Setting Hamlet

Setting Hamlet

1. ACT 1 SCENE 1

   • 'Guards'Shows conflict- suggests protection is needed- Darkness adds to mystery and suspense-foreshadows toruble
     • Very descriptive imagery when describing things- no props- also why language shapes a lot of the scenery- questions- confusion.
   • 'And I am sick at heart'Incomplete iambic lines- suggests jumpy uncertain atmosphere
   • Banardo?Lots of Questions- anticipation of what is coming next-

2. ACT 1 SCENE 2

   • Large contrast between this setting and the first scene. After the darkness and the apprehension of the first scene- this one of light and full of colour as the whole Danish court are assembled in a mood of celebration.
   • Juxtaposition- mimics hamlets sadness and Claudius' happiness- it also make hamlet stand out more and so appear more isolated.
   • Develops theme of Appearance vs reality- all just for show

3. Act 2 Scene 2

   • Lots of deception happens in this scene one after the other- showing claustrophobia and that the situation in Denmark is getting worse.
   • 'endeavour keeps in the wonted place'
     • Actors touring is symptomatic of a country in decline- linking to ideas whole of Denmark is suffering.
   • Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are used as spies-DECEPTION- Also very interchangeable- highlighting the duplicity of Claudius' court
   • R + G also have no hesitation in being used against their friend-'we both obey'- no trust or loyalty.

4. ACT 3 SCENE 4

   • This is the first time Hamlet and Gertrude have been alone together- so there is a lot of tension- shown by the language.
     • Hamlet, thou hast thy father much offended/ Mother, you have my father much offended' Parallelling of the two sentences show their sparring and their two very different agendas. He mocks the rhythm of her words-STICHOMYTHIA- head to head-line to line. Shows how different the two are

5. ACT 3 SCENE 3

   • By putting the soliliquies side by side- Shakespeare is encouraging us to contrast and compare the chracters- heightening the view of each one.
   • Both use many rhetorical questions, and also has a ordered and rational tone- showing how intelectually similar but also morally different Hamlet and Claudius are.

6. ACT 4 SCENE 1-3

   • Scenes are very short- skaespeare is building the sense of pace in the play- and creating a sense of inevitability for the characters as things become less and less out of their control- they must all face the consequences of their actions.
   • Length of the scenes adds to sense of fragmenting- everything becomes more and more isolated.
   • Shakepseare begins to place a clear distinction between the vicious and the virtuous characters - , therefore in Act 5 there is not doubt as to where our sympathy's lie- Hamlet = popular hero and claudius = undoubtful antagonist.

7. ACT 4 SCENE 4 & 5

   • Fortinbras' arrival reminds us his role and adds to tnesion in scene- element of possible war- pace of play quickens- encourages audience to comapre the two princes.
   • Hamlet thinks too much- no action Vs- Fortinbras acts too much- no thinking- and fighting for'a little patch of ground' We are presented with two extremes . hamlet finds it as yet another way to convince himself to take revenge- his arrivald evelops his characterisation as well as prearing us for his taking of the kingdom.
   • Scene 5 opens in media res- audience listening more attentively- idea pace of play is picking up so lots of things happening at the same time.

8. ACT 4 SCENE 7

   • Hamlet offstage aloows shakespeare to develop the personalities of the antagonists.
   • C = L decide on 3 separate ways to ensure Hamlet's death- shows the increasing scheming and plotting coming to a maximum in claudius' court.

9. ACT 5 SCENE 1

   • Again in Media res –keeps us focusing -Very witty and humorous-helps to lighten the mood- provides some light and dark -The whole dispute over the circumstances of her death emphasises the anti Christian nature of this- everything is going against religion. Momento mori- remember you will die.

10. ACT 5 SCENE 2

    • Trumpets, drums,....foils and daggers.. Enter King, Queen.. all the state’
      • Such a dramatic setting and the presence of so many important people whows this to be a significant part in the play- one that not only requires the audiences attention but that will have a heavy significance on the storylines. Also mimics Act 1 Scene 2- as if everything has gone round in a circle and we are back to where we started- emphasising the change that the characters have gone through- and how much has changed.