Preview

Catastropy In Hamlet

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
970 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Catastropy In Hamlet
Crime, death and redemption

In this essay, I am going to talk about a part of act 5, scene 2 of Hamlet, written by Shakespeare. This passage written in verse is the catastrophy of the play. Hamlet, after being wounded by Laertes' poisonned sword finally revenges the death of his father by killing Claudius. The presence of repeted themes such as death and redemption in this passage, gives the drama a tensed athmosphere . "Lo, here I lie, never to rise again (...) I can no more. The King, the King's to blame" (5.2.349-351)
The use of specific words and themes gives an additional meaning to this play in the way that it gives us a deeper signification of the caracters true intentions. I will start this essay by showing that even though Hamlet and Laertes are two distinct characters by their nature, the theme of death in this …show more content…
Then I will analyze how the tension in this passage makes it the catastrophy of the play and finally I am going to show the relation between the recurrent themes with the death of the king. Hamlet and Laertes are two caracter with quite some ressemblances, one of the most important beeing that both of their fathers were murdered and that they bot seek for vengance. Nevertheless during the play we see that they also have quite different characteristcs. While Laertes has a direct approach, act without thinking and seek revenge at any cost, Hamlet on the opposite is a thinker, he thinks so much that he becomes passive and pospond his vengance by three times. During the play they grow apart but however towards the end of the play, in this passage they finally forgive each other. It is the death of the one and only treater, King
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Essay On The Struggle For Revenge In Shakespeare's Hamlet
    • 583 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Essay On The Struggle For Revenge In Shakespeare's Hamlet

    Shakespeare crafts the play so Laertes can have an illogical need and desire for revenge. Laertes is determined to make Hamlet pay: “I am satisfied in nature, / Whose motive in this case should stir me most / To my revenge". Laertes’s need for revenge indicates his desire for closure and his wish to find inner peace. Laertes believes that the solace he desires will come through revenge: "But in my terms of honor / I stand aloof, and will no reconcilement / Till by some elder masters of known honor / I have a voice and precedent of peace.” Again, this demonstrates the need for closure and shows the reasoning behind Laertes’s thirst for justice, reinforcing Shakespeare’s theme of…

    • 583 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Examples Of Integrity In The Crucible
    • 456 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Examples Of Integrity In The Crucible

    In conclusion there are many themes throughout the play. Revenge, Guilt, and Integrity. Guilt makes people feel a certain way, Revenge makes people act a certain way and Integrity makes people…

    • 456 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Hamlet vs. Laertes
    • 1220 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Hamlet vs. Laertes

    The differences between Laertes and Hamlet affect a main theme of the play revenge. Both men have fathers killed, and both are seeking revenge. Hamlet, though he knows who murdered his father, hesitates to take direct action against the villain. In stark contrast is Laertes, who doesn’t know who killed his father but will kill anyone on a whim. Laertes’ rashness throughout provides the play with an unlikely stereotypical hero-- brave, unwavering, ready to kill-- and is rather ironic because Laertes is not the play’s “hero” role. The hero instead is Hamlet, and Hamlet is not a typical hero, in that he shies away from violence, and is portrayed as insane for half of the play (though that is by his own doing). Hamlet is not even able to kill his uncle until Act 5, by which time he can be argued to be mentally and emotionally instable, if not insane. In order to avenge his father’s death, Hamlet must lose himself in insanity; he must become, essentially, an entirely different character.…

    • 1220 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Hamlet, Laertes & Fortinbras: Avenging Their Fathers Essay Example
    • 1346 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Hamlet, Laertes & Fortinbras: Avenging Their Fathers Essay Example

    In the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare, the theme of revenge is very palpable as the reader examines the characters of Hamlet himself, as well as Laertes, son of Polonius, and Fortinbras, prince of Norway and son of the late King Fortinbras. Each of these young characters felt the need to avenge the deaths of their fathers who they felt were untimely killed at the bloody hands of their murderers. However, the way each chose to go about this varies greatly and gives insight into their characters and how they progress throughout the play.…

    • 1346 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Hamlet - Foils Essay Example
    • 798 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Hamlet - Foils Essay Example

    Throughout the play it becomes quite evident that Laertes is Hamlet's foil. He mirrors Hamlet but behaves in the exact opposite manner. Where Hamlet is more verbal and conscience about his actions, Laertes is physical and very blunt in his decision making. "How came he dead?...Let come what comes, only I'll be revenged/Most thoroughly for my father's death." [Act IV, Sc V, Lines 141-147] reveals that unlike Hamlet, Laertes is very determined to quickly seek out his father's killer and to have his revenge without regards to the consequences. As soon as Laertes learns of his father's death he is furious with anger and immediately demands to know who it was that committed this crime. He doesn't waste time with soliloquies or take into account his conscience but is driven solely on his emotions and the task of avenging his father. "To cut his throat i'th' church" [Act IV, Scene VII, Line 139] proves Laertes' physical characteristic that Hamlet lacks. When Laertes is questioned by Claudius about the extent he will go to in achieving his revenge it's ironic that his remark is exactly what Hamlet could not follow through with. His brutality again shows his determination to accomplish his task by whatever means. It is clear that Laertes' love for Ophelia and responsibility to Polonius drive him to passionate action, while…

    • 798 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Theme of hamlet
    • 850 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Theme of hamlet

    and Laertes differ, Laertes acts as a stable foil for Hamlet whom makes sound decisions and acts on his words instead of just speaking. Laertes allows us readers to explore how Hamlet should have acted instead of how he did: Inactive, in a state of delay, and full of words. The moment Laertes heard of his father's death he left for Denmark, rallied up some followers, and marched past the King's guards to the Royal Court and demanded an answer. "O thou vile King, give me my father," Laertes bellowed at the King. Claudius relays to Laertes that Hamlet is to blame and once again…

    • 850 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Perception of a Tragic Hero: "Hamlet"
    • 1566 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Perception of a Tragic Hero: "Hamlet"

    Perceptions and understanding of Shakespearean language evolve as time passes. It is reasonable to believe that Laertes is more of a tragic hero than Hamlet. In order for this to be seen effectively, a comparison must be made between Laertes and Hamlet. In the play Hamlet, Laertes is a character who grabs the audience's attention. His devotion to succeed, despite disadvantages is both motivational and tragic situations, is inspirational to some extent. His portrayal as the antagonist is very effective in conveying the message that, the easy way may not always be the right path to pursue. In the end, people are accountable for their own actions. To Laertes, the urge to avenge a loved ones death was worth taking, and is understandable in all cultures. One must remember that Laertes is not only after revenge, but also after loyalty to avenge. If Laertes were to take revenge on Hamlet, this would show only that he is interested in satisfying his own needs. However, by performing these acts in the name of loyalty, Laertes is ensuring that his father Polonius does not die in vain. Laertes can be thought of as more of a tragic hero than Hamlet due to greater loss in his fall, the fact that he is optimistic, his nobility and him showing a tragic flaw.…

    • 1566 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Similarities Between Hamlet And Young Fortinbras
    • 307 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Similarities Between Hamlet And Young Fortinbras

    Of this his nephew’s purpose…” (1.2.28-30) Along with that Laertes shares something big with these two noble princes. They all share the same grief of their deceased fathers that has passed by the means of murder by someone they were close to, in which is Hamlet’s case his father was slain by his own…

    • 307 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Hamlet Foil Analysis
    • 890 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Hamlet Foil Analysis

    Once Laertes discovers that his father has been killed, he assumes immediately that the killer must be Claudius. An effect of his speculation is his instinctive desire to retaliate against Polonius's murderer. He says, "To hell, allegiance! Vows, to the blackest devil! Conscience and grace, to the profoundest pit! I dare damnation. To this point I stand, that both worlds I give to negligence, let come what comes. Only I'll be revenged most thoroughly for my father" (4.5. 128-134). This excerpt provides insight into his mind and shows his thirst for revenge at any cost. In contrast to Laertes’s belief of his father's killer, Hamlet assumes that the individual eavesdropping on the conversation he has with Gertrude is Claudius, and he says, "Nay, I know not: is it the King?" (3.4.28). Consequently, Hamlet is consumed with rage and automatically thrusts out with his sword in an attempt to kill Claudius but strikes Polonius instead. Hamlet's and Laertes's spontaneous actions are incited by fury and frustration. Sudden bursts of anger prompt both Laertes and Hamlet to act rashly, and they end up giving little thought to the consequences of their actions. But while both characters have the desire to avenge their father’s murders, only Laertes has any real resolve to take real…

    • 890 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Research Paper
    • 1802 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Research Paper

    By comparing and paralleling the characters in the play with life’s attributes, the author’s perception of death and the treatment of death in the play; thus reminding the reader that this play is a moral play as described by the first appearing character Messenger.…

    • 1802 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Fear Yourself In Hamlet
    • 698 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Fear Yourself In Hamlet

    Before departing to France, Laertes gives Ophelia some brotherly advice. Besides being the only example of positive family interaction in this tragic play, it also reveals a lot about Laertes and his worldview. In Hamlet, which is so much about the interplay and conflict between the inner and the outer, Laertes’s advice to Ophelia reveals that he is definitely on the side of the outer.…

    • 698 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Disease And Decay In Hamlet
    • 508 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Disease And Decay In Hamlet

    Within Hamlet the themes of death, disease, and decay are spread throughout the entire play. All are mentioned by Hamlet, the apparition and Horatio. All are described in great detail. These motifs reflect many of the characters inner struggles and views on life.…

    • 508 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Ghost In Hamlet
    • 1324 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Ghost In Hamlet

    During her funeral procession Laertes and Hamlet react similarly when they both jump into her grave and declare their love for Ophelia (enotes). Afterward, Hamlet asks for forgiveness for killing Polonius and Laertes pretends to accept it. But Laertes still determined to avenge his father’s death agrees with Claudius to have a sword duel with Hamlet in which Laertes blade has been covered with a poison that will kill Hamlet with just a slight nick to the skin. Both men are nicked with the poisoned blade. As Laertes lies dying he has a moral enlightenment “Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet. Mine and my father's death come not upon thee, nor thine on me!” (5.2.337-339) and tells Hamlet of the deceit and plot that the king had created. At the same time the queen who has no idea of what Claudius had plotted drank from a poisoned challis that contained poison also meant for Hamlet. She falls down but warns Hamlet of the poison and then dies. Without hesitation Hamlet stabs the king and forces him to drink the poison. The revenge at this point seems bittersweet.…

    • 1324 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Theme Of Insanity In Shakespeare's Hamlet
    • 1009 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Theme Of Insanity In Shakespeare's Hamlet

    Although his unfavorable situation is very similar to Hamlet’s, he is completely controlled by the thoughts of revenge. As he talks to Claudius, who wants to utilize him to get rid of Hamlet, Laertes got too much anger built up in his mind to stay calm. At this point, all Laertes wants to do is only to “eliminate” Hamlet immediately, “To cut his throat i' th' church” (p. 193), like treating a feud. Laertes’ behavior is caused by the unexpectedly death of his father and the sudden mad of his sister. Moreover, Claudius wants a person who is strong enough to compete with Hamlet. He knows Laertes is the one that he is looking for, so he asks him to “put me in your heart for friend” (p.187), rekindles his rage, and tells him that they should share the weal and woe and stay on the same line to confront Hamlet. Laertes is affected by Claudius’ “combustion”, which further turns him a terrible monster to revenge for his father. Unlike Hamlet, Laertes is “passionate and quick to action” (Sparknotes Editors) and has no state of mind. He indiscriminately sees Hamlet as an enemy and Claudius as a friend, without considering the causes and consequences of his father’s death. Although Hamlet is somewhat hesitant, he thinks about what he does and always sticks to his…

    • 1009 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Hamlet's Insanity
    • 1046 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Hamlet's Insanity

    In this essay, we will discuss these three most pivotal moments to Hamlet’s mindset: his father’s death, his mother’s marriage to his uncle, and the confirmed murder of his parents. The first moment that changed Hamlet was his father’s death. The death of his father was a huge point in the play and an even bigger point in Hamlet’s life. We can see that when King Claudius says, “Of Hamlet's transformation; so call it, Sith nor the exterior nor the inward man Resembles that it was.…

    • 1046 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More

Related Topics