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Comparing hamlet to other works of literature
Comparing hamlet to other works of literature
Comparing hamlet to other works of literature
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Charles Dickens, a 19th century English writer, considered William Shakespeare as “the great master who knew everything.” It can be said that the person most qualified to recognize a literary genius would be a literary genius himself. Shakespeare played a large role in influencing Dickens work; this work has even been compared with the work of Shakespeare himself. To clearly compare each of these writers work, we must first investigate how and what influences Shakespeare had on Dickens. It is then that we can properly analyze the notable similarities and the striking differences these writers used in each of their selected “master pieces.” This essay will describe Shakespeare’s influence on Charles Dickens as a child and as a writer, discussing …show more content…
First, there are many similarities that, without Shakespearean influence, could not be coincidental. Dickens opens his story with “The mention of Marley's funeral brings me back to the point I started from. There is no doubt that Marley was dead. This must be distinctly understood, or nothing wonderful can come of the story I am going to relate. If we were not perfectly convinced that Hamlet's Father died before the play began, there would be nothing more remarkable in his taking a stroll at night, in an easterly wind, upon his own ramparts, than there would be in any other middle-aged gentleman rashly turning out after dark in a breezy spot -- say Saint Paul's Churchyard for instance -- literally to astonish his son's weak mind." This is an obvious reference to Shakespeare’s work in Dickens work already. At the very beginning of each story, there is the death of a character. Each of these deceased characters are the cause and motivation for the actions of the main characters in each story. The death of Marley causes Scrooge to hate Christmas and anything related. He goes out of his way to tell off carolers, tear down decorations, and discourage any Christmas spirit. This continues for many years until finally the ghost of Marley comes back to warn Scrooge. Similarly, Hamlet is depressed and lost with the loss of his father. Too add to his distress, Hamlet cannot understand why his recently widowed mother so acceptingly marries his uncle. One night, he is visited by the ghost of his father to tell him how he really
The most prominent character parallel between the two works is that of Prince Hamlet and Sweeney Todd. They have similar motives and plans to reach their
A Comparison of the Character Hamlet, of Shakespeare's Hamlet, and McMurphy of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
The Kite Runner by Khalid Hosseini and William Shakespeare’s Hamlet have demonstrated how the protagonists’ action of concealing and revealing their true selves impacts themselves and the surrounding. Amir’s escaping from the alley in the year of 1975 and Hamlet’s supernatural conversation with the ghost respectively trigger the aggressive plot development in the stories. Second, Amir’s desperation for paternal love and Hamlet’s grief for the death of Old Hamlet cause them to act differently and lead to a life dilemma. Nevertheless, Amir’s redemption saves him from further concealing the sorrow of betraying Hassan, whereas Hamlet’s life, without forgiveness, forebodes the remarkable tragedy, death.
be a powerful man, has his life unravel before him as he loses his job, his
William Shakespeare has become landmark in English literature. One must be familiar with the early days of English literature in order to comprehend the foundation of much of more modern literature’s basis. Shakespeare’s modern influence is still seen clearly in many ways. The success of Shakespeare’s works helped to set the example for the development of modern dramas and plays. He is also acknowledged for being one of the first writers to use any modern prose in his writings.
Two Sides of Hamlet Hamlets confrontation with Gertrude leaves her questioning her son’s. sanity. This is because she attests to him talking to thin air, which he claims was his father’s ghost. It seems like Gertrude has every right to think Hamlet is mad. Her judgement is also fuelled by Polonius’ murder is a crime.
No story is entirely original. Authors, playwrights, and songwriters all pick and choose elements from stories regardless of whether they intend to or not. Some stories mirror those of the past more similarly than others while adding a fresh, new twist. The Disney movie The Lion King contains many similarities to Shakespeare's play Hamlet, some of which are more obvious than others. Similarities in the character complexes of the three hyenas and Polonius's family, betrayal from Scar and Claudius, and the kingdoms deterioration and resolution are a few examples of the likenesses of the movie and play.
Different adaptations of William Shakespeare’s works have taken various forms. Through the creative license that artists, directors, and actors take, diverse incarnations of his classic works continue to arise. Gregory Doran’s Hamlet and Kenneth Branagh’s Hamlet bring William Shakespeare’s work by the same title to the screen. These two film adaptations take different approaches in presenting the turmoil of Hamlet. From the diverging takes on atmosphere to the characterization of the characters themselves, the many possible readings of Hamlet create the ability for the modification of the presentation and the meaning of the play itself. Doran presents David Tenant as Hamlet in a dark, eerie, and minimal setting; his direction highlighting the
During class we have reviewed many versions of the play Hamlet. The two movie versions that I chose to compare on the play Hamlet are the David Tennant version and the Kenneth Branagh version. I chose these two versions because these were the two that most interested me. I believe that some scenes from each movie were better than the other, but overall I liked these two versions just as equally. The three main scenes that stood out to me that I will be comparing are ‘Ophelia’s Mad Scene’, the ‘Hamlet Kills Polonius’ scene, and Hamlet’s ‘To be or not to be’ scene.
Some stories that are considered ‘classics’ often get reiterated to offer a similar message to a younger generation. As Shakespeare was such a strong author and playwright, many of his pieces are retold. The story of Hamlet is often retold with different characters, however, perhaps the most popular adaptation is the Walt Disney film, The Lion King. As The Lion King and Hamlet were developed for different demographics, there are similarities and differences between the main characters, and the supporting characters, which also affect the overall theme and plot tone.
William Shakespeare’s parents both died barely ten years apart, which is why so many of his tragic plays end in death. In his play The Legend of Macbeth Lady Macbeth and Macbeth are obsessed with their own selfish desires and cannot stop their murderous deeds. In Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, the character Scrooge is a representation of the type of person Dickens could have become because his father made him start working at the age of twelve. Scrooge is an old, grouchy, and cruel man who cares more about money than his relationship with his fiancée Belle. Although Macbeth and Scrooge both undergo changes of the heart, the outcome brings about
Through the elements of technique portrayed in this essay, it is clear to see that Shakespeare is able to influence the reader through soliloquies, imagery, and dual understanding. This overall influence being both the communication of a deeper meaning, and a more complex understanding of the events and statements within Hamlet.
Michael Almereyda’s movie adaptation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet brings about a new perspective through its performance. The movie adaptation, Hamlet (2000), retells the original play in a modernized setting, bringing out various different elements of characters, which highlights a new reading of these characters as individuals, and a newfangled reading of the play as well. Throughout the movie, Ophelia and Gertrude, the woman-leads, are advanced in a progressive manner compared to the original play. In particular, Gertrude from Hamlet (2000) is noticeably altered from Hamlet, the play. This new interpretation of Gertrude and the play created by the movie adaptation advances the position of Gertrude as a woman, as well as motifs of incest, misogyny,
Hobsbaum, Philip. A Reader’s Guide to Charles Dickens. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1972.