How Plot, Characterization, and Theme are Effectively Portrayed in Act 1 of Hamlet

How Plot, Characterization, and Theme are Effectively Portrayed in Act 1 of Hamlet

In order to answer the above question, I will divide my essay into

three parts first I will look at the plot, second the characterisation

and thirdly the theme. Followed by a discussion how these three have

been used effectively in the first Act of Hamlet.

In Act 1 Scene 1 we first meet Bernardo, Francisco and Marcellus who

are officers of the watch we also meet Hamlet’s friend Horatio.

Marcellus and Barnardo have been on watch and seem to be very worried

and conscious of something, they use short blunt lines to make there

point and also they seem very agitated and impatient for the arrival

of Horatio and Marcellus:

” Well good night.

If you do meet Horatio and Marcellus,

The rivals of my watch bid them make haste”

Marcellus and Barnardo had seen the ghost twice previously and due to

Horatio's disbelief; Marcellus has convinced him to stand watch with

them that night. They believe that the ghost resembles the dead King

Hamlet. The atmosphere has a sense of danger and a chill of excitement

is running through the air. Around one o'clock, the ghost appears.

Horatio attempts to speak with it but the ghost will not answer and

leaves:

Horatio: “ What art thou unsup’st this time of night,

Together with that fair and warlike form

In which the majesty of buried Denmark

Did sometimes march? By heaven I charge thee speak. “

As Marcellus, Horatio, and Barnardo begin to discuss how the late king

conquered Fortinbras of Norway and seized his land, the men seem to

respect the King. However as the night a proceeds there is a feeling

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...state of Denmark is rotten”.

Hamlet feels betrayed by his own mother and this seems to “confuse”

him even more. He is betraying his mother by doing what the ghost of

his father has asked him to do. But then again his uncle betrayed his

own brother. The sense of betrayal intertwines and links to each

character. The plot is effective because each speech is needed to

learn about the personality of the character. It contributes to the

atmosphere of the play.

Although when Hamlet discovers the atrocity committed by his uncle, he

wishes for revenge. In that time, it would have been quite natural to

take matters into his own hands. In order to keep his plans secret;

he cannot let on that he knows of the crime. This in itself makes the

play effective and each character makes a decision but faces its own

consequences.