Setting and Background of Hamlet(Group 1)
Role of Women:
By looking closely at the women roles in Hamlet, you can get an idea of what the roles of women were in the Shakespearean times. The women are shown as weak. When Laertes sobs at Ophelia's grave, he declares that "When these are gone, /The woman will be out." By this he means that when he stops crying, he will stop being a woman. When Hamlet seeks revenge for his father's murder, he implies that Gertrude, his mother, is weak for remarrying by saying, "Frailty, thy name is woman." In the play, Gertrude's role is complex and also affects Hamlet's revenge, yet, though she is a Queen, she is only seen as a wife and a mother. This tells us that women were viewed as bound to their homes and were only seen as housewives and people who took care of the children.
Role of supernatural element:
Shakespeare has introduced the supernatural element in order to create an atmosphere of mystery, horror and suspense. It diffuses an atmosphere of awe through which the tragedy becomes more impressive. Supernatural elements left a mark of effect on most of the Shakespeare's plays, due to the dramatic power and interest it adds.
Historical Situation:
Back in the day Hamlet was influenced by the societal and cultural context of Shakespeare's time. It reflected the themes of revenge, madness and moral dilemmas that were prevalent in Elizabethan England. Shakespeare got inspiration for Hamlet from various sources, including earlier plays and historical events. He was also influenced by the works of ancient Greek and Roman playwrights.
Political Situation: All political power in Denmark is concentrated on the throne. Although Denmark is an elective monarchy, in the play we see Claudius nominate his successor and Hamlet (who is technically, very briefly, the King) nominate his, without reference to anyone else.
Social Situation (During the release of Hamlet or during the Shakespearean times): During that time, people were categorized into 4 groups; the nobility, the gentry, the yeomanry and the poor. A class would be determined by how they would dress, where they could live, and how available were jobs that people could get. Noblemen were rich and powerful. The gentry were knights, squires, gentlemen who still did have a lot of fortune. The yeomanry are now called as the 'middle class people'. And the poor were found with no money and no jobs.
Where is the cultural situation's work?