“The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark” is believed to have been written between the year 1599 and 1601, and although the play actually takes place in the Middle Ages occasionally reference to the Elizabethan era are made. During this time plays revolving around revenge and tragedy were quite popular. It was not uncommon to see at the end of a play that all the major characters end up dead. In this particular revenge tragedy, Prince Hamlet is visited by his father’s ghost who tells him his uncle Claudius is responsible for his murder, who did it in order to become king and marry his mother. Hamlet becomes a sort of a madman trying to prove his uncles guilt before actually taking his revenge. To test his uncles conscious Hamlet directs
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The skull symbolizes inevitable death. Hamlet points out that everyone, even rulers such as Alexander the Great, eventually disintegrate and turn to dust. The mystery of death is a very big theme important theme throughout the play, Hamlet ponders about the after life from every possible angle ranging from spiritual, Heaven and Hell, to the remains of the body after death. Another major theme throughout the play is the impossible quest for certainty. Hamlet repeatedly refrains from committing actions against Claudius until he is certain about what he’s doing. Women or more specifically the hatred for women is another prominent theme, Hamlet believes women are untrustworthy and …show more content…
Hamlets death could be traced back directly to his rash and impulsive killing of Polonius. Although Hamlet may have died another way, the fact remain that if he hadn’t killed the old man Laertes wouldn’t have been out for revenge, thus not causing the deadly fight at the end. Although his many weaknesses Hamlets strength was his determination. He would stop at nothing to avenge his father’s murder.
Claudius is the main antagonist of the play. He is two different people an intelligent and capable ruler in public and an incestuous, adulterous beast, as described by the ghost, in private. Claudius is highly manipulative, his speeches are like poison being poured into ones ears. He comforted the people of Denmark after the death of their king, promising them a new beginning under his reign. But Claudius is just a lustful, corrupted politician whose main goal is to maintain hold of his power, not protect his
The skull symbolizes inevitable death. Hamlet points out that everyone, even rulers such as Alexander the Great, eventually disintegrate and turn to dust. The mystery of death is a very big theme important theme throughout the play, Hamlet ponders about the after life from every possible angle ranging from spiritual, Heaven and Hell, to the remains of the body after death. Another major theme throughout the play is the impossible quest for certainty. Hamlet repeatedly refrains from committing actions against Claudius until he is certain about what he’s doing. Women or more specifically the hatred for women is another prominent theme, Hamlet believes women are untrustworthy and …show more content…
Hamlets death could be traced back directly to his rash and impulsive killing of Polonius. Although Hamlet may have died another way, the fact remain that if he hadn’t killed the old man Laertes wouldn’t have been out for revenge, thus not causing the deadly fight at the end. Although his many weaknesses Hamlets strength was his determination. He would stop at nothing to avenge his father’s murder.
Claudius is the main antagonist of the play. He is two different people an intelligent and capable ruler in public and an incestuous, adulterous beast, as described by the ghost, in private. Claudius is highly manipulative, his speeches are like poison being poured into ones ears. He comforted the people of Denmark after the death of their king, promising them a new beginning under his reign. But Claudius is just a lustful, corrupted politician whose main goal is to maintain hold of his power, not protect his