Hamlet Acts/ Scenes Analy-
sis
Hamlet Act 1 Scene 1
Events of scene:
- introduced to Marcello, Bernando, Fernando, eager to show Horatio Old Hamlet
- Horatio sets tone describing King and hinting at corruption that may occur
- Horatio attempts to speak to Old Hamlet but fails and decided to tell Hamlet in at-
tempt that he may speak to ghost
Language
- Gothic setting of midnight suggestive of danger/ corruption/ evil occurring in state
- Half lines reveal tense and jumpiness
- Soldiers refuse to name ghost call it a “thing” (religious contextual ambiguity)
- “who’s there” sets tone of play, ambiguity , deceit sense of unknown
- Horatio shaped as foil to mercurial Hamlet
- Ghost refusing to speak highlights delaying theme of play - where everything is de-
layed
- Deus ex Machina (ghost) - uncommon literary device that involves bringing a super-
natural force, serves to unravel mystery surrounding OH death - both the cure and
cause of problem
- Ghost described as a “strange erruption” and “majestical” (uncertaint. Surrounding
Ghost nature)
- “strange eruption” - rotten state of Denmark
- “Our saviour’s birth” (Christian country)
- “ Stay illusion: speak to me” - Horatio’s incantatory questioning suggests she of the
common supersitions about appearance of ghosts
- “well ratifed by law and herald” - stark contrast between late king and contrast to
his death
Themes
- uncertainty
- Corruption
- Supernatural and religion
- Politics and power
Hamlet Act 1 Scene 2
Events of scene:
- king Claudius addresses marriage to Gertrude also refers to King F demands
- Draws attention to Hamlet mourning
- Sends Ambassadors to Norway
- Hamlet cannot return to Uni
- Horatio tells Hamlet about ghost
- Reveals disgust to Mother and her hasty marriage
sis
Hamlet Act 1 Scene 1
Events of scene:
- introduced to Marcello, Bernando, Fernando, eager to show Horatio Old Hamlet
- Horatio sets tone describing King and hinting at corruption that may occur
- Horatio attempts to speak to Old Hamlet but fails and decided to tell Hamlet in at-
tempt that he may speak to ghost
Language
- Gothic setting of midnight suggestive of danger/ corruption/ evil occurring in state
- Half lines reveal tense and jumpiness
- Soldiers refuse to name ghost call it a “thing” (religious contextual ambiguity)
- “who’s there” sets tone of play, ambiguity , deceit sense of unknown
- Horatio shaped as foil to mercurial Hamlet
- Ghost refusing to speak highlights delaying theme of play - where everything is de-
layed
- Deus ex Machina (ghost) - uncommon literary device that involves bringing a super-
natural force, serves to unravel mystery surrounding OH death - both the cure and
cause of problem
- Ghost described as a “strange erruption” and “majestical” (uncertaint. Surrounding
Ghost nature)
- “strange eruption” - rotten state of Denmark
- “Our saviour’s birth” (Christian country)
- “ Stay illusion: speak to me” - Horatio’s incantatory questioning suggests she of the
common supersitions about appearance of ghosts
- “well ratifed by law and herald” - stark contrast between late king and contrast to
his death
Themes
- uncertainty
- Corruption
- Supernatural and religion
- Politics and power
Hamlet Act 1 Scene 2
Events of scene:
- king Claudius addresses marriage to Gertrude also refers to King F demands
- Draws attention to Hamlet mourning
- Sends Ambassadors to Norway
- Hamlet cannot return to Uni
- Horatio tells Hamlet about ghost
- Reveals disgust to Mother and her hasty marriage
