Hamlet - Entrapment
The theme of entrapment can be seen throughout Shakespeare's Hamlet. Thistheme is used to show how human beings exist in a world where to live is to act,and to act is ultimately to be caught in a sequence of events beyond individualcontrol. This existential dilemma of the play can be seen operating through thelanguage used by the characters in the physical and psychological entrapments The language of the play shows how the characters set physicalentrapments for each other that eventually cause them to lose control of thelives. Polonius' plan to trap Ophelia can be seen through his use of diction. Through this attempt, Shakespeare shows how humans tend to trap others in aweb so that they cannot be free to do as they please. Polonius' use of wordssuch as "tether" and "catch" are employed to show that he is trying to keep hisdaughter away from Hamlet and for himself. To keep her trapped would be tokeep a daughter by not giving her control of her life. However, Polonius latercounters his trap set for Ophelia by trying to trap Hamlet. After being informedof Hamlet's "tenders of affections" towards Ophelia, Polonius takes action toensnare Hamlet for his own gain. Polonius
Eventually, the trap set by fate leads to Hamlet's downfall. Hisweakened will to avenge his father, and later on his death, are caused by theself-entrapment he unconsciously set for himself. Humans live in a world where to exist is to be the target of doom. At first, Hamlet is moved to revenge hisfather but as time passes, he begins to argue for inaction rather than action. Instead, Hamlet pushes her out of his life bytelling her to "get [herself] to a nunnery. Through the court of Denmark, Shakespeare lets the audience know hisviews on life. The title "The Mousetrap" signifies a mouse being trapped by a bait. In the case in Hamlet, the mouse is Claudius and the bait is the performance. By wanting to"catch" the king's conscience, Shakespeare shows how entrapments lead toevents that are above a person's control. Shakespeare uses the fates of the characters to show how traps thatcause a person to lose control are set by destiny. However, their duty to the king wars with theirdevotion concerning their friendship with Hamlet. The trap he sets for Hamletgoes wrong when Hamlet, after recently having seen the ghost of his father,shows no affection for Ophelia. " Although the king and queen seemto be giving them a choice, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are stuck in a situationthat is beyond their control. Hamlet's dilemma of remaining alive versus theescape of his fate by suicide shows that he is trapped within his own mind.
Common topics in this essay:
Instead Hamlet,
Rosencrantz Guildenstern,
Shakespeare's Hamlet,
Ophelia Polonius,
Denmark Shakespeare,
,
lose control,
Hamlet Gertrude,
Claudius Gertrude,
Rosencrantz Guildenstern's,
rosencrantz guildenstern,
psychological entrapments,
entrapments entrapments fate,
control life,
physical entrapments,
father's murder,
hamlet trapped,
control hamlet's,
entrapments fate,
trap set,
|
Acceptance Essays
