FREE Hamlet theme analysis Essay (original) (raw)

The tragedy of Hamlet is a tragedy of losses. A child's abandonment by his mother. The loss of lives, and finally the loss of a country. All of these losses are tragic within themselves but the ultimate tragedy is that each one contained within itself the seeds of its own making. The seeds of destruction are sown and grow to produce the tragedies of loss that lie scattered through the play like the flowers on Ophelia's coffin.
Early on in the play we learn that forces are gathering around the country of Denmark. These forces are led by the young Fortinbras, son of the late King of Norway. He is hoping to regain the lands that his father "did forfeit with his life- (Ii.88) when King Hamlet "did slay this Fortinbras- (Ii.86) and seized parts of Norway. Also "now sir, young Fortinbras, of unimproved mettle hot and full- (Ii.95-96) seeks revenge for his father's death. At the end of the play young Fortinbras has more than succeeded in his plans. He sits upon Denmark's throne with the kingship handed to him by young Hamlet who proclaims:.
"But I do prophesy th'election lights on Fortinbras; he has my dying voice- (Vii.334-335). .
While young Fortinbras has his revenge it was not to be against King Hamlet. He is already dead at the hands of his brother, Claudius "the serpent that did sting thy fathers life now wears his crown- (Iv.38-39). The ghost of "Hamlet, King, father, royal Dane- (Iiv.45) tells the young Prince that poison was poured into his ear such that the "whole ear of Denmark is by a forged process of my death rankly abused- (Iv.36-37). Prince Hamlet is charged to "revenge his foul and most unnatural murder- (Iv.25). It is not however just a murder, it is a loss "of life, of crown, of queen at once dispatched- (Iv.75). Even though Hamlet has taken on this promise of revenge he has some doubts as to the Ghost's story. For this reason he stages the play The Mouse Trap' to see if Claudius is guilty.

1. Hamlet

Hamlet Analysis Hamlet, a tragedy by William Shakespeare tells the story of a young man named Hamlet. ... Shakespeare utilizes, character, plot and setting to create a mood of disgust and the theme of proper revenge. ... Hamlet is over analytical and pessimistic. ... Throughout the play, the themes of illusion and deceit have been carefully developed. ... As Polonius puts it so perfectly "by indirection's, find directions out"(A2,S2,L71-73) One of the main themes of the play is revenge. ...

2. Hamlet Analysis

Throughout the story of Hamlet, written by William Shakespeare, deception is an underlying theme that creates hatred and partial insanity in the main character, Hamlet. The basis for the story is the remarriage of Hamlet's mother to his uncle, Claudius, who has killed Hamlet's father possibly out of love for Gertrude or simply to claim the throne. ... Hamlet understands this and believes that life will never fail to thow tribulations at you. ... Among the recurring themes in the story is Hamlet's transition from thinking clearly to his inability to think rationally about the sit...

3. Hamlet character analysis

Hamlet Character Analysis Hamlet is a complex character with multiple character traits that lead him through his many confusing and often conflicting actions throughout the play. ... When Claudius marries Gertrude, Hamlet's mother, Hamlet is filled with rage and disgust. The ghost asks Hamlet to avenge his father's death, and Hamlet promises that he will do so. ... In this way, Hamlet is using his power of analysis, and therefore cannot be truly crazy. ... And, since death is both the cause and the consequence of revenge, it is tied to the theme of revenge and justice; Cl...

4. Hamlet

Literary Analysis Discuss the theme of madness in the play. ... When Hamlet comes back after he is exiled Ophelia soon finds out and comes to see Hamlet. ... After Ophelia's death, Hamlet is in the spotlight for what is to come next. Hamlet's madness comes from a revenge of his father's death. ... Laertes ends up poisoning Hamlet with a cut from the sword during the fight. ...

5. Hamlet

He compares Hamlet to the Greek mythological character Oedipus Rex. ... At this point Hamlet has his mother wrapped in his arms and they are staring in to the mirrored cupboard at their reflections and Polonius, hiding in the cupboard (a recurring theme of surveillance in the play) calls for help and Hamlet shoots him thinking he is Claudius. Almereyda used a very clever method in making Hamlet shoot the mirror because through the eyes of Hamlet he sees himself holding his own mother in a somewhat intimate way and by this stage it is clear to any audience that Hamlet resents any men that are ...

6. Critical Analysis of Hamlet

Hamlet's ability to be re-contextualized is due to its universal themes and unique characterization, allowing for multiple interpretations throughout the plays lifespan. The continuous search for truth in Hamlet exposes the audience to deception and corruption present in the world, creating a play that explores the concept of truth and appearances, a theme that is relevant to any context. ... Shakespeare has already introduced the fundamental questioning of humanity in its search for answers, and thus introducing the theme of truth and appearances. ... " Shakespeare references thi...

7. Hamlet

CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF HAMLET William Shakespeare, a name that has been written in all books of English literature with golden letters. ... Hamlet has also developed a reputation as a difficult work to analyze, one that features a very complicated central character, addresses many complex themes, and presents the reader with a multi-layered text, which defies easy interpretation" (www.allshakespeare.com/hamlet). Hamlet is portrayed as the ultimate Renaissance man. ... Hamlet's reaction to the incidents that have occurred is rather passive and resentful" (www.allshakespeare.com/hamlet)....

8. Shakespeare and the Tragedy: Hamlet and Othello

Shakespeare was a prolific writer and among his works exist ten tragedies, each of which are governed by varying levels of ancient Greek and contemporary Christian values and themes. ... As we will see, Hamlet and Othello share many other themes in common along with a few notable differences in theme and structure as well. Before proceeding with a critical analysis of these two works however, we should take a moment to reflect on the events and factors that helped to shape Shakespeare's life and his work. ... A Critical Analysis of Hamlet Like most of Shakespeare's work Ha...

9. Hamlet Character Analysis

Behind the mask, is hidden the secret of King Hamlet's death, and Hamlet's promise to the ghost to avenge his father's death. ... When Claudius marries Gertrude, Hamlet's mother, Hamlet is filled with rage and disgust. The ghost asks Hamlet to avenge his father's death, and Hamlet promises that he will do so. ... In this way, Hamlet is using his power of analysis, and therefore cannot be truly crazy. ... And, since death is both the cause and the consequence of revenge, it is tied to the theme of revenge and justice; Claudius's murder of King Hamlet begins ...

10. Hamlet

Hamlet The true nature of hamlet's madness has been an issue of debate for scholars over the centuries. One theory hamlet's madness was for his own protection. In the time period in which hamlet would have lived goverments functioned through the usage of intricate spying networks . in hamlet's Denmark no one is permitted to go unwatched .shakespeare puts hamlet in to asituation in which he must deal with betruyal and murder of his own family members Communication of feeling is done solely in monologue or through the reports of a t...

Got a writing question? Ask our professional writer!
Submit My Question