Themes

Revenge the mandate of the Ghost in scene 5 of Act I, the Mousetrap in scene 2 of Act III, and the revenge that is fulfilled only in the duel of scene 2 of Act V. Action and Inaction the monologue on Hecuba in scene 2 of Act II, the prayer spared in scene 3 of Act III, the plain of Fortinbras in scene 4 of Act IV, and the “readiness” of scene 2 of Act V. Madness the feigned madness of Hamlet in scene 1 of Act II, the armed meeting with Ophelia in scene 1 of Act III, and the madness of Ophelia in scene 5 of Act IV. Death the unknown country of the monologue in scene 1 of Act III, the death of Polonius in scene 4 of Act III, and the graveyard of scene 1 of Act V. Corruption and Decay the abandoned garden of scene 2 of Act I, the “something is rotten” of scene 4 of Act I, and the ending of scene 2 of Act V, in which the poison reaches the royal family. Appearance and Reality the trappings and suits of woe in scene 2 of Act I, the Ghost in scene 5 of Act I, the spies in scene 2 of Act II, and the play within the play in scene 2 of Act III.