CharactersThe characters in Hamlet are high-class, often of the royal family. Being so high on the Great Chain reinforces their connection with God, and the idea that their decisions may influence the entire country of Denmark, as well as its neighbouring countries. This makes the play much more intense.
Also, being so high up on the Chain makes Hamlet's behaviour questionable. Being a prince, he is expected to act in manner acceptable by the Royal Family. Instead, he goes mad, yells at his friends, causes a suicide and an unintended death, and murders three people. This contrast helps to define Hamlet's nature, as well as make his actions seem even more inappropriate. Furthermore, the ghost of Old Hamlet is a spirit. Therefore it is higher up on the Great Chain of Being than Hamlet, or even the King. In the Elizabethan era, this typically means that it is more intelligent, since it has closer connections with God than humans do. |
Allusions in Hamlet
Here is a list of the Biblical, historical, and mythological allusions to elements and entities of the Great Chain in Hamlet.
Hyperion - Roman Sun God, also known as Helios or Apollo
Satyr - A Roman beast, half-man, half- goat. This creature is known for its promiscuity.
Niobe - Apollo was sent by his father to kill her children for insulting the Titans. She weeps to this day.
Hercules - Son of Zeus, the strongest mortal ever to live
Julius Caesar - Ancient emperor who was assassinated
Nemean Lion - A ferocious beast that was killed by Hercules
Lethe - The stream of oblivion. It was one of the rivers that flowed through hell.
Patrick - A saint who proved the existence of purgatory to the Irish
Roscius - A Roman actor
Jephthah - Character in the Bible who sacrificed his daughter
Hyrcanian Beast - A tiger native to ancient Persia
Dido and Aeneas - Characters in an opera by Henry Purcell with libretto by Nahum Tate. Dido and Aeneas fell in love, but Aeneas had to leave in order to found Rome.
Priam - The King of Troy
Cyclops - A one-eyed giant monster
Mars - The Roman God of War
Hecuba - Wife of Priam, who was the King of Troy
Vulcan - The Gods' blacksmith. He forged weapons and equipment for the Gods
Phoebus - The Greek Sun God
Neptune - The Roman God of the ocean
Hymen - The God of marriage in both Greek and Roman mythology
Hecate - Greek Goddess of witchcraft
Damon - Man who trusted his friend with his life. When Pythias was sentenced to death, he asked to return home one last time. The king refused, until Damon offered to take Pythias' spot while he was gone. Should Pythias not return, Damon would be put to death instead.
Nero - Character in an opera by Monteverdi. When Nero wishes to marry Poppea, Seneca advises against it and is put to death. He also murdered his mother.
Cain - Murdered his brother
Mercury - Roman messenger for the Gods
Adam - First man to be created by the Christian God
Alexander - Great emperor
Pelion - High mountain in Greek mythology
Hyperion - Roman Sun God, also known as Helios or Apollo
Satyr - A Roman beast, half-man, half- goat. This creature is known for its promiscuity.
Niobe - Apollo was sent by his father to kill her children for insulting the Titans. She weeps to this day.
Hercules - Son of Zeus, the strongest mortal ever to live
Julius Caesar - Ancient emperor who was assassinated
Nemean Lion - A ferocious beast that was killed by Hercules
Lethe - The stream of oblivion. It was one of the rivers that flowed through hell.
Patrick - A saint who proved the existence of purgatory to the Irish
Roscius - A Roman actor
Jephthah - Character in the Bible who sacrificed his daughter
Hyrcanian Beast - A tiger native to ancient Persia
Dido and Aeneas - Characters in an opera by Henry Purcell with libretto by Nahum Tate. Dido and Aeneas fell in love, but Aeneas had to leave in order to found Rome.
Priam - The King of Troy
Cyclops - A one-eyed giant monster
Mars - The Roman God of War
Hecuba - Wife of Priam, who was the King of Troy
Vulcan - The Gods' blacksmith. He forged weapons and equipment for the Gods
Phoebus - The Greek Sun God
Neptune - The Roman God of the ocean
Hymen - The God of marriage in both Greek and Roman mythology
Hecate - Greek Goddess of witchcraft
Damon - Man who trusted his friend with his life. When Pythias was sentenced to death, he asked to return home one last time. The king refused, until Damon offered to take Pythias' spot while he was gone. Should Pythias not return, Damon would be put to death instead.
Nero - Character in an opera by Monteverdi. When Nero wishes to marry Poppea, Seneca advises against it and is put to death. He also murdered his mother.
Cain - Murdered his brother
Mercury - Roman messenger for the Gods
Adam - First man to be created by the Christian God
Alexander - Great emperor
Pelion - High mountain in Greek mythology