First Impression

Though this is my first time reading the story of Hamlet, I am no stranger to its plot. Shakespeare immediately makes it apparent that the afterlife (particularly questioning what one would experience) will be a central theme in the play, with the appearance of an apparition in the first scene. Later on in act one, the ghost’s identity is confirmed as that of the former king [and Hamlet’s father], as it claims Claudius (his brother) murdered him as a means of inheriting the throne. At this point I am reminded of a Disney film I watched as a kid -- The Lion King. I’m sure most are familiar with the story, but to recap: in beginning of The Lion King, Simba’s father (Mufasa, the current king), is murdered by his own brother (Simba’s uncle, Scar). Mufasa’s death raises many questions for Simba, who blames the ‘accident’ on himself. Over the course of the movie, Simba develops deep criticism for his uncle’s rule, and seeks to over through him (much like Hamlet’s relationship with Claudius). As an adult, Simba is visited by the spirit of his father, who explains to him that death yields way to new life. Though the murder of a father and king, and the suspicion/criticism of a usurping uncle can be found in the plot of both The Lion King and Hamlet, I'm certain that the message of death spawning new life was a Disney adaption. Unlike Simba, it is clear that Hamlet seeks to kill his uncle for the sole purpose of revenge, rather than to better his lands -- which are exposed to an external threat as well (Fortinbras’ army; a hyena army in The Lion King). So instead of death spawning life, Shakespeare suggests that death only yields to more death. What this says, is that with a few tweaks (human role changed to animals), the plot of Hamlet has become suitable enough to be shared even with children.



Aladdin is yet another Disney film that draws from Halmet, in that both plots address the issue of love over social barriers. In Aladdin, the Sultan forbids his daughter from marrying outside of royalty, while similarly in Hamlet, Ophelia is discouraged by her father and brother from seeing Hamlet, because of his higher social standing. Overall, I can say that there is much deception in the early acts of Hamlet, that create for me a heavy anticipation to find out what will happen next. So far in the first two acts, a nephew suspects his uncle of murdering his father, a mother sends her son’s friends to spy on him, a father sends a servant to monitor his son’s behavior, and a young woman is forbidden by her father and brother from seeing her suitor -- that's a lot of plot.