Shakespeare does not provide his readers with many direct stage directions in his plays. Comparing Hamlet to – just as an example – the twentieth century play The Glass Menagerie by William Tennessee shows that Tennessee, in contrast to Shakespeare, gives detailed information on how the players should look like, how they should move and speak. There is a whole chapter called “Production Notes.” Each character has a full paragraph describing how he looks like and has to act, even before they appear on stage. The description of a scene’s setting, as another example, fills up to two pages here. (Compare Tennessee 1945)
Shakespeare, in contrast, leaves his readers with many indirect stage directions. Here, the reader has to find hints in the actors’ speeches that tell him how the stage-settings and actors should look like, what mood they are in, and thus how they should speak and move. Detailed studying is therefore necessary in advance of any production. Not only the play itself needs a close look but also the culture and beliefs of Shakespeare’s contemporary audience. The theatres’ possibilities at his time are another aspect.
The following considers a single character in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, namely the ghost of Hamlet’s father. Since ghosts are supernatural and thus do not lead to the same image in everyone’s mind it is important to especially take a look at this character and try to find out how Shakespeare might have wanted it to appear on stage. This paper provides necessary background information, at first, about ghosts and the theatre at Shakespeare’s time. Then, the four ghost scenes in Hamlet are analyzed, considering their staging of the ghost during Shakespeare’s age along the play’s direct and indirect staging instructions.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Background Information
- 2.1 Ghosts
- 2.2 Staging Possibilities at Shakespeare's Time
- 3. The Four Ghost Scenes
- 3.1 Act 1, Scene 1
- 3.2 Act 1, Scene 4
- 3.3 Act 1, Scene 5
- 3.4 Act 3, Scene 4
- 4. Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper examines the staging of the ghost in Shakespeare's Hamlet, considering the theatrical capabilities and audience expectations of Shakespeare's time. It aims to analyze how the supernatural element of the ghost could have been effectively presented on stage, relying on both the play's direct and indirect stage directions.
- The portrayal of ghosts in Elizabethan theatre
- The limitations and possibilities of staging in Shakespearean times
- Analysis of the four ghost scenes in Hamlet
- Interpretation of Shakespeare's stage directions (explicit and implicit)
- Reconstructing potential stagecraft for the ghost's appearances
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the contrast between Shakespeare's indirect stage directions and the detailed instructions found in later plays like Tennessee Williams' *The Glass Menagerie*. It highlights the need for in-depth analysis of Shakespeare's text, considering the cultural context and theatrical possibilities of his time. The paper focuses specifically on the staging of Hamlet's father's ghost, emphasizing the challenges of representing a supernatural being on stage.
2. Background Information: This section provides crucial contextual information. Section 2.1 defines the concept of a ghost based on contemporary dictionaries, emphasizing its intangible and imagined nature. It then contrasts this with the Elizabethan belief that spirits could interact with the physical world, making the appearance of a human-like ghost believable for the audience. Section 2.2 describes the Elizabethan theatre, its physical limitations, the use of lighting, and the possibilities of special effects, laying the groundwork for understanding how the ghost could be presented on stage.
3. The Four Ghost Scenes: This chapter delves into a detailed analysis of the four scenes featuring the ghost in Hamlet. Each scene's staging is examined, considering the dialogue, setting, and potential stagecraft to bring the ghost to life. The discussion covers the ghost's visual appearance, its entrance and exit strategies, and the impact of these choices on the audience's experience.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Shakespeare, Hamlet, Elizabethan theatre, ghost, staging, stage directions, supernatural, special effects, dramatic performance, audience perception.
Frequently Asked Questions: Staging the Ghost in Shakespeare's Hamlet
What is the main topic of this paper?
This paper analyzes the staging of the ghost in Shakespeare's Hamlet, focusing on the theatrical capabilities and audience expectations of Shakespeare's time. It explores how the supernatural element of the ghost could have been effectively presented on stage using the play's direct and indirect stage directions.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include the portrayal of ghosts in Elizabethan theatre, the limitations and possibilities of staging in Shakespearean times, analysis of the four ghost scenes in Hamlet, interpretation of Shakespeare's stage directions (explicit and implicit), and reconstructing potential stagecraft for the ghost's appearances.
What chapters are included in the paper?
The paper includes an introduction, a chapter on background information (covering ghosts in Elizabethan beliefs and staging possibilities), a chapter dedicated to a detailed analysis of the four ghost scenes in Hamlet, and a conclusion.
What is covered in the "Background Information" chapter?
This chapter provides context by defining the concept of a ghost based on Elizabethan understanding, contrasting its intangible nature with the belief in spirits interacting with the physical world. It also describes Elizabethan theatre, its limitations, lighting, and special effects possibilities, explaining how these factors influenced the staging of the ghost.
How are the four ghost scenes analyzed?
The chapter analyzing the four ghost scenes examines each scene's staging, considering dialogue, setting, and potential stagecraft. The analysis covers the ghost's visual appearance, entrance and exit strategies, and the impact of these choices on the audience.
What is the significance of the introduction?
The introduction contrasts Shakespeare's indirect stage directions with more detailed instructions in later plays. It emphasizes the need for in-depth textual analysis, considering the cultural and theatrical context of Shakespeare's time, and focuses specifically on the challenges of representing a supernatural being on stage.
What keywords are associated with this paper?
Keywords include Shakespeare, Hamlet, Elizabethan theatre, ghost, staging, stage directions, supernatural, special effects, dramatic performance, and audience perception.
What is the overall goal of this academic work?
The paper aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how the ghost in Hamlet might have been staged during the Elizabethan era, considering the historical context and available theatrical techniques.
- Quote paper
- Helga Mebus (Author), 2007, Staging the ghost in Shakespeare´s "Hamlet" along the possibilities of the theatre at Shakespeare´s time, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/93224