Since Claudius killed Hamlet's father for power and Commodus killed his father to prevent a republic of Rome from surfacing, both of the antagonists can be seen as sources of corruption in the state. Therefore, by killing off the antagonist and restoring order, both protagonists are also taking revenge for the sake of the state. Maximus and Hamlet also faced the antagonist in a duel, where they were both at a disadvantage. ... Hamlet's and Maximus' revenge plans are made based on the betterment of the state, for justice, and end with a fight that kills both the hero and the ant...

• Word Count: 1227
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

Often overlooked, there is always your antagonist, the potent mastermind in the play who eventually comes to his death when his evil ways are discovered. In "Hamlet", the antagonist is Claudius, Hamlets uncle and King Hamlet's brother. ... In "Oedipus Rex", the antagonist is actually Oedipus himself. ...

• Word Count: 1038
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

Comic Relief - a serious scene with a lighter, mildly humorous moment (or moments) grafted into the script Tragic Hero - a main character comes to an unhappy or miserable end, usually gains the audience's sympathy, typically meets his/her demise with courage and dignity - reaffirming the grandeur of the human spirit Tragic Flaw - a fatal error in judgment or character weakness that leads directly to his or her downfall Antagonist - the person or force with whom the hero battles - outside forces may contribute to the hero's downfall Catastrophe - a series of casually related even...

• Word Count: 431
• Approx Pages: 2
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

Often, the revenge characters are misinterpreted as antagonists, but it is not revenge that makes this opinion true, but rather the reason behind it. ... Even though revenge has been a theme that is closely tied with antagonists, but analysis of the situation will be what determines if it be right or wrong. ...

• Word Count: 993
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

Superficially Claudius stands as rival and antagonist to Hamlet; in fact, Hamlet himself refers to this rivalry while commenting on his own trickery of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern: "Tis dangerous when the baser nature comes Between the pass and fell incensed points Of mighty opposites. ... ([IV.iii.16-31] Bloom 62); Hamlet verbally plays with the King and the King unable to match or understand the obviously superior wit and mind of Hamlet, presents Hamlet with a weak antagonist. ...

• Word Count: 1115
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

One of the most widely known plays in English literature is Hamlet by William Shakespeare. The young prince, Hamlet, is heir to the thrown of Denmark, but is betrayed by his uncle and his own mother. Hamlet's uncle Claudius kills his father and then marries his mother. As the play proceeds, Ham...

• Word Count: 567
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

In the exposition, deceased King Hamlet's brother, Claudius, marries his widow, Gertrude, in order to receive the crown. His entrance in young Hamlet's life commences a wrath in Hamlet that cannot be easily subdued. Hamlet's anger shows when he says, "O, that this too, too sullied flesh would melt, ...

• Word Count: 662
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

When revenge becomes a topic in literature it brings large conflicts among characters, forming a question as to whether or not revenge is justified or if it is a means of justice. In the play, "Hamlet," hostility and revenge become the main drive for characters that develop growing issues with other...

• Word Count: 834
• Approx Pages: 3

In transitioning eras, a shift in contextual values and attitudes influences the composer's purpose and shaping of textual content within their texts. Shakespeare was heavily influenced by Queen Elizabeth's patronage and approval as she was fearful of the stability of her heirless monarchy and cou...

• Word Count: 1108
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Fake and Real: The Difference In the Portrayal of Madness A very controversial topic exists in regarding to Shakespeare's Hamlet. Many of those that read Hamlet argue that Prince Hamlet was mad, his actions guided by his ill feelings and weak emotions. Had William Shakespeare been around to answer t...

• Word Count: 981
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

The play Hamlet, by William Shakespeare is a tragedy defined by the revealing soliloquies that allow readers to peer deep into the thoughts of the characters. In the beginning of the play, the main character Hamlet learns of his father's death, and soon thereafter his mother's remarriage to his unc...

• Word Count: 1185
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School