THEMES
The theme of betrayal is found throughout act 1. We learn at the end of act 1 that Claudius, Hamlet's uncle/ dad, is the murderer of the late King Hamlet. Claudius was King Hamlet's brother. To kill your own brother, marry his wife, and fool the people of Denmark are all examples of betrayal that Claudius has committed. Hamlet is informed by his dead father's soul of the terrible crimes Claudius is responsible for. Based on Hamlet's conversations it is obvious that he is going to seek revenge. The things he promises with his father's soul foreshadow events to come. Based on his mother's actions, she seems oblivious to what Claudius has done; that or she is just as evil as Claudius himslef and doesn't care that he murdered her husband. Claudius' actions show how evil he is. He has the nerve to tell Hamlet to get over his father's death and that he wants Hamlet to look at Claudius as his new father. He also speaks to Hamlet as though there is nothing wrong with marrying his mother, also his former sister-in-law.
PERSONAL RESPONSE
So far, I like the twisted plot and the potential this story has. It makes reading Shakespeare more interesting. Since it is Shakespeare, we all know that it will end in some tragic manor. At least that's my prediction. I'm intersted in seeing if the contrast beween Hamlet's family breakdown and Ophelia's normal family has any significance later in the story, as well as how the relationship between Hamlet and Ophelia turns out now that she is forbidden to see him.
Also, I think we could consider that the Queen betrayed her late husband as well.It contributes to the theme.
ReplyDeleteI think that you have a good point about the closeness of Ophelia's family. Will Hamlet's personal drama tear apart this family as well as his own?
The last comment was by Shannon.
ReplyDelete