Analysis of Major Themes and Symbols in Shakespeare's "Hamlet
Hamlet's internal conflict, highlighted by the responsibility to avenge his father's murder, unfolds through rising tensions and climactic moments leading to the tragic fates of characters. Symbolism, such as poison, the ghost, and Yorick's skull, adds layers of meaning. The falling action sees the unraveling of events culminating in a dramatic resolution. Lastly, vividly portrayed symbols like the graveyard and Hamlet's costumes deepen the play's thematic exploration.
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Presentation Transcript
Hamlet: Analysis Major Conflict Hamlet feels a responsibility to avenge his father s murder by his uncle Claudius, but Claudius is now the king and thus well protected. Moreover, Hamlet struggles with his doubts about whether he can trust the ghost and whether killing Claudius is the appropriate thing to do.
Hamlet: Analysis Rising Action The ghost appears to Hamlet and tells Hamlet to revenge his murder; Hamlet fakes madness to his intentions; Hamlet stages the mousetrap play; Hamlet passes up the opportunity to kill Claudius while he is praying.
Hamlet: Analysis Climax When Hamlet stabs Polonius through the arras in Act III, scene iv, he commits himself to overtly violent action and brings himself into unavoidable conflict with the king. Another possible climax comes at the end of Act IV, scene iv, when Hamlet resolves to commit himself fully to violent revenge.
Hamlet: Analysis Falling Action Hamlet is sent to England to be killed; Hamlet returns to Denmark and confronts Laertes at Ophelia s funeral; the fencing match; the deaths of the royal family
Hamlet: Analysis Symbols 1. Poison: is a symbol of betrayal, corruption, deceit, revenge and death. 2. The Ghost: the spiritual consequence of death. 3. Yorick s Skull: death and the afterlife. 4. Weather: bad weather is a sign of worse situation coming ahead and good weather points to good times. However, in the first scene, Shakespeare has shown that the weather is frigid and foggy in which the ghost of King Hamlet appears. This confusing and ambivalent weather is signifying the same situation coming ahead.
Hamlet: Analysis Symbols 5. Graveyard: a place where all are equal. 6. Hamlet s costumes: Hamlet wears dark blue cloak to express his mourning for his dead father. He continues to wear black clothes that keep him apart. This symbolizes that Hamlet doesn t care about outward appearance and wanted to remember his father until he seeks revenge. Hamlet s black costume shows his anguish. 7. Fencing swords: they symbolize violence and deaths in the play.
