Here is the synopsis of our sample research paper on Hamlet: Incest Theme. Have the paper e-mailed to you 24/7/365.
Essay / Research Paper Abstract
4 pages in length. Among the myriad themes interwoven throughout Shakespeare's Hamlet, incest is one of the most blatant - yet subtle - of all, given the fact that its presence is felt throughout the entire play even when one cannot tangibly see it. Various allusions are made to the incest theme during these less-than-obvious acts, not the least of which include Hamlet's never-ending interactions with the ghost, the interaction between Ophelia and Laertes, as well as in exchanges concerning Claudius and Gertrude. Bibliography lists 4 sources.
Page Count:
4 pages (~225 words per page)
File: LM1_TLCHamletInc.rtf
Buy This Term Paper »
Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
throughout the entire play even when one cannot tangibly see it. Various allusions are made to the incest theme during these less-than-obvious acts, not the least of which include
Hamlets never-ending interactions with the ghost, the interaction between Ophelia and Laertes, as well as in exchanges concerning Claudius and Gertrude. The subtlety of so many incestuous insinuations throughout Hamlet
is what makes this particular theme so engaging, inasmuch as it presents itself in some of the most camouflaged ways (Rosenblatt 349-64). For example, Laertes utilizes language that can
readily be construed as suggestive when addressing his sister, only to ultimately bound unto her as she lay in state and embrace her dead body. This display, however, is
nowhere near the incestuous intensity found between Gertrude and Hamlet, being that Hamlet cannot shed his mind of thoughts about the sex life between her and Claudius.
A reason why this is particular pertinent to the incestuous theme in Hamlet is in part due to law brought about by King Henry VIII, who
proclaimed it an act of incest that to marry ones brothers wife after the brothers death, a law that remained in effect until 1949. The first soliloquy provides ample
opportunity to witness the impact this has upon Hamlet, inasmuch as he simply cannot come to grips with how Gertrude wasted no time in entering into such a relationship.
"...Whereas the validity of Henry VIIIs marriage with Katherine was intensely controversial, Gertrudes marriage with Claudius was even under the most lenient interpretation unlawful and void" (Blincoe PG). The interaction
between Hamlet and the ghost is another critical element to the extent to which the theme of incest weaves a constant and tangled presence throughout the play. What becomes
...