hamlet essay

To be to not to be soliloquy - metaphor

Hamlet compares death to sleep revealing his philosophical and uncertain nature.

To be to not to be soliloquy - anthesis

The contrast between “tobe or not to be” highlights Hamlet’s inner conflict between action and inaction.

To be or not to be sollique - imagery

“The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune” conveys Hamlet's perception of suffering and injustice.

The mousetrap - dramatic irony

The audience knows hamlet is planing to use the play to expose.

• the fact that Claudius killed the king (by poison to the ear).. to Gain control of the throne

Claudius, yet Claudius does not know that hamlet knows and is planning on exposing the truth through the play.

The mousetrap - symbolism

Hamlet uses the play to reflect Claudius murder

• showing the power of art to reveal truth

• Hamlet becomes a director and manipulator in a world where he is often powerless and the mousetrap is a symbol for agency

The mousetrap - foreshadowing

Claudiuses panicked reaction to the play foreshadows his guilt and overall downfal.

• a signoal of what is to come:guilt exposed, revenge and tragedy unfolding.

Graveyard scene - morality

Skull of York serves as a reminder of morality and the inevitably of death.

Graveyard scene - juxtapos

The graveyard diggers humor contrasts hamlets deep extential reflections showing different ways people perceive death,.

• the gravedigger is used to it, its not a hard thing for him to grasp the concept of as to where death impacts hamlet more deeply.

Graveyard scene - irony

Hamlet is obsessed with vengeance and is confronted by the fact death happens to everyone no matter your status . Everyone is equal when it comes to death.

HAMLET complex traits

• indecisive yet intelligent

  • He often overthinks and struggles with taking action

• Manipulative yet self doubting

  • The mouse trap evokes a response (guilt) from Claudius yet he doubts his own motives and hesitates to take revenge.

Claudius complex traits

• carisimic yet corrupt

  • He gets gert to believe him overhamet as well as keeping a strong public image yet he is willing to murder and manipulate hamlet

Ophelia complex traits

• Obedient yet Emotionally Suppressed

  • She follows her father Polonius’ orders, even at the cost of her relationship with Hamlet.

• Innocent yet Overwhelmed

  • She starts as an innocent figure but is unable to cope with her father death and Hamlets erratic behavior.

• Mad yet Insightful

  • she speaks in riddles that reveal deeper truths about the corruption around her.

Foil characters

Hamlet and larities

• Highlights the plays theme of action vs inaction

• Both seek revenge for fathers death yet hamlet dosent act vs larities who acts.

Complex traits hamlet vs larities

• Hamlet: Intelligent but indecisive, emotionally tormented but deeply philosophical.

• Laertes: Passionate but reckless, honorable but easily manipulated.

Dramatic irony of relationship

the audience knows about hamlet and ophelias relationship while plonoious does not.

morally ambiguous- hamlet

justice vs revenge

• he is driven by justice however in the maddness of his seed for revenge he dose some questionable acts. (like killing poloious ) the. leading to the audience questioning his moral compass causing confisuin

• blurs the line between justified revenge and unnecessary vengeance

Ophelia relationship

Hamlets girlfriend (forbidden)

Claudius Relationship to hamlet

His unc > Kills the king (hammies father) for the throne and marries Gertrude (hamlets mom)

Gertrude

Hamlets mom

Horatio

Hamlets best friend

• truSt worthy, humble, open midnded and treats people as equals.

Lying

Biggest lie: Claudius lying about how the kind died, trying to claim it was natural causes when in reality he murdered the king.

• he also plots to kill hamlet while pretending to care about him.

Hero’s journey >Hamlet