Hamlet Quote Essay

Michael Hall

Period 5

11/30/14

Hamlet Essay: Quotes

            A simple line of text can tell a lot about the whole piece. From William Shakespeare’s Hamlet the quote” something is rotten in the state of Denmark” gives a lot more to the audience then first realized. It is a massive foreshadow that William Shakespeare placed in an early part of the play. It also gives an insight into theme of the play and how the play will go.

            For context, Marcellus says “something is rotten in the state of Denmark” after Hamlet meets the ghost for the first time and Hamlet relays the information that he learned from the ghost to Marcellus and Horatio. This scene was very crucial and his ending quote was the pièce de résistance for the scene. That quote has become very iconic for many reasons, one being that it is a major element of foreshadowing. It shows that with the information that hamlet got from the ghost will be used in some way and that King Claudius is a sly and unworthy king.

            One theme of the play revenge, for specifically Hamlet taking revenge against the man who killed his father and the line “there is something rotten in the state of Denmark” plays right into that theme. The words themselves are important; state of Denmark can refer to the whole country or more specially the leadership. Rotten refers to something wrong and when the two are put together is the context of the play it is a note towards the idea that King Claudius is a criminal.  It foreshadows that because of this Hamlet is going to try to act against Claudius through the play.

            The play Hamlet by William Shakespeare has many important and iconic quotes that was been used all through out literature and all arts. One of these quotes is “there is something rotten in the state of Denmark.” It is so important because it gives a massive foreshadow of things to come in the play and reinforces the common themes of the whole play.   

Hamlet, Madman?

Michael Hall

Period 4

11/16/14

Hamlet, the madman?

            Hamlet, the main character from the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare, has been seen as a mad man by many people who examine the work. But is he? After looking at the evidence for both sides it is clear that there is substantial evidence for both, but the much more plausible one is that he is in fact playing everyone and acting with way on purpose. Evidence that is is true is how he always has quick rebuttals and sees through the lies that people tell him. There are still instances that question whether he is mad such as why he would want to be seen as mad and how he acts around some people like Ophelia.

            One sign that Hamlet was not was the way that he interacts with the majority of the characters. He replies with witty responses that typically have double meanings, a man who was totally gone wouldn't be able to pull that off. Secondly he is able to see right through the lies that people try to tell him such as Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Also in his soliloquies he shows a deep insight into his self, at these moments we seen that he has a plan, a very complex one. It takes a very intelligent and well working mind to make up such a plan. The main ways that the audience hears of his “madness” is not from him but the other characters such as Ophelia taking to others about him.

            One of the few things that do support that he is mad in some way is the way he talks and acts to Ophelia. An example is when the play I going on and he lays done on her lap, these scenes contradict what we know from his speeches. He isn't concerned with the revenge he desires but instead just Ophelia. He continuously changes what he says and how he acts around and towards her. As further evidence there is a part where she describes Hamlet to her father as being very out of the norm and mad.

            Altogether Shakespeare created Hamlet as a very interesting character to say the least. There are many audiences who believe that Hamlet is a madman, and quite rightfully based on the way he is presented by other characters and his actions around Ophelia. But based on the way he is able to see through all the lies and create such elaborate retorts and plans there has to be some part of him that is sane, and that is the part of him that is truly what controls him.  

Class notes

In the notebook that I turned in. will post when I get it back.

Act III and Essay notes

This act held many important parts of the story including the play, Claudius praying, and Hamlet speaking with his mother.  Just some of the important parts we learned were,

• Claudius was offended and tells a lot about what he did both from the play and from his speech.
• Hamlets plan goes through which is an indication that he is not mad like people say, " there is a method to his madness"
• Hamlet got the confirmation he needed from the play. 
• Hamlet kills Polonious when he is talking with his mother.
• Hamlet doesn't kill Claudius when he has the chance. 

As for the Essay: i though that is was very interesting and a good read but was a bit confused on what the actual idea that he was trying to explain was.