Chapter 3 Chapter 3 Renaissance IRenaissance IShakespeareShakespeare

Images of ShakespeareImages of ShakespeareHandsome?Handsome?

ContentsContents A general review of the development oA general review of the development o

f drama in English history f drama in English history Christopher Marlowe (1564 – 1593) Christopher Marlowe (1564 – 1593) Shakespeare and his playsShakespeare and his plays Analysis and appreciation of his famouAnalysis and appreciation of his famou

s soliloquey “to be, or not to be” in s soliloquey “to be, or not to be” in HHamletamlet

A general review of the developA general review of the development of drama in English historment of drama in English histor

y y Cities and towns grew rapidly in the 16th centurCities and towns grew rapidly in the 16th centur

yy. And since there was no other means of entert. And since there was no other means of entertainment than visiting lunatics imprisoned in Beainment than visiting lunatics imprisoned in Bedlam, and watching executions and hangings at dlam, and watching executions and hangings at Newgate, drama naturally became the only form Newgate, drama naturally became the only form of amusement to city-dwellers and noblemen. of amusement to city-dwellers and noblemen.

In the 16th century, London became the center In the 16th century, London became the center of English drama.of English drama. The structure of Elizabethan t The structure of Elizabethan theatre is worthy of our attention. It was very simheatre is worthy of our attention. It was very similar to the classic theatre in China. The Globe, bilar to the classic theatre in China. The Globe, built in1599, was a circular wooden structure with uilt in1599, was a circular wooden structure with a stage like an apron stretching out in the centre,a stage like an apron stretching out in the centre, rain and snow would come in. rain and snow would come in.

There were no seats and the majority of the aThere were no seats and the majority of the audience would stand around the stage. Arounudience would stand around the stage. Around the circular wall there were “galleries” wid the circular wall there were “galleries” with seats where wealthy people went.th seats where wealthy people went.

The drama had gone through a number of pThe drama had gone through a number of phases over centuries. There were three perihases over centuries. There were three periods in the development of drama:ods in the development of drama:

1.1. The religious period:The religious period: Mysteries and miraclesMysteries and miracles are cycles of religious plays performed in the are cycles of religious plays performed in the Middle Ages during great Church festivals. Middle Ages during great Church festivals. (p45) (p45)

2.2. The moral period:The moral period: Then the new dramas ca Then the new dramas came on stage and became more popular. Those me on stage and became more popular. Those were the were the morality plays and the interludesmorality plays and the interludes. It . It is impossible to draw any accurate line betweis impossible to draw any accurate line between the Moralities and the Interlude.(p46)en the Moralities and the Interlude.(p46)

3. 3. The artistic period:The artistic period: This period is a This period is a higher stage in the development of thhigher stage in the development of the English drama. The chief purpose of e English drama. The chief purpose of the true drama is not to point a moral the true drama is not to point a moral but to represent human itself as it is. but to represent human itself as it is. There were comedies, tragedies, histoThere were comedies, tragedies, histories and so on.(p46 – 47) ries and so on.(p46 – 47)

Christopher Marlowe (1564 – 1Christopher Marlowe (1564 – 1593)593)

Contents:Contents:1.1. His major playsHis major plays 2.2. The theme of his playsThe theme of his plays3.3. Characteristics of his dramatic writCharacteristics of his dramatic writ

ingsings4.4. His masterpiece, THis masterpiece, The Tragical Histohe Tragical Histo

ry of Doctor Faustusry of Doctor Faustus

The most preeminent figure among the UThe most preeminent figure among the University Wits was Christopher Marlowe, niversity Wits was Christopher Marlowe, who was the greatest playwright before thwho was the greatest playwright before the rise of Shakespeare. He was also a great e rise of Shakespeare. He was also a great poet who wrote lyric poems and mythologpoet who wrote lyric poems and mythological poems. He was an ardent idealist and ical poems. He was an ardent idealist and a representative of many of the qualities ta representative of many of the qualities that made the greatness of the Renaissanchat made the greatness of the Renaissance.e.

His major plays (Three great plays) (47)His major plays (Three great plays) (47)Tamberlaine the great; The Jew of Malta; TTamberlaine the great; The Jew of Malta; T

he Tragical History of Doctor Faustus’he Tragical History of Doctor Faustus’

The theme of his plays:The theme of his plays: Each of his important Each of his important

plays has as a central character a passionate maplays has as a central character a passionate man doomed to destruction by an inordinate desirn doomed to destruction by an inordinate desire for power. ( man’s self-destruction because e for power. ( man’s self-destruction because of greedy for power)of greedy for power)

Characteristics of his dramatic writing:Characteristics of his dramatic writing:1.1. His dramatic writing emphasizes the RenaissanHis dramatic writing emphasizes the Renaissan

ce ideal of the individual worth;ce ideal of the individual worth;2.2. The heroes in his plays individualists whose amThe heroes in his plays individualists whose am

bition often brings ruin to the world and to thebition often brings ruin to the world and to themselves;mselves;

3.3. He gave English tragedy its true meter and dictiHe gave English tragedy its true meter and diction. It was Marlowe who first made blank verse ton. It was Marlowe who first made blank verse the principle instrument of English drama.he principle instrument of English drama.

His masterpiece, THis masterpiece, The Tragical he Tragical History of Doctor FaustusHistory of Doctor Faustus

SynopsisSynopsis Faustus is born to poor parents in Rhodes, Germany,Faustus is born to poor parents in Rhodes, Germany,

grows up and eventually goes to Wittenberg to stud grows up and eventually goes to Wittenberg to study divinity. Through his studies, he does well financiy divinity. Through his studies, he does well financially but his thoughts soon turn away from theology. ally but his thoughts soon turn away from theology. Instead, he begins to turn toward the study of magic Instead, he begins to turn toward the study of magic and necromancy -- the magical art of raising the deaand necromancy -- the magical art of raising the dead, in which a man sells his soul to the devil for powed, in which a man sells his soul to the devil for power and knowledge.r and knowledge.

*Its thematic and formal features(p49)*Its thematic and formal features(p49) Thematically,Thematically, the image of Faustus is historically si the image of Faustus is historically si

gnificant as a “photo” record of the new man, the gnificant as a “photo” record of the new man, the modern man, the Renaissance humanist, who steps modern man, the Renaissance humanist, who steps into modern light with all the glitter of Reformation into modern light with all the glitter of Reformation and Renaissance. It reflects people’s quest for knoand Renaissance. It reflects people’s quest for knowledge and power during the reformation and the Rwledge and power during the reformation and the Renaissance enaissance (theme)(theme)..

Shakespeare and his playShakespeare and his playss

ContentsContents1.1. Life experienceLife experience2.2. Thoughts and ideas about man and sThoughts and ideas about man and s

ociety, and literature ociety, and literature 3.3. His literary works: sonnets and playsHis literary works: sonnets and plays4.4. Brief analysis of his famous Brief analysis of his famous Hamlet, tHamlet, t

he Prince of Denmarkhe Prince of Denmark and the excerp and the excerpt of Hamlet’s soliloquey “to be, or t of Hamlet’s soliloquey “to be, or not to be” in the playnot to be” in the play

Life experienceLife experience The most influential writer in all of English literature, The most influential writer in all of English literature,

William Shakespeare was born in 1564 to a successful William Shakespeare was born in 1564 to a successful middle-class glove-maker in Stratford-upon-Avon, Englmiddle-class glove-maker in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. Shakespeare attended grammar school, but his foand. Shakespeare attended grammar school, but his formal education proceeded no further. In 1582 he marrirmal education proceeded no further. In 1582 he married an older woman, Anne Hathaway, and had three chied an older woman, Anne Hathaway, and had three children with her. Around 1590 he left his family behind aldren with her. Around 1590 he left his family behind and traveled to London to work as an actor and playwrignd traveled to London to work as an actor and playwright. Public and critical success quickly followed, and Shht. Public and critical success quickly followed, and Shakespeare eventually became the most popular playwriakespeare eventually became the most popular playwright in England and part-owner of the Globe Theater. Hight in England and part-owner of the Globe Theater. His career bridged the reigns of Elizabeth I (ruled 1558-16s career bridged the reigns of Elizabeth I (ruled 1558-1603) and James I (ruled 1603-1625), and he was a favorite 03) and James I (ruled 1603-1625), and he was a favorite of both monarchs. Shakespeare retired to Stratford and of both monarchs. Shakespeare retired to Stratford and died in 1616 at the age of fifty-two. At the time of Shakedied in 1616 at the age of fifty-two. At the time of Shakespeare's death, literary luminaries such as Ben Jonson speare's death, literary luminaries such as Ben Jonson hailed his works as timeless. hailed his works as timeless.

Thoughts and ideas about man Thoughts and ideas about man and society, and literature and society, and literature

His ideas about man and the societyHis ideas about man and the society 1.1. As a humanist of the time, he affirms the imAs a humanist of the time, he affirms the im

portance of the feudal system in a bid to upportance of the feudal system in a bid to uphold social order.hold social order.

2.2. He is against unscrupulous machinations, eHe is against unscrupulous machinations, either for political power or personal gains, aither for political power or personal gains, against religious persecution and racial discrgainst religious persecution and racial discrimination, against social inequality and corrimination, against social inequality and corrupting influence of gold and money.upting influence of gold and money.

3.3. His cosmos is highly moral, the salient attriHis cosmos is highly moral, the salient attributes of which are its sense of certitude and butes of which are its sense of certitude and justice. He praises virtue and censures vice, justice. He praises virtue and censures vice, and never allows vice have its way for long. and never allows vice have its way for long.

4.4. He believes in the goodness of human He believes in the goodness of human nature and man’s potentialnature and man’s potential for self-ifor self-improvement.mprovement.

5.5. On the other hand, there is also a limit On the other hand, there is also a limit to his sympathy for the downtrodden to his sympathy for the downtrodden and to his antipathy for the ruling clasand to his antipathy for the ruling class. He fears anarchy, hates rebellion ans. He fears anarchy, hates rebellion and despises democracy. Thus he finds nd despises democracy. Thus he finds no way to solve the social problems.o way to solve the social problems.

His literary ideasHis literary ideas1.1. He has accepted the Renaissance poinHe has accepted the Renaissance poin

t of view and holds thatt of view and holds that literature sho literature should be a combination of beauty, kinduld be a combination of beauty, kindness and truth.ness and truth. This is a general princ This is a general principle of his literary ideaiple of his literary idea..

2.2. He also thinks that He also thinks that literature should rliterature should reflect nature and realityeflect nature and reality. This way he . This way he is called a “poet of reality”. is called a “poet of reality”.

His literary works-plays and soHis literary works-plays and sonnetsnnets

His playsHis plays 1.1. His dramatic careerHis dramatic career Generally speaking, his dramatic career is dGenerally speaking, his dramatic career is d

ivided into three periods: the years before 1ivided into three periods: the years before 1600 (comical period); the years from 1600 to 600 (comical period); the years from 1600 to 1608 (tragic period); and the years after 1601608 (tragic period); and the years after 1608 (the period of romances or the serenity pe8 (the period of romances or the serenity period).(P53)riod).(P53)

2.2. Classes of his playsClasses of his plays According to dramatic type, Shakespeare’s According to dramatic type, Shakespeare’s

plays are usually divided into four classes: cplays are usually divided into four classes: comedies, histories, tragedies and romances omedies, histories, tragedies and romances

3. 3. The themes of each classesThe themes of each classes *The theme of his comedies: *The theme of his comedies: in praise of youtin praise of yout

h, love and ideal of happiness; in praise of the h, love and ideal of happiness; in praise of the heroes and heroines fighting against destiny anheroes and heroines fighting against destiny and mold their own fate according to their own wid mold their own fate according to their own will. (Four great comedies: ll. (Four great comedies: A Midsummer Night’A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Merchant of Venice, The Merry s Dream, The Merchant of Venice, The Merry Wives of Windsor, Wives of Windsor, andand As You like it) As You like it)

*The theme of histories:*The theme of histories: the necessity for nati the necessity for national unity under a mighty and just sovereign.onal unity under a mighty and just sovereign.

*The theme of tragedies:*The theme of tragedies: analysis of human w analysis of human wickedness, the human will to evil and the corruickedness, the human will to evil and the corruption of man’s heart by evil. (Four great trageption of man’s heart by evil. (Four great tragedies: dies: Hamlet, Othello, King LearHamlet, Othello, King Lear and and Macbeth)Macbeth): :

4. 4. Features of Shakespeare’s playsFeatures of Shakespeare’s plays *Characterization:*Characterization: a. Almost all his characters are more than a. Almost all his characters are more than

one-dimensional. He creates no superman one-dimensional. He creates no superman heroes, but life-like characters.heroes, but life-like characters.

b. He makes frequent use of comparisons b. He makes frequent use of comparisons and contrast by portraying the characters iand contrast by portraying the characters impairs or setting them against one another.mpairs or setting them against one another.

c. He individualizes his characters by empc. He individualizes his characters by emphasizing each one’s dominant and unique hasizing each one’s dominant and unique qualities, such as the melancholy of Hamlequalities, such as the melancholy of Hamlet, the honesty of Othello, the ambition of t, the honesty of Othello, the ambition of Macbeth etc. Macbeth etc.

d. He has made profound psycho-analytid. He has made profound psycho-analytical study of his characters by revealing tcal study of his characters by revealing the intricate inner workings of their mindhe intricate inner workings of their minds through the full use of soliloquies. s through the full use of soliloquies.

e. He borrows from existing works but re. He borrows from existing works but revises and makes them substantially neevises and makes them substantially new and superior. (p56) w and superior. (p56)

f. One dramatic device that Shakespeare f. One dramatic device that Shakespeare uses in all his works involves the juxtapouses in all his works involves the juxtaposition of the comic element alongside thsition of the comic element alongside the serious.(p55)e serious.(p55)

**The structureThe structure a. Well-organized, with harmony and order a. Well-organized, with harmony and order

misbalanced at the beginning, social conflictmisbalanced at the beginning, social conflicts sharpen in the middle and harmony and ors sharpen in the middle and harmony and order restored at the end. der restored at the end.

b. His plays usually have more than one plot.b. His plays usually have more than one plot. The major and the minor plots are woven in The major and the minor plots are woven into an organic whole; to an organic whole;

c. The combination of comic and tragic elemc. The combination of comic and tragic elements and the subtle use of the dramatic irony ents and the subtle use of the dramatic irony make the plots and structure of Shakespearmake the plots and structure of Shakespeare’s plays more concrete and abundant.e’s plays more concrete and abundant.

Language and StyleLanguage and Style a. a. Shakespeare is a master of the English language,Shakespeare is a master of the English language,

with a large vocabulary of 16,000 English words. with a large vocabulary of 16,000 English words. b. b. He can write poetry well in different styles and iHe can write poetry well in different styles and i

n different poetic forms, such as sonnets, blank n different poetic forms, such as sonnets, blank verse, rhymed couplets and lyrical songs. verse, rhymed couplets and lyrical songs.

c. c. Shakespeare’s achievements of language and sShakespeare’s achievements of language and style are the crystallization of his dramatic art: he tyle are the crystallization of his dramatic art: he uses the speech-mode, the question, in uses the speech-mode, the question, in Hamlet;Hamlet; the ambiguities and equivocations inthe ambiguities and equivocations in Macbeth Macbeth; a; and the exclamations and very simple but also vend the exclamations and very simple but also very basic questions inry basic questions in King Lear King Lear, etc. , etc.

*As for his four poems, find the information on p5*As for his four poems, find the information on p52. 2.

Brief analysis of his play, Brief analysis of his play, HamHamlet, the Prince of Denmarklet, the Prince of Denmark

ContentsContents1.1. Introduction Introduction 2.2. Synopsis Synopsis 3.3. The particularity of the themeThe particularity of the theme4.4. Reasons of Hamlet’s delay or his PrReasons of Hamlet’s delay or his Pr

ocrastination of his revenge actionocrastination of his revenge action

Introduction Introduction Hamlet is without question the most famous play in Hamlet is without question the most famous play in

the English language. Probably written in 1601 or 16the English language. Probably written in 1601 or 1602, the tragedy is a milestone in Shakespeare's dram02, the tragedy is a milestone in Shakespeare's dramatic development; according to most critics, the plaatic development; according to most critics, the playwright achieved artistic maturity in this work throywright achieved artistic maturity in this work through his brilliant depiction of the hero's struggle witugh his brilliant depiction of the hero's struggle with two opposing forces: moral integrity and the need h two opposing forces: moral integrity and the need to avenge his father's murder. Shakespeare's focus oto avenge his father's murder. Shakespeare's focus on this conflict was a revolutionary departure from cn this conflict was a revolutionary departure from contemporary revenge tragedies which tended to graontemporary revenge tragedies which tended to graphically dramatize violent acts on stage in that it emphically dramatize violent acts on stage in that it emphasized the hero's dilemma rather than the depictiphasized the hero's dilemma rather than the depiction of bloody deeds.on of bloody deeds.

Synopsis Synopsis Hamlet is the prince of Denmark. His father dHamlet is the prince of Denmark. His father d

ied when he studied abroad. Then, Claudius, ied when he studied abroad. Then, Claudius, his uncle becomes king, and marries his mothis uncle becomes king, and marries his mother, Gertrude. Young Hamlet doubts that Claher, Gertrude. Young Hamlet doubts that Claudius killed his father to become king of Denudius killed his father to become king of Denmark. And later Hamlet himself sees his fathemark. And later Hamlet himself sees his father’s ghost appearing at midnight. The ghost tr’s ghost appearing at midnight. The ghost tells Hamlet privately that Claudius had indeeells Hamlet privately that Claudius had indeed murdered him by pouring poison in his ear. d murdered him by pouring poison in his ear. Hamlet is enraged and plots of how to revengHamlet is enraged and plots of how to revenge his father's death. e his father's death.

In his anger, Hamlet seems to act like a madman. King In his anger, Hamlet seems to act like a madman. King Claudius, his wife Gertrude, and his advisor Polonius seClaudius, his wife Gertrude, and his advisor Polonius send Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to spy on Hamlet and nd Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to spy on Hamlet and figure out why he is acting mad. Hamlet even treats Polfigure out why he is acting mad. Hamlet even treats Polonius' daughter Ophelia, his lover, rudely. Claudius, feaonius' daughter Ophelia, his lover, rudely. Claudius, fearing Hamlet may try to kill him, sends Hamlet to Englaring Hamlet may try to kill him, sends Hamlet to England. Before leaving, however, Hamlet convinces an actinnd. Before leaving, however, Hamlet convinces an acting company to reenact King Hamlet's death before Claudg company to reenact King Hamlet's death before Claudius, in the hopes of causing Claudius to break down and ius, in the hopes of causing Claudius to break down and admit to murdering King Hamlet. Hamlet's mother tries admit to murdering King Hamlet. Hamlet's mother tries to reason with Hamlet after the play, while Polonius spito reason with Hamlet after the play, while Polonius spied on them from behind a curtain. Hamlet hears Polonied on them from behind a curtain. Hamlet hears Polonius, and kills him through the curtain, thinking the persus, and kills him through the curtain, thinking the person is Claudius. When finding out the truth, Hamlet regron is Claudius. When finding out the truth, Hamlet regrets the death, yet Claudius still sends him to England, aets the death, yet Claudius still sends him to England, accompanied by Rosencrantz and Guildenstern with ordccompanied by Rosencrantz and Guildenstern with orders from Claudius that the English kill Hamlet as soon aers from Claudius that the English kill Hamlet as soon as her arrives. En route to England, Hamlet finds the ords her arrives. En route to England, Hamlet finds the orders and changes them to order Rosencrantz and Guildeers and changes them to order Rosencrantz and Guildenstern killed, though Hamlet is kidnapped by pirates onnstern killed, though Hamlet is kidnapped by pirates one day later.e day later.

After Hamlet leaves, Laertes returns from France, enraged After Hamlet leaves, Laertes returns from France, enraged over Polonius' death. Ophelia’s utter madness with her faover Polonius' death. Ophelia’s utter madness with her father’s death and eventual death in a stream further angether’s death and eventual death in a stream further anger Laertes. So when the pirates return Hamlet to Claudius (fr Laertes. So when the pirates return Hamlet to Claudius (for a ransom), and Claudius tries one last attempt to eliminor a ransom), and Claudius tries one last attempt to eliminate Hamlet: he arranges a sword duel between Laertes and ate Hamlet: he arranges a sword duel between Laertes and Hamlet. The trick, however, is that the tip of Laertes' sworHamlet. The trick, however, is that the tip of Laertes' sword is poisoned. As a backup precaution, Claudius poisons thd is poisoned. As a backup precaution, Claudius poisons the victory cup in case Hamlet wins. During the fight, the poie victory cup in case Hamlet wins. During the fight, the poisoned drink is offered to Hamlet, he declines, and instead soned drink is offered to Hamlet, he declines, and instead his mother drinks it (to the objection of Claudius). Laertes, his mother drinks it (to the objection of Claudius). Laertes, losing to Hamlet, illegally scratches him with the poisoned losing to Hamlet, illegally scratches him with the poisoned sword to ensure Hamlet's death. Hamlet (unknowingly), thsword to ensure Hamlet's death. Hamlet (unknowingly), then switches swords with Laertes, and cuts and poisons him.en switches swords with Laertes, and cuts and poisons him. The queen dies, screaming that she has been poisoned an The queen dies, screaming that she has been poisoned and Laertes, dying, admits of Claudius' treachery. Weakening,d Laertes, dying, admits of Claudius' treachery. Weakening, Hamlet fatally stabs Claudius, Laertes dies, and Hamlet be Hamlet fatally stabs Claudius, Laertes dies, and Hamlet begins his death speech. Fortinbras, the prince of Norway, argins his death speech. Fortinbras, the prince of Norway, arrives from conquest of England, and Hamlet's last dying wirives from conquest of England, and Hamlet's last dying wish is that Fortinbras become the new King of Denmark, as sh is that Fortinbras become the new King of Denmark, as happens.happens.

The particularity of the theThe particularity of the thememe

Hamlet’s tragedy is a tragedy of humanists. Hamlet’s tragedy is a tragedy of humanists. The original theme The original theme is just the is just the revenge and violence revenge and violence o o

r the blood-and-thunder originally, with interrelated thr the blood-and-thunder originally, with interrelated themes of love, faithlessness and ambition. emes of love, faithlessness and ambition.

But But Shakespeare injects the thrilling Renaissance spiShakespeare injects the thrilling Renaissance spirit into the storyrit into the story. He turns a one-dimensional stereoty. He turns a one-dimensional stereotyped plot into one in which Hamlet is transfigured into a ped plot into one in which Hamlet is transfigured into a multifaceted Renaissance idealist. This way, the theme multifaceted Renaissance idealist. This way, the theme assumes a much graver magnitude than one of mere blassumes a much graver magnitude than one of mere blood and violence. The corrupt and criminal Danish couood and violence. The corrupt and criminal Danish court versus Prince Hamlet becomes in the hands of Shakert versus Prince Hamlet becomes in the hands of Shakespearespeare,, a metaphor for, or a mirror reflection of the r a metaphor for, or a mirror reflection of the real world of Shakespeare’s England in confrontatioeal world of Shakespeare’s England in confrontation with Renaissance humanism.n with Renaissance humanism.

Reasons of Hamlet’s delay or his ProcReasons of Hamlet’s delay or his Procrastination of his revenge action: (P59-rastination of his revenge action: (P59-

60)60) Hamlet has the doubts about the ghost and his Hamlet has the doubts about the ghost and his

truth. (There is the play to reenact the scene of truth. (There is the play to reenact the scene of his father’s death)his father’s death)

The social and religious education he has receiThe social and religious education he has received explains Why he does not kill Claudius wheved explains Why he does not kill Claudius when the man kneels and prays and makes himself n the man kneels and prays and makes himself a vulnerable prey.a vulnerable prey.

There is Hamlet’s intense mental battle: his rThere is Hamlet’s intense mental battle: his revenge may serve no useful purpose as it can nevenge may serve no useful purpose as it can not bring his dead father back to life nor save his ot bring his dead father back to life nor save his mother’s honor; What about his country and mother’s honor; What about his country and his people? Should they suffer this misery?his people? Should they suffer this misery?

The young man suffers from Freudian Oedipus The young man suffers from Freudian Oedipus complex.complex.

The analysis and appreciation of HamleThe analysis and appreciation of Hamlet’s famous soliloquy “to be, or not to bt’s famous soliloquy “to be, or not to b

e”e” Understanding “to be, or not to be”Understanding “to be, or not to be” The form of words guarantees that Hamlet’s qThe form of words guarantees that Hamlet’s q

uestion will be interpreted on a general level: tuestion will be interpreted on a general level: the line uses one of the most basic verbs in the lhe line uses one of the most basic verbs in the language. The verb is then phrased in the infinitanguage. The verb is then phrased in the infinitive, “to be”, rather than attaching it to any spive, “to be”, rather than attaching it to any specific noun or pronoun (not even Hamlet’s oecific noun or pronoun (not even Hamlet’s own “I”). Balancing it on the other side of “own “I”). Balancing it on the other side of “or” is the simplest possible opposition, the samr” is the simplest possible opposition, the same verb with a one syllable prefix: “not”. He is e verb with a one syllable prefix: “not”. He is thinking seriously about the existentialist condithinking seriously about the existentialist condition of man. No images here.tion of man. No images here.

A sudden flood of imagesA sudden flood of images Shakespeare then has Hamlet produce sudden flood of Shakespeare then has Hamlet produce sudden flood of

images. The “slings and arrows” of fortune, the “arimages. The “slings and arrows” of fortune, the “arms” to be employed against a “sea of troubles”, the ms” to be employed against a “sea of troubles”, the “heartaches”, and “the natural shocks”(his fathe“heartaches”, and “the natural shocks”(his father’s death, his uncle’s murder crime, his mother’s r’s death, his uncle’s murder crime, his mother’s betrayal, his friend’s unfaithfulness), the “whips anbetrayal, his friend’s unfaithfulness), the “whips and scorns” of time (evils and injustice), the “undiscovd scorns” of time (evils and injustice), the “undiscovered country” of the afterlife. ered country” of the afterlife.

Comparison: sleep vs. death (figure of speech: metaComparison: sleep vs. death (figure of speech: metaphor)phor)

1. 1. death ------ a peaceful sleep (no terrible dreams)death ------ a peaceful sleep (no terrible dreams) 2. death ----- a dreadful sleep ( still nightmares haunt)2. death ----- a dreadful sleep ( still nightmares haunt) He says that "sleep" will end his heartache. But then he He says that "sleep" will end his heartache. But then he

says that if he "dreams", he'll have nightmares. He's usisays that if he "dreams", he'll have nightmares. He's using sleep/dreams as an analogy for death and the afterling sleep/dreams as an analogy for death and the afterlife.fe.

What Hamlet is musing onWhat Hamlet is musing on 1.1. the pain of life, which he sees as inevitable (the sethe pain of life, which he sees as inevitable (the se

a of troubles - the slings and arrows - the heart-aca of troubles - the slings and arrows - the heart-ache - the thousand natural shocks)he - the thousand natural shocks)

2.2. the fear of the uncertainty of death and of possiblthe fear of the uncertainty of death and of possible damnation of suicide. e damnation of suicide.

What Hamlet's dilemmaWhat Hamlet's dilemma is between life and deat is between life and deathh

Although he is dissatisfied with life and lists its mAlthough he is dissatisfied with life and lists its many torments, he is unsure what death may bring any torments, he is unsure what death may bring (the dread of something after death). He can't be s(the dread of something after death). He can't be sure what death has in store; it may be sleep but in ure what death has in store; it may be sleep but in perchance to dream, and it is perhaps an experieperchance to dream, and it is perhaps an experience worse than life. nce worse than life.

What Death is for HamletWhat Death is for Hamlet:: Death is called “the undiscover'd country” froDeath is called “the undiscover'd country” fro

mm which no traveler returns. In saying that Hamlewhich no traveler returns. In saying that Hamle

t is acknowledging that, not only does each livit is acknowledging that, not only does each living person discover death for themselves, as no ng person discover death for themselves, as no one can return from it to describe it, but also thone can return from it to describe it, but also that suicide is at suicide is a one-way ticket.a one-way ticket. If you get the jud If you get the judgment call wrong, there's no way back. gment call wrong, there's no way back.

What the implication of soliloquyWhat the implication of soliloquy is (in religio is (in religious sense):us sense):

The whole speech is tinged withThe whole speech is tinged with the Christian the Christian prohibition of suicideprohibition of suicide, although it isn't mentio, although it isn't mentioned explicitly. The dread of something after dened explicitly. The dread of something after death would have been well understood by a Tudoath would have been well understood by a Tudor audience to mean the fires of Hell. r audience to mean the fires of Hell.

The implied conclusionThe implied conclusion by Hamlet by Hamlet: : The speech is a subtle and profound examThe speech is a subtle and profound exam

ining of what is more crudely expressed in ining of what is more crudely expressed in the phrase out of the frying pan into the fithe phrase out of the frying pan into the fire. - in essencere. - in essence 'life is bad, but death mig'life is bad, but death might be worse'.ht be worse'.

Here, Hamlet Here, Hamlet sparks an internal sparks an internal philosopphilosophical debate on the advantages and disahical debate on the advantages and disadvantages of existencedvantages of existence and whether it is and whether it is one's right to end his or her own life.one's right to end his or her own life.

The language of the soliloquy: (the last fThe language of the soliloquy: (the last four lines of paragraph on P61)our lines of paragraph on P61)

AssignmentsAssignments Written workWritten work1.1. Tell Shakespeare’s literary ideas.Tell Shakespeare’s literary ideas.2.2. What are Shakespeare’s four great tragidies and foWhat are Shakespeare’s four great tragidies and fo

ur great comedies?ur great comedies?3.3. What is particular of the theme in Shakespeare’s What is particular of the theme in Shakespeare’s

HamletHamlet??4.4. Why does Hamlet keeps delaying his revenge action?Why does Hamlet keeps delaying his revenge action?5.5. Answer the following questions by understanding HAnswer the following questions by understanding H

amlet’s soliloquey:amlet’s soliloquey: What is Hamlet musing on?What is Hamlet musing on? What is Hamlet’s dilema between life and death?What is Hamlet’s dilema between life and death? What is Death for Hamlet?What is Death for Hamlet? What is the implied conclusionWhat is the implied conclusion made by Hamlet i made by Hamlet i

n this soliloquey?n this soliloquey?

Topics for disscussionTopics for disscussion1.1. How did English drama develop? (stages and formHow did English drama develop? (stages and form

s of plays)s of plays)2.2. What are the themes reflected in Christopher MarlWhat are the themes reflected in Christopher Marl

owe’s major works?owe’s major works?3.3. Why are Marlowe’s dramatic writings important?Why are Marlowe’s dramatic writings important?4.4. What are striking in Shakespeare’s characterizatiWhat are striking in Shakespeare’s characterizati

on?on?5.5. Why is Shakespeare called a humanist?Why is Shakespeare called a humanist?6.6. In Christian sense, what does the soliloquey imply?In Christian sense, what does the soliloquey imply? Oral WorkOral Work Out loud Hamlet’s soliloquey by role-playing HaOut loud Hamlet’s soliloquey by role-playing Ha

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Thunder stormsThunder storms