Notes on Hamlet and The Tempest

Hamlet
Hamlet is a prime example of a play with a tragic recognition, a character's psychological recognition of their flaws as a human being. In Act 1 Scene 1, the ghost of his father tells Hamlet to avenge his death, at the hands of his brother, Hamlet's uncle, Claudius. This is a small recognition that, something is rotten in Denmark.
Hamlet is a primary example of a melancholoy character, whose humor is black bile.
There are also numerous puns within this play. Example "I am too much in the sun." Hamlet has become a son to another person and this makes him "in the sun" too much.
Like most melancholy characters Hamlet is obsessed with the idea of acting. Look for the words, act, play, put on ,perform, and seem.
Hamlet's first soliloquoy has three great recognitions:
1. Suffering is universal
2. Life is fleeting
3.Corruption of the flesh
As an interesting note Dr. Sexson, and many others, see Polonius as on of the biggest asses in all of Shakespeare. However Shakespeare frequently puts wise words in the mouths of asses because it is true that often stupid people say wise things.
Memory and destiny are the most important things in Shakespeare. Hamlet mentions them to Horatio before the fatal final battle.

The Tempest
Prospero is a great example of the fantastical duke of dark corners.
The storm in the play isn't real. It is the work of Prospero, a micromanager, who sees things through in infinite detail.

Marilyn