Welcome to the World of Hamlet!
Welcome, students! Today we are diving into what is arguably the most famous play ever written: Hamlet by William Shakespeare. Don't let the "Old English" or the length of the play intimidate you. At its heart, Hamlet is a high-stakes thriller involving a ghost, a stolen throne, a broken family, and a prince who can't quite make up his mind.
In this guide, we will break down the play using the specific skills required for your Pearson Edexcel International AS Level (XET01). We will focus on characterisation, dramatic form, context, and different interpretations. Think of this as your "survival kit" for Elsinore Castle!
1. The Big Picture: What is Hamlet About?
The story follows Prince Hamlet, who returns home from university to find his father (the King) dead, and his uncle Claudius already married to his mother and sitting on the throne. When his father’s ghost appears and claims Claudius murdered him, Hamlet vows revenge. However, instead of acting immediately, he thinks, stalls, and pretends to be "mad" (insane) to investigate further. This delay leads to a tragic chain of events where almost everyone ends up dead.
Quick Review: The "Five P's" of Hamlet’s Plot
1. Parent: Hamlet’s father is murdered; his mother marries the killer.
2. Poison: The literal and metaphorical "rot" in the kingdom.
3. Procrastination: Hamlet’s famous delay in taking action.
4. Play-acting: Hamlet pretends to be mad; a literal play is used to "catch" the King.
5. Pitiless Fate: The tragic ending where the hero’s delay causes total destruction.
2. Characterisation: Who's Who?
In your exam, you need to show how Shakespeare constructs characters. They aren't real people; they are "tools" used to explore themes.
Hamlet: The Thinking Man’s Action Hero
Hamlet is the "Tragic Hero." His hamartia (fatal flaw) is often seen as his inability to act. Analogy: Hamlet is like someone standing on a diving board, analyzing the water temperature, the wind speed, and the history of diving, while everyone else is already in the pool.
- Key Feature: His Soliloquies. These are long speeches where he is alone on stage. They let us see his internal struggle.
- Important Point: He uses puns and wordplay to insult people and hide his true thoughts.
Claudius: The Politician
Claudius is the antagonist. Unlike Hamlet, he is a man of action. He is charming, persuasive, and very good at being a King, even though he gained the crown through murder. Don't forget: In Act 3, Scene 3, we see his guilt when he tries to pray, showing he isn't a "cartoon" villain but a complex, sinful human.
Ophelia and Gertrude: Women in a Man's World
For your exam (AO5: Different Interpretations), look at how these women are treated. Ophelia is controlled by her father (Polonius) and brother (Laertes). Her descent into actual madness is a sharp contrast to Hamlet’s "faked" madness. Gertrude is often seen as either a shallow woman or a mother trying to survive in a dangerous court.
3. Form and Structure: How the Play is Built
The syllabus requires you to understand dramatic form. Hamlet is a Revenge Tragedy.
The 5-Act Structure
Shakespeare uses a classic structure to build tension:
- Exposition (Act 1): The Ghost appears; the problem is set.
- Rising Action (Act 2): Hamlet puts on his "antic disposition" (madness).
- Climax (Act 3): The "Play within a Play" proves Claudius is guilty. Hamlet misses his chance to kill him.
- Falling Action (Act 4): Hamlet is sent away; Ophelia dies.
- Resolution (Act 5): The final duel and the "cleansing" of the court.
The "Play within a Play" (Metatheatre)
In Act 3, Hamlet hires actors to perform a murder similar to his father's. This is Metatheatre (drama about drama). It serves as a mirror to catch the conscience of the King. Memory Tip: Think of this as Hamlet using a "hidden camera" to catch a criminal in the act.
4. Language, Imagery, and Motifs
To get top marks for AO2, you must analyze Shakespeare’s language choices.
Disease and Decay
Shakespeare uses imagery of sickness, rot, and weeds to show that Denmark is morally corrupt. Example: "Something is rotten in the state of Denmark." Example: Hamlet describes the world as an "unweeded garden."
Appearance vs. Reality
Nothing in Elsinore is what it seems. Hamlet is acting mad; Claudius is acting like a good King; Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are acting like friends but are actually spies. Key Term: Facial Imagery (the idea of "painting" or wearing a mask) is used frequently to describe this deception.
5. Context: The World of the Play (AO3)
Context is not just history; it's how the history influences the meaning of the text.
The Divine Right of Kings
Elizabethans believed the King was chosen by God. Killing a King was not just a crime; it was a "sin against nature." This explains why the weather and the "Ghost" are so unsettled—the natural order has been broken.
The Revenge Tradition
In the Middle Ages, revenge was a matter of honor. However, by Shakespeare’s time, people were becoming more interested in Humanism (the study of human reason and ethics). Hamlet is stuck between these two worlds: his "blood" wants revenge, but his "brain" wants to be a modern, moral man.
6. Interpretations: Seeing it Differently (AO5)
In your exam, it's great to say "Some critics argue..." or "A modern audience might see...".
- The Psychoanalytic View: Some (like Freud) argue Hamlet has an "Oedipus Complex"—he is obsessed with his mother, which makes him hesitate to kill the man who replaced his father.
- The Feminist View: Critics often focus on how Ophelia is a victim of a Patriarchal (male-dominated) society. Her madness is her only way to speak her mind.
- The Political View: This focuses on Fortinbras (the Norwegian Prince). He is the "Man of Action" who Hamlet should have been. In this view, the play is about the death of an old dynasty and the birth of a new political era.
7. Final Exam Tips
1. Focus on the Question: If the question asks about "Guilt," don't just write everything you know about Hamlet. Focus on Claudius, Gertrude, and Hamlet’s own guilt.
2. Use Terminology: Instead of saying "Hamlet talks to himself," say "Hamlet delivers a soliloquy." Instead of "The play is sad," call it a tragedy.
3. Context is a Tool: Use AO3 (Context) to explain why a character acts a certain way, not just as a history lesson.
4. Don't worry if it's tricky: Shakespeare wrote these plays to be seen and heard, not just read. If you're stuck, try watching a clip of a performance to see the emotion behind the words!
Key Takeaway
Hamlet is a play about the difficulty of making choices in a world full of lies and corruption. By mastering the structure of a revenge tragedy and the motifs of disease and acting, you'll be well on your way to a great grade!