These are my complete notes for Hamlet, for OCR English Literature, Drama and Poetry pre-1900. I used these notes and got an A* in my exam in 2022!
The most important assessment objectives for these questions are AO1, AO2, and AO5. I have included for each of the main characters (eg. Hamlet, Cl...
includes some really good quotes/critical interpretations and analysis for them! the layout is really good for revision.
By: issy078 • 1 year ago
glad it could help!! :)
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Hamlet Quotes Analysis
Kenneth Branagh’s adaptation has Hamlet 1,2: ‘O that this too solid flesh would melt’ Hamlet’s first soliloquy. This gives the
in black costume to show his malcontent and ‘His canon gainst self-slaughter’ audience the first insight into Hamlet’s mind
‘black humour’ and establishes him as a character in grief.
He wishes to commit suicide were it not
against God.
Laurence Oliver’s adaptation of Hamlet 1,5: ‘Overgrowth of some complexion’ Hamlet contemplates how some men have a
began with: ‘this is the tragedy of a man who character flaw that corrupts a person entirely;
could not make up his mind’ ironic as his flaw is procrastination
‘I do not set my life at a pin’s fee’ Hamlet views his life as worthless, meaning
his actions are without consequence
Henry Fuseli’s painting ‘Hamlet, Horatio, ‘I’ll make a ghost of him that lets me’ Hamlet is a man of action, showing a bold
marcellus and the Ghost’ (1789) depicts and courageous side to himself
them restraining Hamlet
Delacroix painting (1834) ‘Hamlet tries to
follow his father’s ghost’ Again, restraining,
more desperate, ghost less menacing
Abraham Wright (1611-90) ‘An ‘Put an antic disposition on’ The start of Hamlet’s madness
indifferent good part for a madman’,
viewed Hamlet as actually mad.
2,2: ‘Fell into a sadness, then into a fast…’ Hamlet exhibits all the stages of madness,
suggesting it is truthful
AC Bradley (1900s) Hamlet is disgusted 2,2: ‘Sterile promontory’ Hamlet speaks of the wonderful nature of the
by life and everything in it ‘What a piece of work is a man!’ Earth and mankind, however he no longer
‘What is this quintessence of dust?’ feels pleasure anymore and finds life
meaningless.
, ‘Manic depressant’ believes he is
mentally impaired
David Tennant’s adaptation (2009)
Hamlet is shown through a long shot,
curled up in a small ball in his first
soliloquy
2,2: ‘What would he do had he the motive Hamlet wonders how the player has such an
and the cue for passion that I have?’ ability to show emotion for a fictional
‘A dull and muddy-mettled rascal’ character. He berates himself for not
‘Pigeon-livered’ enacting revenge despite having all the
‘Bloody, bawdy villain’ reason to do so, and berates himself for his
cowardice.
3,1: ‘To be or not to be’ Hamlet’s fourth soliloquy in which he
‘Thus conscience does make cowards of us contemplates whether it better to live and
all’ suffer, or better to die. He also realises that
thought prevents people from acting.
Coleridge (1700 - 1800) ‘almost 3,3: ‘And so I am revenged’ Hamlet recognises the opportunity for
enormous intellectual activity’. ‘When he is fit and seasoned for his revenge, however he does not take it as
passage?’ Claudius is repenting and would go to
‘I have a smack of Hamlet in myself’ ‘And that his soul may be as damned and Heaven. It is debatable whether this is
black as hell’ another procrastination, or whether this is
malicious. It is ironic as ‘words without
Schlegel (1700 - 1800) ‘loses himself in thoughts never to heaven go’
labyrinths of thought’
Coleridge believed there was a bit of Hamlet
Romantic interpretation, first to notice in everyone.
issue of delay. Man of thought in a world
of action
AC Bradley: ‘tragedy of thought’
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