The Theme of "Demise" as Referenced in Shakespeare's Theater: Hamlet as a Case Study.

Abstract

This study is an examination of the theme of "demise", which occupied a pivotal space in the Elizabethan theater in general, and the works of William Shakespeare in particular. This study seeks to examine such a theme through ‘excavating the theatrical history’ and studying contemporary criticism of the great Elizabethan poet’s ideology and belief.

This research paper answers a set of questions, most notably: what are the reasons behind the noticeable rise of devilish assassinations on the theatre of a believer playwright such as Shakespeare? What lies behind all this on-stage violence, which leads to an increase in blood-thirst? What motivates the great English poet to give ghosts an important theatrical role? This study aims to explain why Shakespeare was preoccupied with this theme, which is a reflection of the Shakespearian theatre during the third period of his works, known as “The Overflowing Period”.

In order to draw valid and objective conclusions, the study has selected an indicative model in which the theme of "demise" controls the events of the play "Hamlet". This play clearly represents the doctrine of “demise”, as all the main characters perish, with the exception of some secondary ones who survive.

The conclusions of the study show that the concept of "demise" is close to the religious beliefs of Shakespeare. Based on this, it is clear, that the Catholic Church creed is reflected extensively, which is represented in the doctrine of "purgatory" during the aforementioned period. For this reason, the study recommends reading the theatrical processes from a critical-historical perspective. History leaves its marks that can be interpreted as a literary text through the fears, intellectual and political transformations imbedded in its pages.