My initial reaction to act one was that it was going to be a bit odd. I felt this from the very beginning because the first thing they talk about in the book is a ghost. I'm not really into fiction so I didn't really think I was going to like it all that much. It was a dramatic story from the beginning but i guess that's what I should have expected since it was Shakespeare.
Focusing on the character of the Ghost in act one i can say that he as Hamlet's father is the antagonist. His purpose is to cause the problem of Hamlet's craziness. He does kind of fit a concept of tragic hero because he was wrongly killed. To us he seemed like a good man with a good heart so we sympathized for his death. But in the end he is the antagonist even though it doesn't seem like he want's to be intentionally. He seeks revenge through Hamlet for his murdering but doesn't expect the revenge to be such a mess. The Ghost could also be used as a foil for Hamlet. Showing Hamlet's dedication and love for his father, kingdom, and mother. All the murders and dramatic scenes throughout the story after Hamlet see's the ghost is for the or because of what the Ghost wants Hamlet to do. So the Ghost is the main antagonist of the story.
In scene one I think Shakespeare is trying to say that women are weak and are to blame for the fall of men. I choose this theme because the first scene discusses how Hamlet's uncle killed Hamlet's father in order to be with Gertrude. So she is to blame for Hamlet Sr's murder. Then basically immediately after Hamlet's death she is swept into the arms of Claudius. "With witchcraft of his wit, with traitourous gifts- O wicked with and gifts, that have the power to seduce!- won to his shameful lust. The will of my most seeming-virtuous queen" 1.5.40-45. Shakespeare writes this explaining the Gertrude seemed like she had virtues and dignity but then felt short and weak to be pursuaded by Claudius's power of lust. She was naive and let Claudius win! He got away with murder and became king. Then to top it off Gertrude let him get away with all this by falling in love with him.
I agree with you that Gertrude should have been a little more discrete with her actions. She could have waited a little while longer to marry Hamlet Sr.'s brother at the very least. I also agree with you that the ghost of Hamlet Sr. did start Hamlets "madness". However I feel like if Hamlet would have listen and murdered Claudius sooner Hamlet probably would have lived himself.
ReplyDeleteNice I like your choice of the ghost, interesting angle. And your theme, I couldn’t have said it better women are weak, kidding. Honestly, that was the thought of the time period, which actually only seems to have changed recently.
ReplyDeleteI agree on the ghost being Hamlets foil character because the book said that the father came back a ghost because he didnt get to ask for like forgiveness for the bad he did in life. Thus the ghost has done something that we dont know yet. While Hamlet thinks his father is such a good, honest king. Now I cant wait to find out what his father really did!
ReplyDeleteInteresting that you say the ghost is the antagonist of the story. From the way your describing it, I can see it that way. Also it is hard to feel sorry for the ghost of Hmalet's father, because although his death was a tragity, he wanted revenge and suffering. Especially when he wanted to keep his wife alive to feel the pain.
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