Rationality
KEY IDEAS:
- Rationality seems impossible in a corrupt state
-> after the ghost reveals Claudius’ crime, Hamlet tries to respond with
rationality/logic/caution - delays vengeance, worrying that the ghost is tricking
him
-> however, his attempts to think/act rationally are undermined by the moral
decay of Elsinore – spying, betrayal (these things trigger irrationality in Hamlet,
causing him to struggle/overthink/delay further)
-> Hamlet’s inability to act decisively is a reflection of how rationality breaks
down in a world where truth is obscured by lies/deceit/moral decay/corruption
Ghost: ‘Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder’ [1.5]
Hamlet: ‘Observe mine uncle. If his occulted guilt / Do not itself unkennel in one speech, / It is a
damned ghost that we have seen’ [3.2]
Hamlet [to R+G after he suspects their betrayal]: ‘Denmark’s a prison’ [2.2]
Hamlet: ‘The fair Ophelia – Nymph' - beautiful, loves her deeply [3.1]
Hamlet: ‘Get thee to a nunnery, why wouldst thou be a breeder of sinners?’ [3.1] - an irrational
outburst as a result of Elsinore’s cruelty/deceit/corruption
A05
Hytner:
-> “Dishonesty is at the heart of the regime” - deteriorates rationality/catalyst for Hamlet’s
irrational outbursts/distress
-> “It’s a play about truth” Hamlet “wants to be more truthful than it’s probably possible to
be” “that is his tragedy”
Atlick: “The cunning and lecherousness of Claudius’ evil has corrupted the whole kingdom of
Denmark”
Buccola: Hamlet’s fiery speech is “fuelled not only by his madness, but by his disappointment
in those who are close to him”
Doran 2008: CCTV + two way mirrors – hard to be rational in a deceptive court
- Irrationality causes madness
-> Hamlet accidentally murders Polonius – catalyst for Ophelia’s madness and
death, heightens his own madness?
KEY IDEAS:
- Rationality seems impossible in a corrupt state
-> after the ghost reveals Claudius’ crime, Hamlet tries to respond with
rationality/logic/caution - delays vengeance, worrying that the ghost is tricking
him
-> however, his attempts to think/act rationally are undermined by the moral
decay of Elsinore – spying, betrayal (these things trigger irrationality in Hamlet,
causing him to struggle/overthink/delay further)
-> Hamlet’s inability to act decisively is a reflection of how rationality breaks
down in a world where truth is obscured by lies/deceit/moral decay/corruption
Ghost: ‘Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder’ [1.5]
Hamlet: ‘Observe mine uncle. If his occulted guilt / Do not itself unkennel in one speech, / It is a
damned ghost that we have seen’ [3.2]
Hamlet [to R+G after he suspects their betrayal]: ‘Denmark’s a prison’ [2.2]
Hamlet: ‘The fair Ophelia – Nymph' - beautiful, loves her deeply [3.1]
Hamlet: ‘Get thee to a nunnery, why wouldst thou be a breeder of sinners?’ [3.1] - an irrational
outburst as a result of Elsinore’s cruelty/deceit/corruption
A05
Hytner:
-> “Dishonesty is at the heart of the regime” - deteriorates rationality/catalyst for Hamlet’s
irrational outbursts/distress
-> “It’s a play about truth” Hamlet “wants to be more truthful than it’s probably possible to
be” “that is his tragedy”
Atlick: “The cunning and lecherousness of Claudius’ evil has corrupted the whole kingdom of
Denmark”
Buccola: Hamlet’s fiery speech is “fuelled not only by his madness, but by his disappointment
in those who are close to him”
Doran 2008: CCTV + two way mirrors – hard to be rational in a deceptive court
- Irrationality causes madness
-> Hamlet accidentally murders Polonius – catalyst for Ophelia’s madness and
death, heightens his own madness?
