Hamlet and Loyalty

Module B – Critical Study of Texts
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW!

Students develop a deep analytical and critical knowledge and understanding of ONE prescribed text.

STUDENTS MUST DEVELOP THEIR OWN INFORMED VIEW
Do not emphasise the views of others but refine their own interpretation against that of others.
Discussing and evaluating the context and perspective of others.
Textual integrity is defined as:
‘The unity of a text, its coherent form and language to produce an integrated whole in terms of meaning and value. An exploration of this allows the students to arrive at a sense of the texts distinctiveness and enduring value.
Module B deals with questions of textual integrity, significance and value.
The ideas expressed in the text are explored through an analysis of construction, content and language and how the features of the text contribute to textual integrity
HAMLET
William Shakespeare SO…WHAT’S IT ABOUT?

ESSENTIALLY, HAMLET IS A PLAY ABOUT HUMAN EXPERIENCE, THUS ITS ENDURING APPEAL ACROSS TIME. IT IS HOW SHAKESPEARE DEALS WITH THIS MATERIAL THAT ALLOWS THE RESPONDER TO ENGAGE WITH THE TEXT AND ALLOW IT TO RESONATE AS SIGNIFICANT.

Shakespeare explores the following aspects of Human experience within Hamlet:

It is important that you explore these ideas in relation to the module rubric and an over all understanding of the characters, the textual form, content and context of the text.

DOES THIS TEXT SUCCEED IN REACHING THE RESPONDER? HOW DO THESE IDEAS CONTRIBUTE OR DETRACT FROM THIS SUCCESS?
Hamlet and Loyalty

Loyalty is a considerable thematic concern of Shakespeare throughout the revenge tragedy, Hamlet. In essence, significant human relationships develop based on trust and acts of loyalty towards one another. Shakespeare suggests that acts of trust, faith, devotion, fidelity and reliability are essential in maintaining such relationships and ensuring the natural order is supported. Conversely, acts of disloyalty are shown to wreak havoc on individuals and their society.

Loyalty is displayed throughout Hamlet in the following circumstances:

* Hamlet demonstrates loyalty to his father and his father’s memory

* Hamlet demonstrates loyalty to Denmark

* Gertrude can be viewed as disloyal to King Hamlet

* Gertrude can also be seen as a loyal character – how?

* Claudius demonstrates disloyalty to Hamlet and the State of Denmark

* It can be ‘read’ that Hamlet feels that the nature of women’s love is disloyal

* Laertes demonstrates loyalty to his father

* Loyalty in friendship is demonstrated by Horatio and this is juxtaposed with the disloyalty of Rozencrantz and Guildenstein.

When examining these ideas it is essential that you do the following:

Examine the concern

How is it presented to us?

How we perceive it?

How does this contribute to textual integrity? VALUE/SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TEXT STUDENT’S PERCEPTION.