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Violence In Hamlet Analysis

1569 Words7 Pages

Shakespeare 's Hamlet presents readers with several scenes of violence, such as the deaths of Polonius, Ophelia, King Hamlet, and the fist fights between Prince Hamlet and Laertes. In Hamlet , the protagonist, Prince Hamlet, is portrayed as a very indecisive character. The reader is left to infer if Hamlet is senile, or if it’s just all an act in response of the world around him. Violence is littered all around the world of Hamlet. Because of this, the narrative of Hamlet is always more than it seems. The characters in this story are all plotting against each other and the situation makes the tale seem a little deeper in meaning. Violence in Hamlet shows the path that Hamlet takes in exacting revenge against King Claudius and how he feels about …show more content…

Horatio. My lord, I think I saw him Easley 2 yesternight. Hamlet. Saw? Who? Horatio. My lord, the King your father. Hamlet. The King my father? Horatio. Season your admiration for a while With attent ear till I may deliver Upon the witness of these gentleman This marvel to you. Hamlet. For God’s love let me hear!.” (1.2.185-195) Hamlet is in awe of what his best friend tells him. This tells the audience that Hamlet is already well aware of Claudius’ actions against his father. When Hamlet himself sees the ghost of his father, his father tells him to avenge his death, that Claudius indeed murdered his own brother. “ Ghost. Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder.”(1.5.25) Though there may be a plethora of violent scenes within Hamlet , one of the most important scenes in relation to the story would be in Act V. This act is one of the most passionate, especially for Prince Hamlet himself. Act V of Hamlet is the point in the play where Hamlet’s world comes crashing down. Hamlet finds out that the woman he loves, Ophelia is dead. “ Laertes. Lay her i’ th’ earth, And from her fair and unpolluted flesh May violets spring! …show more content…

Every scene of violence just further confirms his suspicions. “ Hamlet. O Villain, smiling, damned villain! My tables--meet it is I set it down That one may smile, and be a villain. At least I am sure it may be so in Denmark.” (1.5.113-6) The death of the Queen is more overlooked than any other death in this play. Though it may be quick, Gertrude’s death has great depth to its meaning for both Hamlet and the reader. During the fencing scene, the Queen is very prideful, because of Hamlet. Every chance she gets, she praises him. King Claudius asks Gertrude not to drink the poisoned cup, but Gertrude insists and takes a drink of the cup. Gertrude then offers a drink to Hamlet and he refused. The way the scene goes almost makes it seem like Gertrude knew that the cup was poisoned and wanted to die and escape all that she did. The reader may infer that maybe Gertrude really did regret her decision to marry Claudius immediately after the death of her late husband, King Hamlet. As Hamlet and Laertes go a third round, Laertes wounds Hamlet with the poisoned blade. They grapple an switch weapons, leading to Hamlet wounding Laertes with the same blade. After

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