Major scenes in Hamlet

Topic: Major scenes in Hamlet

Paper: 1

Paper name: The Renaissance Literature

Name: Bhatt Urvi P.

Roll no.: 35

Class: sem-1

Year: 2013-14

Submitted to: MKBU

Que.: Major scenes in ‘Hamlet’ by William Shakespeare.

Ans.: ●       Introduction:

          William Shakespeare was born on April 23, 1564 at Stafford–on–Avon in Warwickshire. He was a poet and dramatist. He wrote many Sonnets, Comedies, and Tragedies etc. His famous tragedies are Othello, Macbeth, and Hamlet etc. It is believed that his female characters are very powerful. They take their own decisions. They are respected characters. ‘Hamlet’ is the name as well as the character of the tragic play ‘Hamlet’. It’s a famous play by Shakespeare.

●       Story Outline:

          Hamlet is the protagonist of the play. His father died of poisoning by his uncle. His uncle becomes the king of Denmark and also marries Hamlet’s mother soon after his father’s death. Ghost is seen by the two soldiers. Hamlet is told and the secret behind his father’s death is revealed. The Ghost tells him to take revenge. Being an intellectual he wants to find proud before taking revenge. He delays taking the revenge of his father’s death. On the other side king suspects his madness and decides to send abroad. His made plans to kill Hamlet but he is saved. Later on Hamlet’s beloved dies, before Ophelia dies, his father – both died accidentally. Laertes Ophelia’s brother fights duel with Hamlet. Laertes dies, and then Hamlet’s mother dies, then dies his uncle and in the end dies Hamlet. The things go wrong because of Hamlet’s delay in taking revenge.

●       Scenes in Hamlet:

          ‘Hamlet’ has many memorable scenes. Some of the finest scenes are the Ghost scene. The nunnery scene, the play scene, the prayer scene, the closest scene etc. Let’s see the scenes one by one with their importance as far as the drama is concerned.

●       Ghost Scene:

          Most of the Shakespeare’s tragedies have supernatural elements to create the proper effect. This scene is set up in the beginning. It has the narrow stage platform of Elsinore Castle which is on the top of the hill. The Ghost of the previous king of Denmark appears at the midnight. During this hours people are asleep but the guards are awake. The guard sees him and tries to stop and question the king but they didn't get response. They decided to inform about three incident to the son of the late king, Hamlet. When Hamlet hears he decides to go to the place and find out the reality. He goes to the place there he finds his father’s ghost whom he talks but the ghost made sign to go behind him when Hamlet did so he revealed the reality of his death. He shocked Hamlet by informing that he was poisoned by his brother Claudius. He tells him to take revenge. Dark and terrifying scene is set up on the stage that makes audience heart to feel horrifies. This scene is very important as the consequence of the drama is considered.

          The Ghost appears second time also when Hamlet and his mother talks. The Ghost reminds Hamlet to take revenge of his death and not to harm his mother.

●       The Nunnery Scene:

          Ophelia thought that, Hamlet has gone mad because she stopped meeting him. Polonius, her father and the king, Claudius decides to test Hamlet with the help of Ophelia. Ophelia is not aware of their real cause. She is considerate. She wants Hamlet to get well. Ophelia is projected doing prayer when Hamlet enters the place. Hamlet is not aware of the presence of Ophelia. When he sees him, he greets her saying, “Nymph, in the orisons be all my sins remembered.”

          The stage arrangement is such that audience could see the king and Polonius. Hamlet was not to be told about their presence according to the plan. He thought that, Ophelia deceived him by participating in the plan as Hamlet saw both of them. He insulted Ophelia brutally in this scene. Ophelia is humiliated and could not understand why she was treated in this way by Hamlet. She felt defoliated. This scene digs valley between the two lovers of misunderstanding. A lovely innocent and saintly girl’s innocence is sacrificed.

●       The scene of Hamlet’s Soliloquy ‘To Be or not to Be’:

          Hamlet worried whether to continue to exist or not, whether it was more noble to suffer the slings and arrows of unbearable situations. He thought whether he should live or not live. He thought who would carry or not live. He thought who would carry this load, sweating and granting under the burden of a weary life if it weren't for the dread of the after life – that unexplored country from whose border no travel returns?

          “But that the dread of something after death, the undiscovered country from whose bourn. No traveler returns, puzzles the will and makes us rather bear those ills we have than fly to others that we know not of?” It’s one of the best scene delineating the philosophy of life.

●       The Play Scene:

          Hamlet is a scholar and an intellectual person. He wants to check his uncle’s misdeed. He is eagerly waiting to know whether his uncle feels guilt about the killing of his own brother. This side the kingdom wants Hamlet to get well. Gertrude was anxious for his well-being. The news comes to Hamlet about the arrival of the term who would perform. Hamlet meets them and tells them to perform the play in the way he wants. They agreed to give the performance accordingly Hamlet, Claudius with Queen Gertrude, Courtiers, Ophelia, Horatio and others are to watch the play. The stage is well equipped. In the center on one side king and queen sit on the other side, Horatio, Ophelia sit. Horatio is to watch the gesture and expression on the king. Hamlet as a stage manager, is seen standing in the middle with the precedence of madman, Hamlet does mischief with Ophelia so that he may dissect Claudius changing facial expression. The scene in the play shows the killing of one brother by another. Claudius could not tolerate the scene. He gets up and goes out. Behind him Queen, Polonius and Courtiers also left. Hamlet could realize that his uncle is guilty. As far as the revenge tragedy is concerned this play is of great significance. Hamlet wanted proof he got it. Yet, he doesn't take revenge. He should have taken.

●       The Prayer Scene:

          Hamlet, the tragic hero of the play goes to kill his uncle to revenge of his father’s murder. He held his sword out. When enters the room he finds his uncle praying God. Though he could not act mercilessly. He thought that if he kills him while doing prayer he would directly enter heaven. Previously, he showed the weakness in his character of lack of determination. Once more he exhibits the same. It this scene the king is shown kneeling down. After his soliloquy and before he rises, Hamlet enters the audience chamber. He sees the king at prayer, draws his sword to the seaboard. He missed once more chance to revenge. In Javerchand Meghani’s books we find many revenge stories but no one can be such weak as the character of Hamlet. He seems very kind to kill anybody. He takes time in thinking and taking actions.

●       Bedchamber Scene / Closet Scene:

          In the Globe theater of Shakespeare’s time the bedchamber of queen was arrange in such a way where males were usually not allowed to go or if they are in the chamber they are usually not shown. Hamlet meets his mother. He rebukes his mother for marrying quickly in this scene. He interferes in the personal matters of his mother’s life Polonius is shown watching them outside the glass chamber. Queen Gertrude is sorry for his behavior  The Ghost of the dead king appears. He reminds him to take revenge for his death. Hamlet suspects his uncle, Claudius listening them behind the curtains.  He immediately rushes out opening the door, without looking at the person he kill Polonius. This scene shows the craziness and haste of Hamlet. Hamlet thought Polonius to be Claudius. After knowing what he has done, he again goes to the chamber of queen Gertrude. They talked for a while. He told Gertrude not to reveal that Hamlet is not mad to the king. Gertrude loved her son. She told the king that Hamlet does this in madness. This scene shows a mother’s love for her son. We have scene a mother’s sacrifice for her child in many Indian legends.

●       Scene of Ophelia’s Madness:

          Ophelia was Hamlet’s beloved. She goes mad after her father’s death and Hamlet’s insult. She was left alone to suffer. She made garland from flowers and sang songs. Her mental condition led her to madness. One day she was found drowned in the stream in the midst's of garlands.

●      Laertes’s anger and motives to revenge his father’s murder:

          Laertes was in France when his father died. When he returned he was told about the way his father died and Hamlet’s role in killing his father. After some time his sister died too. So he wanted to revenge Hamlet for the death of his father and sister.

●       The Graveyard Scene:

          The scene is one of the important scenes of the play. It shows the naked reality of life which is death. Hamlet’s philosophy is noteworthy. This scene deals with two diggers talking about the burial of Ophelia. They discuss whether she should be given Christian burial or not. One says that she may not be given is it was not sure whether she died naturally or ended her life intentionally. The other says she was gentle woman and should be given the Christian burial. At this time one goes to bus liquor and the other keep digging Ophelia’s grave. He keeps singing joyful songs of youth while digging. There is black humor in this scene. Now, Laertes, the king, the queen, courtiers and a Doctor of Divinity enters with Ophelia’s open coffin in the graveyard. Learning of Ophelia’s death Hamlet could not control himself and mourns his beloved’s death. Hamlet and Laertes starts fight, both jump in the pit of coffin, both are stopped by the attendants. This scene develops the future events in the play. One can predict the duel between Laertes and Hamlet and the vicious king would get benefit. Ophelia’s death weakens Hamlet. His love for her is reveled here. He gains the sympathy of audience through scene. Ophelia is mourned by the audience too. Also audience’s hearts are full of pity for her pate as well as her brother.

●       The Fight Scene:

          The graveyard scene sowed the seeds of the fight scene. Claudius wants to clear his way and throw Hamlet out of his way. Laertes anger was the best weapon for his. The fight was arranged between Laertes and Hamlet. Laertes and Claudius decided to kill Hamlet with the help of poisoned weapon. The king, the queen, Horatio and the Courtiers gathered to watch this scene. Both of them fight. Laertes is injured. He smashed the poisoned sword is exchanged the same poisoned sword is smashed to Laertes. They both forgive each other. Laertes dies. Hamlet wins. In joy and celebrating mood the queen drinks poisoned wine which was placed there by Claudius for Hamlet as a plan if he doesn't die by injury he would die of drinking wine. Queen before dying reveal the plan. Hamlet could not see his mother’s death and kills Claudius. This scene brings a end to the lives of important characters. First dies Laertes revealing the king’s plan to Hamlet, then dies the queen. Next Claudius is killed. The last person to dies is Hamlet as the poison is spread in his body.

●       Conclusion:

          The important scenes are unforgettable. They make the plan and the character memorable. There is a deep philosophy of life behind these scenes. They are the mirrors of the characters. The scenes inspire lives. They bring out the reality of one’s life but ‘The show must go on.’