Examining the Key Turning Points in Hamlet
Examining the Key Turning Points in Hamlet
In life, the death of a loved one or the occurrence of a devastating natural disasters are both tragic events that could institute a change or turning point in one’s life. Similarly, in Shakespeare’s masterpiece Hamlet, tragic events serve as catalysts for turning points to occur. The death of Polonius, Claudius’ murder of King Hamlet, and Hamlet’s visit to the graveyard shortly after Ophelia’s demise, are all tragic events that also act as major turning points in the story.
In the play Hamlet, Polonius’ death is a turning point. This event spurred two major happenings in the play: Ophelia’s lunacy and Laertes’ secret return from France to avenge his father’s death. First, for Ophelia, the loss of Polonius, along with grief from Hamlet’s rejection, became too much for her to bear. The combination of these two events eventually drove Ophelia to madness. King Claudius spoke of Ophelia’s madness and the cause of it although he blamed it solely on Polonius? death.
King:
O, this is the poison of deep grief; it springs
All from her fathers death poor Ophelia,
Divided from herself and her fair judgment,
Without the which we are pictures, or mere beasts:
Last, and as much containing as all these.
(Act 4, Scene 5, lines 74-5, 82-5)
He later continued his speech, telling of Laertes’ secret return from France to obtain revenge.
King:
Her brother is in secret come from France
Feeds on his wonder, keeps himself in clouds.
(Act 4, Scene 5, lines 86-87)
Polonius’ death caused his son Laertes to return from France to avenge his father’s death. Laertes returned and also demonstrated his loyalty to Polonius, saying he would get revenge at any cost.
Laertes:
How came he dead? I’ll not be juggled with;
To hell, allegiance! Vows, to the blackest devil!
Conscience and grace, to the profoundest pit!
I dare damnation: to this point I stand,
That both worlds I give to negligence,
Let come what comes; only I’ll be revenged
Most thoroughly for my father.
(Act 4, Scene 5, lines 128-134)
This excerpt states Laertes was most determined. This tragic incident was a turning point because Polonius? death caused both: Ophelia’s madness and Laertes’ hasty return from France, two significant sub-plots in the play.
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