Remembrance is the key factor to every person’s past life. So one can agree with Hammersmith in that without memory, which actually develops through remembrance, all our former experience vanishes and seems never to have existed. The only thing remaining is the ‘Here and Now‘, the single moment we experience something. Past and present do not have any further significance for our lives (cf. JSTOR trusted archives for scholarship). In his play Hamlet, William Shakespeare represents characters who seemingly have a past and whose lives are strongly influenced by this. In Hamlet ‘Shakespeare appears to have given exceptional care and thought to the problem of dramatizing the past’ (Alexander, 1971: 38). Through various techniques which will be discussed and developed in this essay, he gives his characters a whole life consisting of a past, which influences their present and, even more strongly, their future actions. This essay will show how Shakespeare manages to combine past and present without disturbing the common time-related order of the play. In addition, I will show how Shakespeare’s audience is informed about all the crucial events it has to know in order to understand what is happening on stage, although past and present time are presented in an uncommon way.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The Ghost as a Device for Exposition
3. The Dumb Show and Dramatic Revelation
4. Memory and the Dramatization of the Past
5. Contrast Between Past and Present
6. Conclusion
Objectives and Themes
This essay explores the sophisticated techniques employed by William Shakespeare to dramatize the past within the tragedy of Hamlet, focusing on how the playwright balances historical exposition with the immediate dramatic action on stage.
- The intersection of memory, forgetting, and the present moment.
- The use of the ghost as a narrative and dramaturgical device.
- The function of the "play within the play" as a flash of revelation.
- The symbolic contrast between past and present through character interaction and setting.
- The preservation of identity through memory and language.
Excerpt from the Book
The contrast between past and present, however, is clearly symbolized by Claudius and Hamlet.
The past seems to be connected with darkness, night and gloomy colours and the moment the scene changes to the appearance of King Claudius and his wife which is announced to be a ‘flourish’ (Hamlet 1.2) one, the day awakes and the audience finds itself in a new, bright present time (Lecture 19-11-08). One can further agree with Alexander that not only the colours demonstrate the contrast, but also Claudius’ speech leaves no room for doubt. He definitely does not want to remember the past and also wants his vassal to forget old King Hamlet as quickly as possible. ‘So much for him [Hamlet]. Now for ourself and this time of meeting’ (Hamlet, 1.2. 25-26). He even declares it a sin to wallow in memories. ‘But to persever In obstinate condolement is a course Of impious stubbornness. ‘Tis unmanly grief. It shows a will most incorrect to heaven, A heart unfortified, and mind impatient, An understanding simple and unschooled’ (Hamlet,1.2. 92-97). Claudius wants Hamlet to forget that death is not always natural.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter establishes the core premise of the essay, noting the importance of memory in keeping the past alive and introducing Shakespeare’s use of dramatic devices to integrate historical information into the play.
2. The Ghost as a Device for Exposition: This section examines how the appearance of the ghost of King Hamlet serves to inform the audience about the political history of Denmark and the inciting incidents of the plot.
3. The Dumb Show and Dramatic Revelation: This analysis focuses on the "play within the play" as an efficient mechanism for revealing past crimes to the audience while heightening future tension.
4. Memory and the Dramatization of the Past: This chapter discusses Hamlet’s personal obsession with remembering his father and the role of the soliloquy as a mnemonic device.
5. Contrast Between Past and Present: This section contrasts the characters of Hamlet and Claudius, highlighting their opposing attitudes toward the past and remembrance.
6. Conclusion: The final chapter summarizes how Shakespeare successfully creates realistic characters with depth by grounding them in a past that actively influences their present and future actions.
Keywords
Hamlet, William Shakespeare, Memory, Past, Present, Ghost, Dramatization, Claudius, Remembrance, Tragedy, Exposition, Performance, Identity, Literature, Narrative.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this essay?
The essay examines the dramatization of the past in Shakespeare's Hamlet, specifically analyzing how memory and forgetting are used to drive the narrative and bring historical events into collision with the present.
What are the central thematic fields discussed?
The central themes include the function of memory, the influence of past events on future actions, the nature of dramatic exposition, and the symbolic representation of time.
What is the main research question or objective?
The objective is to demonstrate how Shakespeare integrates information about the past without disrupting the chronological flow of the play, while showing the dramatic conflict between different characters' relationships to memory.
Which scientific method is applied in this work?
The work utilizes a literary analysis approach, drawing upon historical context, performance theory, and critical secondary literature to interpret Shakespeare’s dramaturgical techniques.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The body covers the role of the ghost as an expository device, the dramatic function of the "dumb show," the psychological aspect of Hamlet’s obsession with remembrance, and the symbolic contrast between the characters of Hamlet and Claudius.
Which keywords characterize the work?
Key terms include Hamlet, Shakespeare, Memory, Past, Dramatization, and Tragedy, reflecting the focus on both the play's structure and its thematic content.
How does the author interpret the role of the ghost?
The author views the ghost as a sophisticated dramatic device rather than just a supernatural figure, essential for providing necessary context about the murder and the political instability of Denmark.
Why does Hamlet insist on his own memory?
Hamlet clings to memory as a way to preserve his father's identity and fulfill the moral obligation of revenge, contrasting with Claudius, who seeks to erase the past to maintain his illegitimate power.
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- Eileen Waugh (Autor:in), 2008, On Shakespeares "Hamlet" - past and present, memory and forgetting, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/164886
