French actress Jeanne Moreau once stated: “Death is an absolute mystery. We are all vulnerable to it, it’s what makes life interesting and suspenseful” (1). The mysterious element of death is found throughout many of the noted tragedies of William Shakespeare. Hamlet, one of Shakespeare’s most famous dramas, is permeated with “murder, suicide, revenge, and accidental deaths” (Jamieson, “Death in ‘Hamlet’”). An analysis of Hamlet brings about a key question regarding one of its central themes: what are the various mysterious concepts that are associated with death?
During the opening scenes of the Hamlet, one discovers that death and murder play integral roles in the development of the drama. Also, Act I introduces the supernatural and spiritual …show more content…
Death again becomes the central focus of the drama. Queen Gertrude reveals, “Your sister’s drowned, Laertes” (Hamlet IV.vii.163). Critics claim that Ophelia’s death was a suicide. In previous scenes, Ophelia displayed evidence of madness. Ophelia’s apparent madness, resulting from Hamlet’s denying his love for her as well as the sudden death of her father, is evidenced through her singing (Hamlet IV.v.161-93). When Laertes flees from the castle, Claudius tells Gertrude that they must follow him. The king is not concerned about the death of Ophelia, but rather about the potential danger that the upset Laertes may inflict on Claudius’s reign. Referencing Laertes’s anger following his father’s death, King Claudius tells Queen Gertrude, “Now fear I this will give it start again” (Hamlet IV.vii.192). As they follow Laertes, the play switches to Hamlet’s graveyard …show more content…
According to Indira Ghose, “To the medieval mind, laughter marked one’s triumph over the specious threat of evil and the illusion of death.” Ghose stated that incorporating humor into the heavy subject is a “defense strategy” intended to lighten the mood of death (1005). Humor is sprinkled throughout the interaction between Hamlet and the gravedigger. When Hamlet asks for whom the gravedigger is preparing the grave, the gravedigger replies, “Mine, sir” (Hamlet V.i.105) and continues his singing. Hamlet further probes for an answer to his question; however, the gravedigger continues to respond with sarcastic and humorous comments. Ghose believes that “We laugh to take control of what we fear might take control of us”
During the opening scenes of the Hamlet, one discovers that death and murder play integral roles in the development of the drama. Also, Act I introduces the supernatural and spiritual …show more content…
Death again becomes the central focus of the drama. Queen Gertrude reveals, “Your sister’s drowned, Laertes” (Hamlet IV.vii.163). Critics claim that Ophelia’s death was a suicide. In previous scenes, Ophelia displayed evidence of madness. Ophelia’s apparent madness, resulting from Hamlet’s denying his love for her as well as the sudden death of her father, is evidenced through her singing (Hamlet IV.v.161-93). When Laertes flees from the castle, Claudius tells Gertrude that they must follow him. The king is not concerned about the death of Ophelia, but rather about the potential danger that the upset Laertes may inflict on Claudius’s reign. Referencing Laertes’s anger following his father’s death, King Claudius tells Queen Gertrude, “Now fear I this will give it start again” (Hamlet IV.vii.192). As they follow Laertes, the play switches to Hamlet’s graveyard …show more content…
According to Indira Ghose, “To the medieval mind, laughter marked one’s triumph over the specious threat of evil and the illusion of death.” Ghose stated that incorporating humor into the heavy subject is a “defense strategy” intended to lighten the mood of death (1005). Humor is sprinkled throughout the interaction between Hamlet and the gravedigger. When Hamlet asks for whom the gravedigger is preparing the grave, the gravedigger replies, “Mine, sir” (Hamlet V.i.105) and continues his singing. Hamlet further probes for an answer to his question; however, the gravedigger continues to respond with sarcastic and humorous comments. Ghose believes that “We laugh to take control of what we fear might take control of us”