Analysis of Hamlet by William Shakespeare

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Analysis of Hamlet by William Shakespeare “Who’s there?” Immediately the play has an impact on the audience.

There is suspicion from the very first line, making us wonder what is

there? The scene is set as a cold dark night, as characters Bernardo

and Francisco guard the castle of a country which is preparing for

war. They’ve been frightened from something extraordinary, and tonight

ask Horatio to accompany them. From the first act, we can see these

sentries value Horatio’s opinion and obviously trust him. However we

question why Horatio has been the only one confronted on this issue.

Why is there so much secrecy? For a country on the brink of war, is a

bad omen for Denmark? We are already involved in this scene, and it’s

important that Shakespeare uses a dramatic first scene to catch the

audience’s attention straight away. At the point where the Ghost

enters, the drama heightens and Horatio questions the ghost, when he

sees he’s took the form of the late King Hamlet. “It is offended”

Marcellus says, as the Ghost disappears. Now we wonder what does the

ghost want, and what is its purpose? It doesn’t seem to be speaking to

the person the Ghost wants, as we realise when the Ghost appears once

more and Horatio questions it once more.

“If thou art privy to thy country’s fate,

Which, happily, foreknowing may avoid,

O Speak;”

Here suspicion and secrecy are linked, as Horatio is suspicious of the

Ghosts nature, and here asks if he secretly knows the counties fate,

could he speak. But once again the ghost disappears as th...

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...huge part in this play in

different ways. The suspicion involves the audience, secrecy leads to

suspense and deception has also proved it can be humorous at times.

The deception contributes to the success of the play, as it affects

our feelings towards the different characters. Polonius is made a

mockery from deception when Hamlet has the upper hand on him, and

deception also leads to his death. We feel pity towards Ophelia as her

death is a result of Hamlets feigned madness and we are critical of

the extent he had to go. As for Claudius, his deception leads the

audience to hating him not only for the terrible deed of murdering his

brother, but the skill in which he deceives and uses people. It’s his

skill in deception which leads to many deaths and affects Hamlet’s

character and makes us judge other peoples character.

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