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Example research essay topic: Claudius And Gertrude Hamlet And Laertes - 1,594 words

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I do agree that the characters in this scene are portrayed in a very ambiguous manner. At this point in the play, many of the characters are masking their real feelings; this is usually quite apparent in their language and behaviour on stage. The structure of the scene is an important feature used to display the characters ambiguity, especially with the characters of Hamlet and Claudius. Only Hamlet is alone on the stage at any one time, and is therefore the only character who can express his true feelings. Claudius, however, is only on stage when in the company of his court, and cannot be as free with his thoughts and language.

The scene can be divided roughly into four sections; the assembly of the court and the Kings speeches, Hamlets soliloquy, the discussion about the ghost, and Hamlets second shorter soliloquy. However the extract in question only concerns the first two sections. The first section of this extract contrasts dramatically with the scene preceding it. The Danish court is assembled in a celebratory mood and everyone appears happy however the figure of Hamlet is clad in a night colour. This particular effect immediately isolates Hamlet from the rest of the characters present. Hamlets attire is interpreted as overly melodramatic by Claudius and Gertrude; Hamlet insists he is truly grieving for his father, but it is also possible that he is deliberately lengthening his mourning duties to indicate that he will not accept Claudius as neither his King or his stepfather.

Hamlets soliloquy has tremendous dramatic effect - as he is alone on the stage and is able to share his thoughts with the audience, it is an important method of displaying his feelings of ambiguity in this scene. When in the presence of the king and court, he is politely hostile - Not so my lord, - but his first words are undoubtedly bitter; Hamlet informs his Uncle that he himself is A little more than kin, and less than kind. When he is alone on the stage, the audience is given an insight into his real thoughts about Claudius and Gertrude, and their marriage. In contrast to when he is actually in Gertrude's presence, it is discovered that his attitude toward his mothers heartlessness is much the same as his attitude toward Claudius; Hamlet is of the opinion that A beast that wants discourse of reason/ Would have mourned longer. The use of beast in particular indicates his true disgust at the marriage; referring to his own mother in such a way.

This specific choice of lexis could almost be interpreted as Hamlet seeing his mother and stepfathers relationship as inhuman and bestial. Claudius rather dramatic opening speech appears to be relaxed, eloquent and confident, but its careful structure indicates that the speech is well rehearsed. The style of his first extended speech is open to interpretation; he can be portrayed as overly confident about his marriage, referring to Hamlet as his cousin and son and his kingship; insecure about his marriage, referring to Gertrude as th imperial jointress; crafty and devious, speaking of Hamlets death with no real sorrow or observably fake sadness; or unsure of his role as King; he begins his first Royal speech by speaking at length on personal matters this could be seen more as small talk than anything else. The reaction of his court can also be seen as ambiguous his subjects are portrayed as respecting their new King, declaring In that and all things will we show our duty, but the characters can also be interpreted as disliking him and his moral standards, as being fearful of him, or being intrigued by the whole affair.

Throughout his first speech, his face shows little signs of cracking he says discretion has overcome his natural grief for his dear brother. However, during the course of his speeches, there is much evidence of his hypocrisy. He describes old Hamlet as valiant and dear, despite the fact that Claudius himself was responsible for his death. Whilst the King is comfortable speaking to Laertes, Hamlets obvious dislike for his uncle is manifested in such terse, riddled language as I am too much ith sun and Claudius seems to be quite nervous at this. Also, after quickly informing the court of the current affairs of the state, Claudius describes the King of Norway as impotent and bed-rid. This gives us a valuable insight into his character at this stage in the play; it is the first time that the darker side of the Kings personality is hinted at.

In my opinion, in this scene Claudius speaks far more easily to Laertes than he does to his own nephew. In referring to Laertes by name four times in nine lines and using the most poetic of language, like What wouldst thou beg, Laertes, / That shall not be my offer, nor thy asking? Claudius is subtly indicating to Hamlet that he requires a certain courteous regard from him. This is the first time in the play that there is evidence of friction and disagreement between the two characters, rather than just Hamlets obvious defiance toward his uncle. At this stage in the play, Gertrude seems to me a very equivocal character. She speaks little, and although she and Hamlet are on civil speaking terms, she pleads with him to cast [his] night colour off/ And let [his] eye look like a friend on Denmark.

At this point in the play, she can be presented as agreeing more with her sons viewpoint than her husbands, or vice versa. She advises Hamlet Do not forever with thy veiled lids/ Seek for thy noble father in the dust, personally I think this is quite callous considering old Hamlet has only recently died. She glosses over old Hamlets death all that lives must die, /Passing through nature to eternity. depending on the actress delivery, tone and movement, these lines can be seen to agree more with Claudius than to be actual advice for Hamlet in dealing with his grief. However, later in the play it is discovered that Gertrude genuinely does have a fierce, protective love for her son. Like her husband, Gertrude is also good at hiding her feelings.

The memory of her husbands death is still green, and yet within a month (according to Hamlet) she had married Claudius. Hamlets confusion and disgust at her for doing so - Let me not think ont - is well justified in my opinion, at this stage in the play it is possible to interpret Gertrude as a cold-hearted woman, Laertes is present for the Kings speeches, and in my opinion, is playing Claudius game back at him. He speaks sweetly to the King, adopting the correct, courtly kind of language as My dread lord and my gracious leave and pardon. His ambiguity is shown in his claim that he came to Denmark / To show [his] duty in [Claudius] coronation, rather than to attend King Hamlets funeral. The appearance of Hamlet and Laertes in this scene establishes a striking contrast between the two characters; Claudius behaves in a much more fatherly manner toward Laertes than he does with Hamlet, Laertes reciprocates this ease between them whilst Hamlet is short and discourteous with Claudius. However, in the final stages of the play after he vows to avenge Polonius death, Laertes steps into the spotlight and becomes the alternative revenge hero of the play.

The characters of Hamlet and Laertes, although in this scene they appear distinctly opposite, are really quite similar in some ways. A main theme of the play is revenge - Hamlet wants to avenge his fathers death and get revenge on his uncle; and later, Laertes wishes to get revenge on Hamlet, as he was responsible for the death of Laertes father. At this stage in the play, both the characters and audience are unaware of the ghosts situation and purpose, but the first suggestion that Hamlet is after revenge is displayed in his soliloquy (129 - 159). Hamlet admits for the first time that he loathes Claudius; he describes him as a satyr and compares him to old Hamlet, who was so excellent a king. His lexical choice of satyr a half-man, half-goat lecherous creature gives the audience an insight into his true feelings about Claudius. Later on in the play, Hamlet devotes much time to thinking about revenge; however his actions are immensely different from his thoughts.

One of the central ideas of the play is love and it is enormously present in this scene. The three loving relationships presented in this scene are Hamlets love for old Hamlet, the love between Claudius and Gertrude, and the love between Gertrude and Hamlet. Hamlets fierce admiration for his father, who was so loving to [his] mother, can be interpreted as a reason for why his hatred of Claudius is so extreme. The love between Claudius and Gertrude is incredibly enigmatic, as Hamlet recalls she would hang on to [old Hamlet]/ As if increase of appetite had grown/ By what it fed on. I feel that it seems highly unlikely that a love so powerful can be vanquished by death, least of all in a few weeks. To conclude, I think that this extract presents the involved characters in a markedly ambiguous way, more so than in other scenes.

However as the extract is from one of the opening scenes of the play, it is vital that the characters are open to personal interpretation. Bibliography: Cambridge School Shakespeare Hamlet York Notes Advanced - Hamlet


Free research essays on topics related to: hamlets soliloquy, point in the play, hamlets death, claudius and gertrude, hamlet and laertes

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