Essay about Sub-plots in Hamlet - 1096 Words

Sub-plots in Hamlet There are many things that critics say make Hamlet a Great Work, one of which is the way that Shakespeare masterfully incorporates so many sub-plots into the story, and ties them all into the main plot of Hamlet’s revenge of his father’s murder. By the end of Act I, not only is the main plot identified, but many other sub-plots are introduced. Among the sub-plots are trust in the Ghost of King Hamlet, Fortinbras, and the relationship between Hamlet and Ophelia. These three sub-plots are crucial to making Hamlet the master piece that it is. In the times that Shakespeare lived ghosts were a readily accepted idea, but one had to be wary of them because it was difficult to decipher a good ghost from a bad one.†¦show more content†¦To take this sub-plot out would have left the reader/audience with many questions, especially in Shakespeare’s time. People would wonder if the ghost was of good intent, and if Hamlet was wise in revenging his father. In many versions of Hamlet, the character of Fortinbras is taken out. Fortinbras is the heir to Norway, but his father lost almost all of his inheritance to King Hamlet. Fortinbras wanted revenge, but he was told he could not take it because the land was lost fairly in an agreed contract. Fortinbras represents Hamlet after he has learned of his father’s murder, the only difference is that he does not take revenge because King Fortinbras was not murdered. Although what he contributes can easily be omitted from the play, many feel that it ruins the play at the end. After all of the heirs to the Denmark throne have been killed, Fortinbras comes to Denmark from a victorious conquer of Poland. In his dying breath Hamlet said, But I do prophesy th’election lights On Fortinbras. He has my dying voice (308). Because much of the Denmark land once was Fortinbras’ inheritance, Fortinbras was enable to claim the kingdom. This ending is needed to make the play a true tragedy. According to Aristotle, a tragedy is a a conflict between the protagonist and a superior force, . . . reaching a sorrowful or disastrous conclusion that excites pity or terror while leaving one with a sense of reconciliation rather than one ofShow MoreRelatedThe Aristotelian Method Of Shakespeare s Hamlet Essay1805 Words   |  8 Pagesway? In Hamlet, there is evidence of all of the six elements that Aristotle thought created a successful tragedy, as well as a turning point. This method of analyzing can help to separate and analyze a lot of what makes Hamlet such a successful and classic play. From the plot to the spectacle, Hamlet shows evidence of everything. Even if this method isn’t the best way to analyze Hamlet, it does create a good starting point for taking the play apart piece by piece, starting with the plot. 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