What is textual integrity?
As defined by the Board of Studies, textual integrity is the unity of a text; its coherent use of form and language to produce an integrated whole in terms of meaning and value. Therefore textual integrity is how well the text “flows”, the consistency of its themes, motifs and techniques. A text that depicts good textual integrity will be easy for the reader to follow and understand. For example, it will not rapidly change the plot, enter or remove characters without notice or branch off into a different storyline. Whereas a text that does not have good textual integrity will confuse the reader and be difficult to follow
How does Shakespeare display textual integrity in Hamlet?
The first question that has to be answered is whether or not the reader believes that Hamlet has textual integrity, a long debated subject throughout time. Many critics believe that Hamlet does not have textual integrity based on a couple of areas throughout the play where it diverts from the main plot and leads nowhere, thereby adding little value and lacking continuity. Others believe that Hamlet is a near perfect example of textual integrity. Hamlet displays a number of recurring motifs throughout the play including, religious and misogyny-the hatred of women by men. William Shakespeare possibly chose to use a religious motif to demonstrate many of the religious ideologies and spiritual anxieties that were evident throughout the sixteenth century. For example, and depending on which religion, the belief of ghosts and what happens in the afterlife. This religious motif brings into sight many questions throughout the play such as, why the guards are afraid of the ghost and whether Hamlet is shaped by his spiritual or moral values. The second motif that depicts textual integrity throughout the play is that of misogyny. brought on by Gertrude’s quick marriage to Claudius after King Hamlet’s death. Hamlet becomes obsessed with pointing out the “moral corruption caused by female sexuality”, for example when Hamlet questions Ophelia on her honesty and nobility in his “get thee to a nunn’ry” speech to which he follows that with “why wouldst thou be a breeder of sinners”, suggesting that women are the reason that sinners are born. This behavior is evident throughout the whole play especially when Hamlet is talking to Ophelia or Gertrude. There are a number of themes throughout the play that also aid in providing textual integrity to the story line, for example, the impossibility of certainty, possibly the main theme that separates Hamlet from other tragedy plays of that time. This inability to obtain a certain response to a question is apparent throughout the play and raises many questions to the reader such as whether or not the ghost would have reliable evidence about his own death or whether Hamlet can actually know the state of Claudius’ soul just by watching his behavior. This theme adds more depth to the play than other plays of the time as it questions potential controversial issues that other plays do not. Therefore it is clear that Hamlet displays textual integrity as its themes and motifs are demonstrated throughout the play.
Other themes demonstrating textual integrity through the text include:
-Destiny
-illusion versus reality
-search for self
-revenge
-the nature of humanity
-action verses inaction
-art versus life
