First performed in 1603, Hamlet, The Prince of Denmark is one of the best known works of William Shakespeare. But while Hamlet has been the subject of admiring critical commentary since Elizabethan times, it has also developed a reputation as a difficult work to analyze, one that features a very complicated central character, addresses many complex themes, and presents the reader with a multi-layered text which defies easy interpretation. The character of Hamlet is one of the most compelling characters to ever rise from the pages of English literature. He has been subjected to numerous interpretations and studies over the centuries, his actions and thoughts analyzed and analyzed again. And this, probably more than anything else, is the reason for Hamlet’s enduring appeal. Indeed, I believe that the dilemma faced by Hamlet is in some ways the same dilemma faced by civilized man at large.
As a reader, I can come to any number of reasonable conclusions about Hamlet, but coming to a firm conviction about this complex character is a difficult task. Over the centuries many people have complained that William Shakespeare did an inadequate job of steering the readers of Hamlet to a specific interpretation of each character. Each reader is left to decide the true extent of Hamlets evil and insane ways or to realize that he clearly is a victim of circumstances beyond his control, therefore declaring him innocent. Many people view Hamlet as a deeply troubled youth who caused many unnecessary deaths, such as those of Polonius and Laertes. Supporting this theory I can point out the cruel actions carried out by Hamlet, one example being the indifferent and boastful way Hamlet describes the ingenious way he had his two good friends, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern killed. But wilt thou hear now how I did proceed? I sat down, devised a new commission, wrote it fair. I once did hold it, as our satists do, a baseness to write fair, labored much how to forget that learning, but, sir, now it did me a yeomans service. Wilt thou know th effect of what I wrote? An earnest conjuration from the King, as England was his faithful tributary that on the view and knowing of the contents, without debatement further more or less, he should those bearers put to sudden death (Shakespeare Pg.
The Essay on Hamlet Character Synopsis
Hamlet Character Synopsis By: Manda Freier In this Character description of Hamlet, I describe Hamlet as smart witty and determined. Near the beginning of the play after Polonius's death Hamlet appears to be insane. There are indications that persuade me to think otherwise. Certainly, Hamlet has plenty of reasons to be insane at this point, his day has been hectic; he finally determined Claudius ...
252-253).
The way Hamlet treats Ophelia, the woman he supposedly loved, also supports the portrayal of him being a barbarian. If thou dost marry, Ill give thee this plague for thy dowry: be thou as chaste as ice, as pure as snow, thou shalt not escape calumny. Get thee to a nunnery [referring to a brothel], go and quickly, too (Shakespeare Pg. 213).
Another offered interpretation suggests that using the information given by the ghost of King Hamlet, Hamlet seized the opportunity to regain what was rightfully his-the throne of Denmark.
One less popular belief that has been expressed states that Hamlet was actually a girl, raised as a man, so there would be an heir to the throne. This point of view indeed explains Hamlets reluctance and hesitation to commit murder (which is most often viewed as a masculine act).
This is highly unlikely because there is, in fact, no evidence in the play that supports this explanation. I think and agree with most of the critics that Hamlet is exceptionally intelligent and a sensitive young man, however his actions are left to personal interpretations. Indeed Hamlet discloses many facets of his character to us that we have thus far only been able to see as fragments in other speeches in his speech in Act 3, scene 3. He reveals himself to be an over-analytical man who often procrastinates.
He also shows that he does not really want to kill Claudius but feels compelled to out of a sense of duty to his dead father. Hamlet demonstrates his over-analytical nature in line seventy-three of the speech when he says “That would be scann’d, meaning that he should examine his situation more closely. Instead of simply killing Claudius while he had the chance he over-analyses and eventually decides to postpone Claudius’ murder, missing the best chance he will obtain in the play. Hamlet is also a procrastinator and this is demonstrated many times in the play. In line 80 he says “Why, this is hire and salary, not revenge”. He knows that he must kill Claudius but he postpones it.
The Essay on Hamlet – Revenge Was Not an Act of The Self
In Hamlet, Shakespeare uses revenge as a major theme present throughout the work. Revenge plays a crucial role in the development of Fortinbras, Prince of Norway, Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, and Laertes, son of Polonius. All three men seek revenge for the murder of their fathers. Revenge can be interpreted as a separate character in Hamlet. Revenge is set to overcome anyone who seeks it. ...
This almost suggests that Hamlet does not really want to kill Claudius, but feels obligated to do so. Through his over-analysis he seems to be almost talking himself out of doing his job. One of Hamlet’s most renown traits is his over-analysis of conversational topics and situations in which action must be taken. An example of his over-analytical nature is apparent in his speech in act one, scene four, line 13. He begins his speech quite normally, replying with a simple answer to Horatio’s inquiry but then his thoughts begin to wander and he starts to analyze and philosophize about topics unrelated to Horatio’s question. Another trait of Hamlet is the way he procrastinates.
For example, in Act 2, scene 2, line 603 he convinces himself that his plan to add sixteen lines to the play and watch Claudius’ reaction, rather than completing his task, is the best plan of action. Although in the end he postpones the murder of Claudius, beginning on line 570 he acknowledges his lack of action. This also shows that Hamlet does not really want to kill the king and that he will go to great lengths to postpone his duty. In fact, Hamlet reveals to us about his unwillingness to kill Claudius early in the play. In Act one, scene 5, line 189 he says “O cursed spite,/That ever I was born to set it right!”, meaning that he is angry that he is now put in the position of having to kill the king and he is sorry that he was born with this destiny. On the whole I believe that Hamlet exhibits a puzzling, duplicitous nature and contradicts himself throughout the play, enduring both the virtues of acting a role and that of being true to one’s self.
Mentioning other characters in this play I want to say that Queen Gertrude, Hamlets mother, is perceived by most as a loving yet mysterious figure throughout the play. Her innocence is not only questioned by Hamlet in Act 3 scene 4 “A bloody deed-almost as bad Mother, as to kill a king and marry his brother”{Shakespeare Pg. 226) but by the readers as well. Many readers believe the final scene, in which Gertrude drinks the poisoned cup, is the clue to determining her guilt or innocence. Perhaps Gertrude drank the poison out of guilt from her role in her first husbands death. Its possible that she drank the wine without knowing that is would be fatal.
The Essay on Hamlet Play Review
On Saturday October 14, 2000, the North Carolina Shakespeare festival put on a performance of Hamlet. This show, which was performed at the Carolina Theatre in Durham, North Carolina, was directed by _____________________, who also directed ____________________. ___________________ did a really good job at playing Hamlet, which is a very hard role to act for any actor. Hamlet was produced by the ...
It all depends on how the reader interprets one of the last things Gertrude says in the play, “I will my Lord, I pray you pardon me” (Shakespeare Pg. 258).
Claudius is often thought of as the villain of the play. Shakespeare portrayed Claudius as a true politician-tactful, manipulative and deceitfully clever. His power over people is demonstrated by his control over Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, whom he sent as spies. And can you by no drift of circumstance get from him why he puts on this confusion, grating so harshly all his days of quiet with turbulent and dangerous lunacy?Good gentlemen, give him a further edge and drive his purpose into these delights. {reply from Rosencrantz: We shall, my lord.} (Shakespeare Pg. 210-211) Some scholars suggest that we are supposed to view Claudius as being better suited to be king than Hamlet, which is why Claudius does the things he does.
Polonius is viewed as a mixture of good and evil. He is clearly an intelligent man who was influential and well liked in the Danish court. Most critics speculate the Polonius intentions were usually good but he had a sinister side as well. His sinister side was demonstrated by his eagerness to obtain a higher political position by any means possible, such as trickery, spying and marrying his only daughter into the Royal family. Ophelia, walk you here-gracious, so please you, we will bestow ourselves. Read on this book, that show of such an exercise may color your loneliness.
We are oft to blame on this-tis too much proved-that with devotions visage and pious action we do sugar oer the devil himselfI hear him coming. Lets withdraw, my lord (Shakespeare Pg. 211).
A will come straight. Look you lay home to him. Tell him his pranks have been to broad to bear with, and that Your Grace hath screened and stood between much heat and him.
The Term Paper on Hamlet Play Scene Revenge
Hamlet What is a tragedy? A tragedy can be defined as a form of drama that depicts the suffering of a heroic individual who is often overcome by the very obstacles he is struggling to remove (Tragedy 1). Shakespeare's play, Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, is considered a tragedy in literature and the character of Hamlet in the play is considered to be a tragic hero. In addition, Hamlet, Prince of ...
Ill shroud me even here. Pray you, be round with him. (Shakespeare Pg. 225.) Concluding my essay Id like ot say that every character in Shakespeares Hamlet, from Hamlet himself to the priest, can be interpreted a number of different ways. There is no right or wrong character analysis. Even the reasons for a characters actions can be interpreted different ways and tied to a number of the plays hidden themes..
