Hamlet

Question

"Connecting the 5 'W''s of Content and Contexts (How does the play relate to the world from which it comes?)" Your posts to the Discussion Board and your responses will be marked according to the Online Discussion Rubric. Post an answer to one of the 5 'W's' on the discussion board. Begin your post simply with one of these query word: 'When...', 'Where...', 'Who...', 'What...', 'Why...' . Pose a question that prompts for a connection between the content and the context of the play. Posit a response that establishes a connection or cause and effect relationship between the two based on the perspective of the target audience, the characters, the setting, the theme, the language or the politics. The ultimate goal is to make connections. Respond to the posts of two others by building on the post or refuting the post with reason. Support your ideas with evidence. You may quote from websites, or just cite references. Either way, include the source, using correct MLA notation, at the end of your post.

I will be creating a question that prompts for a connection between the content and the context of the play. Think carefully before you post your question. A question that is considered too simple will result in a low mark. Once you have created your question you must also supply your response to the question. Your next step is to respond to two other postings by either supporting or refuting and supplying evidence.

Can someone please help me? I am horrible at Hamlet. Thank you.

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

Is this an assignment from a university-level course?

Go ahead and give it a try!

Clive

Anonymous · Answer

1. When does the play take place? This is set in medieval Denmark - and there might have actually been a Danish historical figure named Hamlet (note that there are two Hamlets in the play, Hamlet Sr., who is deceased as the play begins, and Hamlet Jr., the Hamlet of the play) - but the play has come to transcend its setting and has become applicable to all times, with its universal existential (this is a good word to throw into any paper, because everyone uses it, but no one really knows what it means) themes. Note that the original 1961 movie, The Manchurian Candidate with Frank Sinatra and Laurence Harvey (Harvey's character loathes his step-father, like Hamlet loathes Claudius in the play, etc.), and the movie Ghost with Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg (Goldberg's character is Hamlet and like Hamlet is the only one who can hear the ghost, who is a victim of a secret murder, like Hamlet's father in the play, etc.) are reworkings of Hamlet.

2. Where does the play take place? It begins at the royal Danish palace, and during the play the action shifts to areas bordering Denmark, but most of the action is in Denmark at the royal palace.

3. Who is the biggest louse in the play? Horatio, a leach, supposedly Hamlet's friend, who is the only one left alive at the end of the play.

4. What are the main themes of the play? The play seems to center on existential themes. Hamlet, and other characters in the play, have been victims of life itself, which is characteristic of existential works - the play pre-dates what would usually be considered the existential period in literature.

5. Why does only Hamlet see the ghost of his father? This gets into the secondary psychological and theological themes of the play. Is he insane? Are there really ghosts? Is there divine retribution?

Hamlet

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