The Context of Hamlet: The Great Chain of Being

Summary

In this video, Jonny from Ignite delves into the concept of the 'Great Chain of Being,' an Elizabethan belief system that plays a crucial role in Shakespeare's 'Hamlet.' The video explains how this hierarchical order, with God at the top followed by the king, nobles, commoners, and inanimate objects, is disrupted in the play when Claudius unlawfully kills King Hamlet. This disruption leads to chaos and supernatural consequences, driving the plot. Jonny emphasizes the importance of understanding this concept for analyzing the play and encourages viewers to include it in their essays.

Takeaways

• 📚 The video discusses the Great Chain of Being, a key contextual feature important for understanding Shakespeare's 'Hamlet'.
• 🎭 The Great Chain of Being represents an Elizabethan social hierarchy and belief in a divine order of beings from God to inanimate objects.
• 👑 At the top of this hierarchy is God, followed by the king, the heir to the throne, nobles, commoners, and finally inanimate objects.
• ⏳ The concept is rooted in the time when 'Hamlet' was written, around 1600, for an Elizabethan audience under Queen Elizabeth I.
• 🔍 The disruption of this order in the play is seen as causing chaos and is often reflected in supernatural consequences within the story.
• 👻 The murder of King Hamlet by his brother Claudius is a significant disruption to the Great Chain of Being, as it violates the natural order of succession.
• 👑 Claudius' unlawful ascension to the throne instead of Prince Hamlet causes a moral and cosmic imbalance that needs to be corrected.
• 🗡 Prince Hamlet's struggle with avenging his father's murder is central to the play and is tied to the need to restore the Great Chain of Being.
• 📖 The video encourages students to include the concept of the Great Chain of Being in their essays on 'Hamlet' for a deeper understanding of the play.
• 👍 The video is part of a series by Ignite, offering educational content and resources for English studies, including essay structures and comprehension skills.
• 🔗 The video ends with a prompt to subscribe for more content and to check out Ignite's online resource database for further study materials.

Q & A

What is the 'Great Chain of Being' mentioned in the video?

The 'Great Chain of Being' is an Elizabethan belief in a strict social hierarchy, with God at the top, followed by the king, nobles, commoners, and inanimate objects. This hierarchy represented the natural order of the universe.

Why is the 'Great Chain of Being' important in the study of Hamlet?

The 'Great Chain of Being' is important because it underpins the plot of Hamlet. The play revolves around the disruption of this hierarchy due to the unlawful murder of King Hamlet by Claudius, leading to chaos and supernatural consequences.

How does the concept of the 'Great Chain of Being' relate to the plot of Hamlet?

In Hamlet, the natural order is disrupted when Claudius unlawfully kills King Hamlet and takes the throne. This disruption leads to the appearance of King Hamlet's ghost, who urges Prince Hamlet to restore order by avenging his death.

Who was ruling England during the time Shakespeare wrote Hamlet, and why is this relevant?

Queen Elizabeth I was ruling England when Shakespeare wrote Hamlet. This is relevant because the play reflects the beliefs and social structures of the Elizabethan era, including the 'Great Chain of Being.'

What does the video suggest about the consequences of disrupting the 'Great Chain of Being' in Hamlet?

The video suggests that disrupting the 'Great Chain of Being' leads to disorder, anarchy, and supernatural consequences in the universe. In Hamlet, this disruption results in the appearance of King Hamlet's ghost and the demand for revenge.

Why is Claudius's act of killing King Hamlet particularly problematic according to the 'Great Chain of Being'?

Claudius's act is problematic because it disrupts the natural hierarchy. A king is not supposed to be killed unlawfully by a non-king. Claudius's usurpation of the throne violates the 'Great Chain of Being,' causing chaos and requiring restoration.

What is the significance of King Hamlet's ghost in the play?

King Hamlet's ghost is significant because it represents the disruption of the natural order and serves as a catalyst for the plot. The ghost informs Prince Hamlet of the need to avenge his father's death to restore the 'Great Chain of Being.'

How does the video describe the social hierarchy of the Elizabethan era?

The video describes the Elizabethan social hierarchy as a structured order with God at the top, followed by the king, nobles, commoners, and inanimate objects. This hierarchy was believed to be essential for maintaining order in the universe.

What role does Prince Hamlet have in restoring the 'Great Chain of Being'?

Prince Hamlet's role is to restore the 'Great Chain of Being' by avenging his father's unlawful murder. He must kill Claudius, who has usurped the throne, to restore the proper order of the hierarchy.

What advice does the video give to students studying Hamlet?

The video advises students to mention the 'Great Chain of Being' in their essays, as it is critical to understanding the play and Shakespeare's intentions. It underpins the entire plot and the motivations of the characters.