The Function of Act 1 - Hamlet

[iain melville]

What is the function of the beginning of Act 1, Scene 1 in Hamlet?
Why, for example would Shakespeare choose to begin the play the way he
did? Comment.

[amy keung]

In my opinion, there are three things within the first ten lines that
immediately draw the audience into the play by creating an air of
mystery, but not revealing any specific details. As mentioned in
class, the first is the fact that there are men on guard. The audience
may become curious as to what there is to guard against, while
becoming aware that danger will be present in the play. Following this
realization, the audience will likely be thrilled to find out more;
Shakespeare captures the audience's attention and interest as soon as
the play begins. Secondly, the opening scene is set just as the clock
has "struck twelve" (I.i.7). Using Bernardo to notify the audience of
this, Shakespeare establishes darkness as a prominent element of the
play. Again, this enthralls the audience. Furthermore, a new day
begins at midnight. The precise timing for the play's beginning
implies that there will be a new era as the story unfolds. Such subtle
foreshadowing influences the audience to look forward to the
development of the play. Finally, the guards are changing shifts; this
is symbolic of the paradigm shifts that the audience may experience
throughout the play. For example, the audience would assume that
Claudius is a character of pure evil after Act I. However, he shows
remorse over his actions further into the play, and this shakes the
audience's previous belief. Shakespeare introduces the element of
change and lays down hints for the dramatic amounts of change and
chaos in the play. These features may remain unnoticed by most
watching the play, but Shakespeare uses these details to attack the
audience's subconscious, and mesmerizes them long before the story is
unravelled.