Essay, Research Paper: Hamlet's Brilliant Outline

What did Shakespeare know about the depths of a man and the battle inside to write a play that would captivate every generation to come from then on? As I analyze this play, I will carefully attend to details in which forms the structure of the play. Moreover I will attempt to show how in Act four of this play, Shakespeare proficiently brings together the main plot and sub-plots of the play, and moves rapidly towards the final resolution.
Shakespeare decided to set corruption in Elsinor, a royal castle in medieval Denmark. Prior to the first act Hamlet’s mother, Queen Gertrude is widowed to King Hamlet. When this tragedy starts, we are introduced to Marcellus, Bernardo, and Francisco who guard the castle at night. While on watch an apparition of King Hamlet appeared to them and they then knew something was wrong, the question was what should they do. Once hamlet learns of his father’s return, he at once insists that he go on watch to witness his father’s appearance. The following night Hamlet’s father does appear and commands Hamlet to avenge his death. Hamlet’s father tells him of the corruption that has taken place behind the walls of Elsinor. He informs Hamlet of his uncle’s rage and what it has lead him to do. He tells Hamlet of the serpent who stung him, and how he goes by the name of Claudius. Hamlets composure wit, and strength would know be tested to their limits. What could Hamlet do, what would he do? A clever wit and common sense are his only hope to avenge his father’s death. Hamlet then lives in madness and by that madness hopes to force Claudius to confess his sin.
Act One is considered to be a link in the revenge plot sequence, which is commonly known as the main plot. Act One distinguishes relationships between all of the characters in the play, and carefully develops an early rising climax, It allows the audience to be aware of the stirring plight, which would soon come to be unveiled. From Act Two to Act Four, it is solely the rising action of the play that we encounter, until we rapidly reach the climax in which murderous events take shape. (Act1-3) Hamlet displays actions of madness towards Ophilia; he uncovers the truth about his fathers’ murder, and learns it was truly his uncle who murdered him. (Act3-4) Polonius was murdered by Hamlet thinking him to be the King; Ophilia becomes mad as she witnesses all of the treachery
around her, soon after she commits suicide; and Lartes returns seeking revenge for the murder of his father (Polonius).
Throughout the sub-plots, which relieve us from the rising action of the main plot, we are encountered with the minor details of the play. (Act 1-3) The ghostly appearance of former King Hamlet; the play which establishes Claudius’s guilt, and the failure to kill King Claudius at prayer. (Act 3-4) The reappearance of former King Hamlet, demanding his avengeance; the banishing of Hamlet to England under secret sentence of death, the return of Hamlet; and the plotting to rid of Hamlet between Lartes and Claudius. At reaching this climaxing level of the play, Shakespeare brilliantly forms all of these actions into one. All treachery is uncovered and revenge is in action, Lartes and Claudius seek their plot to kill Hamlet. At the ceremony of Ophilias’ funeral in which Lartes and Hamlet comes face to face, they wrestle one another at the grave of the deceased Ophilia. Hamlet secures his revenge by slaying Claudius, but is himself slain by Lartes, whom he also kills with the poisoned tipped foil. At once all members of this Shakespearean tragedy were faced with their opponent, to seek out their revenge, all of these fatalities are victims of the absolute corruption that the King brought to Elsinor.
With skillful forming between main plots and sub-plots, as a reader we were able to sense the brilliancy behind this magnificent co-ordination, it truly provided for itself as many of Shakespeare’s tragedy’s’ do.


Word Count: 675