1. How is the idea of Disorder shown in the play Hamlet?
Mrs R Restieaux

2. A narrative of accelerating Disorder is the means by which Shakespeare examines the nature of political power as a secretive process, cut off from the understanding of the people and in its very claustrophobic, self-sustaining state, something that becomes increasingly ‘stale’, stagnant and diseased.
Webster’s The Duchess of Malfi!
Mrs R Restieaux

3. Act 1 The Supernatural as a personification of a state in disorder
regicide – only Hamlet is given this information – the remainder of the characters are defined by their lack of information
transition between Kings
feverish preparation for battle
lack of information
– the play begins by giving the audience a glimpse of a populace who can only gossip about the machinations of the inner court
Mrs R Restieaux

4. Act 2
An angry Prince within a claustrophobic court – the play now zooms in on the reality of the Danish court
Hamlet’s mad disruptive behavior –a major succession issue!
a police state! – Polonius, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, Claudius
Mrs R Restieaux

5. Act 3
Individuals in deep conflict –the play is now marked by an increasingly uncomfortable examination of the nature of political power
Claudius – sinner
Hamlet enraged at a court defined by disloyalty, duplicity and secrecy – Ophelia /Gertrude
Mrs R Restieaux

6. Act 4
A Court in deep disarray the scope of the action becomes unbearably dysfunctional and desperate
a mad aristocrat (poor Ophelia)
an invader on the way
a King resorting to ever more desperate measures to ensure control
Laertes – Coup ! then becoming terribly corrupted
Mrs R Restieaux

7. Act 5 The quieting of the storm ?? Hamlet’s rage subsides – a new calm
Ophelia given funeral rites
Hamlet expresses the need for forgiveness
but still, by this time, the play’s narrative seems marked by a sense of tragic waste
Resolution arrives in the audience understanding of a protagonist reconciled to his fate and marked by a new nobility of spirit and intent that makes him, ironically, most fit to rule.
Mrs R Restieaux

8. But – Fortinbras becomes the new King - is the nature of political power one that repeatedly resorts to corrupt and violent measures in a bid to retain that power?
Mrs R Restieaux