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Why Does Hamlet Conform To The Rules Of A Tragedy

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Jan-Erik Aavik IB English HL B. Raid 04.11.2016 Written Task 2 Outline: Part of the course to which the task refers: Part 3 Literature - text and context Title of the text for analysis: Hamlet, William Shakespeare 1599 Title of the Written Task 2: How does the text conform to, or deviate from, the conventions of a particular genre, and for what purpose? In this essay I will: Explore the conventions of a tragedy Show how Shakespeare adheres to the rules of a tragedy Determine sub-genres present in the play Demonstrate how Hamlet’s themes and characters conform to revenge tragedy In a nutshell, a tragedy is a form of drama established on human suffering, generally concerns the downfall of the protagonist and ending on a despondent tone. “Hamlet” is more specifically classified as a “Shakespearean tragedy”; in which key differences consist of the chorus being replaced by comedic scenes, the play having several subplots and the protagonist facing a tragic death. Additionally “Hamlet” can be categorized as a revenge tragedy, as partly the plot is about a quest for vengeance. In Act I we discover that “something is rotten in the state of Denmark”. Further on that King Claudius secretly murdered the old King Hamlet - being now stuck in purgatory, the ghost of King Hamlet orders young Hamlet to revenge for the murder by killing Claudius. The hero is then motivated to revenge, thus revenge remains one of the essential themes of the tragedy. Rhetorically ghosts
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