Hamlet's fear, separation, and mistrust form him into a typical malcontent character. ... "Shakespeare represents Hamlet's melancholy as genuine rather than stereotypical."5 Shakespeare did not attempt to have Hamlet conform to any criteria of the time, and with his non-conformity Hamlet appears as a true character and not someone who has been forced to be a certain way in order to generate a fixed response from the audience. Even though it is presumed to be unintentional, "Shakespeare's portrayal of Hamlet closely follows contemporary ideas of the passion of melancholy. ... Ma...

• Word Count: 4821
• Approx Pages: 19
• Grade Level: High School

There is no real setting to the play, just a backdrop for the words. ... While Hamlet's main character trait in Shakespeare's play is, perhaps, openness (he can't stop telling the audience what he is thinking) the Hamlet of Stoppard's play is much more mysterious. ... Eventually, he becomes nearly hysterical, demanding to no one that his questions be answered. Since the play is a winding, confused series of scenes and arguments, there is no clear climax. ... No matter what Rosencrantz and Guildenstern want, they must completely forget their own goals and obey the Ki...

• Word Count: 3860
• Approx Pages: 15
• Grade Level: High School

However, since Hamlet confronts her with these premises in a state of feigned insanity, she has no reason to believe that the rational Hamlet believes them on the inside. ... e premises with recognition of them and a subsequent conclusion that she no longer loves Claudius. ... Although this reason may seem arbitrary, Shakespeare clearly emphasizes the importance of such a motivation to escape pain, per se, in Hamlet's decision-making. ...

• Word Count: 3498
• Approx Pages: 14
• Grade Level: High School