All of Hamlet Act 1 analysed with quotes and major themes explored in depth. Also includes a document containing potential extracts for practice!
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OCR A Level English Literature Hamlet Part B essays
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OCR
English Literature
Drama and poetry pre-1900
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Act 1 Scene 1
SUMMARY:
● Midnight, bitterly cold on the battlements of Elsinore Castle (modern Helsignor,
seaport NE coast of Denmark).
● B, M and scholar H take over the watch from F.
● H sceptical about the ghost ‘seen’ from previous nights.
● Ghost appears, dressed in full armour, resembling Old Hamlet (old King). Does not
speak. Stalks away offended by Horatio challenging it.
● Young Fortinbras of Norway threatens to invade D. Hope to recover by force lands
lost by his dead father in ceremonious combat with Old H 30 years ago. Denmark’s
frantic preparations for war.
● Ghost reappears. H questions it formally but the cock crows before it answers and it
vanishes
● They decide to tell Hamlet what they have seen.
UNCERTAIN BEGINNING:
Purpose/Atmosphere:
● Tense + Unsettling + full of anxiety and dread - difference between this and the
supernatural world
○ Verse doesn’t flow, broken & abrupt rhythms and dialogue
○ Like typically of crime texts
○ “Who’s there?” - state of unrest, mistrust, divided opinion
● Eerie difference between this world and the supernatural
GUARDSMEN:
➔ Superstitious
◆ “Some say” - apprehensive and cautious of what the ghost means
● Broken and abrupt uncertainty - mistrust and disquiet
● Sharing of verse lines, theatrical build up
◆ “Tis bitter cold and I am sick at heart” - prevailing disease motif throughout
play
● Unknown cause of sickness - like with Old H?
● Corrupt state, sickness filling Denmark, weary
● Audience is apprehensive and left with suspense as they question what
it is that makes him “sick at heart”. Grabs audience attention.
◆ “Long live the King!”
● Former usage in France - the watch can challenge anyone who appears
◆ “Not a mouse stirring”
● Ironically a domesticated problem (C?) but on the brink of invasion
from abroad
● Leitmotif of repeated incidents and words
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