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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 3 page research paper/essay that examines Shakespeare's use of humor with two minor characters in Act V of Hamlet. The writer argues that examination of Act V, Scene 1 demonstrates how Shakespeare utilizes humor through these minor characters to enhance his characterization of Hamlet, as well as make comments regarding the action that would be inappropriate coming from the major characters. Also, at the end of this discussion, there is a "translation" of Hamlet's soliloquy in Act I, Scene 2 into modern English. Bibliography lists 3 sources.
Page Count:
3 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_khhumham.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
comedy, advances the plot, and provides enlightening contrast. For example, in Hamlet, the first scene in Act V finds two minor characters, whom Shakespeare describes simply as "two clowns," digging
the grave for Ophelia, as Hamlet and Horatio return to Denmark. Examination of this scene demonstrates how Shakespeare utilizes humor through these minor characters to enhance his characterization of Hamlet,
as well as make comments regarding the action that would be inappropriate coming from the major characters. According to Videbaek, every clown part within a Shakespearean production, "no matter
how minor," has a significant influence on the audiences understanding and final interpretation of play (7). The student researching this topic should understand that the "term" clown during the Elizabethan
era did not refer to someone with a painted face and a costume, or even necessarily to someone who was funny, but rather to a common person or peasant. These
characters often voiced information that served as a guide for the audience, opening "hitherto unexplored approaches" and lending "depth or dimension to the character with whom the clown interacts" (Videbaek
7). In Act V, scene I, the clowns interaction with Hamlet allows the audience to see that the melancholy Dane was not always morose. Harold Bloom, renowned Shakespearean scholar,
agrees that this scene is enlightening on Hamlets background and character. In fact, Bloom argues that loosing Yorick, who died in Hamlets youth had a major influence over his personality.
According to Bloom, "Something in Hamlet dies before the play opens...The only vital relationship Hamlet ever had was with Yorick, King Hamlets jester, who died, the Grave-digger tells us, when
the prince was seven...Yorick the Jester was Hamlets true father and mother" (French). While other scholars may not go that far in their estimation of the scenes importance, it
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