Detailed summary of the themes in Hamlet, to help structure a future essay. Film Interpretations and Critics are included throughout, as well as outlined points in the play, in which a theme is shown. Links to the OCR, English Literature specification.
OCR A Level English Literature Hamlet Part B essays
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English Literature
Drama and poetry pre-1900
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Key Point’s from the mark scheme:
Level 6: 13–15 marks
AO1 (50%) • Excellent and consistently detailed understanding of text and question with consistently well-structured, coherent and detailed argument
consistently developed. • Consistently fluent and accurate writing in appropriate register with critical concepts and terminology used accurately.
AO5 (50%) • Judgement consistently informed by exploration of different interpretations of the text. • Judgement consistently informed by changing
critical views of the text over time.
Theme Where in text explored Film interpretations Critics through time Context
Revenge How is Hamlet a revenge Kenneth Branagh- Voltaire 1700s... “Hamlet is a vulgar and Hamlet is not the stereotypical
and tragedy? The ending- Statue of Old barbarous tragedy” revenge tragedy, we follow the
Justice Hamlet- destroyed by The play is only about the need for plot line of Hamlet, not Fortinbras-
Hamlet wants revenge for his Hamlet. - mark the start of revenge. which would seem more
father- right from the beginning a new realm. appropriate of the time.
has suspicion from his father’s Coleridge 1700 “Hamlet is obliged to act Instead focus on the thought
death. Is emotional. – first in the spur of the moment.” process behind someone trying to
interaction with ghost, is Tension – CCTV Cameras, Goethe 1700s “hamlet” represents the find reason to gain revenge.
already determined. Ghost Dorian Production effect of a great action laid upon a soul
constantly repeats word unfit for the performance of it.” Aristotle revenge tragedy. Hamlet
‘murder’ outlining the idea that Kenneth Branagh ending- Knight 1900s, “Hamlet is a element of evil is the Hamartia- heroes tragic flaw,
Hamlets need for revenge is throws sword, Standing on in the state of Denmark” aspect of character that leads to
justified. balcony, higher than 1900s, A C Bradley- “hamlet brings home own down fall. Hamlet Hamartia, is
Hamlet wants justice, Claudius- Claudius. to us the sense of the soul's infinite, it is ability to not make any decisions.
going against the divine right of not just about revenge. Shakespeare asks
kings. Oliver: everyone bows to philosophical questions
hamlet, he dies on the
-is intellectual clever, want to throne, emphasis on him
be 100% so he can justify his reaching his revenge and
revenge. justice- he has got what he
wants.
, He doesn’t kill Claudius when he He stabs Claudius multiple
has the chance to, Hamlet times, emphasis his desire
wants revenge but is at for his revenge.
constant conflict with himself.
This is his own downfall.
Inability to act, constantly
procrastinating, is flaw.
The death of Polonius,
Always wanting to seek
revenge,
Soliloquy in which he envy’s
Fortinbras, determined to get
revenge.
The ending, realisation of
morality. Acceptance of this
own thoughts on life after
death. He no longer cares,
realises the inevitability of
death. - this is the final push
hamlet needs for him to seek
his revenge.
Hamlet a play about revenge,
everyone is seeking revenge.
The death of old Hamlet creates
motives for death.
All seek revenge in different
ways.
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