Hamlet and Trifles: Aspects of the Past Relevant to the Present

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Hamlet and Trifles: Aspects of the Past Relevant to the Present

The Elizabethan Era under the rule of Queen Elizabeth I in England not only produced an expansion of growth in the suburbs and a more unified nation, but also introduced the world’s most famous playwright of all times, William Shakespeare. During this period of greatest artistic achievement, Shakespeare, who produced about thirty- seven plays as well as many other great works, created what is considered his greatest achievement, Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. Surprisingly, this particular five-act play depicts numerous aspects which are relevant to today’s society, four hundred years later. Some of these aspects of human values are not only questioned, but also rigorously criticized, as well as generously supported throughout this play. These aspects include family loyalty, revenge, honesty, understanding, deception, and most notably value of human life, and gender roles. While many writers do not often compare to Shakespeare, a few, including Susan Glaspell, in her play, Trifles, compares yet contrasts greatly in dealing with similar lessons and values. Through the analyses of both literary pieces, it is clear that while some aspects in Hamlet directly compare, some contrast with those of Susan Glaspell’s shorter play, Trifles, and both demonstrate values relevant to today’s society.

Shakespeare uses a variety of characters in his famous play, Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, who effectively demonstrate family loyalty, one of the values relevant to our society. The play focuses on the thoughts, feelings, emotions, and actions of this young prince, Hamlet, seeking revenge for his father’s death. When Hamlet decides to act on the information the angered ghos...

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Glaspell, Susan. Trifles. Literature. 5th ed. Ed. Robert DiYanni. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2002. 1616-1626

Heilbrun, Carolyn. “The Character of Hamlet’s Mother.” Literature. 5th ed. Ed. Robert DiYanni. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2002. 1502-1503.

Littauer, Joel Sommer. The Cracked Mirror: The Minor Characters. 3 Apr. 2004

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Shakespeare, William. Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. Literature. 5th ed. Ed. Robert

DiYanni. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2002. 1394-1496.

U.S.A. Suicide: Official Final Data. September 2003. Suicidology.com. 4 Apr. 2004 http://www.suicidology.org/associations/1045/files/2001datapg.pdf

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