Hamlet
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This document identifies and summarizes several themes in Shakespeare's Hamlet. It discusses how the play addresses the nature of theatre through techniques like metatheatre and the play within the play. It also examines themes of disease and corruption in Denmark, the role of women in the play, religious and spiritual themes involving the ghost and the afterlife, and the importance of words and language throughout Hamlet.
Hamlet
- 1. Themes identified By Dedr辿 Engelbrecht
- 2. Nature of Theatre Interpretation is unique Always study and interpretation Address ambiguous theatre in play metatheatre Addressing audience theatrical device Hamlet reflects play Whos there? (Hamlet reflecting himself) Mouse trap meta-theatre (Where is the line drawn?) By faking = you manipulate and get what you want We, the audience, are here to enjoy not to think Acting = faking emotions and Hamlet believes he cannot Appearance versus reality Theatre would not work if we did not put a suspend on belief. Metatheatre = play within a play Life is but a stage (Like a Russian Doll)
- 3. Disease and Cossuption Longest play of Shakespeare Rotten Denmark (Hamlet/ Laertes) Disease of the mind (Ophelia) Country reacting to the death of the king/ marriage
- 4. Role of Women Purpose to show off Hamlets doubts/ fears Ophelia used as a prop by Polonius Only controlling when she had gone mad Even though she could not control herself Women are stronger in Shakespeares comedies Ophelias madness true grief compared to Hamlets madness What did the queen know? Did Hamlet really love Ophelia?
- 5. The Ghost, Religion, Heaven, Hell and Purgatory Hamlet questions the nature of ghost Claims to be from purgatory Someone in purgatory does not speak of forgiveness and revenge Appearance of hell Uses heaven in describing revenge (Hamlet) Hamlets thoughts when Claudius is praying Claudius perception on praying Ophelia in hell? Earthly justice versus Heavenly justice Nobles decided burial Adjust beliefs to suit human perception
- 6. Words Shakespeares longest play Most soliloquies Internal monologue more expressed than dialogue Functioning of language Function of silence Let my story be heard Hamlet acts for those who cannot Because of that, he is in a position where he cannot say certain things Uses words as weapons (daggers) Words used as illusion (Claudius) Construct reality through words Audience understands Hamlets through words
- 7. Adapted from: Gilbertson, K. (2015). Hamlet, Prince of Denmark Themes. University of Johannesburg. South Africa.