"Hamlet"

Paper Summary:

This paper analyzes William Shakespeare's use of ceremony, pomp and circumstance in "Hamlet". The paper discusses the ways in which Shakespeare takes advantage of familiarity, custom and tradition in "Hamlet" to engage modern audiences in much the same way Shakespearean audiences might have enjoyed the work in historical times.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Analysis of Ophelia's Death and Funeral Procession
Conclusions

From the Paper:

"In Hamlet's play Ophelia, daughter of Polonius, represents the beauty inherent in young women. Hamlet had fallen in love with Ophelia, described by Shakespeare as an "innocent and sweet girl", someone who was likely to obey the wishes of her elders and depend on the guidance of her father and brothers to determine how to behave (Phillips, 2005). In Hamlet Ophelia lapses into a state of madness and eventually drowns in the river, however even at this moment in the play Ophelia is ceremoniously represented as innocent and "maidenly" dying surrounded by garlands and flowers, suggesting nothing, including death could defeat her maidenly and innocent demeanor (Phillips, 2005)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Burne, Charlotte. Shropshire Folklore: A Sheaf of Gleanings. Shrewsbury: Adnitt and Naunton, 1883.
• Morris, R. "The innocent and touching custom of maidens' garlands: A field report." Folklore, December. 3, December 2005: <http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2386/is_3_114/ai_n6118467>
• Phillips, Brian. SparkNote on Hamlet. 7 Dec. 2005 <http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/hamlet/>.
• Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. London: Penguin Books, 1999

More papers on "Hamlet":

• Analytical Essay # 5961 : "Hamlet"
• Analytical Essay # 4431 : "Hamlet": Act III Scene II"
• Analytical Essay # 3438 : "Reading Hamlet as a Murder Mystery"
• Analytical Essay # 2086 : "The Other Type Of Hero: The Tragedy of Hamlet"

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