Hamlet Themes and Literary Devices

William Shakespeares Hamlet is considered of the most thematically-rich works of literature in the English language. The tragic play, which follows Prince Hamlet as he decides whether to revenge his fathers death by murdering his uncle, includes themes of appearance vs. reality, revenge, action vs. inaction, and the nature of death and the afterlife. Appearance vs. Reality Appearance versus reality is a recurrent theme within Shakespeare’s plays, which often question the boundary between actors and people. At the beginning of Hamlet, Hamlet finds himself questioning how much he can trust the ghostly apparition. Is it really the ghost of his father, or is it an evil spirit meant to lead him into murderous sin? The uncertainty remains central to the narrative throughout the play, as the ghosts statements determine much of the narrative’s action. Hamlet’s madness blurs the line between appearance and reality. In Act I, Hamlet clearly states that he plans to feign madness. However, over the course of the play, it becomes less and less clear that he is only pretending to be mad. Perhaps the best example of this confusion takes place in Act III, when Hamlet spurns Ophelia leaving her utterly confused about the state of his affection for her. In this scene, Shakespeare brilliantly reflects the confusion in his choice of language. As Hamlet tells Ophelia to â€Å"get thee to a nunnery,† an Elizabethan audience would hear a pun on â€Å"nunnery† as a place of piety and chastity as well as the contemporary slang term â€Å"nunnery† for brothel. This collapse of opposites reflects not only the confused state of Hamlet’s mind, but also Ophelia’s (and our own) inability to interpret him correctly. This moment echoes the broader theme of the impossibility of interpreting reality, which in turn l eads to Hamlets struggle with revenge and inaction. Literary Device: Play-Within-a-Play The theme of appearance versus reality is reflected in the Shakespearean trope of the play-within-a-play. (Consider the often-quoted â€Å"all the world’s a stage† remarks in Shakespeare’s As You Like It.) As the audience watches the actors of the play Hamlet watching a play (here, The Murder of Gonzago), it is suggested that they zoom out and consider the ways in which they themselves might be upon a stage. For example, within the play, Claudius’s lies and diplomacy are clearly simple pretense, as is Hamlet’s feigning madness. But is not Ophelia’s innocent acquiescence to her father’s demand that she stop seeing Hamlet another pretense, as she clearly does not want to spurn her lover? Shakespeare is thus preoccupied with the ways we are actors in our everyday life, even when we don’t mean to be. Revenge and Action vs. Inaction Revenge is the catalyst for action in Hamlet. After all, it is the ghost’s injunction to Hamlet to seek revenge for his death that forces Hamlet into action (or inaction, as the case may be). However, Hamlet is no simple drama of vengeance. Instead, Hamlet continually puts off the revenge he is supposed to seize. He even considers his own suicide instead of killing Claudius; however, the question of the afterlife, and whether he would be punished for taking his own life, stays his hand. Similarly, when Claudius decides he must have Hamlet killed off, Claudius sends the prince to England with a note to have him executed, rather than doing the deed himself. In direct contrast to the inaction of Hamlet and Claudius is the forceful action of Laertes. As soon as he hears of his father’s murder, Laertes returns to Denmark, ready to wreak revenge on those responsible. It is only through careful and clever diplomacy that Claudius manages to convince the enraged Laertes that Hamlet is at fault for the murder. Of course, at the end of the play, everyone is revenged: Hamlet’s father, as Claudius dies; Polonius and Ophelia, as Laertes kills Hamlet; Hamlet himself, as he kills Laertes; even Gertrude, for her adultery, is killed drinking from the poisoned goblet. In addition, Prince Fortinbras of Norway, who was searching for revenge for his father’s death at Denmark’s hands, enters to find most of the offending royal family killed. But perhaps this fatally interlocking network has a more sobering message: namely, the destructive consequences of a society that values vengeance. Death, Guilt, and the Afterlife From the very beginning of the play, the question of death looms. The ghost of Hamlet’s father makes the audience wonder about the religious forces at work within the play. Does the ghost’s appearance mean Hamlet’s father is in heaven, or hell? Hamlet struggles with the question of the afterlife. He wonders whether, if he kills Claudius, he will end up in hell himself. Particularly given his lack of trust in the ghost’s words, Hamlet wonders if Claudius is even as guilty as the ghost says. Hamlets desire to prove Claudiuss guilt beyond all doubt results in much of the action in the play, including the play-within-a-play he commissions. Even when Hamlet comes close to killing Claudius, raising his sword to murder the oblivious Claudius in church, he pauses with the question of the afterlife in mind: if he kills Claudius while he is praying, does that mean Claudius will go to heaven? (Notably, in this scene, the audience has just witnessed the difficulty Claudius faces in being able to pray, his own heart burdened by guilt.) Suicide is another aspect of this theme. Hamlet takes place in era when the prevailing Christian belief asserted that suicide would damn its victim to hell. Yet Ophelia, who is considered to have died by suicide, is buried in hallowed ground. Indeed, her final appearance onstage, singing simple songs and distributing flowers, seems to indicate her innocence—a stark contrast with the allegedly sinful nature of her death. Hamlet grapples with the question of suicide in his famous to be, or not to be soliloquy. In thus considering suicide, Hamlet finds that â€Å"the dread of something after death† gives him pause. This theme is echoed by the skulls Hamlet encounters in one of the final scenes; he is amazed by the anonymity of each skull, unable to recognize even that of his favorite jester Yorick. Thus, Shakespeare presents Hamlet’s struggle to understand the mystery of death, which divides us from even seemingly the most fundamental aspects of our identity.

Social Learning Theory And Social Theory - 1133 Words

There are many theories in the field of criminology that seek to explain the reasons behind why people commit crimes. Social process theory is one such theory and asserts that criminal behavior is learned through interactions with others (Schmalleger, 2012). There are four types of social process theories including: social learning theory, social control theory, labeling theory, and dramaturgical perspective. This paper will explore two of the theories including social learning theory and social control theory. The paper will discuss social process theory and the history of its development, the theory’s importance to criminology, examples of the theory, and any positives or negatives associated with the theory. Theory and the History of its Development Social Learning Theory Social Learning Theory is the process that occurs through observing the consequences of others and by determining if such behavior is worth replicating (Wallace, n.d.) Basically this theory suggests that humans learn by watching others. Social Learning Theory was developed in the 1930’s by Theorists, Edwin Sutherland, Robert Burgess, Ronald L. Akers, and Daniel Glaser. These theorists developed the learning theory by recognizing patterns of criminal behaviors and the types of values that went along with criminals, the way they lived and communicated which they called differential association (Schmalleger, 2012.) Another theorist that has helped in the development of theory is Albert Bandura. BanduraShow MoreRelatedThe Theory Of The Social Learning Theory2061 Words   |  9 PagesThe act of learning is an innate characteristic belonging to people across the globe. Learning can take place in many different forms (reading, writing, speaking, listening, excellency in a particular skill, etc.) and settings, generalizing from one content area to another. It also occurs at varying rates across a diverse spectrum of populations and can be influenced by any number of factors including personalities, perceived abilities, societal values and environment. Some individuals acquireRead MoreThe Theory Of Social Learning Theory1955 Words   |  8 PagesThis essay will demonstrate a knowledge and understanding and discuss the concept of social learning theory, whilst taking into consideration and explaining the way children learn and develop. This essay will focus on the overall concept of this theory and will explore the work of the theorist Albert Bandura and how he contributes to the role of the adult and their understanding of social learning. This essay will then examine the work of Urie Bronfenbrenner in relation to the work of Bandura. UsingRead MoreSocial Control Theory And Social Learning Theory2007 Words   |  9 Pagesor bad, but we really don’t k now why we make those choices. There is a point in life when you choose to be deviant. Social control theory and social learning theory suggest what makes us do the deviant behavior and what makes it different from one person to another. They both have to do with the world around us, but have different views on how you portray yourself from that. Social control is how you interact with society, and it suggest that if you are close to society you will have good behaviorRead MoreObservational And Social Learning Theory Essay899 Words   |  4 PagesActivity #1: Observational/Social Learning Theory The purpose of this paper is to discuss the validity of the Observational/Social Learning Theory. I will investigate what the observational/social learning theory is and its use in an everyday classroom environment. I will also relate this learning theory to any relevant Saint Leo core values. What is the observational/social learning theory? The observational learning theory, sometimes called the social learning theory, states that an individualRead MoreExplain the Social Learning Theory1737 Words   |  7 PagesExplain the Social Learning Theory, making reference to two relevant studies. By Tanisha Sabhaney Behaviouristic theories of learning are essentially theories of conditioning and emphasize the role of reinforcement in learning. One of the mot predominant theories is Albert Bandura’s social learning theory, which assumes that. People learn through observing others’ behavior, attitudes, and outcomes of those behaviors which is called observational learning, that is an indirect form of learning known asRead MoreEvaluation of Social Learning Theory1634 Words   |  7 PagesEvaluation of Social learning theory In this essay, I will try to evaluate Social learning theory as originated by Albert Bandura. I am going to use three pieces of evidence, in a form of case studies, which have been done previously to support or contradict Bandura’s theory. I will demonstrate my knowledge of these studies throughout their analysis, trying to highlight their strengths and limitations. Albert Bandura, a 20th century American pszchologist, proposed a very important and probablyRead MoreSocial Learning Theory Essay1057 Words   |  5 PagesAlbert Bandura’s Social Learning Theory describes the process through which people acquire new info, forms of behavior, or attitudes from others firsthand or vicariously. The likelihood of a behavior presenting itself will rely on the amount of reinforcement it receives and the value that the individual associates to it. While some behavior may be rewarded, others may produce unfavorable responses. An individual will learn from the consequences of these actions and when a similar situation arisesRead MoreEssay on Social Control Theory vs. Social Learning Theory1979 Words   |  8 PagesSocial Control Theory vs. Social Learning Theory Abstract Social control theory and social learning theory are two theories that suggest why deviant behavior is chosen to be acted upon by some individuals and not others. Both take a different stance on the issue. Social control theory suggests people’s behavior is based on their bonds to society, if they have strong bonds to society they conform and if not they have a tendency to act out or become involved in criminalRead MoreBandura s Social Learning Theory969 Words   |  4 Pagesthat make the most sense in the world. Something like the social learning theory was overlooked. But it has provided such great insight as to why we do certainly in our lives. Bandura’s theory has paved the way to many studies and has open our minds to the possibility that we affect each other in a way we would not imagine. I believe that this theory can shape a lot of people s lives. I agree with Albert Bandura’s social learning theory by modeling and in this paper, I will present an argu mentRead MoreSocial Learning Theory and The Effect of TV Violence on Children2115 Words   |  9 PagesSocial Learning Theory and The Effect of TV Violence on Children In the United States children watch an average of three to fours hours of television daily (Cantor Wilson, 1984, p. 28). Television can be a powerful influence in developing value systems and shaping behavior. Unfortunately, much of todays television programming is violent. Studies of the effects of TV violence on children and teenagers have found that children may become insensitive to violence. Consequently, they tend to gradually

Geology 10 Essay Example For Students

Geology 10 Essay Mass wasting is a phenomenon that has resulted in over one million deaths and billions of dollars of damage in its recorded history. Mass wasting is classified by the rate at which debris moves down slope. For instance, rockfalls move at speeds of over thirty-MPH, while mudslides travel at around twenty MPH. This field trip explored two translational slides; one at the Gros Ventre River in Wyoming, and the other at the Madison River in Montana. In Wyoming, the slide was caused by the clay and silt being saturated by rain and melt water, and occurred on a slip plane almost parallel with the slope. 40 million cubic meters of debris was moved and deposited almost 300 feet up the opposite slope. The debris caused a natural dam that created a lake, but the dam eventually failed, causing a nearby town to be nearly destroyed. In Montana, the slide was triggered by an earthquake. As in Wyoming, the debris caused a natural dam, but the Army Corps of Engineers breached the dam to prevent failure. The rock that was displaced was mostly schist and gneiss, which is unstable. The critical thinking section asked you to place a development. The northeast quadrant was the best because it had the proper amount of rainfall, a slope that was not too steep, and dense foliage. All of these are factors that help prevent landslides. This fieldtrip takes us to the city of South San Francisco. This city has a diverse economy that includes tourism and technology. Also, the residential areas of town are separated from the commercial areas. There are also a good number of recreational and educational facilities in the city. As far as ethnic diversity, there are many types of ethnic groups spread throughout the city; there are really no ethnic boundaries as there are in bigger, older cities. There is a great deal of diversity in the physiography of the region. The eastern part of the city is made of filled land and subject to liquefaction. The western part of the city is quite hilly and poses a landslide threat. Both sections, however, are earthquake hazards. Once again, in the critical thinking section you are asked if a development should be approved, based on landslide threat, earthquake threat, population density, and water supply. In this case the development should be denied due to the landslide threat of the area. There seems to be ample water supply, and the population density is not a problem as in many areas of California. Also, earthquake threat is not a serious concern in this region. Bibliography: .

The Burden of a Happy Childhood free essay sample

The Burden of a Happy Childhood In â€Å"The Burden of a Happy Childhood† Cantwell described her grandparent’s house, the three story Victorian house her family lived in during her childhood life. There are so many great things she has experienced, like having a bird as a pet. After a morning dip on the beach, she had a playful moment with her grandfather in his beautiful garden; he washed her feet to remove the sand from her feet. As she grew older, all the images of those special moments still captured in her heart. I agree with Mary Cantwell, I moved from Vietnam when I was twelve years old.I really had great memories of my childhood I took a long walks to my grandmother house, bike rides to school, the farm that we lived on. My father cooked vegetables that he grew in the backyard. As Derby Evening, he shared how he liked to listen to his childhood stories, â€Å"I enjoy hearing about my childhood memories. We will write a custom essay sample on The Burden of a Happy Childhood or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page † (Evening). I have the same habits as Evening. I liked to feel the breeze on my face when my mother fans on me before bed time. During the moon-soon season I liked listening to the rain drops and feel the warm of my mother’s arms around me.During the New Year, my mother didn’t have money to buy new clothes she cut her gowns and remade the clothes for me. I was so happy because I got new clothes to wear for new years. The special moments I have had from my childhood that I’m so close to my parents and my siblings because of my strong family with the meticulous cares from my parents similar to Mary’s article. My parents had sacrificed so much for my family. We will care and love, and protect each other no matter what happens. I agree with Mary Cantwell, she has a special places, people and memories in her childhood life those memories will remain in her heart forever.It’s the most grateful memories that I have had also. It will never wash away from me even the years ahead passing by. I am blessed to have the greatest parents who have done so many great things that make who I am today. Works Cited Cantwell, Mary. Backpack Writing with Readings (The Burden of a Happy Childhood). New York: Longman, 2008. 10 Apr. 2011. Evening, Derby. Memories of Childhood and Summer Days at Lake Side. General Reference Gold. (2011): Text available Full Text. Web. 10 April 2011. Garrity, Mary. â€Å"Home Style: O Christmas Tree. Scripps Howard News Service- 29 November 2010. NewsBank. Web. 10 April 2011.