Understanding Life Through Drama Contrary to the widely held belief that the art of drama excels in distortion, speaks through exaggeration, and revels in the unreal, one can determine that when well executed, drama can masterfully reflect the human condition in its truest and most condensed form. Through the thoughtful use of language, drama reflects human emotions, mirrors relationships, and presents new ways to pose questions concerning the human condition. In many cases, drama can even be used as a tool to help people better interpret the world and the nature of the universe, and ultimately determine one 's role in it. One of the most impressive qualities that drama possesses is the ability to so expertly reflect human emotion. …show more content…
For example, in expressing the inner turmoil and anxiety that Hamlet experiences when he goes to confront his mother in Act III, Shakespeare describes Hamlet 's nerves as "pitched at the very height of tension; he is on the edge of hysteria" (Document D). In this description of Hamlet, Shakespeare synthesizes some of the same emotions that an actual person may be filled with when confronting his mother. The addition of a talented actor to the equation allows drama to even further mimic emotions, as in the case of esteemed actor Sir Laurence. In his portrayal of Hamlet, Sir Laurence "appears as the ineffective dreamer, the hysteric, the oversensitive 'scholar '" (Document B), and adds uniquely human elements to what would otherwise be merely words on a page. It is such astute depictions of human emotion that prompt overwhelming responses to drama, and cause "so many [to …show more content…
Similar to the displays of human emotion found in real life, drama often mimics real life relationships through interactions between characters. For example, in Shakespeare 's Hamlet, Gertrude, in a "human gesture . . . stops for a word of kindness to Ophelia . . . for she is unwilling to leave Ophelia . . . without some kindly and intelligent appreciation of her help" (Document D). In this exchange, one can observe how Ophelia and Gertrude have formed a sort of bond as a result of their individual relationships with Gertrude 's son, Hamlet. Much like a nonfictional mother-in-law, Gertrude shows compassion and concern for her would- be daughter-in-law, Ophelia. However, in contrast to the tender relationship formed between Gertrude and Ophelia, is the severely plagued relationship between Gertrude and Hamlet. As Hamlet " quips with her, insults her, tells her he wishes she were not his mother, and . . . seizes her" (Document D), Shakespeare presents many of the same elements, including contempt, confusion, and hostility, often displayed in real life parent-child relationships. In reading or watching this scene, the audience is able to recognize these same elements that have likely been present in their lives at some time or another, and relate them to their own relationships. Though most individuals are unfamiliar with being the heir to the Danish
The following response will discuss how the elements of drama: mood and atmosphere, symbol and tension are utilized to create meaning in the clip titled “Charlotte’s Web: Saving the runt” (http://www.wingclips.com/movie-clips/charlottes-web/saving-the-runt.).
Hamlet: Hamlet's Sanity & nbsp; & nbsp; “Great wits are sure to madness near allied, and thin partitions do. their bounds divide.” Though John Dryden's quote was not made in regard to William Shakespeare's Hamlet, it relates very well to the argument of whether or not Hamlet went insane. When a character such as Hamlet is under scrutiny, it can sometimes be difficult to determine what state he is in at. particular moments in the play.
In life, one goes through different experiences which makes and shapes us into the person who we become. Whether something as little as a "hello" by a crush or a death in a family, they contribute to the difference, as they are all equal in importance. In the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare, the protagonist Hamlet struggles throughout his life as he is in search of his true identity. The Webster's dictionary, under the second definition, defines identity as "The set of behavioral or personal characteristics by which an individual is recognizable as a member of a group." As life only moves forward for Hamlet, he struggles to find his place in life, nonetheless to revenge the murder of his father.
...ly progressed from a way to tell stories about kings and gods to a way to tell stories about ordinary human beings. By moving our focus off of nobility, the language of plays became the language of every individual, and eventually, due to America’s “melting pot” culture, the language itself became individual. The unique language of American dramatic characters represents not only the diversity of the American people, but also the diversity of all human beings. These dramatically dissimilar differences were not typical of older plays when they were written, but now, they are what make American drama so valuable. Our acceptance and love for characters with different values than ours is representative of the love we can develop for those who are different from us. It represents the worldview that our current culture idealizes and strives to achieve: acceptance for all.
In William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Shakespeare utilizes his ability to use words to paint emotion, the story, and characters into the readers mind. Shakespeare creates the memorable character of Hamlet Junior in his poem, Hamlet, through the characteristics of insanity and madness and suicidal tendencies or thoughts of suicide. His capability of doing so enlarges the ability of the reader to understand the story, but also to construct the storyline.
Finally, it is fun to study drama. It is fun to dramatise and dress up and fall over dead behind improvised curtains and fence with blackboard pointers and cook up a witches brew and come to school with a spade over your shoulder for the Graveyard Scene. It is fun, and while all the fun is being enjoyed an incredible amount of language is pouring into these students' heads, through listening, reading, watching videos and learning lines off by heart.
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.
Shakespeare’s play Hamlet is a complex and ambiguous public exploration of key human experiences surrounding the aspects of revenge, betrayal and corruption. The Elizabethan play is focused centrally on the ghost’s reoccurring appearance as a symbol of death and disruption to the chain of being in the state of Denmark. The imagery of death and uncertainty has a direct impact on Hamlet’s state of mind as he struggles to search for the truth on his quest for revenge as he switches between his two incompatible values of his Christian codes of honour and humanist beliefs which come into direct conflict. The deterioration of the diseased state is aligned with his detached relationship with all women as a result of Gertrude’s betrayal to King Hamlet which makes Hamlet question his very existence and the need to restore the natural order of kings. Hamlet has endured the test of time as it still identifies with a modern audience through the dramatized issues concerning every human’s critical self and is a representation of their own experience of the bewildering human condition, as Hamlet struggles to pursuit justice as a result of an unwise desire for revenge.
In the play “Hamlet,” Gertrude and Ophelia share similarities and they are also contrasting characters. Gertrude, the mother of Hamlet, is a loving, honorable, protective mother. Ophelia, Hamlet’s love interest, is young, foolish, and underestimated. One of the main stances, to which they both contrast, is their love for Hamlet.
Appearance and reality have never been portrayed with such immense differences as they are seen in Hamlet. Deceit runs about freely the entire play and affects every character, creating torment and confusion for all. Three complex characters use treachery to their advantage as they create façade in order to carry out plans, yet their shrouded minds impede them from carrying them through. All Shakespearian tragedies are filled with delusive, spurious characters, but none are as deceitful as those in Hamlet. Claudius, Polonius, and Hamlet have distorted realities and unfortunately, each has a clouded conscious that leads them to make life-changing decisions.
After conducting a thorough literary analysis of William Shakespeare 's “ Hamlet”, one can conclude Hamlet Jr, the Prince of Denmark and main character was sane. A multitude of evidence in the book through dialect, interactions, and thoughts of the characters proves that Hamlet is in his right mind. People tend to stray from their typical character when they are grieving the loss of a loved one: this theory explains Prince Hamlet’s atypical behavior. The Prince is deeply hurt to the core from his father’s abrupt death, and there is no one there with whom he can share this pain with; his mother only amplifies the agony that suffocates young Hamlet by marrying her brother in law one month after her husband died. Hamlet recognizes that he must bear his grief alone, and his mother and stepfather have forbade him from obtaining closure with regards to his father’s passing. In scene 2, Hamlet says “ But break, my heart, for I must hold my tongue”(160) which explains why Hamlet’s thoughts are dismal and somewhat suicidal. Hamlet does have a rational mind; however, in an effort to avenge his father’s death and
The tragedy of Hamlet by William Shakespeare is about Hamlet going insane and reveals his madness through his actions and dialogue. Hamlet remains one of the most discussed literary characters of all time. This is most likely due to the complex nature of Hamlet as a character. In one scene, Hamlet appears happy, and then he is angry in another and melancholy in the next. Hamlet’s madness is a result of his father’s death which was supposedly by the hands of his uncle, Claudius. He has also discovered that this same uncle is marrying his mom. It is expected that Hamlet would be suffering from some emotional issues as result of these catastrophes. Shakespeare uses vivid language, metaphors, and imagery to highlight how Hamlet’s madness influences several important aspects of his life including his relationships and the way he presents himself.
In life the border between sanity and madness is thin and undefined. At best it is
William Shakespere 's tragedy of Hamlet is a story of revenge and distress involving Hamlet Jr, the prince of Denmark. The plot of the play focuses on Hamlet 's quest to avenge his father 's death. Hamlet learns that his father did not die accidentally, as the public believed, and that his Uncle Claudius is the one who murdered his father. Claudius then hastily married Hamlet 's mother and became king. Hamlet is an archetypical example of a tragic hero. He starts out as a noble and virtuous character and then confronts challenges that expose his tragic flaws which lead to his downfall. Hamlet 's tragic flaws are making rash decisions as well as being overly contemplative.
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.