Hamlet Acts I-V: The Most Important Motifs In Shakespeare's Play

478 Words1 Page
bulb-icon

Recommended: Characterisation of hamlet

Hamlet Acts I-V
There are many different important motifs throughout Hamlet such as the incestual nature between Hamlet's mother, the Queen, and Claudius. Misogyny in the Queen's decision to marry Claudius in such a short amount of time. But the most important motif that stands out throughout the playwright is how and when people confess their sins, and how it fits into the story of Hamlet.
The idea of the confession of sins was a general belief throughout the Elizabethan culture, which was the time when Shakespeare wrote his plays. It was believed that if you confessed all of your sins you would be sent straight to heaven. If you did not confess any of your sins, then you would be sent to hell. If you confessed only a small amount of your sins you would be sent to purgatory, which is a world in between Heaven and Hell, but yet is still trapped on Earth. King Hamlet Sr. at the start of the play is revealed to the night guards of Norway while he is in purgatory. …show more content…

The killer is revealed to be Hamlet Sr.’s Brother, and Hamlet’s Uncle, now known as King Claudius. Hamlet goes to hunt down the King Claudius to murder him before he has time to confess his sins. The King realizes that Hamlet knows what he had done, so he goes to confess his sins within the Chapel of the Castle. Hamlet realizes he cannot kill the King now, and that he has to wait until he is under the act of another sin in order for him to be sent to Hell, or at least Purgatory, he could be drinking, swearing, etc, and that would all be a viable account of a

Show More
Related

  • Scenes in Shakespeare's Hamlet

    654 Words  | 2 Pages

    When one reflects on the questions they are asked in life, one of the most thought provoking questions is “what is your favorite movie?” Though a trivial question, one constantly finds oneself baffled trying to think of a movie in which they can truly say is their favorite. Once one comes up with an answer to this question, the preceding question is “why?” What is it that truly makes a movie great? One can argue the characters, or the story line that makes the movie great. But ultimately it is the memorable scenes in which make the movie ones favorite. It is the scenes that truly stand out above the other components of a movie or play. For this reason, numerous writers emphasize one or two scenes in which stand out from all the rest. This technique was mastered by no other than the playwright William Shakespeare. Shakespeare throughout his tragedies focuses on two scenes that stand out to the audiences. Shakespeare’s emphasis on scenes is evident in act 1 scene 1, act three scene 1 of his play Hamlet, and Act 2kj… of his play King Lear.

    Read More

  • Free Essays - Act 3 Scene 4 of Hamlet

    656 Words  | 2 Pages

    Act 3 Scene 4, so called the closet scene, is the first time we see Hamlet and Gertrude together alone. In this scene Hamlet releases his anger and frustration at his mother for the sinful deed she has committed i.e. her marriage to her brother-in-law and the murderer. We can see that Gertrude is unaware of her husband's murder when she says `As kill a King?' and it is the first time she confronts her own behavior. There is a conflict between the two; Hamlet gives powerful replies

    Read More

  • An Analytical Essay Of The Tragedy Of Hamlet, Prince Of Denmark

    1156 Words  | 3 Pages

    During the first act, Prince Hamlet meets the ghost of his father, King Hamlet. His father's ghost tells Hamlet that Claudius poured poison in his ear while he slept. The spirit also explains that he wishes for Hamlet to avenge his death, but not to punish Queen Gertrude for marrying Claudius. He tells Hamlet that she will have to answer to her conscience, and eventually God for her incestuous actions (absoluteshakespeare.com 1 of 4). It was believed during these times that when a person died, especially in such a tragic fashion, that their spirit lingered about while suffering in Purgatory. This could cause a normally virtuous person's spirit to become filled with malevolence and begin to meddle in living men's affairs (en.wikipedia.org 4 of 9). This belief caused Prince Hamlet to want to investigate his father's spirit's claims to ensure that they were indeed true. In order to do this, Prince Hamlet feigns madness in order to remain hidden from members of the court's suspicions while he plots his revenge on King Claudius (www.sparknotes.com 1 of 3). He also takes advantage of a group of actors who come to Elsinore Castle to perform by rewriting a play to recreate the scene of his father's murder. He does this with the hope of flushing a confession out of Claudius' guilty conscience. When Claudius sees the play, he stands up and leaves the room (en.wikipedia.org 5 of 9). After many more events, Claudius' guilt becomes more obvious. Claudius then begins to change his focus towards killing Hamlet, as he is beginning to become aware of the Prince's plans to kill him. Claudius then arranges a fencing match between Hamlet and Polonius' son Laertes and has Laertes poison the blade of one of his swords to be used in the match (Hamlet).

    Read More

  • Free Hamlet Essays: Talk and Action in Hamlet

    717 Words  | 2 Pages

    Talk and Action in Hamlet The character of Hamlet is very prestigious, but he has many shortcomings. In many cases, he shows that he is all words and no action. He waits until the very last minute to take a course of action. Hamlet realizes this, and he wishes that he had the characteristics of Fortinbras, Laertes, and Horatio.                       For instance, when he finds Claudius praying, he could have easily killed him and been done with it.

    Read More

  • A Lack Of Faith In Shakespeare's Hamlet

    990 Words  | 2 Pages

    His belief is that if Claudius were to die during confession, Claudiuss' spirit would ascend to heaven and Hamlet will not accept this. Hamlet figures he will wait until "He is drunk asleep, or in his rage, or in th'incestuous pleasure of his bed, at game a-swearing, or about some act that has no relish of salvation in't, then trip him". (80) Hamlet's obvious plan is to wait until Claudius sins, and then avenge his father. This move cost Hamlet his life. Hamlet's previous decision was based upon his belief in divine purposes.

    Read More

  • Free Hamlet Essays: Weak and Pitiful Hamlet

    844 Words  | 2 Pages

    Hamlet’s sanity began to deteriorate when learned that his father’s death was not an accident, but rather a foul deed committed by the newly crowned King of Denmark. “If thou didst ever thy dear father love – Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder” [Act I, v l .23-25]. As a mysterious ghost appeared in the terrace, Hamlet learned of a murderer that would prove his fealty towards his father. As he contemplated the appalling news recently brought to his attention, the control Hamlet had over his actions was questioned. “O villain, villain, smiling, damned villain! My tables meet it is I set it down, That one may smile, and smile, and be a villain. At least I am sure it may be so in Denmark,” [Act I, v l. 106-109]. Hamlet’s hatred toward his father’s killer caused him to relate the tribulations between murder and the aspects of Denmark as a country together. As with most of the conflicts Hamlet faced, his lack of ability to avenge his father’s death, furthered the deterioration of his life and surroundings.

    Read More

  • An Analytical Essay on the Significance of the Players in Hamlet

    648 Words  | 2 Pages

    The significance of the players exceeds the sole purpose of entertainment, as each possesses the power to unveil the "occulted guilt" (3.2.75) and conscience of the King.  Hamlet assumes the responsibility to advise these players with precise and adequate direction so that a "whirlwind of passion" (6) may not effectively separate Claudius from personally identifying with the play.  Hamlet's enthusiastic approach toward direction may be so that he encourages the players to "suit the action to the word, the word to the/ action, with this special observance, that you o'erstep not/ the modesty of nature" (16-18).  However, this exercise of caution may justify Hamlet's too often delayed attempt toward the action of avenging his father's murder.  His direction confines him to the overflow of words as he experiences imprisonment within the truth of his own identity.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Hamlet Act 2

    180 Words  | 1 Pages

    Hamlet Act 2 starts with a conversation between Polonius and Reynaldo, his servant, about how Reynaldo is to find out about the behavior of Laertes, Polonius’ son. This event foreshadows the Queen and King’s conversation with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern about how Hamlet’s two friends will uncover the reason for Hamlet’s recent behavior change. In their conversation, Polonius tells Reynaldo that he is to ask random people about Laertes and to tell the people about how Laertes, in his youth, gambled, was intoxicated and got into fights. He then tells Reynaldo to spy on Laertes. Through these actions, Polonius shows that he will do almost anything to control his children and their reputations. Throughout this Act, one general theme is revealed. This theme is the scheming of characters to

    Read More

  • Hamlet Bipolar Disorder Analysis

    1124 Words  | 3 Pages

    As soon as Hamlet learns, from the ghost of his dead father, that his uncle is to blame for the King’s sudden death he becomes obsessed with vengeance. He concludes that not only must he kill his King uncle but that others must also be made aware of his treacherous actions against Denmark. While on his mission to avenge his father’s death he is faced with the perfect opportunity while his uncle is in prayer. However, he decides that he must send him to Hell and not Heaven, HAMLET: Up, sword, and know thou a more horrid hent. When he is drunk asleep, or in his rage,

    Read More

  • Free Hamlet Essays: Hamlet's Inability to Take Action

    593 Words  | 2 Pages

    With his thinking mind Hamlet does not become a typical vengeful character. Unlike most erratic behavior of individuals seeking revenge out of rage, Hamlet considers the consequences of his actions. What would the people think of their prince if he were to murder the king? What kind of effect would it have on his beloved mother? Hamlet considers questions of this type which in effect hasten his descision. After all, once his mother is dead and her feelings out of the picture , Hamlet is quick and aggressive in forcing poison into Claudius' mouth. Once Hamlet is certain that Claudius is the killer it is only after he himself is and and his empire falling that he can finally act.

    Read More

  • Free Hamlet Essays: Hamlet's Numerous Problems

    1059 Words  | 3 Pages

    Hamlet's problem is not exact; it cannot be pinpointed. In fact, Hamlet has numerous problems that contribute to his dilemma. The first of these problems is the appearance of King Hamlet's ghost to his son, Hamlet. Hamlet's morality adds a great deal to his delay in murdering the current king, Claudius. One of Hamlet's biggest drawbacks is that he tends to think things out too much. Hamlet does not act on instinct; however, he makes certain that every action is premeditated. Hamlet suffers a great deal from melancholy; this in turn causes him to constantly second guess himself. The Ghost is the main cause of Hamlet's melancholy. Also, Hamlet's melancholy helps to clear up certain aspects of the play. These are just a few of the problems that Hamlet encounters throughout his ordeal.

    Read More

  • Free Hamlet Essays: Interpretation of Hamlet

    738 Words  | 2 Pages

    Keys to Interpretation of Hamlet & nbsp; William Shakespeare's Hamlet is, at heart, a play about suicide. Though it is surrounded by a fairly standard revenge plot, the play's core is an intense psychodrama about a prince gone mad from the pressures of his station and his unrequited love for Ophelia. He longs for the ultimate release of killing himself - but why? In this respect, Hamlet is equivocal - he gives several different motives depending on the situation. But we learn to trust his soliloquies - his thoughts - more than his actions.

    Read More

  • Elements of Tragedy in Hamlet

    1012 Words  | 3 Pages

    In 350 B.C.E., a great philosopher wrote out what he thought was the definition of a tragedy. As translated by S.H. Butcher, Aristotle wrote; “Tragedy, then, is an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude; in language embellished with each kind of artistic ornament, the several kinds being found in separate parts of the play; in the form of action, not of narrative; with incidents arousing pity and fear, wherewith to accomplish its catharsis of such emotions. . . . Every Tragedy, therefore, must have six parts, which parts determine its quality—namely, Plot, Characters, Thought, Diction, Spectacle, Melody. (http://www.cnr.edu/home/bmcmanus/poetics.html)” Later in history, William Shakespeare wrote tragedies that epitomized Aristotle’s outline of a tragedy. Shakespeare’s Hamlet is one such tragedy.

    Read More

  • Free Hamlet Essays: The Downfall of Hamlet

    695 Words  | 2 Pages

    There are many reasons why Hamlet had his downfall. One being his decision to keeping the murder of his father a secret. Another one being the betrayals of his closest friends. Perhaps if Guildenstern or Rosencrantz had been there for Hamlet, to rely and place trust upon, he might not had to fell so alone. A little sympathy from his girlfriend Ophelia, and even his mother Gertrude would have been nice as well. Unfortunately Ophelia is held back from Hamlet, due to her father. Gertrude marries his uncle Claudius, who is responsible for his fathers death, and is looking to kill him next. And Guildenstern and Rosencrantz are ordered by Claudius to spy on Hamlet, and betray him as a friend.

    Read More

  • Hamlet – A Psychological Drama

    1933 Words  | 4 Pages

    In writing Hamlet, William Shakespeare plumbed the depths of the mind of the protagonist, Prince Hamlet, to such an extent that this play can rightfully be considered a psychological drama.

    Read More

More about Hamlet Acts I-V: The Most Important Motifs In Shakespeare's Play

Open Document