Hamlet Act One

After hearing so much about this play and how good it was i was ecstatic about starting it. After reading Act One I am becoming more interested in the overall plot. One thing I found interesting, which we also discussed in class was the fact that the play starts in the midst of events that are already taking place. I found this different from the other Shakespearean plays that we have read. With the audience being introduced to the plot in the midst of events they become engrossed faster than if the mysteries were gradually brought in over the length of the play.

One detail of Act One that I repeatedly thought about was the ghost of King Hamlet. I wondered if his repeated appearances were symbolism for more than one reason in the play. One reason that I found obvious was for foreshadowing purposes, while another was for warnings of danger. one personal reason that I thought would be a reason for his appearance was that he may not have had a settled soul. Being a person who knows that in certain religions and belief systems people do stay in limbo until their soul has had complete closure and debts have been payed you that person may return to finish their tasks, I think that could be a main reason for his appearance. With the thought of foreshadowing, after he appeared the guards are warned of strange occurrences on the grounds, and since the King was in quarrel before dying, there could have been a foreshadow of Norway wanting to conquer the land. The reasoning for thinking that he could have been a warning of danger is because when his ghost was seen he was wearing a full suit of armor and those where obviously worn for battle, so that is where that symbolism came from.

The first act captured my attention from beginning to end. though I may not be able to comprehend every word the first time after reading it numerous times the meaning finally is setting in my head. Hopefully the Act Two continues with the drama, as all Shakespearean plays do.

*for grading purposes can you focus on the overall content, as well as how I tried to support my thoughts with details from the section of the play.*