Interpreting Hamlet
Common Critical Interpretations
•
•
•
•
•
•
Religious
Historical/Political
Psychological/Freud
Linguistic/Rhetorical
Feminist
Philosophical
MOTIFS
Hamlet Prompt
Identify a common motif from the play, and
analyze how this motif develops an important
universal theme of the play or how it develops a
theme particular to its culture and time.
MOTIF and THEME
Connect your MOTIF to an important UNIVERSAL THEME.
EARS to CORRUPTION
INCEST To CORRUPTION
STAGE/ACTING to PURPOSE OF REVENGE
STAGE/ACTING to MEANING OF LIFE
MADNESS to UNCERTAINTY OF TRUTH
GARDEN/WEEDS to FALL OF HUMANKIND
LANGUAGE/RHETORIC to UNCERTAINTY OF TRUTH
Literary Analysis:
Introductory Paragraph
1)Universality of Shakespeare’s Hamlet
2)Introduction to the specific motif
3)Brief introduction to the play
4)Purpose of the motif in the play
5)THESIS: Universal message of the motif in the
play
INTRO and THESIS STATMENT
Through the layering of literary motifs and his profound
1 exploration of themes, William Shakespeare’s plays evoke an
2
3
4
5
understanding of humanity that extends beyond his own time
period of Renaissance England. In his play Hamlet, Shakespeare’s
subtle use of the motif of ears demonstrates this depth of
understanding. Whether being used literally or figuratively, there
are over 20 references to ears. These references parallel the
eavesdropping, deceit, manipulation, and corruption that develop
as Shakespeare’s tragic hero, Hamlet, is haunted by the ghost of his
dead father. Distortion of the truth, spread through ears, and
manipulation of people, due to spying and eavesdropping, lead
Hamlet to a philosophical paralysis in trying to determine what the
just response is to an injustice. Set in the kingdom of Elsinore,
Denmark, during Medieval times, the play takes shape in a specific
historical and political milieu; however, Shakespeare’s message,
developed through the multiple references to ears, goes beyond
this limited time and place to illustrate how corruption, driven by
the greed for power and the temptation of lust, has plagued
humanity throughout history.
Literary Analysis:
Body Paragraph
1) Topic sentence: point about the motif
2) Quote lead-in / Context
3) Quote to demonstrate the motif with citation
4) Quote explanation
5) Analysis of how the motif functions in the quote
6) Analysis of the universal meaning of the motif
Body Paragraph
1
2
3
4
2
3
4
5
6
The connection between the literal and figurative references to ears suggests
how corruption works through the body to reach the spirit and also demonstrates the
relationship between a King’s character and the health of his kingdom. In Act I Scene 5
the late King Hamlet comes back as a ghost to warn Hamlet of Claudius’ treachery.
"Now, Hamlet, hear: 'Tis given out, that sleeping in mine orchard, A serpent stung me;
so the whole ear of Denmark is by a forged process of my death Rankly abus'd;"
(I.5.34-38). The Ghost tells Hamlet that it was believed that he (King Hamlet) was
bitten by a snake and died; however, he reveals the true course of events: “Sleeping
within mine orchard, My custom always of the afternoon, Upon my secure hour thy
uncle stole, With juice of cursed hebona in a vial, And in the porches of mine ears did
pour The leperous distilment;" (I.5.59-64). Claudius murdered King Hamlet by pouring
poison into his ear, and because of this, the whole “ear” of Denmark is poisoned.
Claudius, instigated by his greed for power and lust for the Queen, deceives the people
of Denmark and assumes the crown, thus ensuring corruption for the future of
Elsinore. The physical poisoning through the ear leads to the figurative consequences
of a deceived public. The ear emphasizes the path that the corruption takes as it first
tempts and takes over the physical body, but eventually spreads to destroy the entire
the kingdom. As Lord Acton famously said in 1887, “Power tends to corrupt, and
absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men.”
Shakespeare’s portrayal of the corruption in Elsinore mirrors the concerns of his own
time as the reign of Queen Elizabeth was coming to an end, and the determination of
succession to the throne was uncertain. Although Hamlet may speak of the specific
political fears of his time, Shakespeare’s universal message applies to any period of
political instability when corrupt leaders destroy the nation that they lead through the
very deception of their rise to power.
Literary Analysis:
Concluding Paragraph
1) Restate the motif and its purpose
2) Synthesize the most persuasive examples
3) Analyze how the motif develops the universal
message
4) Suggest a significance to the audience
Concluding Paragraph
Shakespeare hints at the corruptibility of humankind through his
references to ears as the symbol of how we perceive information, thus how
we can be deceived through false appearances, treachery, and betrayal. The
conflict of the play stems from the treachery of the poisoning of King Hamlet
through the ear, which mirrors Claudius’ poisoning of the State of Denmark
through his assumption of the crown. The reference to Claudius’ “mildew’d
ear” in contrast to King Hamlet’s virtue reflects the downfall of this once
great kingdom, as the “ear of Denmark” has been misled by this powerhungry and manipulative ruler. Hamlet recognizes the “foolish ear” of the
gullible masses who fall for the false appearances of corruption and, as a
result, contribute to their own self-destruction. Thus, the ear does not equal
corruption; the ear equals human corruptibility. Shakespeare addresses the
conscience of the public to question authority, false appearances, and the
ethical backbone of our leaders. While Hamlet is paralyzed by the corruption
of Denmark’s particular political situation, Shakespeare turns the question to
readers to answer for our own times. Corrupt leaders will always find ways
to manipulate the truth to their own advantage, and it is up to the
conscience of the people to challenge and expose the corruption for what it
is.