The Presentation of Denmark in the Opening Act of Hamlet

The presentation of Hamlet’s Denmark is first seen in the opening scene of Hamlet where the two guards enter and the first thing that is said is “who is there?” This immediately sets the mood of the whole play and to a certain extent what kind of state Denmark is in which is in a state of high alert, also the darkness and the mystery of who is there sets an ominous tone for the play and also sets an ominous mood for Denmark. It also suggests that the opening scene of Hamlet is set in the dark of night as they are unable to identify one another and so are on edge as to who the other person could be exactly.

Also when Bernardo says “long live the king” it shows that he is loyal to the current king of Denmark and by doing so proves that he is on the side of the other guard. This whilst establishing that both guards on the same side also shows that there could be an enemy and so the audience are able to conclude that currently Denmark is in a state of war. Throughout the whole of Act 1 scene 1 there is stichomythia where both Bernardo and Francisco have alternating lines and also there are blank verses that are broken up when Francisco says “Bernardo?” to which Bernardo replies in the same form of broken up blank verses “He.” By using this dramatic technique it suggests that the lines are spoken rather quickly one after the other which hints that there is some sort of tension between the two guards which is rather strange as they are only changing shifts and again this hints at the possibility that at that time there is some form of military instability in Denmark leaving everyone on edge.

In Act 1 scene 1 when Marcellus and the two sentinels see the ghost for the first time and they see that the ghost looks exactly like the late king hamlet “in the same figure like the king that’s dead.” Despite this they view it as a bad omen that maybe the men should have a military build up in Denmark in response to Fortinbras recruiting an army. Although Fortinbras’s army is supposed to be used against Poland, they fear he may attack Denmark to get revenge for his father’s death, and reclaim the land his father lost to King Hamlet. This is also backed up when they see the ghost in its full armour as the old king used to wear “such was the very armour he had on.” This again shows the risks that impose Denmark and how it is on the brink of war and the fact that the old king hamlet’s armour is discussed suggests that the old king was very much a war like king who was a hero to the people and so Denmark is going from a traditional war like place to a more political and diplomatically Denmark which can be seen when the new king Claudius sends a messenger to the king of Norway rather than confront the army which is being prepared to ensure that the army does not attack Denmark but merely passes through and goes to Poland.

In Act one scene 4 again the ghost is viewed as an omen on the fate of Denmark when Hamlet says to the ghost “Be thou a spirit of health or goblin damned,” so here it would be that Hamlet is asking the ghost is it an omen fro good health possibly to Denmark or is it a goblin. Then he goes on to say “Bring with thee airs from heaven or blasts from hell” this brings about the contrast and again an ominous mystery as to whether the ghost here is to bring gentle breezes or violent blighting gusts.

Also in scene 1 act 4 Marcellus says “something is rotten in the state of Denmark” this could refer to a number of things such as the new king Claudius marrying his bothers wife and becoming king or it would also be hinted at the ghost and it being an omen of bad news. Horatio replies to this “heaven will direct it.” This can be seen as Horatio saying that all that is currently wrong in Denmark in the end heaven will direct it all too good and that the heavens will make everything okay.

In conclusion the presentation of Denmark in Hamlet is very well done as it shows how the influential people of within Denmark affect the country as a whole.

Presentation Skills Training Gets You Ahead in Your Workplace

In today’s economy, most professionals are aware of the need to perform well on the job. It’s a tough market and in times of trouble you want to be noticed for your ability, not only to do your job, but to shine in all situations.

What can you do to improve your retainability? How about setting a bold new direction?

Participating in Presentation Skills Training is a surefire strategy to improve your impact at work. Here are three reasons why it pays to invest in your ability to present to groups – both large and small:

1. Increase Your Confidence

Presentation Skills Training takes you through a learning process which includes videotaping your performance and reviewing specific feedback on how to improve. Look for a program that allows you to get digitally recorded several times so that you can see your progress over time. By giving presentations to a small audience and being recorded, you gain the experience of “just doing it” which automatically increases your confidence. And we all know that a confident presenter speaks volumes over someone who is tentative or uncomfortable at the podium.

2. Increase Your Impact

Once you’re comfortable in front of a group you can work on your impact by playing with several dynamics including vocals, visuals, and verbal content. A polished presenter knows the importance of using their voice to engage the audience. They do this by varying their pitch, their volume and even their pace. Moreover, a seasoned presenter knows how to use visual aids and structure their remarks in a way that maximizes audience involvement. Ultimately, these skills show up in formal presentations as well as day to day discussions and meetings. Making the investment in presentation skills training enhances your ability to make an impact in the boardroom, the client meeting, and in everyday discussions.

3. Stand Out from the Pack

When it comes right down to it, management notices those who stand out from the pack. In today’s hectic environment, the professional who is comfortable giving an impromptu presentation distinguishes him or herself from others. Increased comfort and confidence in presentation skills allows one to display leadership in meetings….without worrying about words, gestures, or nervousness. Stand out from your peers by demonstrating that you are an accomplished presenter who is comfortable in front of a crowd. You’ll be glad you did when you get that next promotion!

Learn more about how to hone your skills by reading this free report on How To Overcome Nerves and Master Presentation Skills at http://boldnewdirections.com/home/section/92/free_presentation_skills_report

Planning A Presentation At Your Trade Show Stand? 3 Tips For Success

The actual trade show exhibits that you take to an event are essential, but they’re not the only important things to consider. Before you pack everything up to ship your entire display to the venue, you should fully plan out your presentation. Knowing what message you want to convey and practicing that pitch until it’s perfect are ways to help ensure success. Lastly, make sure that you let attendees know when you’re doing your sales presentation by announcing it via social medial channels like Twitter or Facebook.

Know What Message Your Trade Show Stand Should Convey

If you’re planning on attending an event, it’s important to know what message your trade show stand conveys and tailor your presentations accordingly. Does your exhibit portray your company as a high-energy industry leader? If so, then you’ll need to adjust the energy level of your presentation. A dull, boring presentation won’t further your image of being an exciting industry leader and could harm your reputation.

Practice Your Pitch

You know the joke, “How do you get to Carnegie Hall?” The answer is simple and you can use it to perfect the pitch of your trade show displays — practice! While some coworkers might feel a little silly doing role playing exercises, these exercises are some of the best ways to know how to deal with customers in a variety of situations.

Many companies make the mistake of not practicing until the night before the event. They think a quick run down will be sufficient enough, however this is a recipe for disaster. Instead, gather everyone around your trade show exhibits when you’re still at the office and have an ongoing training session in the few weeks leading up to the event. Doing this will help ensure that you won’t be at a loss for words when you’re standing in front of your trade show stand with a real life customer.

Promote Your Presentations Using Social Media

Lastly, your presentations won’t be effective if no one knows about them! If you’re planning a presentation at a specific time, use Twitter to let your customers know about it. Consider having a contest or sponsoring a giveaway to encourage customers to follow your company on Twitter or Facebook, however, that’s not enough! Nothing gives a worse impression than an unattended social media account so make sure someone in your office is designated as your ‘social media guru’ and that this person tends to the account at least once a day. If your page is full of customer questions and comments that go unanswered for days at a time, your customers might just wonder what else you’re neglecting.

Simply showing up at an event with your trade show displays isn’t enough if you want to make a big impact at the event. Instead, use these tips to prepare for your presentation. A killer pitch can mean the difference between making a sale and leaving empty handed.