Subplots in HamletThere are many things that critics say make Hamlet a "Great Play", one of which is the way Shakespeare masterfully incorporates so many subplots into the story, and connects them all to the main plot of Hamlet's revenge for his father's murder. At the end of Act I, not only is the main plot identified, but many other subplots are introduced. Subplots include trust in King Hamlet's ghost, Fortinbras, and the relationship between Hamlet and Ophelia. These three subplots are crucial to making Hamlet the masterpiece that it is. In Shakespeare's time, ghosts were an easily accepted idea, but you had to be wary of them because it was difficult to decipher a good ghost from a bad one. a. Horatio, Hamlet's best friend, first brings this question to mind when the Ghost asks Hamlet to follow him. Horace warned you: What if it tempts you towards the flood, my lord, or towards the terrible cliff-top that extends beyond its base into the sea, and there takes on some other horrible form which might deprive your sovereignty of reason and drag you into madness? ? Think about it. (68)Hamlet ignored Horatio's warnings, followed his father's ghost, and learned of the murder that had taken place. It is here that he learns of his quest to avenge his father, the main plot of the play. But Hamlet was still not sure of the Ghost's validity, so he decided to put the Ghost's accusations to the test. "There is a play tonight before the king: a scene approaches the circumstance I told you about of my father's death... Observe my uncle. If his hidden guilt does not reveal itself in a speech, it is a damned ghost we saw" (156). Having a playgroup... middle of paper... For many authors, removing even one word from their work means destroying it. For plays, however, words are expected to be changed and added, but not for entire plots and subplots. Eliminating such a large section of a play is disastrous because it leaves the reader and audience with unanswered questions. Subplots increase the complexity of the plot, allow the audience to become more involved, and let everyone walk away feeling like they saw some feature of themselves in the show. This is what makes a show great and makes audiences want to see it again and again. Even a seemingly useless character can identify with someone. The more subplots (the ones that fit well into the comedy), the more people can relate to, the better the comedy. Works Cited Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Durband, Alan, ed. and modern translation. Hutchinson & Co.: London. 1986.