Hamlet 18

Essay by EssaySwap ContributorHigh School, 12th grade February 2008

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Hamlet Through Hamlet's own hesitation, paranoia, and desire to gain revenge, he inadvertently sets himself up for the tragic events that conclude the Shakespearean play Hamlet. On account of his active participation, and at the same time ignorance, his efforts to serve justice are a failure. Three of his faults are how he deals with: his father's death, his mother's marriage, and Ophelia's love.

At the beginning of the play, Hamlet is already extremely depressed and has been mourning his father's death in his "inky cloak" for an excessive period of time. He obviously had very strong love for his father - "He was a man, take him for all in all: I shall not look upon his like again." - and is having a difficult time dealing with his death. Then, in his misery, he also has to deal with his mother's marriage "of most wicked speed to incestuous sheets."

He expresses his frustration and confusion during his soliloquy in Act 1, Scene 2 after the new King's announcement to his people.

Horatio then arrives to tell Hamlet of the 'apparition' that was seen the night before. A figure resembling the Old Hamlet - "these hands are not more like" - appeared outside the castle. This presents concern for Hamlet because he feels that there has been some 'foul play' to cause the appearance of this spirit. In Kenneth Branagh's movie production, Hamlet begins to look through a book about demons. This suggests that Hamlet presumes something unpleasant has taken place. Hamlet insists that he sees this ghost and accompanies Horatio and Marcellus on their watch. The ghost presents itself again and Hamlet follows it where it proceeds to make known to Hamlet the evil act of murder that has been committed by Claudius. Hamlet then...