We all know how popular the play Hamlet has been over the years. In this play, author William Shakespeare introduces Elsinore, which is one of the royal castles popular around the world. The entire play is based on the setting of Denmark. Not only this, the play is moving ahead in such a way around the entire setting that the overall atmosphere is unique for the plot and characters as well.
As the play moves forward, you will realize how most of it was played in the royal castle itself. The graveyard is quite a notable place in the castle, and it is, in fact, taking the story ahead or shaping up the plot. So this shows how in the play Hamlet, the setting plays a bigger role than anything else. In fact, it has a bigger role to play than the characters and the plot as well.
When it comes to the respective royal castle, it is symbolized in the form of a dark mood. This castle brings a negative atmosphere to the play. When you go through Act one of the respective play, you will find out that the first soliloquy by Hamlet is “To be or not to be”. The entire setting of the graveyard reflects life and death, enlightens the mood of the play and eventually takes it ahead.
It is the settings of the play that builds up the plot and eventually frame the characters. The entire ambience around the play is actually set up the mood and pushes the play ahead with a lot of energy as well. Especially the castle where there is restriction and a feeling of being trapped or imprisoned! Not only this, but the respective also brings in the sense of oppression as it is always looking for power that makes the characters of the play fight ahead.
The entire surrounding of the respective castle frames up the characters like Hamlet, Claudius, Ophelia, and others. It is the setting that defines the attitude of the character towards the play. They are constantly working on their actions around the settings, which makes the entire plot a lot more thrilling and interesting.
There is no doubt in stating that the suspense is lively, and most of the credit has to be given to the settings itself. Not only this, but the setting is also responsible for the aroused emotions that make the audience connected to the play. But it has to be stated that not only the castle setting motivates the characters, but it is also the reason for their downfall as well. Without the setting of the respective play, there is no possibility of this play moving ahead. It is the entire castle that makes the play believable and engaging. It drives the play ahead and makes the play today what it is!
So, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that the castle is much more than just the setting of the play Hamlet. As the characters are working their way to obtain the power of their respective, the overall setting makes things even more captivating.
There is no doubt that the setting looks a lot more sort of a trap, but the feeling of oppression does have an influence on the characters in the play. When you check out Ophelia, you will know how the character has been affected because of the oppression. But, there are few characters that are not at all affected because of the same, namely Horatio. So, this shows how the castle affects a few of the characters, and it is seen that as and when they come in touch with the imprisonment, they are going to suffer as well in some or the other way.
Few of the characters that eventually suffer from oppression are Gertrude, Claudius, Ophelia, and even Hamlet. In fact, inversion of Kenneth Branagh, Ophelia is targeted quite heavily in the respective play. The character of Ophelia is not treated properly by the male characters as she is dragged all around the room by the character Hamlet. This eventually shows how Ophelia is being oppressed because of being in love with the character Hamlet.
It doesn’t end here, she is also oppressed by the family as well. Polonius and Laertes, her father, are not treating her well. She is way beyond in control of her life, and her family is making things worse for her. She just cannot do the things she would like, and all these aspects which, how must she have been oppressed in the entire play. When it comes to Hamlet, he is oppressed in such a way that is desired to do something that is not even imaginable. He thinks to kill Claudius, but even he is not able to do. When you find Claudius praying in the respective castle, Hamlet is debating with himself whether to kill him or not at that moment itself.
This shows how Hamlet and Ophelia are being oppressed, and it is related to the setting, and eventually, all of it is driving the play ahead. There is one more entity that is fully separate from this royal family named Horatio. He is being acknowledged as Hamlet’s friend who is very confident. He holds different views from others in the castle and is not a part of the court at all. You might see Horatio as a minor character in the play, but there is no doubt in stating that he brings a completely different atmosphere to the play and make things a lot more interesting.
So, hopefully, you are clear about how the setting has had a huge impact on the play. It literally makes the play what it iz. There is no doubt in stating that it takes the play ahead a lot more convincingly and makes things believable.
Author: Chris Morris
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