William Shakespeare could certainly write. Could he not? He was capable of transforming objects, pictures, and conceived ideas into a flow of words and scenes that created a story. As a result of living in an imperfect world, Shakespeare’s stories were not plotted around a utopian society, but on struggles and temptations. This is clearly evidenced by Hamlet, perhaps the most renowned of Shakespeare’s plays. The play is filled with characters that are twisted to the extreme, whether mentally or emotionally. Hamlet is also complete with deception, one of the more prominent themes in the play. In fact, it could be noted that Hamlet is quite a negative influence on those who do not have a sturdy mental or moral foundation. Whatever the case may
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Claudius’ brother, the older Hamlet, was once king of Denmark. Then tragedy struck and King Hamlet was lying in a coffin. Claudius took upon himself the crown, and Gertrude hastily wedded the fresh king. Prince Hamlet is concerned over the morality of his mother’s swift marriage to his uncle. However, unbeknownst to Hamlet, Claudius now wears both the crown and a mask of innocence. The truth is revealed to Hamlet one night after a few friends drag him along on nightly guard duty to witness an apparition that has appeared. Hamlet stays with them and eventually a ghost materializes. Amazed by this spectacle, Hamlet questions the ghost, who is revealed to be Hamlet’s father, and learns that Claudius poisoned King Hamlet to usurp the throne. The ghost tasks Hamlet with avenging his death by murdering King Claudius. Hamlet, furious over this revelation, accepts his …show more content…
Therefore, he takes two childhood friends of Hamlet, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, and places a mask of spying on their faces. Hamlet, however, quickly discovers that they are agents sent by Claudius. Halfway through the play, there comes a traveling troupe of actors who accompanied Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to Elsinore. Hamlet has the actors stage a play in the castle. The play, titled The Murder of Gonzago, has quite an eerie feel to it as the play reflects what is happening in Denmark at the time: an envious man murdering a king, the queen marrying the murderer. The scheme set forth by Hamlet was to expose the guilt holed up inside Claudius’ heart, and then observe his reaction when the player king is killed in the skit. The plan succeeds and a guilt-ridden Claudius stops the play and rushes out of the room. Hamlet follows him and observes his uncle praying for forgiveness. Claudius may be guilty, both morally and consciously, but he is enjoying the fruits of his sin too much to receive true forgiveness. At this point, though, Hamlet has been wearing his mask of insanity for too long. He debates with himself whether he should kill Claudius while he is praying, because he will be distracted and vulnerable. He chooses to not kill his uncle as he suspects that if the king died while praying, then Claudius would be considered redeemed and join in the happiness of Heaven. Hamlet then resolves to catch
Claudius’ brother, the older Hamlet, was once king of Denmark. Then tragedy struck and King Hamlet was lying in a coffin. Claudius took upon himself the crown, and Gertrude hastily wedded the fresh king. Prince Hamlet is concerned over the morality of his mother’s swift marriage to his uncle. However, unbeknownst to Hamlet, Claudius now wears both the crown and a mask of innocence. The truth is revealed to Hamlet one night after a few friends drag him along on nightly guard duty to witness an apparition that has appeared. Hamlet stays with them and eventually a ghost materializes. Amazed by this spectacle, Hamlet questions the ghost, who is revealed to be Hamlet’s father, and learns that Claudius poisoned King Hamlet to usurp the throne. The ghost tasks Hamlet with avenging his death by murdering King Claudius. Hamlet, furious over this revelation, accepts his …show more content…
Therefore, he takes two childhood friends of Hamlet, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, and places a mask of spying on their faces. Hamlet, however, quickly discovers that they are agents sent by Claudius. Halfway through the play, there comes a traveling troupe of actors who accompanied Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to Elsinore. Hamlet has the actors stage a play in the castle. The play, titled The Murder of Gonzago, has quite an eerie feel to it as the play reflects what is happening in Denmark at the time: an envious man murdering a king, the queen marrying the murderer. The scheme set forth by Hamlet was to expose the guilt holed up inside Claudius’ heart, and then observe his reaction when the player king is killed in the skit. The plan succeeds and a guilt-ridden Claudius stops the play and rushes out of the room. Hamlet follows him and observes his uncle praying for forgiveness. Claudius may be guilty, both morally and consciously, but he is enjoying the fruits of his sin too much to receive true forgiveness. At this point, though, Hamlet has been wearing his mask of insanity for too long. He debates with himself whether he should kill Claudius while he is praying, because he will be distracted and vulnerable. He chooses to not kill his uncle as he suspects that if the king died while praying, then Claudius would be considered redeemed and join in the happiness of Heaven. Hamlet then resolves to catch