Hamlet+Entrance

Hamlet is shown to be strongly affected by his father's death and disturbed by how quickly his mother moved on to marry Claudius. The father-son relationship between King Hamlet and Hamlet is emphasized even from Hamlet's pre-entrance, when Hamlet is referred to as "Young Hamlet" by Horatio (1.1.185). In Act 1 scene 1, Horatio says they should let Hamlet know about the ghost because "this spirit, dumb to us, will speak to him" (1.1.186), further emphasizing the close relationship between Hamlet and his father. Furthermore, Hamlet's first entrance in the play emphasizes Hamlet's close relationship and great admiration of his father. Hamlet first appears on the stage in Act 1 scene 2, along with the King Claudius, Queen Gertrude and other subjects of the King. During Hamlet's first entrance, King Claudius is tending to royal business and addressing his subjects. That Hamlet appears on stage in a formal, regal court setting is very effective because it emphasizes Hamlet's difference to others, because he acts and is a way not expected of an heir to the throne. His conversation with his mother, Gertrude and his new father, Claudius demonstrates family dynamics and also highlights Hamlet's deep grief over his father's death. Hamlet's first entrance within the play displays many central motifs of //Hamlet,// such as the ambiguity, deception, family relationships, as well as the disparity between appearance and reality. The purpose of Hamlet's first entrance serves to juxtapose the impact of King Hamlet's death on Hamlet with the impact on others, as well as to introduce the conflict between Hamlet and King Claudius.
 * Conclusion:**

As evidence by...

- Hamlet is referred to as "Young Hamlet" by Horatio in 1.1.185. The quote seems to emphasize the father-son relationship between the King and Hamlet. - Horatio says they should let Hamlet know about the ghost because "this spirit, dumb to us, will speak to him" (1.1.186), further emphasizing the close relationship between Hamlet and his father. The quote also foreshadows what happens later in Act 1, where only Hamlet is the only one spoken to by the ghost. The quote thereby establishes a link between the 2 characters early on for the audience.
 * Pre-Entrance**

- Hamlet enters the stage along with the King's subjects, including the Council, Polonius, Laertes, Voltemand. - Hamlet is not alone since he's with the others, and he does not carry anything.
 * Entrance (Sc. 1.2.-)**

King Claudius is addressing his subjects and handling royal affairs: -He sends 2 ambassadors to Norway to negotiate with young Fortinbras who is quietly setting up a rebellion to reconquer Norway as revenge for his father's (former King's) defeat and loss of Norergian crown -Claudius allows Laertes to return to France -Hamlet's request to return to the University in Wittenberg is denied; probably because Claudius wants Hamlet to be under his watchful eye whileh he's unstable and in deep grief for the death of his father. This worries Claudius, who seems to want to keep him in place while their relationship is strained. - Characters have to ask permission from Claudius before they go to places, showing that they are submissive to his authority.
 * Context (Sc. 2, 1.2.-)**

//Significance between entrance and context:// - The first appearance of Hamlet on stage is in a highly formal setting, a King's court, and King Claudius is here engaging in royal business. The fact that Sc.2 is in such a formal scene is very significant because one gets a sense of how the main characters interact with each other and their attitudes toward each other in a public context. The fact that Hamlet is in a formal setting, and stands out so much because of his moodiness has a greater effect on how Hamlet is characterised. The fact that Hamlet walks with retainers and subjects is also suggestive of how the King regards Hamlet, probably more as a subject to be control rather than a beloved son who would sit by his father. The contrast between formality and informality of the context effectively introduces the characters after the mystery has drawn the audience in. This is quite unlike the previous and quite informal and mysterious last scene in the watch.

- "[aside] A little more than kin and less than kind." (1.2.67) - Hamlet is responding or rather, interrupting Claudius when he is addressed by him. - Hamlet's first words are few and sharp and sum up effectively how he feels about his relationship Claudius. Hamlet is suggesting in this line that the King's marriage and their relation is unnatural in direct opposition to what the King tried to address in the beginning. The words also are suggestive in that they hint that something is wrong, that - The words demonstrate the complex family relationship between Claudius and Hamlet
 * First Words**

- Hamlet barely responds to Claudius and gives sarcastic and dishonest answers to him. On the other hand he responds to his mother, Queen Gertrude. - Claudius and Gertrude tell Hamlet to stop mourning and not to leave for Wittenberg - Hamlet agrees to the wishes of Gertrude and Claudius. His tone is slightly bitter and undeferential but ultimately he respects their wishes and obeys them.
 * Dialogue**
 * -** The main subject is Hamlet's deep unhappiness and how he should move along from mourning, though he emphasizes that his unhappiness is very deep and in his core, "But I have that within which passes, these but the trappings and suits of woe", that he cannot get away from it. "Tis not alone my inky cloak... nor customary suits of solemn black, Nor windy suspiration of forced breath, no nor the fruitful river in the eye, nor the dejected havior of visage."

- Juxtaposition of the impact of the King's death on Hamlet with the impact on others (Claudius, Gertrude) - Hamlet sets up the conflict between the King (and father-in-law) and himself. - Hamlet seems to be the most affected, hints at their close relationship. - Hamlet acts as the dutiful son within this scene(?), other characters (Claudius, Gertrude) treat Hamlet as if he was being ridiculous by continuing to mourn for his father
 * Purposes/Effects**

- In Hamlet's first line of dialogue he sarcastically interrupts the King - this possibly signifies how he relates to and feels about the King - Begins with interaction/conflict with the new King - foreshadowing tense relationships with Claudius
 * Hamlet's entrance**