Hamlet Ao3 Flashcards
Flashcard 1
Q: What is a tragedy in literature?
A: A tragedy is a drama about problems of a tragic hero, a noble or admired character defined by a fatal flaw leading to a series of events ending in catharsis and a restoration of order.
Q: How is a tragic hero typically characterized
A: A tragic hero is noble or admired but has a fatal flaw (hamartia), which leads to a downfall and suffering.
: Who was Seneca, and why is he significant to the development of tragedy?
Seneca was an ancient Roman playwright whose works heavily influenced Renaissance tragedy. His heroes had little sense of inner self, unlike Hamlet.
How did Shakespeare’s tragedies evolve from Seneca’s influence?
Shakespeare’s early tragedies, like Titus Andronicus, featured violence and cruelty similar to Seneca’s works but later became subtler and focused more on individual suffering (Macbeth, Othello).
What is revenge tragedy, and how does it relate to Hamlet?
Revenge tragedy is a sub-genre of tragedy, popular during the Renaissance, characterized by a ghost seeking vengeance, madness, and a central avenger, as seen in Hamlet.
Which play influenced Hamlet, and who wrote it?
The Spanish Tragedy by Thomas Kyd influenced Hamlet. It was written about ten years earlier and features elements such as a ghost and revenge.
What key elements from The Spanish Tragedy are mirrored in Hamlet?
Both plays include a ghost seeking to avenge its death, themes of madness, and characters named Horatio.
What was there which-craft act passed and what was it ?
1542- whichcraft was punishable by death
Who wrote deamonologie ?
James 1 - warning about the dangers of black magic, beginning the story with a ghost would have engaged an audience who were both fearful and fascinated by magic and the supernatural.
When was the play first performed
1602 - Elizabeth had been on the throne for forty years
Why was their political uncertainty and fear during Elizabeth’s reign
She had no children and no clear heir to the throne, could have ended uncertainty by naming an heir but refused to, causing an air of anxiety and unease.
Why did Elizabeth provide England with stability in a political sense ?
Her long reign represented peace after turmoil caused by her father king Henry the eighth who broke away from the catholic church
How has Shakespeare avoided the problem of the Bishops ban (1599)
By setting the play in Denmark he was able to explore controversial issues such as blasphemy and danger, perhaps employing criticism of the queen’s spy network, without facing censorship
Which character could be suggested to be influenced by Mary queen of Scots ?
Gertrude- Mary was cousins with Elizabeth 1. Mary like Gertrude, failed to observe a proper period of mourning following the death of her husband , and actually went on to marry the man suspected of his murder.
How did Elizabeth conduct her relationships in court
In the style of a Petrarchan lover - stereotypical romantic love relationship, in which the woman is untouchable and a perfect beauty
Quote from Elizabeth that shows that she maintains her political sway by professing her masculinity
I know I have, but the body a weak and feeble woman but I have a heart of a king and a king of England too
What does Elizabeth’s quote suggest about the patriarchal system that she experienced
She could be not be a strong woman politically- she had to be a man in her head and heart, but play up to her physical femininity
How may the death of Shakespeares son have influenced the play?
In 1596 hamnet died aged 11, hamnet and hamlet considered to be the same name (Steven Greenblatt)
What year was Elizabeth excommunicated by pope pius V and why
1570 Elizabeth was labelled a heretic for making England a Protestant nation, enemy of the catholic state and a target for catholics hiding their practices.
What did Elizabeth and Cecil and walsingham establish to combat the threat to Elizabeth’s throne?
A spy network first of its kind led by Francis walsingham, one of her most loyal ministers. The network unearthed a series of plots to overthrow a Elizabeth and replace with Mary queen of Scots
What did Protestants believe about ghosts
They could only be devices of the devil
What did the catholics believe that Protestants didn’t?
Purgatory ‘ confined to fast in fires….till the foul crimes…… are burnt and purged away’
