Hamlet Tetralogy Analysis

1086 Words3 Pages

Hamlet Part IV, Part I by Shakespeare is believed to have been written no later than 1597 and is most popularly known for being the second addition to the Shakespeare Tetralogy. The plays that are included in this are dealing with the power and control of Richard II, Henry IV, and Henry V. This specific section of the tetralogy is about the time in history in which the Hotspur 's battles were taking place. These were fought at Homildon in Northumberland. Hotspur was against Douglas in the late year of 1402 and ends in the year of 1403. The battle ended with the defeat of the rebels at the battle grounds of Shrewsbury. This play was constantly very popular with the public, and even the critics. When Henry was holding power, he had a disquiet …show more content…

The language that was used in the Shakespearean time was far from the language that is known to this day. Sometimes this language can be portrayed as much harsher. "Well, 'tis no matter, honour pricks [spurs] me on; yea, but how if honour prick me off [kill me] when I come on, how then? Can honour set to a leg? No. Or an arm? No. Or take away the grief of a wound? No. Honour hath no skill in surgery then? No. What is honour? A word. What is in that word honour? What is that honour? Air-a trim reckoning [worthless payoff]. Who hath it? He that died a Wednesday. Doth he feel it? No. Doth he hear it? No. 'Tis insensible then? Yea, to the dead. But will it not live with the living? No. Why? Detraction [envious gossip] will not suffer [allow] it." This quote from Falstaff is a great example of this text coming to life to portray a true meaning. He uses a few different examples of analogy and metaphors. By Shakespeare inserting these intricate literary styles, a reader is able to greater connect to the text and see the true meaning. This also allows for a great examples that may be comparable to modern day society and the daily actions readers may actually encounter. Word choice and literary analysis is very important as it stands to be the major focus point of most of Shakespearean 's work. Words such as reckoning or insensible are strong action and sensory words that are …show more content…

Hotspur 's speech represents the ideas that come from people residing in higher status of the kingdom and of this time. He discusses how honor comes from who a person hangs out with and his great succession in battles against furious warriors. However, in a contradicting statement, Flastaff discusses how honor is only a thought that resides in one 's mind. Essentially, this means that the idea and label of honor is virtually meaningless in the grand scheme of things. This is a major idea in which Flastaff discusses time and time again. Finally, the last discussion of honor comes from the unique word choice and literary tools that are used within the two passages. Without the strong and direct meaning associated with the words used, the plot would fall along with the importance of the word Honor in everyday society. In conclusion, all of Shakespeare 's plays describe a different kind of deep moral meaning. This particular play brings up the idea of everyday honor or 'honour ' and is a great example of the many works of Shakespeare in

More about Hamlet Tetralogy Analysis

Open Document