Essay_Is Hamlet mad
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莎士比亚哈姆雷特读后感英语作文1. From the moment I began "Hamlet," I was captivated by Shakespeare's brilliant storytelling and intricate plot.2. The play's exploration of themes such as revenge, depression, and doubt left a lasting impression on me.3. Hamlet's soliloquies are particularly remarkable, offering deep insight into his inner turmoil and conflict.4. Shakespeare's ability to create complex characters like Hamlet is truly awe-inspiring.5. Hamlet's relationship with his mother, Gertrude, adds another layer of complexity to his character development.6. The Ghost's relentless pursuit of revenge sets the stage for the play's intense drama.7. The themes of loyalty and deceit are seamlessly woven throughout the narrative.8. The play's use of foreshadowing is masterful, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats.9. Ophelia's plight as a victim of her society's expectations was heartbreaking to witness.10. The play's portrayal of madness, both real and feigned, adds depth to the overall story.11. Polonius' overzealousness as a parent and courtier proved to be his downfall.12. Hamlet's delay in seeking revenge became a point of contention among the characters and audience alike.13. The play's language is a testament to Shakespeare's genius, filled with elaborate metaphors and witty puns.14. The play's setting in Denmark added a sense of historical context and cultural significance.15. The character of Claudius, the deceitful king, is both cunning and despicable.16. The play's exploration of male friendship,particularly between Hamlet and Horatio, is notable.17. The play's exploration of gender roles is both surprising and thought-provoking.18. The ending of the play left me with a mix of satisfaction and sorrow.19. Shakespeare's portrayal of characters like Rosencrantz and Guildenstern as mere puppets of circumstance was intriguing.20. The play's use of Norse mythology adds an interesting element to the overall narrative.21. The role of the Oracle in the play serves as a catalyst for the main plot's progression.22. The play's allusions to other works of literature area testament to Shakespeare's scholarly mind.23. Hamlet's relationship with Ophelia is a poignant tale of unrequited love and broken hearts.24. The play's exploration of the consequences of power and ambition was eye-opening.25. The play's emphasis on the perils of kingdom intrigue highlighted the fragility of leadership.26. Shakespeare's use of dialogue to reveal characters' secrets and motivations was brilliant.27. The character of Fortinbras, the foreign prince, serves as an interesting foil to Hamlet.28. The play's exploration of the divine and the supernatural is both mesmerizing and chilling.29. The character of Laertes adds a younger perspective to the older generation of Hamlet's world.30. Shakespeare's ability to create characters that defy typical expectations is evident in "Hamlet."31. The play's unanswered questions leave the audience pondering for years to come.32. The play's哈哈element of surprise at key moments keeps the story unpredictable and gripping.33. Hamlet's encounters with the players underscore the idea that even the most fake can sometimes feel more real than the truth.34. The play's exploration of moral corruption within the royal court was disturbingly relatable.35. The character of Polonius' pride in his intelligence leads to his own demise, a testament to humility's value.36. Shakespeare's exploration of the nature of good and evil is both profound and unsettling.37. The character of Hamlet's outward sanity and inward turmoil are a Shakespearean dichotomy that feels timeless.38. The role of fairies in the "play within a play" is both whimsical and prophetic.39. The play's use of symbolism highlights themes of death, corruption, and decay.40. Hamlet's indecisiveness on whether to act or react adds to his complexity as a character.41. The play's exploration of the psychological effects of grief is hauntingly accurate.42. The play's focus on the cyclical nature of violence is both terrifying and necessary.43. The characters' names in "Hamlet" hold significant meaning and reflect their personalities.44. Shakespeare's use of dramatic irony is a highlight of the play's storytelling.45. The play's reference to the "auf wiedersehen" song adds a touch of European influence to the story.46. The role of the player kings in "Hamlet" questions the nature of kingship and leadership.47. The character of Claudius' betrayal of Hamlet'sfather sets the stage for the play's tragic outcome.48. The play's exploration of madness and psychological instability is unsettling but compelling.49. Shakespeare's ability to create characters that are both relatable and unfathomable is truly remarkable.50. The play's use of language to mask truth with lies isa study in human nature.51. Hamlet's relationship with Horatio is a beautiful example of friendship and loyalty.52. The play's ending raises questions about fate versus free will, a debate that still resonates today.53. The role of Hamlet's education and his ability to question societal norms is refreshing.54. The play's exploration of the supernatural world putsa spooky twist on the familiar.55. The character of Ophelia's descent into madness is haunting and poignant.56. Shakespeare's focus on the power of language is a recurring theme in "Hamlet."57. The play's political commentary still feels relevant, showcasing the saying "power corrupts."58. The character of Hamlet's indecision is a mirror to our own hesitation and inaction.59. The play's exploration of madness as both a metaphor and a literal state is profound.60. The character of Hamlet's cunning intellect combined with moral ambiguity makes him a fascinating study.61. The play's ending leaves the audience in a state of shock, a testament to Shakespeare's mastery of storytelling.62. The character of Hamlet's feigned madness serves both as a means of protection and psychological turmoil.63. The play's exploration of friendship versus enmity isa timeless lesson.64. Shakespeare's use of foreshadowing is subtle yet undeniable, adding a layer of depth to the narrative.65. The play's focus on family dynamics adds an emotional weight to the story.66. The character of Hamlet's love for Ophelia is both innocent and tragically short-lived.67. The play's use of soliloquies reveals the true nature of Hamlet's thoughts and feelings.68. Shakespeare's exploration of the afterlife and morality in "Hamlet" is introspective and philosophical.69. The play's use of imagery to personify abstract concepts is a testament to Shakespeare's creativity.70. The character of Hamlet's struggle with the concept of "to be or not to be" touches on existential debates.71. The role of the play's setting in Elsinore Castle is both symbolic and practical.72. The play's exploration of the impact of a flawed reign on court is a stark reminder of leadership's weight.73. The character of Hamlet's resourcefulness in disguise highlights his ability to manipulate his environment.74. Shakespeare's use ofBOTTOM festival scene brings a rare touch of whimsy to the otherwise dark drama.75. The play's exploration of loyalty and betrayal is a Shakespearean staple, relevant even in today's world.76. The character of Hamlet's time spent in the madhouse raises questions about the relationship between appearance and reality.77. The play's use of the "get thee to a nunnery" line serves as a commentary on feminine purity and societal norms.78. Shakespeare's exploration of the dangerous allure of mentorship is evident in the relationship between Polonius and Laertes.79. The play's discussion of justice versus retributionis a moral and philosophical conundrum.80. The character of Hamlet's struggle with his own identity leads to a tragic discovery of deception at the hands of others.81. Shakespeare's portrayal of the Danes' moral and political decadence is a commentary on human nature.82. The character of Laertes' transition from son to avenger is a study of resolve and retribution.83. The play's exploration of the idea of "the writer" versus the "reader" comes to light as it's acted out in the "play within a play."84. The character of Hamlet's elevated sense of self-awareness and introspection is a Shakespearean trait that adds to his complexity.85. Shakespeare's use of the把他angle adds a new perspective to the narrative, highlighting the outside observer's viewpoint.86. The play's exploration of the mental health issues faced by characters such as Ophelia and Hamlet raises important questions today.87. The character of Hamlet's tragic fate as a result of his indecision highlights the thin line between action and inaction.88. The play's emphasis on the human condition is what makes it an enduring classic and relatable to audiences.89. Shakespeare's exploration of the ethics of war and the futility of violence casts a long shadow over the action on stage.90. The character of Hamlet's name carries weight beyond the text, embodying the universal struggle with identity and purpose.91. The play's focus on the对口开启的dress reveals the complex relationships between characters and their power dynamics.92. Shakespeare's use of the "star-cross'd lovers" idea adds a romantic subplot that deepens Hamlet's character.93. The character of Hamlet's willingness to question the validity of his own existence echoes the existential concerns on stage.94. The play's awareness of the past haunts its characters, a haunting parallel to the way our past defines us.95. The character of Hamlet's ability to manipulate words with ease for his own gain is a mirrored by the words he scripturally twists and through which finds kmelishment.96. The play's emphasis on the importance of honor versus duty and their consequences for Hamlet are thought-provoking.97. Shakespeare's representation of the cultural and religious aspects of the1600s world enriches the narrative.98. The character of Hamlet's encompassing of a literal and figurative pendulum further complicates his designation as mad.99. The play's exploration of the bonds of family and the notion of filial duty are complex and relatable.100. The character of Hamlet's use of theucation to question everything makes him a nuanced and towering figure in literature.101. The play's transparency about the human ability to fail at basic human tasks reveals the depth of Shakespeare's insight into our nature.102. The character of Hamlet's engagement with his preciso digest, whether through direct interaction comme interactions with his dead father's ghost or others, with his mentor sought by his sister,rosences, suggests his constancy to seek self-information.103. Shakespeare's tone in Hamlet teeters between tragedy and laughter, giving us a peek into the duality of human existence.104. The character of Hamlet's interaction with the Venetian convention refers to his role in encapsulating aconvention that delineates how things "ought to be," thereby saddleing responsibility for upholding societal mores.105. Fiction is an exploration of the word itself, but Shakespeare’s ability to make not only words but theirprecise arrangement matter so much within "Hamlet" is stupefying focusing on the conversations portraying relationships, interactions, and intentions.106. The thematic bow администрации, flanked by the political, personal, and tragic dimensions, offers the viewer a territory rich with the possibility of summary and analysis—a land of endless reflection on humanity, authority, bilge, presence, and the interrogation of existence itself.107. In conclusion, "Hamlet" remains a decomposition ofthe human mind and heart, the magnitude of the noble soul campaigning against coexisting human Falından.。
双语阅读《哈姆雷特》节选双语阅读《哈姆雷特》节选《哈姆雷特(Hamlet)》是由英国剧作家威廉·莎士比亚创作于1599年至1602年间的一部悲剧作品。
以下是应届毕业生网店铺为大家推荐的双语阅读《哈姆雷特》节选,希望大家喜欢。
Hamlet is one of Shakespeare’s great tragedies and possibly the most mis-quoted. It deals with the psychological torment of a young Danish prince, Hamlet himself, who is racked with murderous intent. Hamlet’s Father, the King of Denmark, is dead and the Ki ng’s brother (Hamlet’s uncle), Claudius, has married the widowed Queen, Gertrude. Hamlet is disgusted and cannot bear that his mother has betrayed his father’s memory in what he considers to be an incestuous manner. When the ghost of the dead King appears to Hamlet and fills him with a powerful desire for revenge, Hamlet becomes more and more desperate to destroy Claudius and avenge his father’s memory. However, despite this desire to kill his stepfather, Hamlet struggles to achieve his purpose and a series of disastrous events ensue. He mistreats his Love, Ophelia, who is so distraught by the change in Hamlet’s manner towards her that she is driven to insanity, the beautiful yet tormented soliloquies engaged in by Hamlet become increasingly desperate as Ham let’s rage and despair strengthen, and Gertrude’s belief that Hamlet is mad with grief is apparent when Gertrude and Hamlet Speak together in Act IV. Hamlet is Shakespeare’s greatest tragic hero and, while the end of the Play is inevitable, the unravelling of the story is a wonder. Each scene is rendered in words of poetic beauty that simultaneously delight and horrify. The play is still as relevant today as it was when it was first written and performed as societyis still troubled with political intrigue and deception, the hunt for bloody revenge, the tortures of a doomed love, and the cruelty of bereavement and loss. It is because Shakespeare speaks for humanity as a whole that makes Hamlet, like so many of his plays, universal. Hamlet is not bound by its time but transcends this boundary to speak to people just as powerfully as it did four hundred years ago.哈姆雷特王子是最近突然驾崩的丹麦王哈姆雷特与皇后葛楚德的儿子。
高一英语名著情节分析单选题50题1. In "Pride and Prejudice", Mr. Darcy is initially considered by Elizabeth as _____.A. charming and friendlyB. proud and aloofC. kind and generousD. humorous and sociable答案:B。
本题考查对《傲慢与偏见》中人物形象的理解。
在小说开头,伊丽莎白认为达西先生骄傲冷漠,A 选项“迷人友好”不符合她最初的看法;C 选项“善良慷慨”也不是她最初的印象;D 选项“幽默善交际”同样不正确。
2. In "Jane Eyre", when Jane first met Mr. Rochester, she thought he was _____.A. gentle and understandingB. stern and mysteriousC. cheerful and openD. polite and refined答案:B。
此题考查对《《简·爱》中人物的初印象。
简最初见到罗切斯特先生时,觉得他严厉神秘,A 选项“温和理解”不符合;C 选项“开朗坦率”不准确;D 选项“礼貌文雅”也不对。
3. In "Pride and Prejudice", Elizabeth's sister Jane is known for being _____.A. passionate and impulsiveB. calm and composedC. adventurous and boldD. selfish and vain答案:B。
本题关于《傲慢与偏见》中简的性格特点。
简以冷静沉着著称,A 选项“热情冲动”不符合;C 选项“冒险大胆”并非她的特点;D 选项“自私虚荣”与她的性格相反。
哈姆雷特的英文作文Hamlet is a complex character in Shakespeare's play. He is torn between his desire for revenge and his moral conscience. He struggles with his own thoughts and emotions, often feeling overwhelmed by the weight of his responsibilities.The relationship between Hamlet and Ophelia is fraught with tension and misunderstandings. Hamlet's treatment of Ophelia is cruel and erratic, leading to her eventual madness and death. Their tragic love story is a reflectionof the larger themes of betrayal and deception in the play.Hamlet's famous soliloquy "To be or not to be" reflects his internal struggle with the meaning of life and death.He contemplates the idea of suicide as a way to escape his suffering, but ultimately decides against it. Thissoliloquy is a powerful exploration of Hamlet's innerturmoil and existential angst.Hamlet's relationship with his mother, Queen Gertrude, is also complicated. He is disgusted by her hasty marriage to his uncle Claudius, whom he suspects of murdering his father. Hamlet's anger towards his mother is palpable, as he grapples with feelings of betrayal and abandonment.In the end, Hamlet's tragic flaw of indecision leads to his downfall. He hesitates to take action against Claudius, allowing the villain to continue his reign of corruption. Hamlet's inability to act decisively ultimately leads to his own death, as well as the deaths of many others around him.。
hamlet英文赏析作文Hamlet is a play that has captivated audiences for centuries. Its timeless themes of revenge, madness, and the complexity of human nature continue to resonate with people of all ages. The language used in Hamlet is rich and poetic, filled with metaphors and soliloquies that offer deepinsight into the characters' thoughts and emotions. Theplay's opening line, "Who's there?" immediately grabs the audience's attention and sets the tone for the rest of the story.One of the most famous soliloquies in Hamlet is the "To be or not to be" speech. In this soliloquy, Hamlet debates the pros and cons of life and death, questioning whether it is better to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune or to end one's own life. The language used in this soliloquy is introspective and contemplative, reflecting Hamlet's inner turmoil. The use of rhetorical questions, such as "To die, to sleep – / To sleep, perchance to dream" adds to the dramatic effect of the speech.Another powerful aspect of Hamlet is its exploration of the human psyche. The character of Hamlet himself is a complex and multi-dimensional individual, torn between his desire for revenge and his moral conscience. Through his soliloquies, we gain insight into his inner thoughts and struggles. For example, in the "O, what a rogue and peasant slave am I" soliloquy, Hamlet berates himself for his inaction and inability to carry out his revenge. The language used in this soliloquy is filled with self-deprecating remarks and vivid imagery, emphasizing Hamlet's self-doubt and frustration.The play also delves into the theme of madness, with several characters exhibiting signs of mental instability. One notable example is Ophelia, who descends into madness following the death of her father. In her famous "mad scene," Ophelia sings fragmented and nonsensical songs, reflecting her fractured state of mind. The language usedin this scene is disjointed and erratic, mirroringOphelia's mental state. The use of repetition and wordplay adds to the sense of confusion and instability.Hamlet is also known for its use of metaphors and wordplay. Shakespeare's wordplay often serves to highlight the characters' wit and intelligence. For instance, in the scene where Hamlet meets the gravedigger, the two engage in a humorous exchange filled with puns and double entendres. The language used in this scene is playful and light-hearted, providing a moment of comic relief amidst the tragedy of the play.In conclusion, Hamlet is a play that offers a rich and diverse range of language and expression. From the poetic soliloquies to the witty wordplay, the language used in Hamlet adds depth and complexity to the characters and themes of the play. Whether it is the introspective musings of Hamlet or the fragmented thoughts of Ophelia, the language in Hamlet is a testament to Shakespeare's mastery of the English language.。
Appreciation of English Literature——HamletThis story is about prince of Denmark Hamlet revenge his uncle,who killed his father, with his own life being end. In the first part of the story, Hamlet was anger for unchastity of his mother. At latter, the ghost of the old Hamlet, father of Hamlet , told Hamlet that he was killed by Claudius, and asked Hamlet to revenge for him. The ghost is a significant character in this story because it let Hamlet know the truth of the death of his father, and then the whole story developed around Hamlet’s revenge.In the second part of the story, Hamlet pretended to be a madman. He arranged a drama which was similar with the truth of the death of his father to evaluate whether the words of the ghost is true. After affirming that his father was killed by Claudius, Hamlet decided to revenge for his father. When Claudius was ashamed of his evil behavior in the garden, Hamlet abandon to kill his uncle in this time. Then his mother called him to her palace. Polonius hided behind the curtain to eavesdrop on the talk between queen and Hamlet. But Hamlet was supposed he was king Claudius and stabbed him with sword.In the last part, Hamlet had a competition with Laertes, but he didn’t know Claudius and Laertes had a evil conspiracy to kill him. At last the queen drunk the poisonous wine to died, Claudius was stabbed to died by Hamlet, Hamlet was stabbed to died by Laertes, and Laertes was also killed by Hamlet. In this tragedy, all people related to the revenge were dead at the end. Horatio, the friend of Hamlet was the only one still alive who knew the truth. Characters: Hamlet was the protagonist of Hamlet. Once this drama was wrote, many scholars and expert have studied what characters Hamlet has. Different people have different ideas about his character. In my perspective, he was upright, courageous, wise, principled, firm and so on.Many people think that Hamlet was irresolute, because when he had a chanceto kill the king Claudius, he abandon this chance. Some people think he payed too much energy in making decision to have courage to take actions, and he was just weak-headed. However, I don’t think so. Hamlet was a kind-hearted man,though he was a prince, having high and honored rank, he treat his friend with no prejudice. He hated to achieve his goal with devious ways, and also hated people who do like this. He will not do anything beyond his principle. Obviously, we can simply explain why Hamlet give up to make a sneak attack . Hamlet felt that if a man was killed when he confessed to the god, he would go to the heaven because his guilt was pardoned. What’s more, a devout Christian was pretty believed in god and their belief. When Ophelia drawn in the water, the clown had said a suicide man can not be burial according to the Christian ceremony. So I think Hamlet was a man with strong principle not irresolution. There is another evidence proving this. The queen talked with Hamlet in her palace following the instruction of the Claudius. When Hamlet became excited, the cries of Polonius hiding behind the curtain made Hamlet regarded him as Claudius, and Hamlet stabbed him to died. Hamlet’s behavior without hesitation can show his firm decision and strong power in actions. Unfortunately, who he killed was the father of his lover, which a principal contribution of the tragic end.Another personalty of Hamlet I intend to refer was his wisdom. When he knew the truth of the death of his father, he was really sad and sorrow. His mind was seriously stroked and destroyed, so that he can not hide his mood perfectly. He came up with a idea pretending to be a madman. A madman ’s crazy and unusual action could hide the real emotion of Hamlet and secured to reduce the suspicion of Claudius. Furthermore, becoming a madman, Hamlet can observe whether Claudius did the evil thing secretly. In the drama, Hamlet had a large number of crazy actions and words, his faultless performance made everyone including the king and the queen believe in his mad. The drama Hamlet arranged exposed his wisdom in another hand. When Hamlet decided to go back Denmark, he tampered the contentof the secret letter, and let the king of the England execute Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, which also show wisdom of Hamlet.In Hamlet, Shakespeare depicted many characters having various characteristics. The king Claudius was cunning and shameless, he never lowered his vigilance to Hamlet and catch any chance to kill Hamlet. The queen was unchaste, flabby, indecisive but have a heart to her son. Her hoped Hamlet followed with Claudius to survival, and she took care of marriage of Hamlet. Ophelia is a pure and kindhearted but weak girl, she desired to love but submitted to her father and brother. Appreciation: “to be or not to be, it’s a question” Complying with the reality for surviving or fighting with the reality. Many people will struggle with this problem and be in a dilemma. In the movie Twelve years a slave , most slaves just went to be slaves and complied with their master. A few slaves were reluctant to be slaves and fight, but they just died. The protagonist seemed to abandon his past identify according his performance, but in his heart, he was always a freeman, and he looked for any hope to help him to be a freeman again, though sometimes the hope contained dangers. With his endeavor, a Canadian helped him and he came to be a freeman after twelve years life of slave. Solomon was one of a less number of slaves who be saved. Sometimes, the reality is pretty cruel, and cold. But living with a light can made people a litter comfort. This light can made the life seem a litter warm. Fighting with the reality is the best choice for Hamlet. We make a assumption that Hamlet complied with Claudius, forgot the hatred and unchastity of his mother, pretended to know nothing. Hamlet may really be mad, because he need to changeover his personality to achieve this choice. As a result, a man’s all choice depended on his personalities.Characters like Hamlet, I am still able to catch the essential points of Hamlet for the first time to read original literature works. Sorts of brief but classical dialogues make an impressive impression on me ,part of which have become famous proverbs being widely used till nowadays. For instance, Hamlet’s remarks”to be or not to be,is the question”is constantly been quoted when modern individuals are trying to make a hard decision whether to give up or not. Having accomplished the work, a couple of leading of characters impress me deeply. Hamlet once is an optimistic, happy prince, while becomes heavyhearted after his father’s death and his mother’s over-hasty marriage. It rightly turns out a usual saying that a person’s characteristic change up to the circumstance to be right. I have great sympathy for Ophelia, a fairy kindhearted girl. She has to deny Hamlet’s affection for her in her situation and bear huge pain alone within heart. She loses her lover as well as his father. Therefore, she is driven into desperate states. She dies at last. As to Laertes, he is completely taken advantage of by foxy Claudius for his urgent mentality to average his father a bad ending. Claudius, a murderer and a poisoner, should be blamed for the tragedy. I’ll analyze his characteristic in detail. First of all, Claudius is cruel person. He uses such a cruel method that pours poison in the king’s ears to murder his brother when the king is in the sleeping. He also takes up his brother’s wife regardless of feeling of brothers. At the end of the story, Claudius does further think double ways to kill Hamlet. That is, to pour poison on both Hamlet’s cup and Laertess’s sword. Above all, he is rather cold-blooded and self despite that Claudius has done sorts of wrongdoings, he is still in upset. He comforts himself that his fault is past, and compares his doing to ambition, which is ridiculous. Claudius prays that god forgives his foul murder. Moreover,Claudius is doubtful and foxy. When Polonius concludes that Hamlet is mad for his love, Ophelia. Claudius doubts Hamlet’s madness and thinks out kinds of ways to test of him. When he knows Hamlet is not really crazy, he assumes that Hamlet is full of threats and some danger to him. So he is meant to send Hamlet out of the country and have Hamlet murder. In addition, Claudius takes advantage of others as his tool to reach his purpose. He lets Gratrude to talk with Hamlet and sends Polonius to hear their conference. Both Laertes and his father areused by Claudius, with ending of dying. Let’s see how Claudius persuades Laertes to fight with Hamlet. Firstly, Claudius announces that he is guiltless of Polonius’s death and most sensible in grief for it. He shows that he has nothing to do with Laertes’s father’s killing to get close to Laertes. What’s more, he wants to purchase Laertes with money, power. Claudius even promises to give his kingdom, crown and life to Laertes in his satisfaction. Of course, he definitely knows laertes will not accept. Claudius takes further measures to win Laertes’s father. These fake words come from Claudius. Finally, Claudius’s comspriracy is realized, he asks Laertes “will you be ruled by me”, Laertes agrees.Claudius urges Laertes to undertake the action with the words “to show yourself your father’s son in deed more than in words”. That’s how Claudius makes use of Laertes step by step. Claudius dies and gets punishment what he deserves at last.Reading hamlet is quiet a valuable experience in which I understand a lot. The ending is miserable, all the main characters die, while it deserves thinking deeply. Self Assessment I choose the appreciation of British and American classical as the elective course this semester. I think it is a good opportunity for me to learn specialized knowledge about the classical British and American literature. Under the guidance of teacher, I can enjoy the good movies both classical and modern more in depth.。
哈姆莱特作文800字英文回答:Hamlet is one of Shakespeare's most famous plays, andit explores themes of revenge, madness, and the complexity of human nature. The story revolves around Prince Hamlet, who is visited by the ghost of his father and learns that his uncle, Claudius, is responsible for his father's death. Hamlet is torn between his desire for revenge and his moral dilemma of whether or not to take action.Throughout the play, Hamlet's character is depicted as being constantly in turmoil. He struggles with his own emotions and often contemplates the meaning of life and death. One of the most famous quotes from the play is "To be, or not to be: that is the question," which reflects Hamlet's internal struggle with his own existence.Hamlet's madness is another significant aspect of the play. He feigns madness in order to deceive his enemies andgather information, but it is unclear whether or not he truly becomes mad. This adds to the complexity of his character and raises questions about the nature of sanity and insanity.The play also explores the theme of revenge. Hamlet is consumed by his desire to avenge his father's death, but he is hesitant to take action. This hesitation is seen in his famous soliloquy, "O, what a rogue and peasant slave am I!" where he criticizes himself for his lack of action. This internal struggle adds depth to the character andhighlights the moral dilemma he faces.Overall, Hamlet is a complex and thought-provoking play that delves into the depths of human nature. It raises questions about morality, revenge, and the meaning of life. The character of Hamlet is a perfect example of the complexity of human emotions and the struggles we face in making difficult decisions.中文回答:《哈姆莱特》是莎士比亚最著名的剧作之一,探讨了复仇、疯狂和人性复杂性等主题。
. 句点 1.句点⽤于当⼀句话完全结束时。
2.句点也可以⽤于英⽂单词的缩写,如 Mrs., Dr., P.S. 等。
但要注意的是当缩写的字母形成了⼀个单词的时候就不要使⽤句点。
如 IBM, DNA 等。
? 问号 问号要⽤在⼀个直接的问句,⽽不是间接的。
如 How will you solve the problem? 是正确的⽤法,但⽤在 I wonder how you will solve the problem?就不对了,应该使⽤句点⽽不是问号。
另外,在客⽓的⽤语中,也是⽤句点⽽不是问号. 如 Will you please give me a call tomorrow. ! 感叹号 感叹号⽤于感叹和惊叹的陈述中,在商业写作中要注意感叹号的应⽤,因为不恰当的使⽤会显得突兀及不稳重。
;分号 1.与中⽂⼀样,分号⽤于分隔地位平等的独⽴⼦句。
在某些情况下,使⽤分号⽐使⽤句点更显出⼦句之间的紧密联系,另外分号也经常与连接副词 thus, however, therefore⼀起使⽤(放在这些词语之前)。
如 I realize I need exercise; however, I’ll lie down first to think about it. 2.在句⼦中如果已经使⽤过逗点,为了避免歧义的产⽣,就⽤分号来分隔相似的内容。
如 The employees were Tom Hanks, the manager; Jim White, the engineer; and Dr. Jack Lee. 需要注意的是:⼀个完整的句⼦以⼤写字母开始,以句点结束。
写英⽂时⽤逗点代替句点、分号、冒号或破折号叫“逗号错”,这正是中国学⽣所要避免的。
请⽐较下列例句: 误:It was raining hard, they could not work in the fields. (注意:上⾯句⼦中划横线的部分是两个不同的主语,⽽且逗点前后的句⼦是完整的-----单独拿出来都能代表⼀个完整的意思。
Chapter 1 Old English Literature (450 – 1066)Beowulf(1) National epicBeowulf is the first great English literary work and is regarded as the national epic of the Anglo-Saxons.Chapter 2 Middle English Literature (1066 -- the 14th century)Major ContentA. Medieval romanceSubjects: Matter of France; Matter of Rome; Matter of BritainB. The Popular Ballads:Definition(1) A narrative song, or an oral form of verse.(2) Composed by common people during a long period of time.(3) An important stream of the Medieval folk literature.C. Geoffrey Chaucer (1340?-1400)Messenger of Humanism; The first important realistic writer; “Father” of English poetry and Master of the English language:masterpiece: The Canterbury TalesChapter 3 Renaissance (from 14th c. to mid-17th c.)1. Renaissance(1) It marks the transition from the medieval to the modern world (from 14th c. to mid-17th c.).(2) "Renaissance" means rebirth or revival.(3) The combination of Christian (Britain’s tradition) and Greek tradition s.(4) It is stimulated by events like the rediscovery of ancient Roman and Greek culture (culture), the new discoveries in geography and astronomy (science), the religious reformation (religion) and the economic expansion (economy).(5) To get rid of old feudalist ideas and introduce new ideas of the rising bourgeoisie, to recover the purity of the early church from the corruption of the Roman Catholic Church.2. Humanism(1) To exalt human elements or stress the importance of human interests, as opposed to the supernatural, divine elements—or as opposed to the grosser赚钱的机器, animal elements.(否定旧的)(2) To see human beings as glorious creatures capable of individual development.(肯定新的2、3、4、5)(3) To emphasize the dignity of human beings and the importance of the present life.(4) To believe that man does not only have the right to enjoy the beauty of this life, but the ability to perfect himself and to perform wonders. (2、3的总结)(5) To express the rebellious spirit against the tyranny of feudal rule and religious domination. Representatives: More, Marlowe, Shakespeare(同renaissance一样,最后落脚到封建主义与资本主义的对立)Elizabethan PoetryI. Major Forms of Elizabethan Poetry1.Sonnet(1) A lyric poem of 14 lines with a formal rhyme scheme,(形式)(2)Expressing different aspects of a single thought, mood, or feeling,(内容)(3) Iambic pentameter is essentially the meter, but here again certain poets have experimentedwith hexameter and other meters.(方法)2. Blank verse3. heroic coupletII. Selected readings (Discussion)1. Sonnet 18 (by Shakespeare)William Shakespeare(1564-1616)1. Four great tragedies: Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Macbeth2. HamletContrast(a)Hamlet and Claudius: Each tries to probe into the mind of the other.Whether the king is guiltyWhether Hamlet is mad(b) MadnessReal madness v. Feigned madness (Ophelia – Hamlet)(c) Different attitudes toward vengeance(复仇):Hamlet thinks too much, delays too long.Laertes acts too rashly, thinks too little.Fortinbras is a man of both action and thoughts.(d) Inner conflict in Hamlet’s mind:strong urge to revenge vs. disillusioned view of human lifemakes him weakCould you explain Hamlet’s hesitation in action to kill his uncle from the perspective of Oedipus Complex?The study, Hamlet and Oedipus,was written by Sigmund Freud‘s colleague and biographer Ernest Jones. In particular, Jones explains Hamlet’s mysterious delay in action as a consequence of the Oedipus Complex: the son continually postpones the act of revenge because of the impossibly complicated psychodynamic(心理动力的) situation in which he finds himself. Though he hates his fratricidal(杀兄弟的) uncle, he nevertheless unconsciously identifies with him—for, having killed Hamlet's father and married his mother, Claudius has carried out what are Hamlet's own unconscious wishes.In addition, marriage to Hamlet's mother gives the uncle the unconscious status of the father—destructive impulses towards whom provoke great anxiety and meet with repression.John Donne (1572-1631)Special features(1) Conceits: (A fanciful poetic image, especially an elaborate or exaggerated comparison 奇思妙想) – metaphysical conceits refer to bringing together things that are primary unlike(2) Wit: (聪敏机智)-- the centre of Donne’s poetic method, such as the dialectical arrangementof a poem, logical reasoning, dramatic plot(3) Imagery: drawn form his interests, revealing the width of his intellectual exploration(4) Dramatic and conversational style:(5) metric skills: violating conventional and metrical regularities of rhythm and stress(1) The Flea(2) “Death, Be Not Proud”John MiltonII. His worksA. Early poetic works:LycidasB. middle prose pamphletsAreopagitican.《论出版自由》C. last great poemsParadise LostParadise RegainedSamson AgonistesParadise lostPlotsThe story it related (12 books in all)1. The fall of the angels, the tortures andthe struggles they made upon the God.2. God creates the Adam and Eve.3. Man’s disobedience.4. The banishment of Adam and Eve, theirloss of paradise .Major characters analysisSatan (Lucifer) :1. he is the first character to whom the reader is introduced, and the most complex. It has been suggested that Satan is the true "epic hero" of the piece, largely because of his epic language and heroic energy.2. he hold the self-centered perspective , arrogant, boldness and diligence in fighting with god .Adam & Eve1. Strong, intelligent, and rational character possessed of a remarkable relationship with God .2. Innocent and impulsive ,dedicative to their love .3. with the spiritual purity , her capacity for emotion, and forbearance .God1.omnipotent(全能的)character who knows everything before it happens .2. unknowable to mankind and to some extent lacks emotion and depth .Themes1.The Importance of Obedience to God .Paradise Lost presents two moral paths that one can take after disobedience:(1) The downward spiral of increasing sin and degradation, represented by Satan.(2) the road to redemption, represented by Adam and Eve.2. The Hierarchical Nature of the UniverseThe layout of the universe—with Heaven above, Hell below, and Earth in the middle—presents the universe as a hierarchy based on proximity (亲近)to God and his grace .This spatial hierarchy leads to a social hierarchy of angels, humans, animals, and devils, To obey God is to respect this hierarchy.Humankind must now experience pain and death, but humans can also experience mercy, salvation, and grace in ways they would not have been able to had they not disobeyed.On the other side, it also gives individual human beings the opportunity to redeem(救赎)themselves by true repentance and faith.Chapter4 The Neo-classical PeriodFeaturesNeo-classicism (last decades of the 17th century and the first half of the 18th century)(1) Models on the classical literature of the ancient Greek and Roman writers like Homer,Virgil, Horace, Ovid, etc. and in the contemporary French writers such as Voltaire and Diderot.(2) A partial reaction against the fires of passion blazed in the late Renaissance, especially inthe Metaphysical poetry.(3) Stresses on the classical artistic ideals of order, logic, proportion, restrained emotion,accuracy, good taste and decorum.(4) Neo-classical writers are: John Dryden, Alexander Pope, Jonathan Swift, Joseph Addison,Richard Steele, Henry Fielding, Samuel Johnson, Oliver Goldsmith, Edward Gibbon, etc.(5) It had a lasting wholesome influence upon the literature of the coming generation.Alexander Pope (1688-1744)Major worksAn Essay on Criticism (1711), The Rape of the Lock (1712-14),The Dunciad (1728-42), The Essay on Man (1733-34)Jonathan Swift (1667-1745)I. Major WorksA Tale of a Tub (1704) The Battle of Books (1704)“A Modest Proposal” (1730) Gulliver's Travels (1726)II. Analysis of Gulliver's Travels (1726)(1) ThemeIt is a satire on the 18th-century English society, touching upon the political, religious, legal, military, scientific, philosophical as well as literary institutions. It takes great pains to bring to light the wickedness of the then English society, with its tyranny, its political intrigues and corruption, its aggressive wars and colonialism, its religious disputes and persecution, and its ruthless oppression and exploitation of the common people.(2) Narrative features(A) Both a fantasy and a realistic work of fiction.(B) The language is very simple, unadorned, straightforward and effective.(C) An apparent innocence and honesty of the hero and his account, the direct, truthful, detailed presentation of people and things encountered set off the biting satire and a desperate indignation of the writer.(D) Tidy structural arrangement. The four seemingly independent parts are linked up by the central idea of social satire and make up an organic whole.(E) From outward-homeward-bound motif to a darkening gradation of incident and a growingperversion of the hero; on one hand, from a chance shipwreck to man-made misfortunes and intended mutinies. The hero's attitude towards mankind changes from firm belief to doubt, further doubt, and finally to dislike.The Rise of the English Novel and DefoeDaniel Defoe (1660-1731)1. Features of his Novels(1) Picaresque tradition(2) Autobiographical form and first person narration(3) Journalistic style with great detail and specific time and space(4) LanguageDiction: plain, smooth, easy, direct, and colloquial but never coarseSyntax: long, rambling sentences without strong pauses to give his style an urgent, immediate, breathless quality, but the units of meaning are small and clear with frequent repetition so that the writing gives an impression of simple lucidity.2. A Brief Analysis of Robinson Crusoe(1) Story: a Alexander Selkirk who once stayed alone on the uninhabited island Juan Fernandez for 5 years(2) Different levels of meaning(a) Adventurous story; (b) Moral tale; (c) Commercial account; (d) Puritan fable; (e)Myth of modern civilization.(3) Theme:(a) It celebrates the strength of human rational will to conquer the natural environment.(b) Robinson is the very prototype of the empire builder, the pioneer colonist. His success was due to the sturdy qualities in his character, to his own unaided efforts, to his courage and patience, to his practical skill, and to his intelligent persistence.Chapter 5 The Romantic Period(The Romantic Movement starts in 1798 and ends in 1832)1. Definitions:Romanticism: Romanticism is a term applied to literary and artistic movements of the late 18th and early 19th century. It can be seen as a rejection of the precepts of order, calm, harmony, balance, idealization, and rationality that typified classicism in general and late 18th-century neoclassicism in particular. It was also to some extent a reaction against the Enlightenment and against 18th-century rationalism and physical materialism in general. Inspired in part by the libertarian ideals of the French Revolution, the romantics believed in a return to nature and in the innate goodness of humans, as expressed by Jean Jacques Rousseau. They emphasized the individual, the subjective, the irrational, the imaginative, the personal, the spontaneous, the emotional, the visionary, and the transcendental. They also showed interest in the medieval, exotic, primitive, and nationalistic. Critics date English literary romanticism from the publication of William Wordsworth and S. T. Coleridge's Lyrical Ballads in 1798 to the death of Sir Walter Scott and the passage of the first reform bill in the Parliament in 1832.2. Romantic poets:a. William Blake (1757-1827)Poetical Sketches (1783) (a collection of youthful verse with notes of joy, laughter and love) Songs of Innocence(1809) (presenting a happy and innocent world, though not without itsevils and sufferings)Songs of Experience(1794) (painting a different world, a world of misery, poverty, disease, war and repression with a melancholy tone)Marriage of Heaven and Hell (1790) (marking Blake's entry into maturity)b.William Wordsworth (1770-1850)c. Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834)Major worksPoems: a. the demonic poemse.g. (1) “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner”; (2) “Christabel”; (3) “Kubla Khan”b. the conversational poemse.g. “Frost at Midnight” “Dejection : an Ode”d. George Gordon Byron (1788-1824)e. Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822)"Ode to the West Wind” (1819f. John Keats (1795-1821)Odes: The odes are generally regarded as Keats's most important and mature works.“Ode on a Grecian Urn”g. Jane Austen (1775-1817)William Wordsworth (1770-1850)All good poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings which originates from emotion recollected in tranquility.I. Major works(1) Lyrical Ballads (1798)(2) Prelude, or Growth of a Poet’s Mind (1850)II. Selected readings(1) “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud”Main ideaThe poem is crystal clear and lucid. By recounting a little episode, the poet gives a description of the scene and of the feelings that match it. Then he abstracts the total emotional value of the experience and concludes by summing that up. Below the immediate surface, we find that all the realistic details of the flowers, the trees, the waves, the wind, and all the accompanying sensations of active joy, are absorbed into an over-all concrete metaphor, the recurrent image of the dance, which appears in every stanza. The flowers, the stars, the waves are units in this dancing pattern of order in diversity, of linked eternal harmony and vitality. Through the revelation and recognition of his kinship with nature, the poet himself becomes as it were a part of the whole cosmic dance.Paraphrase(1)I, alone, walked slowly around the valleys and hills, like a lonely cloud moving slowly over. Suddenly, I saw bundles and bundles of golden daffodils growing beside the lake or under the trees. In the breeze, the daffodils moved lightly and quickly as if they were dancing. Paraphrase(2)The yellow flowers fluttered and danced without a stop just like the stars that shine and change their light in the Milky Way. These flowers grew in a long line that extended without an end along the edge of a bay. I had a quick look at the ten thousand flowers when they moved their heads asthey were dancing lively.Paraphrase(3)The waves in the lake next to the daffodils also danced together; but the joyful daffodils danced better than the glimmering waves. I was very cheerful because I have such pleasant companions. And I couldn't help looking steadily and admir ing at the daffodils for a long time, but I didn’t realize at that moment that the scene of the dancing daffodils had brought me something to be cherished forever.Paraphrase(4)Very often, when I recline on my couch, feeling empty or thinking deeply and sadly, dancing daffodils emerge in my mind and inspire my solitary heart. This is the very happiness and comfort for me, a lonely being. Thus my heart, dancing with the golden daffodils, will be full of satisfaction and happiness.George Gordon Byron (1788-1824)Major works(1) Childe Harold's Pilgrimage(2) Don JuanThe Byronic Hero(1) A proud, mysterious rebel figure of noble origin.(2) With immense superiority in his passions and powers.(3) To right all the wrongs in a corrupt society.(4) Rise single-handedly against tyrannical rules with unconquerable wills and inexhaustibleenergies.Percy Bysshe Shelley(1792-1822)1. Major works(1) Queen Mab (1813) (2) Prometheus Unbound (1819)(3) lyrics: "Ode to the West Wind” (1819)“The cloud” “To a Skylark” (1820)(4) Adonais (1821) (5) In Defence of Poetry (1822)"Ode to the West Wind"Ode: The ode is a lyric poem of some length, dealing with a lofty(崇高的) theme in a dignified manner. (praising and glorifying an individual,Commemorating纪念an event, or describing nature intellectually rather than emotionally).Themes(1) The cycle of the seasons(2) Destroyer and preserver(3) Wind sweeps across the land.(4) Wind sweeps across the sky.(5) Wind sweeps across the ocean.(6) Wind and man:Young: tameless, radical, brave, passionate, energetic, courageous, with strong imagination Old: tamed, conservative, inactive, indifferent, cold, loss of imaginationJane Austen (1775-1817)1. Characteristics of her works(1) Chief InterestMain concern is about human beings in their personal relations, human beings with theirfamilies and neighbors.(2) Narrownessthe range of experience.The subject matter, the character range, the moral setting, physical setting and social setting, and plots are all restricted to the provincial or village life of nineteenth-century England, absolute accuracy and sureness by never stepping beyond the limits of her knowledge.3. The Works of Jane AustinSense and Sensibility (1811),Pride and Prejudice (1813),Mansfield Park (1814),Emma (1816)Persuasion and Northanger Abbey (published posthumously by her brother in 1818)4. Pride and Prejudice (First Impressions )(1) Themesgood judgment (pride and prejudice)love and marriage(a) those who marry for money, position and property,(b) those who marry just for passion(c) and those who marry for love which is based on consideration of t he person’s personalmerit as well as his economical and social status.(3) Selected readingMain idea:The selection is the first chapter of the novel, in which the parents of the Bennet girls are busy considering the prospects of their daughters’ marri ages shortly after hearing of the arrival of a rich unmarried young man, Mr. Bingley, as their neighbor.In this selection, we can find mild satire in the author’s seemingly matter-of-fact description of the conversation between Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, in the vivid portrait of the husband and the wife, and, specifically, in the opening sentence. The relationship of the husband and wife and their attitude towards each other are also subtly presented.Mrs. Bennet, an empty-headed woman, is simple and naive, eager to talk with any slight encouragement. Mr. Bennet is a man of intricate character and quick wit. His teasing tone and sarcastic humor are just beyond his wife’s understanding.Homework1. The characterization in Pride and PrejudiceHow many types of characters have been portrayed in this novel? Who are they? What are their characteristics?2. Austen’s Marital View reflected in Pride and Prejudice.Chapter 6The Victorian Period(Reign of Queen Victorian from 1836 to 1901)Major ContentA.Charles Dickens (1812-1870)1. Major works: Early period: The Pickwick Papers; Oliver Twist; David CopperfieldLate Period: Bleak House; A Tale of Two Cities; Great Expectations2. Special FeaturesB. William M. Thackeray (1811-1863)1. Some features of his works2. V anity FairC. Charlotte Bronte (1816-1855)Jane EyreD. Emily Bronte (1818-1848)Wuthering HeightsE. Alfred Tennyson (1809-1892)F. Robert Browning (1812-1889)“My Last Duchess”G. George Eliot (1819-1880)Middlemarch(1872)H. Thomas Hardy (1840-1928)The Victorian Period and DickensCharles Dickens (1812-1870)Major worksThe Pickwick Papers, Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, Bleak House, A Tale of Two Cities, Great ExpectationsAnalysis of Great Expectations(1) StoryPip, Joe Gargery, Miss Havisham, Estella , Magwitch, Biddy, Satis House(2) Themes(a) A novel about "great expectations", or dreams and disillusions.(b) The personal development of Pip from a innocent, honest boy to a vain, selfish, snobbish young gentleman. The painful experience in the struggle to grow up, to “climb up” or to succeed in the commercialized world.The Bildungsroman("novel of formation") is a genre of the novel which focuses on the psychological and moral growth of the protagonist from youth to adulthood. The genre arose during the German Enlightenment.A Bildungsroman tells about the growing up or coming of age of a sensitive person who is looking for answers and experience. Usually in the beginning of the story there is an emotional loss which makes the protagonist leave on his journey.Thomas Hardy (1840-1928)“All his novels present the losing struggle of individuals against the obscure power which moves the universe.1. Major worksThe Return of the Native (1878) , The Mayor of Casterbridge (1886) Tess of D’Urbervilles (1891) Jude the Obscure (1896).2. A brief analysis of Tess of D’Urbervilles(1) The storyMajor characters: Alec, Tess, Angel Clare (a triangle)(2) ThemesA.determinism(a) Tess, a pure woman, wages a loosing battle against the evil society 纯真的少女vs.邪恶的社会(b) Once a thief, always a thief. Once a victim, always a victim. Although Tess is a beautiful, innocent, honest, sweet-natured, and hard-working country girl, she can not avoid being played with by fate.Determinism & NaturalismDeterminism refers to the belief or theory that human actions and events are controlled by and result from causes that determine them. Characters who illustrate determinism act without free will in accordance with forces beyond their control.Naturalism: A post-Darwinism movement in the late 19thcentury that tried to apply the “laws” of scientific determinism to fiction. The naturalists went beyond the realists’ insistence on the objective presentation of the details of everyday life and insisted that materials of literature should be arranged to reflect a deterministic universe in which a person is a biological creature controlled by this environment and heredity. There is an emphasis of chance or coincidence and the character’s p assivity in naturalistic works, and the toner is rather pessimistic. Major writers of British literature include Hardy and Gissing.B. Criticism of social conventions of VictorianEngland (ideas of social class as well as thesexual double standard);A Patriarchal Society(男权制的社会): men dominating women(3) Structure(a)A cyclical pattern, divided into three parts. The first part is a prelude, telling how Tess leaves home and encounters Alec. She was seduced by Alec and comes back home disgraced. This is the first cycle, beginning in May and ending in August.(b) The second part is the main love story meeting with Angel at Talbothays. It begins in May, reaches its climax at the turning of the year and ends in the following winter.(c) The last part represents her decline. Forced by poverty, Tess returns to Alec until Angel comes to claim her. In shame and anger, Tess kills Alec, and is finally arrested and executed. This part starts in winter and ends in spring.Chapter 7 The Modern Period( the early decades of 20th century, before WWWI)A. Joseph ConradHeart of Darkness (1902)B. Oscar Wilde (Art for Art’s sake)Major works: The importance of Being EarnestC. George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950)Greatest dramatist in modern time in British literary history, won Nobel Prize in 1925.Major Works: PygmalionD.Virginia WoolfA novelistMajor Works: Mrs. Dalloway, The Waves, To the LighthouseStream of Consciousness is a narrative mode that se eks to portray an individual’s point of view by giving the written equivalent of the character’s thought processes, either in a loose interior monologue, or in connection to his or her actions.。
哈姆雷特英语作文Hamlet is a play written by William Shakespeare. It's about a prince who is visited by the ghost of his father, the former king, and is told that his uncle, now the king, murdered him. Hamlet is torn between avenging his father's death and his own moral beliefs. He pretends to be mad in order to gather evidence against his uncle, but his actions ultimately lead to tragedy.The character of Hamlet is complex and multi-dimensional. He is intelligent and introspective, often contemplating the meaning of life and the nature of existence. At the same time, he is also impulsive and prone to rash decisions, which ultimately contribute to his downfall.One of the most famous quotes from the play is "To be, or not to be: that is the question." This line reflects Hamlet's internal struggle with the idea of existence and whether it is better to endure the hardships of life or toend it altogether. It's a powerful and thought-provoking moment in the play.The themes of betrayal, revenge, and madness arecentral to the story of Hamlet. The play explores the consequences of seeking revenge and the toll it takes on the avenger. It also delves into the idea of madness and how it can be both real and feigned, blurring the lines between sanity and insanity.Overall, Hamlet is a timeless and compelling work of literature that continues to resonate with audiences today. Its exploration of complex themes and its flawed, enigmatic protagonist make it a classic that will continue to be studied and performed for generations to come.。
Is Hamlet Mad?Whether Hamlet‟s madness is genuine or feigned is a topic worthwhile to be discussed. In my opinion, Hamlet‟s madness is more akin to temporary insanity, caused by his high intelligence, profound insight, and great depression. Frustrated by his father‟s death, his mother‟s rapid marriage, his uncle‟s seizure of the throne and his father‟s murder told by a ghost, Hamlet‟s personality undergoes severe stresses due to the situations encountered, and his despair and grief is obvious and understandable. Although frustration maybe the cause that drives him mad, it is still very hard to judge whether he is really mad or not.Insanity is very like his masquerade.He mentions three times that he will act mad: the first time is after he sees the ghost and thinks that “How strange or odd some‟er I bear myself; as I perchance hereafter shall think meet to put an antic disposition on.”; the second time is before the play within the play, Hamlet bids Horatio to observe Claudius‟s reaction and he says “They are coming to the play. I must be idle. Get you a place.” And he also tells his mother that he is not mad, but “mad in craft”. It seemingly shows Hamlet is pretending to be mad. Madness is an ingenious way to distract people‟s attention and dispel doubt; instead, Hamlet‟s insanity draws everyone‟s attention to him and arouses Claudius‟s fear and suspicion. “Nor what he spake, thought it lacked form a little, was not like madness…Madness in great ones must not unwatched go.”In this light, Hamlet‟s purpose to hide behind insanity becomes obscure.There exists no sign of insanity in the private conversations with the way Hamlet is talking with his friend Horatio, whom he trusts deeply. “Since my dear soul was mistress of her choice,…Sh‟hath sealed thee for herself.”To Horatio, Hamlet fully reveals his heart and intention: before the play Hamlet asks Horatio to “give him (Claudius) heedful note, for I mine eyes will rivet to his face, and after we will both our judgments join in censure of his seeming”; later, he tells Horatio how he escapes the misfortune by forge the commission; at last, when Horatio intends to commit suicide, Hamlet stops him, saying “If thou didst ever hold me in thy heart, absent thee from felicity awhile, and in this harsh world draw thy breath in pain, to tell my story.”His words not only show his trust and reliance on Horatio, but his reason and sanity as well.“Though this be madness, yet there is method in‟t.” This is Polonius‟s comment, maybe reader‟s comment as well, on Hamlet‟s “nonsense”. When he “needs” to say those “nonsense”, he often deliberately refers to animals, trying to indicate he is a wild and irrational creature himself. When we closely analyze his word, we may discover “how pregnant sometimes his replies are.”For instance, when he talks with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, he says “I am but mad north-north-west; when the wind is southerly, I know a hawk from a handsaw.”Hawk stands for his father, elegant and courageous; handsaw his uncle Claudius, trivial and powerless. And later he replies the king‟s greeting: “Excellent i‟faith, of the chameleon‟s dish, I eat the air, promise-crammed-you cannot feed capons so.”In his mind, everyone around is chameleons; they fool him with their lies and flattery. Hamlet‟s “nonsense” does make sense, able to stay focused.However, some of his foul plays are seemingly done out of reason and control, and he can be excused by no reasons except his insanity.The famous soliloquy “to be or not to be”evidently shows Hamlet‟s suicidal tendency. Maybe somebody will reject this idea for the possibility that Hamlet knows Claudius and Polonius are hiding, so he says it on purpose. But as early as Act II Sc I, in his mother‟s wedding instantly following his father‟s funeral, his grief first borders on irrational suicidal tendencies. “O that this too too solid flesh would melt, thaw, and resolve itself into a dew! Or that the Everlasting had not fixed his canon …gainst self-slaughter!”At this moment, Hamlet has no idea of his father‟s murder, but already thinks about suicide. Is anyone whose father died and mother remarries needs death to help him out of the predicament?He indirectly kills his two friends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. They are supposed to be Hamlet‟s childhood friends, as the queen says “he (Hamlet) hath much talked of [them], … and two men there are not living to whom he more adheres.” And Hamlet‟s own words also confirm this friendship, “let me conjure you, by the rights of our fellowship, by the consonancy of our youth, by the obligation of ourever-preserved love.”However he forges a new commission, putting his friends to death, for he believes “they did make love to this employment,…their defeat does by their own insinuation grow”. In fact, from the first beginning, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are summoned to comfort and accompany Hamlet, and later, they assume that sending Hamlet to England is for the sake of king‟s safety and Hamlet‟s health, without any intention to bring harm to their friend. They can not know the content of the commission previously, because, as Claudius says, “everything is sealed and done that else leans on th‟affair”. Is their fault that doing as the king commands is serious and evil enough to sentence them to death?The other two he kills are Polonius and Ophelia. Although Polonius strives to do anything to please the king, he does nothing to hurt Hamlet. It is hard to tell whether Polonius deserves this ending or not, but Hamlet must be definitely responsible for Ophelia‟s madness and death. In Ophelia‟s funeral, he claims that “I loved Ophelia; forty thousand brothers could not with all their quantity of love make up my sum”. In reality, he is very cruel to her and he kills Polonius by a mistake without any repentance or any regard of Ophelia, his lover‟s feeling. Is this a proper action of an intellectual and reasonable man?So I conclude that Hamlet is indeed a man of integrity, sensibility and intelligence but he really does some wrong deeds, probably due to his rash impulsiveness, or more importantly his temporary insanity.。