context Flashcards
where did the story of hamlet originate
traced back to norse legend in 1200ad
what is different about the old story and hamets story
reflects more on deeper thoughts (a renaissance way of thinking)
what was the renaissance
the revival of greek and latin texts. and a focus on humanism
what way of thinking do laertes and fortinbras reflect
medieval
black and white, action, honour and valour
which character reflects a renaissance way of thinking
hamlet
what was michelle de montaigne’s idea
he said reason was limited. we live in a world of appearances not truth or reality
who was ruling when was hamlet written
it was the end of elizabeth I reign
what was significant about the political state at the time
uncertainty, she had no heir so they didnt know the future of the crown (uncertainty mirrored in Denmark)
who wrote the blueprint for a revenge tragedy
thomas kyd
what is a revenge tragedy include
bloody violent scenes
maddness
ghosts
a play within a play
revenge
what was happening with religion at the time
there was the purging or catholics under elizabeths father (henry viii)
how would the state of religion be described
uncertain (mirrored in denmark)
what are the catholic vs protestant views of ghosts
p - ghost are evil
c - ghosts are from purgatory
what is the great chain of being
god
king
nobles/aristocrats
peasants
what kind of society was it at the time
patriarchal
what was the mens role
ordering women
positions of power
brave
what was the womens role
submissive
obedient
seen not heard
possessions
(value in marriage)
What were jacobeans afraid of
God fearing
What were supernatural forces commonly regarded to be
Harmful and dangerous
What was king james I very interested in
The supernatural
What 5 components are a part of aristotles tragedy’s
-serious
-tells a full story at a good length
-rhythm and harmony
-performed not narrated
-arouses feeling of pity and fear
What did shakespeare and many other writers at this time try to do
Write plays to match the ideals of Aristotle
When did Senecas work make it over to England
1500s - through translation
-inspired a lot of writers
What parts of Senecas work inspired hamlet
Revenge was a key theme in a lot of his plays
-he associated revenge with ghosts
What happened through Senecas work
Elements such as blood violence, grand rhetorical speeches and the appearance of ghosts became a part staged production
What was hamlets ghost father inspired by
The ghosts of Senecas Agamemnon and Thyestes
What other element of Senecas influence is in hamlet
Stoicism
What was shakespeare fascinated with and why
Mental illness, was influenced by his son in law who was a renowned doctor
what is the body politic
a concept that stated the health and state of the country was measured by that of the king - was essential he was treated with respect and honour
what biblical story can the denmark be compared to after hamlets fathers death
like eden after the fall of man
what is significant about the sepulchre tomb
familiar in renaissance art and writing (reflects hamlets renaissance thinking)
what is significanct about suicide at the time
forbidden by religion 9exposes reality of ophelias death and hamlets respect of religion)
what were attitudes to incest at the time
something wrong in gods eyes and seen to be unlawful - which is why hamlets attitudes towards his mothers marriage was so significant
what is significant about what shakespeare understood about regal mourning
in his time a whole country wouldve worn black following kings death, exposing hamlets mourning as normal
when was hamlet written
1599
what shows the divide between protestants and catholics
catholics would view the ghost as a ‘spirit of health’ but protestants would view it as a ‘goblin damned’ (manifestation of satan
why is it significant hamlet studies at wittenburg
where martin luther published his protestant theses - throughout shakespeare rferences catholicism and protestantism
who is polonius’ character based on
sir william cecil lord burghley
- elizabeths chief minister who believed that spying was the most effective way to maintain order
what does hamlets inability to act also show us about his morals
the 10 commandments in exodus 20 say honour thy father, followed by thou shalt not kill
what did they do commonly with graves
reuse them
