Allusions in Hamlet
Andrea Garcia
Period 6
McKelvey
March 13, 2018
Allusions in Hamlet Final Draft
Insights into History
Many dramatic writings tend to use various allusions to history, religion, and mythology to bring the audience a new perspective and understanding of the themes, the conflict, and the character and plot development. William Shakespeare uses several different allusions in his revenge play and tragedy Hamlet in order to provide a better knowledge of the characters and the conflicts involved in his play. In the revenge play, The Tragedy of Hamlet, Shakespeare applies the allusions of Hyperion and Satyr, Cain and Abel, and Julius Caesar.
First, William Shakespeare compares Hyperion to a Satyr. In Greek mythology, Satyr is a creature that was
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Horatio alludes to Julius Caesar because of the ghost he and Barnardo saw while Barnardo is making an allusion to the Roman Empire. The plot develops because of this allusion. There is a comparison that Barnardo makes between the Roman Empire and the kingdom of Denmark. He believes that there is a disaster waiting to happen.
The allusion of Julius Caesar refers to how Hamlet Sr. was betrayed by the people closest to him. It also explains why the ghost appeared. Before the death of Caesar corpses and ghost ran the streets of Rome. The ghost is appearing to foreshadow the death of a certain character later in the story. Horatio says, “A mote it is to trouble the mind’s eye./ In the most high and palmy state of Rome,/ A little ere the mightiest Julius fell,”(1.1.124-126), revealing his belief of a possible downfall of Denmark or a character in the play.
In conclusion, The Tragedy of Hamlet works with the allusions of Hyperion and Satyr, Cain and Abel, and Julius Caesar along with a vast number of other allusions. Playwright William Shakespeare includes allusions to create a deeper understanding of the theme, the plot, the conflict, and the character and plot development in the revenge play Hamlet. Like many other greater creators, Shakespeare borrowed from other artists to bring mythology and history back to life in a new work of
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