Résumé de HAMLET

Act 1.1:`

Plot: Marcellus, Barnardo have brought Horatio to see a ghost. The ghost appears, resembling late King Hamlet. There is strange eruption in the state: twenty four hour watch, shipwrights working 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

This is to defend against Fortinbras, son of the deceased King Fortinbras of Norway, who wants to invade Denmark to regain land lost by his father in a personal battle with King Hamlet.

Act 1.2:

Setting: Elsinore, court, Denmark, 14th century

Plot:         Claudius thanks the court for its support of his marriage to Gertrude, sends Voltemand and Cornelius to inform Fortinbras’ uncle, the King of Norway, Fortinbras’ plans to invade Denmark, approves Laertes return to school in France and discourages Hamlet from returning to Wittenberg. When Hamlet agrees, Claudius promises riotous celebration.

        Hamlet, alone, wishes an end to his suffering. He finds the world gone down hill, his uncle inferior to his father, his mother fickle, although he does pledge silence.

        Confronted with Horatio’s news of his father’s appearance as a ghost, he questions Horatio closely, asks all to keep it a secret, and agrees to join the watch that night.

Scene is split into 4 sections:

1-16: Claudius marries Gertrude, King Hamlet’s widow, 2 months after his death, but describes to the court he is getting on with his life, as is she, and then thanks the court, which shows respect.

16-40: Fortinbras’ impending invasion of Denmark, so the court sends Voltemand and Cornelius to inform his uncle, the King of Norway, who does not know of his nephew’s plans.

42-63: Laertes’ wants to return to France, but the final decision is up to his father, Polonius, his father, who eventually lets him go.

64-128: Hamlet desires to return Wittenberg to school, but his mother, the Queen Gertrude, opposes it and he is forced to stay, but King Claudius decides to throw a party to thank Hamlet for staying.

Claudius’ argument against mourning:

-Although it’s understandable, his father had lost his father, and his father before that, and their child always grieved for a suitable amount of time and held a funeral, but they all got over it, so Hamlet should too.

-It is “unmanly” to grieve.

-It’s stubborn

-God will not like it, nor will he appreciate it

-Shows lack of education

-Weak heart

-Against reason, as reason says everyone will die

-Impatient mind

-Claudius is his new father

-HEIR TO THE THRONE, so cheer up

-Fault against nature

Soliloquy:

(1.2.129-158)

Situation: Mother’s marriage to unworthy uncle

Reaction: Outraged, upset, wishes he can die, but cannot commit suicide, as it is a sin

Decision: To keep his sorrow to himself

Sullied-Solid (Stained – won’t melt) (Because of the incest between his mother and Claudius, he feels that his mother’s flesh is stained, so his flesh is stained - Too solid as in too hard to melt over himself)

World=Unweeded garden (World is filled with unwelcome tenants=Claudius)

King Hamlet: King Claudius = Hyperion: Satyr

= Greek God of Sun, epitome of beauty: Half-Human Half-Goat, lustful, drunken

King Hamlet was a very loving husband, and protected Gertrude from even the smallest things

He is upset, worked up, bothered throughout this soliloquy.

King Claudius: King Hamlet = Prince Hamlet: Hercules

= Weak, human, unmanly: powerful demi-god, son of Zeus

As she follows King Hamlet at his funeral, Gertrude cries like Niobe, a Greek woman famous for crying, but then marries Claudius within a month and a half.

Gertrude is compared to a beast, which is without reason, saying she is less than a beast, as a beast would grief longer than she did.

Act 1.3:

Setting: Polonius’ home, Elsinore, Denmark, 14th century

Plot: Laertes, leaving for France, counsels Ophelia to take Hamlet’s love lightly; Polonius gives Laertes parting advice, orders Ophelia to stay away from Hamlet.

Act 1.4:

Setting: Platform, Elsinore castle, 14th century

Plot: Hamlet awaits, sees ghost.

Mood: Anxious, anticipatory

Theme: One flaw can destroy a man, “his virtues else be they as pure as grace.”

Act 1.5:

Figure of speech:

Simile comparing Hamlet, if he was not stirred, would be duller than a fat weed on Lethe wharf that roots itself in the ease.

Lethe=River of Forgetfulness

Fat Weed=Inappropriate, unwanted, disgusting

Ease=Lazy

Roots=Immobile, planted

Virtue=never will be moved though lewdness court it in a Shape of Heavens (angels?)

Lust=though linked to a radiant angel in a celestial bed→ pray on garbage (Claudius)

Hamlet was dispatched of his LIFE, CROWN, and his QUEEN.

The ghost of King Hamlet tells Hamlet to avenge his death, do not think badly, or punish Gertrude, and to get incest out of the Royal Bed.

Act 2.1:

Setting: Polonious’ quarters, Elsinore, 14th Century

Plot: Polonious sends Reynaldo to spy on Laertes, learns of Hamlet’s strange visit to Ophelia, decides to tell Claudius Hamlet is mad from unrequited love.

Mood: Offending, empathetic, funny

Act 2.2:

2.2.1-39: King, Queen ask Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, friends of Hamlet, to determine the cause of hid madness; they agree.

2.2.40-85: Polonius, suggesting he knows the cause of Hamlet’s madness (which the Queen attributes to King Hamlet’s death, her speedy marriage) introduces the ambassadors from Norway who announces Fortinbras has been turned aside from Denmark, will invade Poland through Denmark, with permission.

2.2.86-167: Polonius says it’s his duty to inform the Queen and King of the source of Hamlet’s madness, and he reads from Hamlet’s love letters to Ophelia, says Hamlet’s madness came from unrequited love, offers to prove this by spying, with the King, from behind a tapestry, on a meeting between Hamlet and Ophelia.

Personification:

Brevity=soul (Important)

Wit=Person

Tediousness=limbs, outward flourishes (Visible)

Pun:

Course –Effect/-Defect

2.2.168-225: Polonius confronts Hamlet who insults him, warns him to guard Ophelia especially against pregnancy.

Pun:

-“Walk I’ the sun/son” (Hamlet is going to impregnate Ophelia)

2.2.225: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern approach Hamlet, who jokes with them, guesses they are spying for the King, admits his own melancholy. They tell him of the player’ arrival, explain the reason for their travelling and are warned by Hamlet that his madness is only occasional.

Soliloquy:

2.2.559-617:

Thank god I’m alone now.

What stupid incompetent I am.

It’s awful how the player can manipulate his emotions such.

And he does it all for nothing…

For Hecuba!

Who is she to make him cry?

Just imagine what he would feel if he were in my situation?

He would go wild with sorrow and make those in the audience who are guilty feel so guilty they would go mad, and those are not would be appalled.

But I, a weak spirited man, unstipulated by his vow to kill Claudius.

No I will not act this way even for King Hamlet whose most prized possessions were all stolen for him.

Am I a coward?

Am I a villain?

Who hits me across the head?

Who pulls off my beard and throws it in my face whilst I do nothing.