Hamlet12

A detailed Summary of Hamlet12

When do you know a work of literature has stood the test of time? When William Shakespeare wrote it. But why are his works so respected and cherished? One of his most famous works, Hamlet, is still a favorite among actors and occasional readers, alike, but why? Why is Shakespeare's work still able to challenge and inspire people, four hundred years after it was written? The answer is simple. Shakespeare's work, though complicated, will never have just one meaning, it will always be up to the interpretation of the people of the time that is interpreting the drama. And with this reason, Shakespeare will always be powerful and applicable to the day.

One of the first reasons why Hamlet will never lose importance is because of the incestuous relationship between Hamlet's mother, Queen Gertrude, and uncle, King Claudius. Even in Elizabethan times, Hamlet was disturbed by his mother's new love. In scene II of the first act, Hamlet's disgust with his mother's incestuous relationship and pain over his own father's death is no more clear then in the lines of his speech:

But two months dead: nay, not so much, not two: so excellent a king; that was, to this, Hyperion to a satyr; so loving to my mother that he might not beteem

But Hamlet, true to his character, was unable to make that decision fearing his Uncle going to Heaven instead of Hell where he felt he deserve to be. The instance where Hamlet is deciding between murdering his uncle/father or not murdering him is not the only time he was indecisive. Even in the last scene of the first act, Hamlet show's his deathly flaw.

the winds of heaven visit her face too roughly. Heaven and earth! Must I remember? Why, she would hang on him, as if increase of appetite had grown by what it fed on: and yet, within a month-let me not think on't-frailty, thy name is woman! -a little month, or ere those shoes were old with which she followed my poor father's body, like Niobe, all tear:--why she, even she-o God! A beast, that wants discourse of reason, would have mourn'd longer-married with my uncle, my father's brother, but no more like my father than I to Hercules: within a month: ere yet the salt of most unrighteous tears had left the flushing in her galled eyes, she married. O, most wicked speed, to post with such dexterity to incestuous sheet! It is not nor it cannot come to good: but break, my heart; for I must hold my tongue. (Act I, Scene II, line 138-158)

Now might I do it pat, now he is praying: and now I'll do't. And so 'a goes to heaven; and so am I reveng'd. That would be scann'd: a villain kills my father; and for that, I, his sole son, do this same villain send to heave. Why, this is hire and salary, not revenge. (Act III, Scene IV, 73-79)

Some common words found in the essay are:
Claudius King, Claudius Elizabethan, IV Line, King Hamlet, Scene II, Uncle Heaven, Why Shakespeare's, Hamlet Fortinbras, Laertes Fortinbras, Queen Denmark, climax play, king hamlet murdered, decision usually, father's death, characters decision, decision quickly, hamlet unable, today's society, scene ii, scene iv, month ere,

Approximate Word count = 1668
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English