hamlet "the serpent that did sting thy father's life now wears his crown" (1.5.39-40), confirming any form of suspicion towards Claudius. The revelation of the revenge plot ties together any loose strings involved towards the murder of the former King Hamlet. By revealing the course of action Hamlet must follow in order to get vengeance for his father's murder, the audience will remain in rising and falling tension for the rest of the play, awaiting to see how Hamlet will carry out a sufficient plan. Shakespeare successfully unfolds the main revenge plot of the play mostly through the main character,