Hamlet - Final Review

Plot And Conflict

• Introduction of Plotlines: The play begins with three distinct plotlines that gradually converge by the final act.

• Love Plot Crisis: The death of Polonius triggers the climax of the main plot, which culminates in a fencing match between Hamlet and Laertes.

• Political Sub-Plot: Fortinbras plays a crucial role in restoring order to Denmark as the play unfolds, ultimately leading to his ascension as king.

• External and Internal Conflict: While external conflicts drive the narrative forward, Hamlet's internal struggles engage the audience.

The Characters - The Women

• Ophelia's Fate: Ophelia's death raises uncertainty regarding whether it was an accidental drowning or a suicide. Additionally, her relationship with Hamlet remains ambiguous.

• Gertrude's Death: Gertrude dies after drinking poisoned wine that was prepared by Claudius, who prioritizes his interests over her life, concealing his true guilt.

• Hamlet's Mourning: Hamlet mourns both women. Ophelia's death stirs deep emotions in him, while Gertrude's death compels Hamlet to seek revenge.

• Quote Reflection: Hamlet's statement, "Frailty, thy name is a woman," prompts reflection on the roles and perceptions of women in his world.

The Characters - The Villain

• Claudius's Chaos: Claudius disrupts Denmark by betraying the bonds of brotherhood and his duty as a subject.

• Biblical Allusion: Claudius compares his act of fratricide to Cain’s murder of Abel, highlighting his awareness of the wrongness of his actions.

• Inability to Repent: Although he acknowledges his guilt, Claudius refuses to give up his power, which only deepens his malevolence.

• Destruction of Evil: Claudius's downfall occurs when his plot against Hamlet is revealed, illustrating that evil ultimately leads to self-destruction.

Secondary Characters - Rosencrantz And Guildenstern

• Definition of Blind Obedience: These characters illustrate the dangers of submitting to authority without critical thought.

• Betrayal of Friendship: They betray Hamlet by spying on him, motivated by the promise of rewards, ultimately sacrificing their loyalty.

• Hamlet's Remorse: Hamlet does not feel remorse for their execution in England; he perceives himself as an agent of divine judgment.

Secondary Characters - Horatio

• Significance of Horatio: Horatio is the most important secondary character, as he plays a crucial role in advancing the plot and revealing Hamlet's character.

• Balance of Reason and Passion: Horatio embodies a balance between reason and emotion, reflecting the central themes of the play.

• Role in the Conclusion: In the end, Horatio is tasked with recounting Hamlet’s story and advocating for Hamlet's honour to the world.The Characters - The Foils

The Characters - The Foils

• Fortinbras and Laertes as Foils to Hamlet:

• Hamlet: He is excessively rational and often hesitant to act based on his emotions.

• Laertes: He is impulsive and tends to act without considering the consequences of his actions.

• Fortinbras: He balances reason and passion, ultimately being rewarded with the Danish crown.

• Reflection on Justice: This raises questions about whether Laertes deserves his fate and if Fortinbras truly merits his reward.

Characters - The Tragic Hero

• Hamlet's Tragic Nature: Hamlet is portrayed as a tragic hero, highlighting his wasted potential.

• Acknowledgment of Nobility: He is acknowledged for his royal status and virtues by others, including his enemies.

• Conflict of Action: His struggle to act decisively conflicts with his noble intentions, ultimately leading to his downfall.

Themes - Appearance vs. Reality

• Illusion of Beauty: The play suggests that appearances can be deceiving. A common motif involving cosmetics emphasizes this idea.

• Hypocrisy in Characters: Characters engage in deceit, revealing their true intentions through their actions rather than their outward appearances.

• Hamlet's Admission: Hamlet acknowledges that he has spies, highlighting the pervasive themes of betrayal and duplicity.

Themes - Revenge

• Revenge as a Motivator: Claudius's betrayal acts as the catalyst for revenge, making it a central theme that drives Hamlet's actions.

• Impact on Relationships: Hamlet's fixation on vengeance negatively affects his relationship with Ophelia and takes a toll on his overall well-being.

• Paralysis of Action: Although Hamlet is motivated by a desire for revenge, he struggles to take action, highlighting the complexity of his character.

Themes - The Nature of Evil

• Evil Breeds Chaos: This theme illustrates the destructive cycle of evil where bonds must be restored through punishment.

• Disease Imagery: Hamlet describes Denmark as "rotten," symbolizing the moral decay that results from the corruption of the monarchy.

• Cumulative Example: Ultimately, many characters die as a consequence of their sinful actions, emphasizing the destructive nature of evil.

Themes - The Natural Order Challenged

• Unnatural Deaths: The play asserts that all deaths arise from disorder, particularly due to improper governance in Denmark.

• Manifestations of Disorder: Various forms of death illustrate this chaos, including:

  • Deaths caused by poison

  • Executions

  • Remorseful suicides

Themes - The Nation As a Diseased Body

• Morality and Governance: Denmark is portrayed as a sickly body due to the corruption of its monarchs, which results in existential anxiety among the people.

• The Ghost's Significance: Supernatural elements reveal signs of moral decay, highlighting the urgent need for restoration through the rule of Fortinbras.

Themes - The Nature Of Human Beings

• Duality of Humanity: The play explores the potential for noble and base actions within its characters.

• Imagery Utilized: Animal imagery is used to convey degradation, while angelic references indicate an elevated moral consciousness.

• Existential Complexity: The play raises questions about human nature, emphasizing the contrast between good and evil qualities within individuals.

Themes - The Impossibility Of Certainty

• Questioning Truth: Characters grapple with uncertain truths, such as the validity of ghostly claims and unseen crimes.

• Hamlet's Uncertainty: The play reflects Hamlet's indecision, which is caused by moral complexities and a fear of ethical failure that prevents him from taking decisive action.

• Conscience and Action: The contrast between Hamlet’s hesitant sense of righteousness and Claudius's guilty yet prompt actions highlights significant moral dilemmas.

Themes - The Complexity Of Action

• Factors Affecting Decision-Making: The absence of certainty complicates the decision-making process, influenced by emotional and ethical considerations.

• Character Reflection: Hamlet’s contemplative nature contrasts with other characters who react without deliberation, ultimately leading to their disgrace.

Themes - Sin And Damnation

• Paralysis by Fear: Hamlet’s fear of harming his soul inhibits him from taking swift action. This reveals his struggle between guilt and honour.

• Restoration of Honor: Ultimately, Hamlet realizes that defending his moral integrity requires confrontation, which leads him to pivot toward action.

Themes - The Mystery Of Death

• Multiple Perspectives: The complexity of death is explored, raising moral questions about existence and its spiritual implications.

• Revenge Cycle: The connection between death and vengeance creates an enigmatic relationship, highlighting the moral constraints surrounding suicide.
  

Symbols - Yorick’s Skull

Symbol of Mortality: Yorick's skull represents Hamlet's reflections on death, illustrating its universality and inevitability.

Themes - Death As the Great Equalizer

• Justice and Equality: As Hamlet contemplates death, he emphasizes how it renders all distinctions irrelevant, equalizing everyone in their fate.

• Action vs. Reputation: Ultimately, Hamlet learns that personal honour motivates actions more than the fear of mortality.

Themes - The Sacrificial Scapegoat

• Hamlet’s Role: Although innocent, Hamlet becomes a scapegoat, helping to establish order after Claudius's transgressions.  

• Restoration through Sacrifice: Hamlet's death leads to the moral realignment of Denmark through Fortinbras's ascension to the throne.

Motif - Incest And Incestuous Desires

• Familial Relationships: This motif examines the complexity of familial ties, particularly through Claudius and Gertrude's marriage, as well as Laertes's protective attitude toward Ophelia.  

• Hamlet's Fixation: Hamlet's obsessive concern with Gertrude's sexuality reflects his deep-seated anxieties and symbolizes broader thematic issues.

Motif - Misogyny

• Cynicism Towards Women: Hamlet's disdain for women illustrates a broader culture of misogyny, which hinders his romantic pursuits and mirrors societal problems.

Motif - Ears And Hearing

• Significance of Communication: This motif explores how language can distort reality and manipulate perception.  

• Poisonous Imagery: It highlights duplicity, including the lethal implications of Claudius's murderous act through poison.

Tragedy - A Final Thought

• Importance of Human Limitations: Tragedy arises from personal flaws and external forces.

• Lessons of the Tragic Hero: Tragic heroes encourage perseverance and understanding in the face of human frailty, prompting empathy from the audience.

Conclusion on Tradegy

• Human Experience: The essence of tragedy reflects shared human flaws, mirroring our collective struggles within a chaotic world.