Polonius

Claudius is the main antagonist of the play whose primary goal is to generate all of Hamlet’s rage and confusion, even though at first glance he seems like a decent if not more than decent king. He is capable and intelligent, he even gives a speech that connects everyone’s loss with a new start. Claudius takes instantaneous, decisive action when it comes to satisfying the king of Norway, and is always concentrated on his kingly duties. Although in private he is a completely different person. The…

Consequently, there are a few instances in which death is treated as an inevitable and inescapable rite of life, and that it should be accepted and embraced. This is mostly seen in the earlier acts, such as Claudius’ speech in which he declared “Yet so far hath discretion fought with nature,” (1.2.5) which suggests his nonchalant and matter-of-fact tone of saying that life will still move on despite the late king’s recent death. Gertrude also agrees with this view, and notes that “All that lives…

In the 14th century, a time where religion and sovereignty ruled, two men set out on a journey to seek a higher truth. These men were, Monk William of Bakersville, and his apprentice Adso of Melk. Together these men set out on a trip to an Benedictine abbey in northern Italy for a conference between opposing groups of the church to debate with a papal legation over the poverty of Christ as well as the status of the Franciscan order. However, a body was discovered at the abbey where the…

In act IV scene 7, we continue to see how smart and manipulative Claudius can be. Every one of his moves seems to be calculated. He didn’t want to punish Hamlet for Polonius’s murder because it would hurt Gertrude. It might seem like Claudius actually cares about her in this scene. He says that, “She [Gertrude] is so conjunctive to my life and soul” (IV, vii, 15). But this care seems far from genuine. Claudius is definitely acting in this scene. He doesn’t genuinely care for Gertrude. The only…

King Claudius outrages about Hamlet being in love with Ophelia. He believes his nephew does not think about affection and love. In fact, everyone has been calling Hamlet mad but Claudius mentions that his words “[were] not like madness” (3.1.167) proving that Hamlet may not be mad but just melancholy about his father’s death and the royal remarriage of his mother. A deeper understanding of what the characters thought of Hamlet reveals initially that Hamlet does not appear crazy and that his…

Nevertheless, the exception to this is one of the most important female characters: Polonius ' daughter Ophelia. Ophelia is a round, developing character. She moves from a confused, compliant daughter and a lying girlfriend to a bold, truth-teller and then a tortured woman. In the beginning of the play, Ophelia appear to be an obedient daughter and sister. She listens to her father and brother 's teach. Ophelia 's father Polonius and brother Laertes does not want Ophelia to be close to Hamlet…

Essay on Hamlet To be or not to be (Act 3, scene 1, lines 56-88) Who would have thought that the words "To be or not to be" would stand the test of time? These six words have echoed through thousands of actors' mouths and a myriad of books have recited these famously written words from William Shakespeare's pen. His colourful words paint worlds and his complex characters bring out a broad spectrum of feelings in us - and at times he makes us question our lives. Shakespeare's renowned soliloquy…

The complexity of disposition that is so central to the characters in Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Hamlet is exemplified best in King Claudius, a man whose ambition and envy leads him to murder his own brother, but whose conscience and morality complicate his intentions. The internal battle within Claudius, revealed in III. iii, muddles the reader’s initial impression of the usurper king, from a ruthless, Machiavellian murderer to a complex, conflicted character. While Claudius enjoys the lavish…

Cindy Roseman 1024325 ENG 1204 Introduction to Drama Mr Alcreighton 8th May 2017 Analysis of the Dramatic Performance of “Ti Jean and His Brothers” by Derek Walcott In his play “Ti Jean and his brothers”, Derek Walcott presents the tale of three brothers who are dared by the devil, who is striving to grow human qualities, so that he can enjoy the evil he ventures. Walcott attempts to convey a number of issues and or themes within the play to show that people and society can fight…

The treatment of gender issues between both men and women portrayed in Much Ado About Nothing by Shakespeare has impacted both the audience of the Elizabethan era and modern day society. Independent, boisterous, and impulsive women were often looked down on, for they did not obey the male figures in their lives. The patriarchal society and the imbalance of power between both genders in Much Ado About Nothing is shown through the characterization in Beatrice’s courage, Hero’s dependency, and the…