Hamlet
Form
A Performance Text: Something intended specifically for performance, which creates a
shared experience by its public nature. Characters will have unique idiosyncrasies which is
specific to an actor.
A Shakespearean Tragedy: Influenced by Greek tragedies, teaches against deep hatred.
Conventions of a Shakespearean Tragedy
Concerned with the Higher Class- The idea of looking at those who are our ‘betters
- The royal family and royal court of Denmark
The Main Plotline Focuses on an Individual Rise and Fall- The focus is on an
isolated individual, unlike comedies – Hamlet has limited allies in Denmark, his
soliloquies show he can only express his feelings when alone.
Hamartia/Error in Judgement- What the tragic hero believes will lead to success
actually leads to their destruction- Hamlet’s want for the perfect revenge
Move from Order to Disorder- The behaviour of the tragic hero goes from stable to
out of control, creating chaos for the lives of other- Hamlet’s madness
Events Seem to be Directed by Fate- Unfortunate coincidences and circumstances
seem to be written in the stars- Hamlet was winning the fencing match
Driven to Madness- The tragic hero loses touch with reason and their former selves-
Hamlet hastily killing Polonius and Claudius
Philosophical Seriousness- Moments that reveal deep insights about the human
condition- The graveyard scene’s view on death
Brief Moments of Humour/Levity- Within the main plot or subplots, there are
fleeting moments of relief, humour, or happiness- The gravediggers
Reversal of Fortune/Peripeteia- During the protagonist’s plight, he will undergo an
ironic and sudden peripetia that bring him up against the realisation of the unthinkable
(the anagnorisis)- Hamlet won’t get anything he wanted, it was all for nothing
Disasters and Deaths- Multiple deaths, with at least some being undeserved. It’s a
cleaning of the whole court- Ophelia, Claudius, Polonius, Rosencrantz and
Guildenstern, Laertes, Hamlet
The Restoration of Order- There’s a full disturbance of the order and ends with
some type of restoration of order as new leadership takes over- Fortinbras becoming
the new leader of Denmark
The Tragic Hero
Is a male character, usually a noble/of high rank
Makes a consequential error in judgement/hamartia
Experiences a downfall as a result of his hubris (excessive pride)
Typically dies in the end
Form
A Performance Text: Something intended specifically for performance, which creates a
shared experience by its public nature. Characters will have unique idiosyncrasies which is
specific to an actor.
A Shakespearean Tragedy: Influenced by Greek tragedies, teaches against deep hatred.
Conventions of a Shakespearean Tragedy
Concerned with the Higher Class- The idea of looking at those who are our ‘betters
- The royal family and royal court of Denmark
The Main Plotline Focuses on an Individual Rise and Fall- The focus is on an
isolated individual, unlike comedies – Hamlet has limited allies in Denmark, his
soliloquies show he can only express his feelings when alone.
Hamartia/Error in Judgement- What the tragic hero believes will lead to success
actually leads to their destruction- Hamlet’s want for the perfect revenge
Move from Order to Disorder- The behaviour of the tragic hero goes from stable to
out of control, creating chaos for the lives of other- Hamlet’s madness
Events Seem to be Directed by Fate- Unfortunate coincidences and circumstances
seem to be written in the stars- Hamlet was winning the fencing match
Driven to Madness- The tragic hero loses touch with reason and their former selves-
Hamlet hastily killing Polonius and Claudius
Philosophical Seriousness- Moments that reveal deep insights about the human
condition- The graveyard scene’s view on death
Brief Moments of Humour/Levity- Within the main plot or subplots, there are
fleeting moments of relief, humour, or happiness- The gravediggers
Reversal of Fortune/Peripeteia- During the protagonist’s plight, he will undergo an
ironic and sudden peripetia that bring him up against the realisation of the unthinkable
(the anagnorisis)- Hamlet won’t get anything he wanted, it was all for nothing
Disasters and Deaths- Multiple deaths, with at least some being undeserved. It’s a
cleaning of the whole court- Ophelia, Claudius, Polonius, Rosencrantz and
Guildenstern, Laertes, Hamlet
The Restoration of Order- There’s a full disturbance of the order and ends with
some type of restoration of order as new leadership takes over- Fortinbras becoming
the new leader of Denmark
The Tragic Hero
Is a male character, usually a noble/of high rank
Makes a consequential error in judgement/hamartia
Experiences a downfall as a result of his hubris (excessive pride)
Typically dies in the end
