1. Themes and Motifs in… Hamlet

2. Certainty Hamlet is different from other revenge plays because the action we expect to see (revenge on Claudius) is delayed while he tries to obtain knowledge to justify what he is doing. Hamlet is different from other revenge plays because the action we expect to see (revenge on Claudius) is delayed while he tries to obtain knowledge to justify what he is doing. Hamlet repeatedly shows us that our lives are filled with uncertainties and that many unknown quantities are taken for granted. Eg. Family, love, trust, etc. Hamlet repeatedly shows us that our lives are filled with uncertainties and that many unknown quantities are taken for granted. Eg. Family, love, trust, etc.

3. Death In the aftermath of his father’s murder, Hamlet is obsessed with the idea of death. In the aftermath of his father’s murder, Hamlet is obsessed with the idea of death. Over the course of the play, Hamlet considers death from many different perspectives (e.g. Suicide, murder, as a gravedigger etc.) Over the course of the play, Hamlet considers death from many different perspectives (e.g. Suicide, murder, as a gravedigger etc.) Hamlet is also forced to consider the spiritual aftermath of death when he is confronted with his father’s ghost. Hamlet is also forced to consider the spiritual aftermath of death when he is confronted with his father’s ghost.

4. Death cont’d The physical remains of the dead are considered when Hamlet finds Yorick’s skull and other decaying corpses in the cemetery. The physical remains of the dead are considered when Hamlet finds Yorick’s skull and other decaying corpses in the cemetery. Through the theme of death, we also see themes of spirituality, truth and uncertainty. Through the theme of death, we also see themes of spirituality, truth and uncertainty. Hamlet’s close encounter with death forces him to find answers to some of life’s deepest and most profound questions. Hamlet’s close encounter with death forces him to find answers to some of life’s deepest and most profound questions.

5. Death cont’d Hamlet also questions his own mortality. He questions whether or not suicide is a morally legitimate action in an unbearably painful world. Hamlet also questions his own mortality. He questions whether or not suicide is a morally legitimate action in an unbearably painful world. Hamlet’s grief and misery is so severe that he frequently longs for death, but he fears that if he commits suicide, he will be forced to eternal damnation. Hamlet’s grief and misery is so severe that he frequently longs for death, but he fears that if he commits suicide, he will be forced to eternal damnation. In his “To be or not to be” soliloquy, Hamlet concludes that it is better to endure the pain of life to experience its great joys as well. In his “To be or not to be” soliloquy, Hamlet concludes that it is better to endure the pain of life to experience its great joys as well.

6. The Diseased Nation Everything in Hamlet is connected, including the welfare of the royal family and the health of the state. Everything in Hamlet is connected, including the welfare of the royal family and the health of the state. The early scenes explore the sense of anxiety and dread that surrounds the transfer of power from one King to the next. The early scenes explore the sense of anxiety and dread that surrounds the transfer of power from one King to the next. Throughout the play, the health of the state is juxtaposed with the moral legitimacy of the ruler. Throughout the play, the health of the state is juxtaposed with the moral legitimacy of the ruler. Claudius is a wicked ruler and has compromised Denmark to satisfy his own wishes. When this ruler is gone, Denmark appears much stronger. Claudius is a wicked ruler and has compromised Denmark to satisfy his own wishes. When this ruler is gone, Denmark appears much stronger.

7. Burial, Earth and Nature Things out of the earth – especially people bring destruction Things out of the earth – especially people bring destruction While the gravedigger is the epitome of the wise fool archetype from within the earth While the gravedigger is the epitome of the wise fool archetype from within the earth Ophelia uses flowers to communicate her version of the truth in her final scene. Ophelia uses flowers to communicate her version of the truth in her final scene.

8. Sex and Incest The Ghost and Hamlet both speak of incest between Gertrude and Claudius. The Ghost and Hamlet both speak of incest between Gertrude and Claudius. The strongest relationship of incestuous desire is seen in the relationship between Hamlet and Gertrude (his mother). Not only are they very close, but Hamlet becomes fixated with her sex life with Claudius. The strongest relationship of incestuous desire is seen in the relationship between Hamlet and Gertrude (his mother). Not only are they very close, but Hamlet becomes fixated with her sex life with Claudius.

9. Sex cont’d Sex is the primary topic of discussion between Laertes, Polonius and Ophelia. In Act I sc iii, we see advice given to Ophelia to withhold sex from Hamlet and maintain a pure and virgin-like demeanour. Sex is the primary topic of discussion between Laertes, Polonius and Ophelia. In Act I sc iii, we see advice given to Ophelia to withhold sex from Hamlet and maintain a pure and virgin-like demeanour.

10. Misogyny Shattered by his mother’s decision to marry Claudius, Hamlet becomes extremely cynical, even neurotic about women in general, showing a particular obsession with what he feels is a connection between female sexuality and moral corruption. Shattered by his mother’s decision to marry Claudius, Hamlet becomes extremely cynical, even neurotic about women in general, showing a particular obsession with what he feels is a connection between female sexuality and moral corruption. This idea appears sporadically throughout the play, but inhibits Hamlet’s ability to have a normal relationship with either Ophelia or Gertrude. This idea appears sporadically throughout the play, but inhibits Hamlet’s ability to have a normal relationship with either Ophelia or Gertrude.

11. Family and Betrayal Three key families: The Royal Family of Denmark; The Royal Family of Norway; and Polonius’ family. Three key families: The Royal Family of Denmark; The Royal Family of Norway; and Polonius’ family. Family members offer advice at numerous points, but almost all conversation is defined by members wanting to control outcomes and behaviour. Family members offer advice at numerous points, but almost all conversation is defined by members wanting to control outcomes and behaviour.

12. Insanity The question of whether or not Hamlet is insane is one scholars have debated for decades. Is he insane for the whole play, parts, or not at all? The question of whether or not Hamlet is insane is one scholars have debated for decades. Is he insane for the whole play, parts, or not at all? We see Hamlet’s “antic disposition” in a variety of ways. We see Hamlet’s “antic disposition” in a variety of ways. Ophelia’s insanity is something we can determine without question. Ophelia’s insanity is something we can determine without question.

13. Role Playing Throughout the play, members of the royal court act in a variety of roles. Throughout the play, members of the royal court act in a variety of roles. Claudius acts like King when he knows his position as one is unjust. Claudius acts like King when he knows his position as one is unjust. Gertrude appears to be a loving wife to King Hamlet and Claudius. Or is she? Gertrude appears to be a loving wife to King Hamlet and Claudius. Or is she? Ophelia plays a role to trap Hamlet Ophelia plays a role to trap Hamlet

14. Role Playing cont’d Hamlet “acts” insane to try and trap Claudius Hamlet “acts” insane to try and trap Claudius Rosencrantz and Guildenstern pretend to be Hamlet’s friends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern pretend to be Hamlet’s friends

15. Themes and motifs play an important role in Hamlet. They change the characters and play as a whole.