Discuss with reference to interpretations you have seen and read. ... A common interpretation of the "Closet scene" often used in modern productions of the play does portray Hamlet as having an oedipal desire for his mother. ... From this interpretation of Hamlet, it is more difficult to conclude firmly whether or not this scene shows Hamlet's strength. ... However, in my opinion this interpretation is probably not the best to study when determining the true identities of both Hamlet and Gertrude. ... In my supposition, a more credible version of Hamlet, suggesting sexual tension ...

• Word Count: 1824
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Claudius and Hamlet Claudius & Hamlet, would the inhumane and sick character please step forth. Upon reading the sampling of Hamlet criticisms in John Jump's Hamlet (Selections) I disagreed with a few of the critics, but my analysis was the most different from Wilson Knight's interpretation. ... Although Knight's views of Hamlet and Claudius are almost the extreme opposite of my interpretation, I understand how he developed this interpretation. ... Although I see the validity of Wilson Knight's interpretation of the play, I disagree with his views. ... However, Hamlet does ...

• Word Count: 2834
• Approx Pages: 11
• Grade Level: High School

Hamlet appears to act mad when he hears of his father's murder. ... Other characters confess that Hamlet's actions are still unsure whether Hamlet's insanity is authentic or not. ... Hamlet: Character Analysis Over the centuries many people have complained that William Shakespeare did an inadequate job of steering the readers of Hamlet to a specific interpretation of each character. ... (Shakespeare 3:1 136-141) Another offered interpretation suggests that using the information given by the ghost of King Hamlet, Hamlet seize...

• Word Count: 2716
• Approx Pages: 11
• Grade Level: High School

Hamlet's ability to be re-contextualized is due to its universal themes and unique characterization, allowing for multiple interpretations throughout the plays lifespan. ... This is evident in Act 1, in which Hamlet's love and passion for his father naturally positions him to be inferior to King Hamlet's apparition. ... Modern interpretations are influenced by the growing understanding of psychology and therefore analyse Hamlet's intentions, yet Shakespeare's audience would have characterized him as a hero of the revenge tragedy. ... Following the Elizabethan interpret...

• Word Count: 1435
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Is Hamlet's Madness Genuine? ... The main character of this play, Hamlet, has been subjected to numerous interpretations and studies; his actions and thoughts have been analyzed again and again. The question of Hamlet's essential sanity has become a major issue in the interpretation of this play. Is Hamlet truly insane, or is it all an act? ... Another example of Hamlet's possible sanity is that while Hamlet does see and talk to a ghost, Horatio, Hamlet's rational friend, does the same. ...

• Word Count: 558
• Approx Pages: 2

Hamlet has also developed a reputation as a difficult work to analyze, one that features a very complicated central character, addresses many complex themes, and presents the reader with a multi-layered text, which defies easy interpretation" (www.allshakespeare.com/hamlet). Hamlet is portrayed as the ultimate Renaissance man. ... Hamlet's reaction to the incidents that have occurred is rather passive and resentful" (www.allshakespeare.com/hamlet). ... It is very true that, "Hamlet has been subjected to numerous interpretations and studies over the centuries, and his actions and thoughts ...

• Word Count: 1159
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography

They were both very interesting interpretations of the play written by William Shakespeare. ... In the Zeffirelli version, Mel Gibson played a very good Hamlet. ... I think that it showed one very good interpretation of Hamlet, that Hamlet really did love Ophelia but was really hiding it because he knew that King Claudius and Polonius were listening in on their conversation. ... In the PBS movie version, we did not see the same scene of Hamlet and Ophelia, but the fishmonger scene with Hamlet and Polonius was very amusing. ... One difference other than the energy between the two Hamlets, was t...

• Word Count: 405
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

Hamlet was Mad In the book Hamlet, by Shakespeare, there are many questions left open to the readers" interpretation. ... Hamlets Uncle married his mom and this may have contributed to Hamlet being angry and maybe even angry enough to make Hamlet act insanely. ... Hamlet is the only can hear the ghost, and it might just be because he is insane. ... This means that the Hamlet is most likely insane. ... It is very obvious that Hamlet starts of acting mad, but by the end he has gone mad. ...

• Word Count: 484
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

The Female Hamlet The idea of a women acting has Hamlet is not incredibly new. In 1899 Sarah Bernhardt took on the role of Hamlet. ... In 1920 a female Hamlet was produced with the belief that Hamlet could never have been a man due to Hamlet's procrastinating tendencies. This comes from a Victorian interpretation of Hamlet that could trace its roots to Edward P. ... Fatma Girik's Hamlet of 1977 casts Hamlet as a female who is raised as a male. ...

• Word Count: 468
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

William Shakespeare wrote Hamlet in 1602. It has been performed and directed more times with more interpretations than perhaps any other work in the English canon. ... While this interpretation would be warmly received by those sympathetic with Sigmund Freud, it radically distorts the play. ... Critics have long wondered why Hamlet does not immediately kill Claudius for the murder of Old Hamlet. ... Hamlet worries that the devil has sent the ghost to trick Hamlet into murdering Claudius unjustly. ...

• Word Count: 1039
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography

Hamlet The study of Shakespeare's Hamlet has been one that is very extensive as well as enormous. ... A critic of Hamlet once said, "a man set out to read all the books about Hamlet would have time to read nothing else, not even Hamlet." ... Some critics come up with sane interpretations of Hamlet while others use wild and crazy themes. ... For where Hamlet saw that "the time is out of joint," Hamlet himself was "out of joint." ... (Mack. 64) Hamlet begins his questioning with the death of elder Hamlet. ...

• Word Count: 2932
• Approx Pages: 12
• Grade Level: High School

Shakespeare's work (Hamlet), though complicated, will never have just one meaning; it will always be up to the interpretation of the people of the time. ... Another reason why Hamlet will always be well read is the character Hamlet's indecisiveness. ... Many people today, can relate to Hamlet's indecisiveness. ... In Hamlet's case, he waited too long to make a decision and readers and actors can relate to Hamlet's mistake and apply it into their own lives. ... Or, it's just the fact that something written so long ago, could still be cherished today, is all you...

• Word Count: 1494
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

The ghost is also related to allusions in Hamlet. ... However, Hamlet's certainty was never stated directly. ... The motion of the sunset wasn't needed to make the point, but this kinetic imagery enhanced the introduction by metaphorically creating symbolism while giving a bit of ambiguity to its interpretation. 5. ... After that, Hamlet became the target of revenge for Laertes who blamed Hamlet for Ophelia's death too. ... This included the fence between Laertes and Hamlet as Hamlet's long awaited revenge on Claudius. ...

• Word Count: 1564
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

Thesis In the play "Hamlet", by William Shakespeare, Hamlet is sane because he plans his actions very rationally, is well aware of his surroundings, and  he admits to wanting others around him to think he is insane.    ... This demonstrates how clever Hamlet is as he does not kill Claudius despite of having the upper hand. ... Another interpretation can also conclude that Hamlet is sane because he does not start a conflict with the army for passing through his land, representing that Hamlet is aware of his surroundings and the repercussion of his actions. ... Thus, Hamlets awareness of his...

• Word Count: 799
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

"Hamlet," by William Shakespeare, is one of the most widely read dramatic works of the English language. It has gained critical acclaim as a great classical work of literature and has appeared within multiple interpretations, making Hamlet an extremely provocative story transcending cultural significance and appeal through generations. ... One, where she is genuinely going to change her behavior, or what I tend to believe more from my personal interpretations of the text, which is that her question simply reflects her conflict between husband and son, reason and conscience, in her wish to ple...

• Word Count: 1062
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

The Royal Deceit and Hamlet have their differences but all in all they seem have their basic goal covered, which is to portray the awry, clever Hamlet and his tragedy. Franco Zeffirelli's interpretation of "Hamlet" with Mel Gibson is a bit physical and upbeat. ... A scene that is unfamiliar to the original film would be at the wake of Hamlet's father where Hamlet, Gertrude and Claudius confront each other over the coffin. ... In the Royal Deceit we see how they focus more on the Ophelia -Hamlet relationship as oppose to Mel Gibson's version of which the focus is on mother-Hamle...

• Word Count: 440
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Hamlet fears that if he murders Claudius while he is praying he will go to Heaven, a place where Hamlet's father never had the chance to go. ... Not only does this soliloquy reveal the continuing conflict of Hamlet choosing to murder or not; but, it has now inflated this conflict to Hamlet only being able to put Claudius to death while he is being sinful. ... Additionally, Hamlet's inability to control his thoughts backfires on him. ... Additionally, the audience is presented with the unpleasant nature of the murder of Hamlet Sr. when Hamlet is speaking about Claudius and says, ""...

• Word Count: 843
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Hamlet: Emotional States Hamlet went through various emotional states because of different unfortunate circumstances that confronted him. ... We clearly see that Hamlet is quite upset by his mother's quite hasty marriage to is uncle, and this causes some deep seeded emotional problems for Hamlet. ... It can be clearly stated that Hamlet really is in love with his mother, and expects her to be a supporting mother figure that is going to cradled Hamlet and take care of his needs, basically mother Hamlet. ... "In Hamlet's mind she has died as his mother." ... Ophelia ...

• Word Count: 3265
• Approx Pages: 13
• Grade Level: High School

His personality is difficult to understand that we as readers can only speculate and judge Hamlet's actions. For instance, An Ireland's most respected cultural critics, Fintan O'toole, talks about three different interpretations of Hamlet's behaviors: First, Hamlet as being a slob, second Hamlet as a sensible and noble person and last Hamlet as being in a stage of managing death. O'toole agrees with the last interpretation. Fintan O"Toole's in his essay says that many people think that" Hamlet is a slob, a shirker. ... For example, In Hamlet play, Act One, Scene...

• Word Count: 435
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

Hamlet - The Anti-Coward An extended question that arises in Hamlet is: why is there a delay in the actions of the Prince? ... Remember me Hamlet: So, uncle, there you are. ... At first interpretation one could assume Hamlet is scared to actually live up to his word, but at second examination it can be seen that Hamlet is aware he can not kill the King now for many reasons. ... The first three acts of Hamlet bring Hamlet much grief and traumatic experiences that most people could not face. ... Hamlet is a hero. ...

• Word Count: 992
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

Upon first reading, Hamlet's soliloquies provided me with the insight into Hamlet's religious and social milieu. ... Hamlet's various plans educe a sense of intelligence, with Hamlet confiding in his trustworthy companion, Horatio, that he will "put an antic disposition on" and it is through Horatio, as a sounding board for Hamlet, that the audience is revealed of Hamlet's plans to avenge his father. However, Hamlet vacillates in the play, exuding a sense of uncertainty shown in his encounter with the ghost of Old Hamlet. ... " While various interpretations ...

• Word Count: 1105
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

In the process of being made into a film, many works of literature may be changed according to the interpretations of directors, actors and audience. Shakespeare's plays are always open to interpretation; this is seen clearly through several movie versions of his famous play Hamlet. ... In Branagh's version of Hamlet, the ghost is portrayed as a feared figure that instigates fear in Hamlet and is the main driver for Hamlet to avenge his father's death. ... As in the play, when Horatio and Hamlet first meet up, Horatio tells Hamlet about the ghost on the battlements. ... When Ha...

• Word Count: 1209
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

How is the character of Hamlet presented? ... The character of Hamlet seems to stand by itself. ... Certain facts are clear about Hamlet. ... What do Hamlet's soliloquies tell us about him? ... In the text there is no clear evidence of the "murder" until Claudius confesses his sins to God and also his reaction to the players interpretation of Old Hamlets death. ...

• Word Count: 2036
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

The Closet Scene in which Hamlet mistakenly kills Polonius best exemplifies Hamlet's relationship with Gertrude, and perhaps provides evidence that Hamlet is suffering from what Freud called an Oedipus Complex . ... Even when Laertes is fatally wounded by his own sword, he asks of Hamlet to "exchange forgiveness- with him, the "noble Hamlet-, even though Hamlet murdered Laertes' own father. ... A modern audience may find it more successful as Hamlet's actions are open to interpretation, thus giving directors more freedom to add their own creativity and giving the audience more ...

• Word Count: 2372
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: High School

Hamlet has the mind of a true thinker. ... According to this interpretation, Claudius becomes an embodiment of Hamlet himself, and thus Hamlet is unable to kill, in a sense, his other self (Stearns 267). ... Others say Hamlet hesitates due to Sigmund Freud's theory that Hamlet has an Oedipal complex. ... Hamlet. ... "Hamlet and Freud." ...

• Word Count: 1772
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School