Analysing a Shakespearean play with a mind map

Introduction
1. Analysing a Shakespearean play with a mind map can be a valuable tool for breaking down complex themes, characters, and plot structures. I would create a typical mind map when analysing a Shakespeare play, focusing on "Hamlet" as an example.
2. The key elements I would focus on are captured in this Map.
Resource Gathering
1. Select a play
  1. from Curriculum
  2. Easy
  3. Familiar
  4. Intriging
2. Choose a good edition
  1. Two Choices
    1. Modernised
    2. The Arden Shakespeare
    3. The Folger Shakespeare
    4. Unmodernised
    5. Cambridge
    6. Oxford
    7. Annotated
    8. Definistions
    9. Context
    10. Value Added Information
    11. Non-Annotated
    12. Original
3. Familiarise yourself with the most frequent “Shakespearisms.”
  1. Language Evolves
    1. Words
      1. Different meaning
      2. extinct
    2. Context of Sentance
      1. Meaning?
      2. Online Glossary
    3. Examples
      1. ”Thee” = “you.”
      2. “When will I see thee next?”
      3. ”Thou” = “you.”
      4. “Thou art a villain.”
      5. ”Thy = “your.”
      6. “Thy name is more hateful than thy face.”
      7. ”Hath” = “has.”
      8. “He hath killed many a man.”
      9. “He hath a horse”.
4. Understand Shakespeare’s use of grammar.
  1. Writing
    1. Parts of Speech
      1. Frequently Switched
    2. Normal Sentence order
      1. Often varied
      2. Why?
      3. Rhythm
      4. Meter
  2. Playing with Standard Language
    1. Common features
      1. Nouns or Adjectives used as verbs
      2. Verbs and subjects which don't agree
      3. Omitted or implied words
      4. Word endings such as "-ly" applied inconsistently
      5. Tricky sentence construction.
5. Enjoy Shakespeare’s wordplay.
  1. Difficult Passages
    1. Because of
      1. Metaphor
      2. Similes
  2. Comedic effects
    1. Heavy use
      1. Puns
      2. Double Meanings
      3. Malapropisms
      4. The mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one, often with an amusing effect (e.g. ‘dance a flamingo ’ instead of flamenco )
6. Gather other resources you might need.
  1. Dictionary
  2. Tablet
    1. Internet Reference Material
  3. Websites
    1. Early English Grammar Sheets
  4. Mind Maps
Title
1. The central node of the mind map should be the play's title, in this case, "Hamlet."
2. Add a picture or icon to make it more noticeable.
Characters (Dramatis Personae)
1. Main Characters
  1. Create branches for the main characters
    1. Hamlet
      1. Son of the dead king and Prince of Denmark. He is the nephew and step-son of King Claudius.
    2. Polonius
      1. Courtier and trusted adviser to Claudius. Father to Ophelia and Laertes.
    3. Claudius
      1. The newly crowned Danish king who marries his brother’s widow, Gertrude.
    4. Gertrude
      1. Mother to Hamlet and former wife of the deceased King Hamlet. She is now the wife of Claudius and Queen of Denmark.
    5. Ophelia
      1. Daughter of Polonius and sister to Laertes.
2. Secondary or Minor Characters
  1. Add branches for Secondary and Minor characters
    1. Horatio
      1. Trusted friend of Hamlet, to whom Hamlet reveals his plans.
    2. Laertes
      1. Son of Polonius and brother to Ophelia. Laertes has been studying in France, but returns to Denmark to avenge Polonius’s death.
    3. Rosencrantz
      1. University companion of Hamlet, whom he distrusts.
    4. Guildenstern
      1. University companion of Hamlet, whom he distrusts.
Themes
1. Branch out to represent the major themes
  1. "Revenge", "Honour and Religion
  2. "Action and Inaction"
  3. "Women"
  4. "Corruption", "Poison and Death"
  5. "Appearance vs. Reality
Plot
1. Under each act/scene, outline the major events and conflicts
  1. Act 1.
    1. 1.1
      1. The ghost of King Hamlet is seen haunting the battlements of Elsinore castle.
    2. 1.2
      1. Claudius announces his marriage to his brother’s widow, Gertrude.
    3. 1.5
      1. The ghost makes Hamlet swear to avenge his father’s murder.
  2. Act 2.
    1. 2.1
      1. Ophelia informs her father that Hamlet visited her in a state of sorrow and undress.
    2. 2.2
      1. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are greeted by the King and Queen, then sent to spy on Hamlet.
  3. Act 3.
    1. 3.1
      1. Polonius and Claudius use Ophelia to entrap Hamlet so that they can discover whether he is in love with her. Hamlet accuses Ophelia of being false, and orders her to a nunnery.
    2. 3.2
      1. While watching the traveling troupe of actors perform a play in which a king is killed by his brother, Claudius betrays signs of guilt.
    3. 3.4
      1. Polonius hides in Gertrude’s chamber to eavesdrop on Hamlet. Hamlet stabs at the curtain, killing Polonius.
  4. Act 4.
    1. 4.3
      1. Hamlet is sent to England to be killed.
    2. 4.7
      1. After the king agrees to help Laertes kill Hamlet, Gertrude announces that Ophelia has drowned.
  5. Act 5.
    1. 5.1
      1. Hamlet returns to Denmark, discovers the skull of his father’s jester, Yorick, and is reminded of mortality.
    2. 5.2
      1. Hamlet and Laertes are wounded in a duel. Claudius offers Hamlet a poisoned goblet of wine, out of which Gertrude drinks. She dies.
      2. Hamlet stabs Claudius and force-feeds him the remaining wine. Hamlet then dies and the bodies are taken away by Fortinbras.
Quotes
1. Include significant quotes from the play linked to the character or context in which they are spoken
  1. Related Characters - Hamlet (Speaker), Rosencrantz and Guildstern. Citation - (Shakespeare 2.2.327-332)
  2. Related Characters - Hamlet (Speaker). Citation - (Shakespeare 3.1.64-68)
Symbolism
1. Create branches for symbols or motifs
  1. Symbols
    1. The Ghost
    2. Yorick's Skull
    3. The Garden/Weeds and Flowers
  2. Motifs
    1. Madness
    2. The Play within a Play (The Mousetrap)
    3. The Poison (Recurring)
    4. Disease and Corruption
Literary Devices
1. Create branches for Literary Devices, such as Soliloquies, Irony and Imagery
  1. Soliloquies
    1. Hamlet, the largest number of soliloquies in any of Shakespeare's Plays.
    2. Get the full map of Hamlet Soliloquies at Biggerplate, here is the link https://www.biggerplate.com/mindmaps/HjQkgScN/hamlet
  2. Foreshadowing
    1. Act 3, Scene 2 - Julius Caesar.
      1. This is a moment of significant foreshadowing, as both men allude to the betrayal of the Roman general Julius Caesar by his fellow politician, Marcus Junius Brutus. This reference to Polonius’s role as Julius Caesar foreshadows his violent death by stabbing. That Caesar was killed by Brutus—finding his demise at the hand of a friend—further complicates the reference, since Hamlet ends up being the one to murder Polonius. There's a parallel, then, between the two deaths, both of which are bloody and enacted in the same way.
  3. Allusions
    1. Act 1, Scene 4 - Nemean Lion
      1. Hamlet is out on the battlements with Horatio and Marcellus when, at midnight, the ghost returns. The ghost is trying to communicate with Hamlet, but when Hamlet moves to follow it, his friends object. In response, Hamlet makes an allusion to Greek mythology:
      2. In this speech, Hamlet tries to convince his friends that he is ready to follow the ghost and hear whatever it has to say. In fact, he seems to feel a sense of compulsion. It is his "fate" to hear what his late father has to say, or so he tells his friends. He alludes to the Nemean lion, a legendary beast from Greek mythology that was immensely strong and impervious to attack but was eventually slain by Hercules. Hamlet suggests that his "fate cries out" in a way that makes him feel "as hardy as the Nemean lion's nerve," indicating that he feels called by duty to bravely embrace whatever is going to happen. But then he says, "Still I am called," hinting that he recognises the implications of the allusion he has just made—after all, the Nemean lion was "hardy," but it did end up dying.
      3. The word "still" is especially telling, since it implies a certain hesitancy; Hamlet has just said that he feels "as hardy as the Nemean lion's nerve," but then he says, "Still I am called," apparently acknowledging his unspoken misgivings but also "still" accepting his duty. He realises that he, like the Nemean lion, will most likely meet a terrible fate, but he nonetheless feels compelled to go through with his plan to hear what the ghost has to say. This allusion therefore sheds light on the complicated interplay of thoughts and emotions coursing through Hamlet in the aftermath of his father's death.
Character Relationships
1. Connect characters to illustrate their relationships, e.g., the complex relationship between Hamlet and his mother, Gertrude.
  1. William Shakespeare's "Hamlet" is a complex and multi-layered tragedy that features a web of intricate relationships between its characters. One of the most intriguing relationships in the play is the one between Hamlet and his mother, Gertrude. This relationship is a central element in the drama, contributing to the themes of betrayal, family dynamics, and the corrupting influence of power.
    1. Hamlet and Gertrude: Mother-Son Dynamic
      1. Hamlet's relationship with his mother, Queen Gertrude, is fraught with tension and complexity. Hamlet's deep love for his father, King Hamlet, who has passed away, intensifies his sense of betrayal when Gertrude quickly marries her deceased husband's brother, Claudius. Hamlet's perception of this marriage as incestuous and hasty contributes to his anguish and moral outrage. This dynamic forms the basis for much of the play's conflict.
    2. Gertrude's Role in Hamlet's Grief
      1. Hamlet's grief and resentment towards Gertrude are closely tied to his mourning for his father. He perceives Gertrude's hasty remarriage as a betrayal of his father's memory, and this perceived betrayal fuels his melancholy and internal conflict. Hamlet's famous soliloquy in Act 1, Scene 2, "Frailty, thy name is woman," reflects his disillusionment with the actions of women, chiefly his mother, and sets the tone for his mistrust of her.
    3. Ambiguity of Gertrude's Character
      1. Gertrude's character is ambiguous in the play. It is unclear whether she is fully aware of the nefarious actions of Claudius, her new husband, or if she is complicit in them. Her ambiguous character adds complexity to her relationship with Hamlet because it raises questions about her innocence or guilt in her first husband's murder.
    4. Hamlet's Treatment of Gertrude
      1. Throughout the play, Hamlet's treatment of Gertrude ranges from bitterness and harsh criticism to moments of tenderness. He confronts her about her marriage, accuses her of disloyalty to his father's memory, and scolds her for her alleged sins. However, there are moments of genuine concern and affection, particularly when he pleads with her to repent and avoid Claudius's influence.
    5. The Closet Scene (Act 3, Scene 4)
      1. The confrontation between Hamlet and Gertrude in the closet scene is a pivotal moment in their relationship. Hamlet's vehement accusation of her role in his father's murder is both a climax of their tension and a turning point in the play. Hamlet's emotional outburst and Gertrude's shock and fear reveal the depth of their strained relationship.
Character Development
1. Highlight how each character evolves throughout the play, showing their progression or regression.
  1. Progression
    1. Hamlet
      1. At the beginning of the play, Hamlet is a young prince overwhelmed by grief and a sense of betrayal. He is initially melancholic, introspective, and contemplative. As the play progresses, Hamlet becomes more assertive and cunning. He devises the plan to use a play within a play to expose King Claudius's guilt. He also becomes more impulsive, leading to the accidental murder of Polonius. Ultimately, Hamlet's progression leads to his tragic downfall, as his pursuit of vengeance consumes him.
    2. Laertes
    3. Polonius
  2. Regression
    1. Claudius
      1. King Claudius starts as the manipulative and ambitious character who has murdered his brother, King Hamlet, to seize the throne. Throughout the play, he becomes increasingly paranoid and resorts to drastic measures to maintain his hold on power, including attempts to have Hamlet killed. His guilt and fear drive him to further evil deeds, culminating in his attempt to poison Hamlet and the tragic chain of events in the final act.
    2. Gertrude
    3. Ophelia
  3. Steadfast
    1. Horatio
      1. remains a steady and loyal friend to Hamlet throughout the play. His character doesn't experience significant progression or regression. He provides Hamlet with advice and support and remains a symbol of reason and stability in the midst of the play's chaos.
Historical Content
1. Create a section for the historical and social context of the play. Include branches for the political climate, the role of monarchy, and the period.
  1. The Lord Chamberlain’s Man 1594 - 1602
    1. 1599
      1. The poet Edmund Spenser dies. The Bishop’s Ban prohibits satire in a large selection of literary works.
      2. The Globe Theatre is built in Southwark. The actors, including Shakespeare, are shareholders.
    2. 1600
      1. Sir Thomas More is written, but is probably never staged due to censorship and the huge cast required.
    3. 1601
      1. The rebellion against Elizabeth I by her one-time favorite Essex is crushed and he is beheaded.
      2. Twelfth Night is written. A special performance of Richard II is staged at The Globe, perhaps to incite the deposition of the Queen.
Authors Intention
1. Consider what Shakespeare intended to convey through the play, such as commentary on power, family, and human nature.
  1. William Shakespeare's "Hamlet" is one of the most celebrated and studied works in the English literary canon. It offers a rich tapestry of themes, characters, and conflicts that continue to captivate audiences and scholars alike. While we cannot definitively know Shakespeare's precise intentions, we can infer his likely aims by examining the text and the cultural context in which it was written. Three major themes that Shakespeare intended to convey through the play are commentary on power, family, and human nature.
Critical Analysis
1. Include a section for your critical analysis, where you can add your thoughts on the play's strengths, weaknesses, and interpretations.
  1. Strengths
    1. Complex Characters
      1. "Hamlet" is renowned for its intricate characterisations. Hamlet himself is a multifaceted character whose internal conflicts and moral dilemmas provide ample material for interpretation. Additionally, characters like Claudius, Ophelia, and Polonius offer depth and nuance, contributing to the play's enduring appeal.
    2. Universal Themes
      1. The play explores universal themes such as power, family, madness, and the human condition, which continue to resonate with audiences across cultures and periods. This universality is one of the strengths that has ensured its enduring popularity.
    3. Language and Wordplay
      1. Shakespeare's mastery of language is evident in "Hamlet." The play is replete with memorable soliloquies, metaphors, and wordplay. Phrases like "To be or not to be" and "The lady doth protest too much, methinks" have become ingrained in the English language and are celebrated for their literary beauty.
    4. Complex Plot
      1. Shakespeare's mastery of language is evident in "Hamlet." The play is replete with memorable soliloquies, metaphors, and wordplay. Phrases like "To be or not to be" and "The lady doth protest too much, methinks" have become ingrained in the English language and are celebrated for their literary beauty.
  2. Weaknesses
    1. Length and complxity
      1. "Hamlet" is a lengthy and complex play, which can be a drawback for some audiences. Its numerous subplots, lengthy soliloquies, and extensive dialogue can be challenging to follow, and it may require multiple readings or viewings to appreciate fully.
    2. Inconsistant Pacing
      1. The play's pacing can be uneven. While there are moments of intense action, there are also extended periods of introspection and dialogue that may slow down the narrative, potentially making it less accessible to modern audiences with shorter attention spans.
    3. Character Motivations
      1. Some motivations are unclear, particularly with characters like Gertrude and Ophelia. This ambiguity can be seen as a strength, allowing for varied interpretations, but it can also be a weakness, as it may leave audiences wanting more clarity.
  3. Interpretations
    1. Psychological Explorations
      1. Many interpretations of "Hamlet" focus on the psychological aspects of the characters, particularly Hamlet's mental state. His internal struggles, feigned madness, and obsession with death have led to numerous psychological readings of the play.
    2. Political Allegory
      1. Some scholars interpret "Hamlet" as a political allegory, reflecting the political turmoil and uncertainty of Shakespeare's time, especially in the aftermath of the Tudor succession.
    3. Feminist Interpretation
      1. Ophelia's character has been the subject of feminist interpretations that explore her vulnerability and how she is used as a pawn in the power struggles of the male characters.
    4. Existentialist Themes
      1. "Hamlet" has been examined through an existentialist lens, focusing on Hamlet's philosophical reflections on life, death, and meaning. This interpretation highlights the character's existential crisis.
Comparative Works
1. If relevant, compare "Hamlet" to other Shakespearean plays or works from the same period or beyond.
  1. Hamlet (prince of Denmark) can be greatly compared to Laertes (son of a noble), and Fortinbras (prince of Norway) in the play. They all are very similar but yet different at the same time. They all had love and respect for their fathers and felt the need to avenge their deaths, which all were brutally killed. All three believed that the murderers had dishonoured their fathers as well as themselves.
Reception and Influence
1. Explore how "Hamlet" has been received over the years and its influence on literature, theatre, and popular culture.
  1. Historical Reception
    1. 17th Century
    2. 18th and 19th Centuries
  2. Theatre and Literature
    1. Adaptions and productions
    2. Influence on Literature
    3. Existentialism
  3. Theatre and Film
    1. Hamlet on Stage
    2. Film Adaptations
  4. Popular Culture
    1. References in Popular Culture
    2. Music and Art
    3. Modern interpreatations
Adaptations and Influence
1. If there are notable adaptations or modern interpretations of "Hamlet," make a branch for them.
  1. 1948’s Hamlet is a black-and-white film directed and starred by Laurence Olivier. The film’s form of expression has many similarities to traditional stage plays, from the composition of character relationships, the arrangement of dramatic structure, and the construction of atmosphere, to the slightly exaggerated actions and poetic language
  2. 1990’s Hamlet directed by Franzo Zeffirelli focuses on narrative rather than depicting psychology. The narrative logic is explicit and accessible, and the story unfolds in a linear structure. There are distinct layers between events, and the causal relationship is clear at a glance. Hamlet’s tragedy begins with the sudden death of his father, followed by successive misfortunes, which are embodied in the loss of family, friendship, and love. In the middle of the story, three monologues of Hamlet are inserted to reflect the changes in the protagonist’s thoughts and emotions
  3. Derivative Works of Hamlet
    1. Tom Stoppard, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead
      1. Rosencrantz and Gildenston are minor characters from Hamlet, while in the 1966’s play Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, they are portrayed as the protagonists by Tom Stoppard. In 1990, the play was made into a film.
    2. Claire McCarthy, Ophelia
      1. n the original, Ophelia is the daughter of Polonius, the chief counselor to the King. She fell in love with Hamlet, but as part of Hamlet’s revenge plan, she was ruthlessly abandoned by him, and her father’s death left her insane, finally, she stumbled and drowned. The 2018 film takes Ophelia as the protagonist, telling the story of how this girl died step by step in the entanglement of betrayal and separation.
    3. Hamlet (2000)
      1. 2000’s Hamlet did not take place in the medieval kingdom of Denmark, but in the modern United States in 2000, and is narrated by a Danish company based in the United States as the main scene. At the same time, the identities and backgrounds of the characters have also been modified accordingly: Hamlet’s father becomes the CEO of the company, Claudius is a senior executive of the company, and Hamlet is a young man who likes DV production
Conclusion
1. Summarise the key takeaways and insights gained from the analysis.