The Tragedy of Hamlet is a classic story, one that every tale written since and every movie made today is in some way modeled after. It is a legend not only in its time, but also in our own. More importantly, this is a story filled with truths of humanity. I think on some level, we all can relate to Hamlet because he is a character who is constantly changing.
This change is an unavoidable product of the events that shape our lives, and ourselves. Throughout the play, we see a great transformation in Hamlet. Over the course of time, there are several significant events that mark turning points in his character. They shape and modify his mentality from how he is initially introduced, to how he copes with conflict, and finally to his redemption and enlightenment. Each of these changes is symbolic of the stages of life that one must undergo before reaching a sort of “enlightenment.” This clarification of the mind is a goal that many spend their entire lives striving for, and this piece of literature unmistakably exemplifies their struggle.
Before the play begins, Hamlet was a calm, collected, intelligent scholar. He was noble of birth, and well worthy of the title. Facing life-altering events, he proceeds to descend to a state of derangement. These events are emblematic of occurrences that may arise in anyone’s life that would cause deterioration of the mental state. It is how we react and choose to use the circumstance that defines not only who we are, but more importantly who we will become. Hamlet’s reaction drives him into madness, as he is only human.
The Essay on Undesirable Life Events
1. In your own words, state the general hypothesis tested in the study. The general hypothesis was “women would be most vulnerable to crises in their interpersonal networks and men most reactive to financial or work-related difficulties.” (Journal of Health & Social Behavior, 1993, p. 75) 2. In the hypothesis, underline the dependent variable and circle the independent variable (or its ...
Throughout the duration of the story, we see him continue to fall deeper and deeper into the recesses of lunacy. Whether his outward insanity is an act or not, we can see from his soliloquies that his mind is one of a torn suffering. He reaches stages without hope or belief in anything. I believe these phases of doubt and distress must be endured for true understanding and serenity to be reached. The encounter with the Skull of Yorick leads to Hamlet’s redemption. While holding Yorick’s Skull, Hamlet experiences a revelation: no matter who you are, where you are from, or what position you hold, we are all going to end up a skull in the ground.
This completely changes his outlook on both life and death. He now understands, and has become accepting of his fate. The skull is Fear and Oppression, and in facing them Hamlet is able to overcome his mental obstacles and reach a higher state of being. Hamlet has come from a normal, logical thinker to an irrational, murderous “mad” man, and then reaches a state of tranquility unlike anything he has ever known. Throughout the entire play, Hamlet has constantly changed. He is the archetypal dynamic character, and his transition has been that of a man who has been tainted and then purged.
When he dies, he is ready, and fears not what is to come. “The readiness is all.”.
