Ever since Hamlet was written in 1599 it has been adapted countless times. Shakespeare’s plot, as it was written over 400 years ago is still relevant for modern directors all over the world. It offers a great variety of different themes. In his Hamlet adaption Yorick, Salman Rushdie concentrates on the background and context of the main characters, criticizing the lack of logic in the original plot. His adaption also introduces the element of comedy into the original play. A fairly recent production of Shakespeare’s tragedy is Suleyman Al-Bassam’s "The Al-Hamlet Summit".
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The Ghost vs. the Arms Dealer
2.1 Frequency
2.2 Interaction with other Characters
2.3 Motivation
3. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the evolution of the dramatic conflict initiator in Shakespeare’s "Hamlet" compared to Suleyman Al-Bassam’s adaptation "The Al-Hamlet Summit," specifically analyzing the roles of the Ghost and the Arms Dealer.
- Comparative analysis of character presence and stage frequency.
- Evaluation of interactions between the primary conflict initiators and other characters.
- Exploration of individual motivations and moral frameworks of the characters.
- Application of Manfred Pfister's theory of audience sympathy in drama.
- Assessment of the transition from an inner dilemma to a political conflict.
Excerpt from the Book
2. The Ghost vs. the Arms Dealer
While the ghost in Shakespeare's Hamlet only appears three times throughout the play, the Arms Dealer in Suleyman Al-Bassam’s The Al-Hamlet Summit turns up more often. According to the studies of the German philosopher and humanities scholar Manfred Pfister, the likeability of a character depends on, among other factors, how often a character appears on stage (cf. Pfister 20-34). The more often a character turns up throughout the play the more we learn about him at first hand and the more sympathetic we feel for him.
A character can only characterize himself by appearing on stage as often as possible and thus sympathy is created by focusing on one specific character. Despite of the fact that the Arms Dealer appears more often throughout the play, I consider the audience to feel more sympathetic for the ghost than for the arms dealer. The ghost only turns up three times throughout the play but nevertheless we experience him as a character who has to suffer and who acts in an understandable way while keeping in mind that the Arms Dealer is clearly of an evil nature which will be explained in the following chapters.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter provides an overview of Hamlet adaptations and introduces the central comparison between Shakespeare’s original Ghost and Al-Bassam’s Arms Dealer.
2. The Ghost vs. the Arms Dealer: This section investigates the frequency, interpersonal interactions, and distinct motivations of the two characters, applying theatrical theory to explain audience perception.
3. Conclusion: The final chapter summarizes how both characters fulfill the functional role of triggering conflict, despite their fundamental differences in nature and intent.
Keywords
Hamlet, The Al-Hamlet Summit, Shakespeare, Suleyman Al-Bassam, Ghost, Arms Dealer, Drama Theory, Manfred Pfister, Sympathy, Conflict, Motivation, Political Conflict, Adaptation, Literature Analysis, Character Study.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this academic paper?
The paper explores the functional transition and character differences between the Ghost in Shakespeare’s Hamlet and the Arms Dealer in Suleyman Al-Bassam’s contemporary adaptation, The Al-Hamlet Summit.
Which thematic fields are primarily covered?
The study covers comparative literature, dramatic theory regarding audience sympathy, and the adaptation of classic tragic motifs into modern political contexts.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to analyze how the characters of the Ghost and the Arms Dealer each act as catalysts for the central conflict of their respective plays and how their motivations differ.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The author uses a comparative literary analysis and incorporates the theoretical framework of Manfred Pfister regarding the "Sympathielenkung" (direction of sympathy) in drama.
What is discussed in the main body of the work?
The main body examines the frequency of stage appearances, the nature of interactions with other characters, and the personal versus financial motivations driving both figures.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Hamlet, adaptation, Ghost, Arms Dealer, dramatic conflict, and audience sympathy.
How does the role of the Arms Dealer contrast with the Ghost?
Unlike the Ghost, who is a supernatural entity visible primarily to Hamlet, the Arms Dealer is a tangible character who actively engages with multiple political actors for financial gain.
Does the author argue that the audience prefers one character over the other?
Yes, the author concludes that the audience is likely to feel more sympathy for the Ghost, as his motivations are more personal and understandable compared to the purely profit-driven, ruthless nature of the Arms Dealer.
What significance does the setting have in the adaptation?
The setting in the Middle East transforms Hamlet’s original inner dilemma into a broader, pervasive political conflict that involves all characters in the play.
- Arbeit zitieren
- M.Ed. Christopher Domke (Autor:in), 2013, A Study of the Arms Dealer in Suleyman Al-Bassam's "The Al-Hamlet Summit", München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/431057
