An Analysis of the Shakespearean Tragedy of Hamlet Free Essay Example

To install StudyMoose App tap and then “Add to Home Screen”

Hamlet Act I

The Shakespearean tragedy has a predictable pattern: It centres around the life of a hero, who is always someone of great standing, someone exceptional and unusual. There is a reverse of fortune and the hero falls from the position of man who has everything to a man who has less than nothing. The hero is always portrayed in the exaggeration and everything is in a grand scale. When he sacrifices he sacrifices everything and his reach always exceeds his grasp.

Don't use plagiarized sources. Get your custom essay on

“ An Analysis of the Shakespearean Tragedy of Hamlet ”

Get custom paper

NEW! smart matching with writer

This exaggeration contributes to the sense of tragedy. It raises the hero above humanity. Yet, we can find similarities between the hero and ourselves, which makes it easier for us to sympathize with him. A Shakespearean tragedy usually begins with a mirror scene, in our case, Act I, which will set the tone of the entire play. It is in this Act that most of the foreshadowing of what will occur is done. It foreshows Hamlets fall in three stages.

The hero is set up so the tragedy can begin. This happens when Hamlet learns of his father s murder. The second phase contains the conflict, crisis and fall of the hero. The main plot, revenge will have a large role in this, as we will see in the later Acts.

Then comes his journey, a spiritual change in the hero s insight, which brings a conclusion to the tragedy. The play Hamlet, written by William Shakespeare, is of no exception to this law. It first introduces the main character Hamlet as being a great individual, one of high status.

He is contemplative. He loves to think. He needs to think in order to justify his actions, (Quote needed) which we find out is in contrast the opposite to his enemy Fortinbras. Fortinbras, the prince of Norway, the country that is currently in a state of war with Denmark, is the doer of the two. Unlike Hamlet, Fortinbras has heir himself an army and are now willing do whatever it takes to reclaim land from Denmark, even if it meant war. (Quote needed) In the opening scenes we find out that Hamlets uncle marries his mother and Hamlet is very disturbed by what he perceives as an incestuous and unlawful marriage. O most wicked speed, to post with such dexterity to incestuous sheets! It is not, nor it cannot come to, good. (I, ii, 156-158) His state of unhappiness, his crisis, is not attributed primarily to the death his father, but also to the marriage of his mother and his uncle, who is now the king of Denmark.

Hamlet remarks to Claudius that he is "a little more than kin and less than kind". (I, it. 65) He feels that this marriage is against the laws of nature. The presence of the apparition in the opening scene of William Shakespeare s Hamlet also sets a chilling and eerie tone while emitting and foreshadowing a theme of death. In addition to the death theme the presence of the ghost illuminates on the mystery surrounding the death of Hamlets father, the former King of Denmark. Often in literature the presence of a ghost indicates something left unresolved. In this case, the death of Hamlets father is the unresolved event as well the revenge necessary to give the tormented soul rest. Suspense is created when the audience is ignorant as to the purpose of the ghost. Later in the play the ghost is utilized to allow Hamlet and the audience knowledge of the murder of the king by Claudius, the kings own brother. When the ghost finally speaks, he tells Hamlet, Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder. Murder most foul, as in the best it is, But this most foul, strange, and unnatural. (I.v.25-28)

These quotes let Hamlet as well as the audience know that the fathers death was foul and unnatural contrary to popular belief. The spirit then reveals the murder to Hamlet: A serpent stung me. So the whole ear of Denmark Is by a forged process of my death Rankly abused. But know, thou noble youth, The serpent that did sting thy father s life Now wears his crown. (I.v.35-39) This statement not only reveals the culprit; it alludes to the manner in which the king was assassinated. Upon hearing this Hamlet and the audience realize who the murderer is and how the plot of vengeance will unfold. The introduction of Horatio and Ophelia in this act is another important part of the play. Being a scholar, Horatio becomes the voice of reason for Hamlet. Ophelia is first introduced to the audience as the obedient and daughter of Polonius sister of Laertes.

Both Laertes and Polonius warn and forbid Ophelia to have any kind of relationship with Hamlet. Tragic as this may be, she contributes more to Hamlets character development than to the theme of love. Both these characters will in the end contribute to the controversial issue of Hamlets sanity. We are given a glimpse of this when Hamlet say. As I perchance hereafter shall think meet to put an antic disposition on (I. v. 172-173), we are left speculating as to outcome of this act. Whether he will be merely acting insane or will he come insane. All in all, Act I is a great introduction to the play. It reveals the character, the setting, the atmosphere and most importantly, sets the tone of the play with the various plot as mentioned. It not only creates suspense but also gives light to the chain of event that will ensue.