FRQ 3 Novel Analysis Hamlet

Yoricks

________ skull serves as the main symbol of the line between life and its ultimate destination, death.

Gertrude

________: She brings in Claudius and makes Hamlet feel alone.

Ophelia

________: Plays a big role in the theme of misogyny.

Major Work Name

Hamlet

The play swirls around these physical conflicts, as well as the emotional turmoils they create

Hamlets hesitation, rage, and fear, Ophelias desperation and ultimate madness, Gertrudes worry, guilt, and vanity, among others

Hamlet

Hamlet plays into the themes of Revenge and Madness as throughout the entire play his entire attitude is predicated on taking revenge and this revenge brings him into a phase of madness

Gertrude

She brings in Claudius and makes Hamlet feel alone

Claudius

Claudius plays into the theme of betrayal

Ophelia

Plays a big role in the theme of misogyny

Polonius

He doubts Hamlets love for Ophelia so he eavesdrops on his conversation with Gertrude

Ophelia and Hamlet arguing

nunnery scene, during the play,

Predominant author’s prominent moves in the text:

The author often switches between dialogue and monologue in order to show the internal conflict Hamlet has with himself throughout the story.

Adds many comedic instances to constantly change the mood of the play.

Employs many symbols like Hamlet’s clothes that represent his constant state of grief and mourning or Ophelia’s flowers that represent her lost innocence, an innocence no other characters possess.

Shakespeare often uses symbolism in the play to give a deeper meaning to whatever the characters are thinking or saying, in order to further develop the conflict of the story.

Most of the characters speak in iambic pentameter

Major characters and how they play into the themes:

Hamlet: Hamlet plays into the themes of Revenge and Madness as throughout the entire play his entire attitude is predicated on taking revenge and this revenge brings him into a phase of madness.

Gertrude: She brings in Claudius and makes Hamlet feel alone.  She contributes to the theme by creating a sense of isolation and betrayal amongst Hamlet and those he loves.

Claudius: Claudius plays into the theme of betrayal. The entire plot of Hamlet is centered around Claudius murdering his brother in order to take over his kingdom and marry his wife. Claudius causes the original conflict of the novel.

Ophelia: Plays a big role in the theme of misogyny.

Polonius: He doubts Hamlet’s love for Ophelia so he eavesdrops on his conversation with Gertrude

The most important scenes you would want to reference in an essay:

The reenactment of hamlet's father’s death in play form

The ghost appearing

Polonius’ death

the fight between Hamlet and Laertes; including the deaths of Claudius, Gertrude, Hamlet, Laertes

Ophelia’s breakdown

Hamlet discovers Yorick’s skull and his speech about accepting death

Fortinbras’ revenge

Ophelia and Hamlet arguing - nunnery scene, during the play,

Ophelia’s funeral