How Does Shakespeare Create Tension In Act 1 Of Hamlet
Hamlet
1. Show how Act I, scenes i and ii provide an introduction to the main plot of the play providing background information, establishing mood or atmosphere, and introducing key characters and their relationships.
The introductory scenes of Hamlet convey a dark and somber mood with bitter cold temperatures and news of the recent passing of the king of Denmark. It immediately becomes apparent that the death of Hamlet was of unnatural causes, as his ghost is seen meandering aimlessly around Elsinore. Horatio questions, “Have heaven and earth together demonstrated unto our climatures and countrymen.” (I.i.124-125) referring to such occurrences testing the ambiguous boundary that separates the spiritual world from reality. In addition, this …show more content…
sinister omen shares commonalities with the events surrounding the coronation of young Hamlet’s uncle (turned stepfather) Claudius.
This is due to the rapid succession of events that follow the king’s funeral, and it hints at the possible presence of foul play in his death. Furthermore, we come to realize that Hamlet’s mother Gertrude is engaging in an incestuous relationship with Claudius, and that her son wholeheartedly disapproves of it from the start. Hamlet rants, “She married:-O most wicked speed, to post with such dexterity to incestuous sheets! It is not, nor cannot come to good.” (I.ii.156-158) providing us with a view of his shifting emotions toward his mother and how their relationship, along with trust, hang in the balance. Hamlet foreshadows that since this marriage is based solely on deception, iniquity, and unrighteous behaviour, it is bound to dissolve. Additionally, it plays a central role in the entirety of the plot, as it establishes a feeling of distrust toward this couple, and intensifies the tension when references to the king are made. The mood of the play shifts as news of the sightings of the king’s ghost is bestowed upon Hamlet himself. The amount of paternal love and admiration Hamlet possesses provides us with a better understanding of just how strong the bond between
the two was. The concluding phrases of this scene support the strength of this relationship, and it gives us a better understanding of Hamlet’s feelings as he reveals his own suspicions regarding the death of his father. He states, “My father’s spirit in arms! all is not well; I doubt some foul play.” (I.ii.253-254) which confirms that such an omen translates to unrest in the afterlife and leaves us with a foreboding sense of dread for further encounters with the apparition.
1. Show how Act I, scenes i and ii provide an introduction to the main plot of the play providing background information, establishing mood or atmosphere, and introducing key characters and their relationships.
The introductory scenes of Hamlet convey a dark and somber mood with bitter cold temperatures and news of the recent passing of the king of Denmark. It immediately becomes apparent that the death of Hamlet was of unnatural causes, as his ghost is seen meandering aimlessly around Elsinore. Horatio questions, “Have heaven and earth together demonstrated unto our climatures and countrymen.” (I.i.124-125) referring to such occurrences testing the ambiguous boundary that separates the spiritual world from reality. In addition, this …show more content…
sinister omen shares commonalities with the events surrounding the coronation of young Hamlet’s uncle (turned stepfather) Claudius.
This is due to the rapid succession of events that follow the king’s funeral, and it hints at the possible presence of foul play in his death. Furthermore, we come to realize that Hamlet’s mother Gertrude is engaging in an incestuous relationship with Claudius, and that her son wholeheartedly disapproves of it from the start. Hamlet rants, “She married:-O most wicked speed, to post with such dexterity to incestuous sheets! It is not, nor cannot come to good.” (I.ii.156-158) providing us with a view of his shifting emotions toward his mother and how their relationship, along with trust, hang in the balance. Hamlet foreshadows that since this marriage is based solely on deception, iniquity, and unrighteous behaviour, it is bound to dissolve. Additionally, it plays a central role in the entirety of the plot, as it establishes a feeling of distrust toward this couple, and intensifies the tension when references to the king are made. The mood of the play shifts as news of the sightings of the king’s ghost is bestowed upon Hamlet himself. The amount of paternal love and admiration Hamlet possesses provides us with a better understanding of just how strong the bond between
the two was. The concluding phrases of this scene support the strength of this relationship, and it gives us a better understanding of Hamlet’s feelings as he reveals his own suspicions regarding the death of his father. He states, “My father’s spirit in arms! all is not well; I doubt some foul play.” (I.ii.253-254) which confirms that such an omen translates to unrest in the afterlife and leaves us with a foreboding sense of dread for further encounters with the apparition.