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Trap Motif in Hamlet

“Trap Motif” in Hamlet

Hamlet, William Shakespeare’s greatest tragedy, is a story of murder and deceit. The “trap” is a major motif in Hamlet because it is set by various characters, it is motivated by a variety of reasons and the results are often ironic.
The first trap is set by Hamlet for the king. Hamlet is enraged by his fathers murder and is seeking vengeance. Hamlet sets a trap by persuading the actors to re-enact his fathers murder on stage. * He sets this trap because he wants to be sure that Claudius is the killer; Hamlet is delighted to see Claudius’s reaction to the play.
Ah, ha! Come, some music; come, the recorders.
For if the King like not the comedy, Why then,
belike, he likes it not, perdy. Come, some music.
(3.2)
It scares Claudius and makes him afraid of Hamlet. * Hamlet is now sure that Claudius is the murderer, but Claudius is so worried that he sends Hamlet to England with Rosencrantz and Guildens...

Posted by: Anthony Pacella

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