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Identifier	Thesis 1696
Author	Krozel, Michael J.
Title	Hamlet as scourge
Publisher	Central Connecticut State University
Date	2003
Resource Type	Master's Thesis
Notes	This thesis analyzes Prince Hamlet's role as a divinely commissioned scourge in Denmark, asking whether Hamlet functions in a multifaceted capacity as a scourge or as a univocal scourge figure, a figure that is a stereotypically evil scourge. It concludes that Hamlet acts as a scourge who accepts the Providential plan to cleanse Denmark. The first chapter is a detailed examination of important criticism from the latter half of the twentieth century regarding Hamlet's role as a scourge, establishing as background for the discussion the most recent developments in the debate concerning this topic. This chapter finds two opposing critical camps. Led by Fredson Bowers, the first camp finds Hamlet univocally evil. The second, more diffuse, camp allows for Hamlet's role as a Providential scourge who is not evil. This essay quarrels with certain particulars of the second camp's analysis, but agrees with their conclusions. The second chapter follows with a study of the chronological development of the term "scourge" through biblical and early modern literature. It analyzes the biblical role of scourge, focusing on the Assyrians (as related in Isaiah 10), Moses and Aaron, Nathan, Jeremiah, Jonah, Jehu, and Christ. Also covered are the following figures from history: Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Attila, the Ottoman Turks, Timur the Lame, and Henry V. An examination of Marlowe's scourge figure Tamburlaine precedes the conclusion of the chapter, which is a discussion of Shakespeare's use of characters as scourges in plays other than Hamlet. This chapter's analysis concludes that, contrary to the position of the Bowers camp, biblical, historical, and literary scourges are not univocally evil. The final chapter provides an analysis of Hamlet itself, focusing on Prince Hamlet's interaction with other characters in the play. Historical and literary evidence will demonstrate that Shakespeare had available to him extant models of human scourges who acted in a variety of capacities, not just as evil instruments whom God used before they were damned. The position espoused in this essay opposes the views of Fredson Bowers, Eleanor Prosser, and other critics of the camp who maintain that Hamlet's role as "scourge" is univocally evil and that "scourge" and "minister" are mutually exclusive terms, and it expands upon the views of a second camp who oppose the views of the Bowers camp. Critics of the Bowers camp hold to a narrow view of Hamlet's role in the play. Hamlet is not the stereotypical evil scourge. Hamlet is a multi-dimensional scourge. He is both a purgative and punitive scourge, a verbal flagellum who lashes vice, folly, and the weaknesses of the human flesh. He is an instrument of divine justice who wields the sword against Denmark's evil. By the final act, he embraces Providence and his role, and in so doing, he effects the purgative and punitive purposes of God in setting the time aright in Denmark. Hamlet's functions as a scourge are subordinate to a benevolent Providence. The realm is ultimately purged by him of the evil initiated by Claudius's usurpation. An examination of Hamlet's interaction with Ophelia, Polonius, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, and Gertrude demonstrates his zeal for virtue. He abhors duplicity, which earns the severity of his rhetorical lash.
Subject	Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 -- Characters -- Hamlet Hamlet (Legendary character)
Department	Department of English
Advisor	McDonough, Donald
Type	Text
Digital Format	application/pdf
Language	eng
OCLC number	713733892
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