A complete and comprehensive guide to studying Hamlet with a plot overview, discussing the tragedy genre, FOIL characters, the chain of being, and analysis of crucial scenes.
A tragedy is a drama in which a series of actions leads to the downfall of
the main character, called the tragic hero. The plot builds to a catastrophe,
or a disastrous final outcome, that usually involves the death of the hero
and many others.
Moral and Philosophical Questions: "Hamlet" raises profound questions
about life, death, and the human condition. Hamlet's famous soliloquy, "To
be or not to be," contemplates the nature of existence and the appeal of
suicide as an escape from the pains of life.
The 9 Elements of Shakespearean Tragedy at a
Glance
Elements Explanation
Tragic Hero A main character cursed by fate and possessed of a tragic flaw.
Hamlet Study Guide (Analysis + Notes) 1
, A Struggle
This struggle can take place as part of the plot or exist within the main
Between Good
character.
and Evil
Hamartia The fatal character flaw of the tragic hero.
The good being destroyed along with the bad at the resolution of the
Tragic Waste play. Often played out with the unnecessary loss of life, especially of
"good guy" characters.
External This can be a problem facing the hero as a result of the plot or a "bad
Conflict guy" character.
Internal
The struggle the hero engages in with his/her fatal flaw.
Conflict
The release of the audience's emotions through empathy with the
Catharsis
characters.
Supernatural
Magic, witchcraft, ghosts, etc.
Elements
Lack of Poetic
Things end poorly for everyone, including the "good guys."
Justice
One or more humorous characters who participate in scenes intended
Comic Relief
to lighten the mood.
Elements Explanation Example in "Hamlet"
Hamlet is the prince of Denmark, a
A main character cursed by
noble character whose tragic flaw
Tragic Hero fate and possessed of a tragic
(indecisiveness) leads to his
flaw.
downfall.
The struggle between Hamlet
(good) and Claudius (evil) drives
A Struggle This struggle can take place as
the plot. Additionally, Hamlet's
Between Good part of the plot or exist within
internal struggle between his
and Evil the main character.
moral integrity and his desire for
revenge represents this struggle.
Hamlet's indecisiveness and
The fatal character flaw of the tendency to overthink result in
Hamartia
tragic hero. missed opportunities and
contribute to the tragic events.
Tragic Waste The good being destroyed The deaths of innocent characters
along with the bad at the like Ophelia, Gertrude, and
resolution of the play. Often Laertes, along with Hamlet's own
played out with the demise, illustrate tragic waste.
Hamlet Study Guide (Analysis + Notes) 2
, unnecessary loss of life,
especially of "good guy"
characters.
This can be a problem facing Hamlet faces external conflict with
External Conflict the hero as a result of the plot Claudius, who murdered his father
or a "bad guy" character. and usurped the throne.
Hamlet's internal conflict revolves
around his indecision and doubt
The struggle the hero engages
Internal Conflict about the morality and
in with his/her fatal flaw.
consequences of avenging his
father's murder.
The audience experiences
The release of the audience's catharsis through Hamlet's
Catharsis emotions through empathy journey, feeling pity and fear as
with the characters. they empathize with his tragic
fate.
The ghost of King Hamlet sets the
Supernatural tragic events in motion by
Magic, witchcraft, ghosts, etc.
Elements demanding revenge for his
murder.
By the end of the play, most main
Things end poorly for
Lack of Poetic characters, including the morally
everyone, including the "good
Justice ambiguous ones, meet tragic
guys."
ends.
One or more humorous
The gravediggers provide comic
characters who participate in
Comic Relief relief with their dark humor during
scenes intended to lighten the
the graveyard scene.
mood.
Historical Context of "Hamlet"
1. Political Turmoil and Social Change:
Queen Elizabeth I's Reign: Queen Elizabeth I ruled England from 1558 to
1603, a period marked by political stability and prosperity, often referred to
as the Elizabethan Era. Despite the outward stability, there were underlying
tensions, including issues of succession, as Elizabeth had no heir. This
anxiety over the future of the monarchy is reflected in "Hamlet," where the
question of succession and legitimacy is central.
Religious Conflict: The 16th century in England was a time of religious
conflict, primarily between Protestants and Catholics. Elizabeth I
Hamlet Study Guide (Analysis + Notes) 3
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