Of all the Acts, I think I like this one the most, there is just so many exciting things going on. By way using a play to depict the murder of king by his brother, Hamlet is finally able to get the proof he needs that Claudius did in fact murder the king. Hamlet also kills Polonius while he is ranting and raving it his mother, forgetting that the ghost told him to “leave her to heaven” (1609).
For my character analysis I decided to do Hamlet, he is the main protagonist of the story and the father of the murdered king. Hamlet is fiercely loyal to his father, so much so that throughout the play he obsesses over avenging his fathers death. It is his actions while trying attain revenge that eventually lead to his demise. So passionately does Hamlet want vengeance for his father that he even turns on his mother at one point, which prompts the return of the ghost of his father to remind Hamlet that her fate should be left to heaven.
My theme I chose was guilt. I chose this because it is the only time in the play that comes to mind where Claudius expresses some kind of guilt. Shortly after the play depicting the kings murder, when the king is alone he begins to talk about how his “offence is rank” and that it “smells to heaven”. Although it really was only a small portion of the act, I think it was important because it shows that Claudius is not a wholly vial monster incapable of all feeling.
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It's true that Claudius does seem affected by the play, and he almost seems like he feels his own guilt. It is always so surprising to see a character develop in this heartless and scheming manner, and then suddenly change and actually have feeling.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my favorite acts in the play too. There are so many things revealed in this act. I agree Hamlet is so obsessed over getting revenge that he even turns against his own mother.
ReplyDeleteI like how you pointed out that this is the one time that you see Claudius as a person who is not a monster. It makes him a little more human. I agree that it was a important part of the act because it gives the reader a little, and I mean a very little, sympathy towards Claudius.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that Claudius would have felt any guilt had it not been for Hamlet's play. I feel that he only had this guilt because it was impressed upon him so forcefully.
ReplyDeleteThere is a lot going on in this act. Deception, guilt, loyalty, which keeps it interesting. Nice blog!
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