Hamlet Collage

For my collage, I chose to express Hamlet’s complex mind through a series of words and images. All the images and words were chosen based on what Hamlet has witnessed, heard about, or feeling.

To start, there are some powerful words in this collage. The first word that stands out is “Scandals”. This word represents the whole collage; it is one of the main thoughts Hamlet has. Scandal is everywhere in this play, and Hamlet has had a lot of it to deal with. Another prominent word is “Ghost”. This word represents Hamlet seeing his father’s ghost. This single event sent the whole plot into action. It is one of the most important events in the scene, and therefore it’s fitting that the word be in the collage. Phrases such as “Meltdown Madness”, “Out-of-control”, “Lonely Inside”, and “He Went Psycho” all reflect people’s reaction to Hamlet, and his act of insanity. These words are floating around his head, because it is what everyone feels about him, and he knows this. Other phrases such as “We Caught the Two-Timer!”, “Investigate”, “The Sacrifice”, “Then Came Marriage”, “A Happy Family”, and “I Broke The Law…” all reflect Hamlet’s feelings towards his mother and Claudius. He is not happy with either of them, and of course their marriage greatly upset Hamlet. He investigates into his father’s death, and finds out Claudius did break the law, not only by murdering the king, but by marrying his brother’s wife. Finally, there are phrases such as “Love Can’t Save You”, “Time is Running Out for a Happy Ending”, and “No one knows you like your ex-best friend”. These phrases represent Hamlet’s foreboding feelings. These phrases all foreshadow the outcome of the play, and Hamlet suspects that a lot of these things will happen.

Next, the images in this collage greatly represent Hamlet’s complex mind. Some important images are those of families. One in particular is located in the very top left hand corner. This image is one of a husband and wife, and a young boy. There is also an arrow pointing to it saying “A Happy Family”. This is important, because it is Old King Hamlet, Gertrude, and young Hamlet. This is how their family was before; perfect. This is Hamlet thinking about his past. Some other prominent images are the wedding pictures. These images haunt Hamlet’s mind, because his mother remarried quickly after the death of Old King Hamlet. These images are bitter in Hamlet’s mind, and he despises them. Next there is a picture of a couple kissing. There is a also a phrase going across saying “We Caught the Two-Timer!”. This image is prominent because it is Claudius and Gertrude, and how Claudius was after Gertrude. Hamlet resents this fact, and was quite pleased when he found out the truth. Next there are pictures of hearts, and split pictures of couples. These represent Hamlet’s feelings towards Ophelia. He loved her, but at the end of the day he broke her heart, and her death broke his. Next, there are two crying women in this collage, to represent death and despair. Many lives were lost, and though the images are of girls, they represent Hamlet’s feeling of loss, especially towards his father, his mother, and Ophelia. He lost everyone he ever loved, and therefore mourning is on his mind. Next, there are images of a clown, a skull, a fencing match, a grave, a British flag, and a snake. These images represent moments in Hamlet’s life. These are all things he has witnessed. There are also images a people looking extremely sad, scary, or screaming. These images all represent Hamlet’s charade of being depressed, and insane. These images are Hamlet’s observations of how other people see him. And to some degree, they are actually how he feels inside. Next, there are images of friends, and torn pictures of friends. These represent Hamlet’s relationship with Horatio. Horatio is his one and only friend, and therefore the only person he can trust. Without Horatio, Hamlet would be completely lost. Finally, there is a cartoon of a scary looking woman with a steaming goblet in her hand. This represents Gertrude in the final scene when she drinks the poisoned cup and dies, while Hamlet watches helplessly.

Therefore, all these words and images are floating around Hamlet’s complex mind.

Hamlet Act 5 Document

Dearest Mother,

I have recently been informed about the fencing match between Laertes and myself. Though ‘tis likely I have the skill to defeat him, the thought of death is over-bearing in my mind. In these short words I shall attempt to explain the final thoughts crashing through my brain, as a wave crashes through the ocean. I know death is inevitable. The thought alone scares a deep part of me. I once questioned, “to be or not to be?” Indeed mother, that was the question. What happens after death? “The undiscover’d country” ‘tis a scary thought. So here’s to death. I have not many regrets. I refrained from killing Claudius. I did not wish to rot alone in the deepest pit of hell. Fie on him! FIE! An untimely death…the king, my father, did not repent his sins. Asleep he was. ASLEEP! In an act of cowardice he was poisoned. Yet, thou does not wish to hear it. Mother, in my last moment, I ask you to turn away from these awful deeds. Turn away from Claudius when I shall not live on. ‘Tis hard I know, but mother thou must. Thou must know I forgive you. Thou sinned, thou did wrong…but I shall not die without saying this mother: thou can still make things right. If thou has even a moment of regret…thou must turn thine back on him. Do it for father and I, mother. My regrets are limited. I did not kill Claudius, though I regret it deeply. I regret the death of Polonius. He was mista’en for Claudius. This I regret most, for it lead to the untimely death of Ophelia. Mother, “I loved Ophelia; forty thousand brothers could not, with all their quantity of love, make up my sum.” She was my life. I know you wished she shouldst have been my wife, and mother, I hoped it too. Her death ‘tis my fault! Fie on me! The untimely death of her father hath led her into madness. Did she commit a sin when she died? Was it truly a mistake? Mother, the thought shall haunt me forever. If there is ever a need for regret, this is’t. My dearest Ophelia ‘tis gone! My death shall be a relief after that. ‘Tis not possible to live without her. In death, maybe I shan’t have to feel such a sorrow. Death is a sweet sorrow after all. ‘Tis sad to leave all this behind…but perchance I shall see Ophelia again. Mother…the thought has crossed my mind many times. I am frightened. Not of death itself, yet of what shall follow. Shall I go to heaven? Is there a place for me? The death of Polonius was an accident, yet it resulted in the death of two. Mother, I’ll admit I sinned. ‘Tis unknown what comes next. I must accept death with open arms. ‘Tis inevitable for everyone, I suppose. Though it is quite odd knowing what is in store for me…or lack thereof. My heart is ill at ease, I know I shall die tonight, mother. What I shan’t know is where I shall go. Mother, I forgive you. Above all, know that. Thou made thine own mistakes, and I have already expressed my anger. Thou saids’t thou regrets it? Please prove it mother! I shall not die with words of hatred. ‘Tis of utter importance that thou understands I have forgiven thou. Goodbye mother. I shall miss you the most.

Love forever,
Hamlet

Hamlet Act 4 Document

(Claudius and Ferdinand, a servant, standing inside a room in the castle).

CLAUDIUS: Good day Ferdinand.
FERDINAND: As ever, my lord.
CLAUDIUS: Well, Ferdinand, I have the utmost important news to tell you.
FERDINAND: What is it, my lord?
CLAUDIUS: With Hamlet’s arrival back in Denmark, I cannot be rest assured that I am out of harm’s way. So I have devised a plan with Laertes to kill him.
FERDINAND: Laertes?
CLADIUS: Of course! Once the news hath spread round that Hamlet slain Polonius, Laertes was ready to fight.
FERDINAND: I see…
CLAUDIUS: I have arranged for a fencing match between Laertes and Hamlet. Laertes’ sword shall be poisoned, so when he hath scratch Hamlet, Hamlet shall die…If not, the cup he hath drink from will be poisoned.
FERDINAND: Fie my lord! How shall Gertrude be feeling?
CLAUDIUS: The thought upsets me much. Gertrude will be most perturbed. She shall be the utmost saddened. This I have thought of, but Hamlet is a menace to this castle.
FERDINAND: Do you think this wise?
CLAUDIUS: Of course! It’s pure brilliancy! What could go wrong? Hamlet shall die at my hand, and this castle shall be at ease once again. We shall now sleep at night, knowing harm shall not befall us.
FERDINAND: Thou is’t sure?
CLAUDIUS: There is no other way. Hamlet must be ta’en care of. This is the only way I can assure his death.
FERDINAND: My lord, if’t pleases, and thou believes there to be no other way…but how should Gertrude react if she discovers you hath done this awful deed?
CLAUDIUS: You shan’t speak of it! Gertrude shall not find out, and so I needn’t be troubled by this.
FERDINAND: Is thou not afraid of sin?
CLAUDIUS: ‘Tis not a sin! Hamlet endangers the kingdom at whole! I shan’t be sent to the deepest of hell for saving the country!
FERDINAND: Suppose things go astray...?
CLAUDIUS: Ferdinand, what could go wrong? Hamlet shall be struck by Laertes’ poisoned sword, or he shall drink from thy poisoned cup. Hamlet shall die none the less. What else matters? Nothing shall go astray…I shall see to it. The poison is intended for Hamlet. None other shall drink from the cup, nor should Laertes stab another, unless he is Hamlet. I assure you, nothing wrong shall take place!
FERDINAND: Yes, my lord.
CLAUDIUS: Now, I am in need of a rest. You are excused. And shall you speak one word of this, the consequences shall be severe.
FERDINAND: Yes, my lord.

(Exeunt Claudius and Ferdinand).

Hamlet Act 3 Document

My Dearest Horatio,

As thou art mine only friend in this castle, I feel I can trust you with this. Today Claudius knelt in prayer, and I caught him. He was vulnerable; unsuspecting. He was an easy target. But…I didn’t do’t. Killing him during prayer was not wise. If I had killed him then, how would I be avenging my father? He would be sent to heaven and I would be left to hell. Nothing would have been gained from killing him then. I should kill him when he’s drunk or in a rage. But not now, whilst he is purifying his soul. But that is not the only issue. Horatio, such a dilemma is present. “To be, or not to be? That is the question.” Should I kill him? Or not? Whether ‘tis right or wrong, I must avenge my father. But I do not want to be punished for’t. I do not wish upon myself the sin of murder. Horatio, what would thou do? Thou has always been such a loyal, honest friend to me. I want him dead, yet is’t better to let him suffer the punishment for what he’s done? The guilt is penetrating his body. It spreads through him like the poison he sent through my father. I want him to feel that guilt. He should suffer for the pain he hath put me through. Yet...when he was knelt in prayer…for a moment…I felt sympathy wash through me. FIE! What do I speak of? This is mad! Why doth I feel sympathy when he hath slain my father? ‘Tis madness. Pure and utter insanity. Claudius killed my father. Claudius deserves to suffer. And that he shall. But why, Horatio, could I not have slain him then? Why is such procrastination going through my head? My father hath asked for vengeance, and I swore to him that he shall get. So why the hesitation? Everytime I get close to sticking a sword through him, I back down, making excuses on why I should not kill him at that moment. ‘Tis spiraling out of control. If I don’t act soon, something bad could happen. I must take care of my problem…but I need help. Dearest Horatio, you are my only family left. Your word means more to me than any other. Am I wrong in wanting to kill Claudius? What should I do now? I don’t know what my next move should be…do I leave him to live? Or make him “suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune?” Please Horatio, help me. I do not know what to do. I can try speaking to my mother once again. Or…I can go to England like they wish. May if I go I shall be able to think straight about my course of action. Horatio, I think maybe that is what I shall do. To England I go.

Yours Truly,

Hamlet