Does The Pattern Fit? Essay -- essays research papers

Does the Pattern Fit? It has been said that Shakespeare follows a pattern when writing his tragedies that consists of eleven distinct steps. These steps explain how Shakespeare organized his works from beginning to end. There are, however, slight variations from play to play. The question is, does this pattern fit the tragedy of Hamlet? Shakespeare’s play The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark does fits the mentioned pattern. The first step is establishing the enveloping situation and the environment or world in which the action takes place. The atmosphere frequently involves or is accompanied by supernatural occurrences. Within the first couple of lines, it is evident that the story involves royalty. â€Å"Long live the King!† (A I, SI, L3) There is conversation among the guards involving a strange, recent occurrence. They have seen a ghost and are wondering if it will return. The very moment they are discussing it is the very moment that it appears to them again. â€Å"How now, Horatio? You tremble and look pale. Is not this something more than fantasy? What think you on’t?† â€Å"Before my God, I might not this believe without the sensible and true avouch of mine own eyes.† (AI, Si, L64-69) This is where the supernatural occurrence is presented. It is thought by the guards to be the ghost of the newly dead king, Hamlet’s father. The next step, which is the establishment of the political realm, comes directly after. Focusing on the main characters that will have an important part in t...