英国文学选读hamlet.pptVIP

Hamlet The Tragical History of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark The play, set in the Kingdom of Denmark, recounts how Prince Hamlet exacts revenge on his uncle Claudius for murdering the old King Hamlet (Claudiuss brother and Prince Hamlets father) and then succeeding to the throne and marrying Gertrude (the King Hamlets widow and mother of Prince Hamlet). Supplementary Parts to the Plot Summary Gertrude summons Hamlet to her closet to demand an explanation. On his way, Hamlet passes Claudius in prayer, but hesitates to kill him, reasoning that death in prayer would send him to heaven. However, it is revealed that the King is not truly praying, remarking that words never made it to heaven without thoughts”. An argument erupts between Hamlet and Gertrude. Polonius, spying on the scene from behind an arras and convinced that the princes madness is indeed real, panics when it seems as if Hamlet is about to murder the Queen and cries out for help. Hamlet, believing it is Claudius hiding behind the arras, stabs wildly through the cloth, killing Polonius. When he realises that he has killed Ophelias father, he is not remorseful, but calls Polonius Thou wretched, rash, intruding fool.“ The Ghost appears, urging Hamlet to treat Gertrude gently, but reminding him to kill Claudius. Unable to see or hear the Ghost herself, Gertrude takes Hamlets conversation with it as further evidence of madness. A courtier, Osric, interrupts to invite Hamlet to fence with Laertes. Despite Horatios warnings, Hamlet accepts and the match begins. After several rounds, Gertrude toasts Hamlet—against the urgent warning of Claudius—accidentally drinking the wine he poisoned. Between bouts, Laertes attacks and pierces Hamlet with his poisoned blade; in the ensuing scuffle, Hamlet is able to use Laertess own poisoned sword against him. Gertrude falls and, in her dying breath, announces that she has been poisoned. Analysis and Criticism From the early 17th century, the play was famous for its ghost