Hamlet 1.2 What the Critics Say

The video explores Hamlet's return to Denmark, where he finds his uncle Claudius has taken the throne. It delves into Hamlet's emotional turmoil and the critical perspectives of TS Eliot and AC Bradley. Eliot views Hamlet's emotions as excessive, while Bradley sees them as a reaction to his mother's actions, leading to an existential crisis. The video highlights the depth of Hamlet's soliloquies and their reflection on human complexity, as noted by Harold Bloom.

What event primarily triggers Hamlet's emotional turmoil?

• His mother's remarriage

• His uncle's ascension to the throne

• His father's death

• His own exile

According to T.S. Eliot, why is Hamlet's emotional response considered excessive?

• It is not expressed clearly

• It is not relevant to the plot

• It is too strong compared to the cause

• It is not based on any real events

How does A.C. Bradley interpret Hamlet's disgust towards his mother?

• As a minor issue

• As a misunderstanding

• As a reaction to her true nature

• As a sign of madness

What is one of the key features of Hamlet's soliloquies according to the video?

• They introduce new characters

• They are humorous

• They provide psychological depth

• They are the longest in Shakespeare's works

How does Harold Bloom view the impact of Hamlet on our understanding of self?

• It has no impact

• It is irrelevant to modern thought

• It simplifies our self-perception

• It complicates our self-awareness