Hamlet: "How Has Your Analysis Developed an Appreciation of Its Reception and Values?"
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- Category: English: Shakespeare
- Date Submitted: 08/16/2011 07:15 AM
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7. How has your analysis of Hamlet developed an appreciation of its reception and values
The timelessness of the universal condition experienced by Hamlet as expressed by Shakespeare during Elizabethan England has further developed my appreciation for the text as the themes are readily acknowledged in many different contexts. Such themes, which remain a constant in time, are that of Betrayal, Trust and the Role of Man. These are all central to Hamlet reception amongst society now and in the past.
Betrayal amongst humanity is ever present throughout the ages. This notion is present in Shakespeare’s Hamlet as the character of Hamlet overcomes the constant betrayal dealt to him by those around him. The first betrayal that Hamlet experiences is that of his mother Gertrude going along with the marriage to his uncle Claudius after the murder of his father. Remorse for this crime is not exhibited and young Hamlet becomes concerned by his mothers hastily actions going against the church in regards to marriage after the death of a loved one. This is mainly due to the ideas of contemporary society as a time of changed swept over Shakespearean England as the Church of England broke away from predominantly Catholic society. This concern is reflected throughout act three scene two has Hamlets hosts a play mocking the crimes of his mother and uncle. This can be seen as an example of dramatic irony as Hamlet is leading on that he is aware of the crimes committed. After witnessing the play the King hastily retreats to his dorm asking for “light” and wishing to be “away”. Hamlets then goes into council with his mother and informs her that he is aware of what hey new husband and her did. Hamlet appears to be loosing his sanity and begins to act insane, his mothers concerns are visible but she is unable to fix what has already be done. Through my analysis I am able to interpret themes in Hamlet which would been aimed at contemporary society, an example of this is the way in...
The timelessness of the universal condition experienced by Hamlet as expressed by Shakespeare during Elizabethan England has further developed my appreciation for the text as the themes are readily acknowledged in many different contexts. Such themes, which remain a constant in time, are that of Betrayal, Trust and the Role of Man. These are all central to Hamlet reception amongst society now and in the past.
Betrayal amongst humanity is ever present throughout the ages. This notion is present in Shakespeare’s Hamlet as the character of Hamlet overcomes the constant betrayal dealt to him by those around him. The first betrayal that Hamlet experiences is that of his mother Gertrude going along with the marriage to his uncle Claudius after the murder of his father. Remorse for this crime is not exhibited and young Hamlet becomes concerned by his mothers hastily actions going against the church in regards to marriage after the death of a loved one. This is mainly due to the ideas of contemporary society as a time of changed swept over Shakespearean England as the Church of England broke away from predominantly Catholic society. This concern is reflected throughout act three scene two has Hamlets hosts a play mocking the crimes of his mother and uncle. This can be seen as an example of dramatic irony as Hamlet is leading on that he is aware of the crimes committed. After witnessing the play the King hastily retreats to his dorm asking for “light” and wishing to be “away”. Hamlets then goes into council with his mother and informs her that he is aware of what hey new husband and her did. Hamlet appears to be loosing his sanity and begins to act insane, his mothers concerns are visible but she is unable to fix what has already be done. Through my analysis I am able to interpret themes in Hamlet which would been aimed at contemporary society, an example of this is the way in...