Hamlet by Shakespeare

Topic

Hamlet by Shakespeare

Instructions

These are essentially reviews, asking you to assess 1) the intention of the author, 2) the intention of the director, and 3) how you feel the production is or is not relevant to 2017.

For part 1, you will be expected to provide evidence for your arguments cited directly from the play texts, and from whatever scholarship you can find on other plays written by the author or written about the author. For Part 2, you will be expected to provide evidence directly from the films seen in class, citing specific images of acting style, costumes, set, etc.

Answer preview

The play Hamlet is the ultimate dilemma. When Prince Hamlet is summoned home to bury his father, he is shocked to find his mother Gertrude is remarried to Claudius his uncle. This ‘incestuous’ and ‘foul’ marriage aggravates an already depressed and suspicious hamlet. Moreover, the uncle has made himself the king which makes Hamlet apprehensive now that he is the rightful heir. He has not long to wait because soon his father’s ghost visits and reveals the truth confirming his worst fears about Claudius. The ghost beseeches Hamlet to avenge his death by killing Claudius. To achieve that mission Hamlet feigns madness thereby marking the beginning of his woes.

Word count: 1276