Category: Hamlet

If you tell the truth, it might sting for a bit, but if a lie is told, you’ll hurt for life. Shakespeare, a well-known playwright, manages to encompass the complexity of a person through his writing. Hamlet -one of Shakespeare’s amazing work- portrays the betrayal of a brother who gains the rewards of the other. Claudius kills his brother, King Hamlet of Denmark; while he slept, pouring poison in his ear. Prince Hamlet discovers the truth about the death of his father thus seeking revenge on his uncle Claudius. To avenge his father. The characters are often found attempting to entrap other characters to gain want they’re desiring, the truth.

The first attempt in entrapping a character would be Hamlet. Hamlet started to become mad as part of his plan to get revenge on Claudius. However, both Claudius and Polonius became curious about the reason for his insanity, so they concocted a plan. They planned on sending Ophelia to see “If’t be the affliction of his love or no That thus he suffers for” (Act 3 scene 1 line 37-38) while they spied on them. Ophelia was returning the gifts Hamlet bestowed upon her, but Hamlet saw right through her attempt in finding out what was wrong. Hamlet played with her emotions to continue with the act of being crazy. By Hamlet being crazy, he could hurl insults and get away with it. “God has given you one face and you make yourselves another” (Act 3 scene 1 line 144-145). Hamlet calls Ophelia a two face because she acts innocent but alters herself to deceive him. Ophelia was being puppeteered by her father, Polonius to get to the core of Hamlet’s madness.

The second attempt in entrapping a character was Claudius. When Hamlet sees the first player be able to show raw emotions come out like it was nothing. He’s moved and inspired; asking if they “can play The Murder of Gonzago” allowing him to write a “speech of some dozen or sixteen lines” (Act 2 scene 2 lines 514-515 & 518) to depict his father’s death. When the play gets toward the death of Gonzago’s brother being poisoned, “the king rises” (Act 3 scene 2 line 248). Unveiling Claudius’s innocence towards his brother’s murder and what he had gained from it: the kingdom and his wife. The whole point of this mousetrap was to test Claudius’s innocence in playing a part in murdering the king before and to check if the ghost was not lying.

The third attempt in entrapping a character would be Hamlet. When Polonius had mysteriously died and given a quick burial, Laertes was furious; barging into the castle wanting answers. Learning the truth that Hamlet was the one who killed him, Laertes became driven by revenge. Laertes and Claudius began to come up with a plan on how to kill Hamlet as an accident. They were going to have people “praise” his “excellence” allowing Hamlet to be jealous and careless that he won’t notice the “sword unbated” while they fenced (Act 4 scene 7 lines 131 & 138). Both Laertes and Claudius obsessed over the thought of having Hamlet killed that they had back up plans, in case the others weren’t executed.

By the characters entrapping other characters, it reinforces the theme of corruption and deception. The characters in Hamlet must always be wary of listening to the truth because it’s often found to be twisted and manipulated to serve the needs of a person. Claudius has been lying to the whole kingdom on how truly his brother has died allowing him to deceive the people in gaining the hammy downs of King Hamlet.

In the book Hamlet, there are multiple motifs present. Motifs are a recurrent image, word, object, phrase, or action that helps the reader understand the main theme or ideas the author is portraying in books. One motif that appears the most is about weeds, growth, flowers, nature. This motif correlates and puts an emphasis on the bibles Garden of Edan and shows its connection of Claudius killing King Hamlet to Abel being murdered by his brother Abel. The theme of nature also helps show the beautiful and ugly sides of Denmark. This helps to show what has poisoned the culture of Denmark. This motif helps develop the idea that the book is ultimately full of characters that are dishonest and deceitful. The theme of nature also underlines the idea that in the text if one bad decision is made it will bring on the possibility of spreading even more unjust actions.

One Example of nature used as a motif is seen an used to show how Claudius is a weed or useless plant. The quote says ‘duller shouldst thou be than the fat weed / That roots itself in ease on Lethe wharf, / Wouldst not stir in this’ (1.5.36-39). This section of the text shows how Claudius is a nonmoral corrupt man. This quote also foreshadows that the unjust actions of Claudius killing his brother will bring on more wrongdoing throughout spread throughout the book just like weeds. This quote is said by the ghost of the King when he is talking to Hamlet about why he appeared. The reason being the circumstances around his murder. The weed referred to by King Hamlet represents Claudius and his actions of killing his brother. The weeds not only help represent Claudius but they also help represent his actions and show that in the text his actions will bring on more wrongful acts. This is like a weed because it grows and spreads. Weeds are also known to kill good things. This shows that Claudius’s actions are also ruining the good in Denmark.

Another quote in the book that uses nature is in Act four when the text reads “There were fantastic garlands did she come of crow-flowers, nettles, daisies, and long purples” (4.7.86). In this part of the book, Ophelia had passed and the flowers laid around her. The flowers could help symbolize her innocence and or death. This part of the text also mentions weeds around Ophelia when she died. The weeds could symbolize how the bad aspects of Denmark which played a major role in her death. The weeds could also be seen as her madness forming and compelling her to commit suicide. This could be interpreted because all the negativity of Denmark slowly took over Ophelia and as a result of this lead to her death. This is like weeds because they slowly take over everything.

Nature is again seen to help support the main theme in the story when it says in the text “He takes her up and declines his head upon her neck: lays him down upon a bank of flowers… the Queen returns; find the King dead”(3.2.139-144). It can be inferred that in this part of the text the flowers represent death or more specifically in this context the death of King Hamlet. This connects to the last quote because the flowers are surrounded by those who die, for example, Ophelia. Flowers were near her when she committed suicide. When looking at the text more in depth it could be concluded that the flowers do not represent the reason for there death but the flowers come after there death which means that the flowers could be also representing a calm or quiet time after they pass. Using flowers in this part of the story helps the reader understand the storyline as the book goes on. The use of symbolism in this text is a major factor in influencing the reader’s opinion also about death or what’s afterlife.

At Palonius’s funeral, Ophelia sings “Larded with sweet flowers; Which bewept to the grave did go With true-love showers” (4.5.41-43) Again the flowers come up when another character in the book passes away. This proves that in the book Hamlet flowers represent the death of others possibly if it is beginning to foreshadow the death of others. In this quote, Ophelia is singing so it could be possible that her mentioning the flowers is foreshadowing her demise. When reading the text is clear that also towards the end of the book the quotes about nature and the depths increase. So overall this helps add to the storyline.

In a part of act three Hamlet is unsure about Claudiuseds guilt. This is due to him not knowing if the Ghost is his father or just a demon. To prove the ghost is the dead king hamlet and if Claudius committed murder hamlet creates a plan. He believes that having actors perform a play just like the murder will make Claudius feel guilt. Hamlet then hoped to notice the guilt that Claudius might or might not have. During this part of the story it the pay one of the actors says “Confederate season, else no creature seeing; Thou mixture rank, of midnight weeds, collected, With Hecate’s ban thrice, blasted, thrice infected” (3.2.272-273). At this point, the weeds are mentioned again. The weeds may symbolize the bad in Denmark and possibly the bad inside people. It is also clear that the weeds were used to emphasis Claudius’s bad decisions. Meaning his actions that lead to not only the death of king hamlet but also the death of all the royalty at the end of the play. Not only to mention the demise of Claudius himself.

The book uses another quote about nature the quote says “‘tis an unweeded garden, That grows to seed; things rank and gross in nature Possess it merely.” (1.2.137-139). In this section of the text, the symbolism of weeds is brought up again. The weeds mean all the bad connotations that are in Denmark. Combining all the quotes with the weeds it is clear that the weeds play a significant role. The corruption and the wrongdoing in Denmark foreshadow that something menacing will happen at the end of the book. The Last act does fulfill this when Lararties faces Hamlet and hamlet faces Claudius. When Looking more into depth about the weeds it is clear that everything touched by the weeds is tarnished. The weeds symbol of all the bad does exactly this by causing the death of all the monarchy in Denmark. This includes the Queen, King Hamlet, Claudius, Hamlet, and even more.

The use of Flowers in the book hamlet is used again when the text says “There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance;… there are pansies, that’s for thoughts… fennel for you, and columbines:” (4.5.192-197). For this part of the section, Laraties and Ophelia are talking, during this time it is believed that Ophelia has gone insane. Ophelia seems to be obsessed with the garden and flowers she had multiple types of flowers to Laertes. In this section, I think that the flowers represent the good in Denmark, in a way the flowers give Ophelia a type of purpose after she hears that Hamlet killed her father. The flowers also may represent peace or a type of calm. So in a way, the flowers could sooth Ophelia. One could also assume that the pieces may not be affecter her now but after she dies. So in a way, the flowers could be foreshadowing her death.

The final quote evolving nature is ‘Takes off the rose From the fair forehead of an innocent love And sets a blister there’ (3.4.42-44). In this quote, nature is seen to symbolize all the good virtues in life. This is clear when hamlet is talking to Gertrude about what morals are important to keep. These morals include being virtuous modest and truthful. Hamlet is using the rose to portray these good attributes in the text. These are morals play a key role in the text and help give a baseline in how the characters should act. With this said The characters mostly don’t fallow these morals.

All the quotes provided above relate to nature with this said they all also help support the storyline. Specifically, the use of weeds helps develop the idea that the book is ultimately full of characters that are dishonest and deceitful. When looking more into depth it can also be seen that flowers and buds are used to represent peace or a calm state. This can be related to after of before death. The Symbolic use of nature in this book helps the reader to gain a better understanding of what is happening in the book and helps give insight into the main idea of the story.

Throughout history, there have been countless stories of women who have the potential to lead independent lives, but due to societal pressures or truly falling in love, they settle in relationships where they live unfulfilling lives or are led astray by their husbands. While these plays are written in different points in history, Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex and William Shakespeare’s Hamlet both include a similar narrative of female characters who compromise their beliefs for their husbands. In Oedipus Rex, the male protagonist, Oedipus goes on a journey of self-discovery that has detrimental consequences for his wife, Jocasta. In Hamlet, the death of a King leads his son to seek revenge against his father’s successor. Gertrude, who is the widow of the late King, marries Claudius, the successor of the throne, quickly after her husband’s death and gets caught in the middle of the constant discord between the male characters. In Hamlet and Oedipus Rex, Gertrude and Jocasta are queens of their respective kingdoms and fall victim to tragic circumstances. Both women marry their husbands under unusual circumstances, are blind to the truth of their situations, lie to protect those they love, and die as a result of their detrimental relationship choices.

Although they had both been previously married and were left widowed, Gertrude and Jocasta both remarried after the tragic deaths of their husbands. After the mysterious death of her husband Laius, Jocasta married Oedipus, the man who solved the riddle of the Sphinx and saved her kingdom. The period between the death of Laius and her marriage to Oedipus is rather short as Jocasta said herself that, “The heralds no sooner reported Laius dead than you appeared and they hailed you king of Thebes” (Sophocles 813-814). Similarly, Gertrude was also left widowed as her husband King Hamlet was believed to have died bravely during battle. Gertrude then remarried soon after his death to her late husband’s brother, Claudius. Their hasty marriage was a source of contention between the new King and Queen and their son Hamlet, as he believed that “A beast that wants discourse of reason/ Would have mourned longer” (Shakespeare 1.2.150-151). Hamlet feels that Gertrude did not wait an appropriate amount of time between the death of her husband before remarrying. Both Gertrude and Jocasta unexpectedly lose their husbands and remarry in a short period, a choice that leads to their tragic downfalls.

Furthermore, Gertrude’s and Jocasta’s relationships are not only unusual in the abruptness of their unions, but also their familial relationships to their husbands. Before Gertrude and Claudius called each other husband and wife, they were brother and sister-in-law. Claudius is the brother of Gertrude’s late husband King Hamlet. Despite their relationship being under such strange circumstances, Cladius comments on it rather than ignoring it, describing Gertrude as “Our sometimes sister, Now our Queen” (Shakespeare 1.2.8). Claudius openly speaking did not quell any of the tension and anger Hamlet felt towards the newlyweds as he viewed their marriage as incestuous and sinful. Hamlet’s opinion of their marriage was not baseless, as according to their religious beliefs at the time, marriage between a man and his brother’s widow is considered incestuous according to Leviticus (Rosenblatt 351). While Gertrude married Claudius with the full knowledge that he was her brother in law, Jocasta married Oedipus unaware of her true relation to him. At the beginning of the play, we find out that Jocasta was given a prophecy that “My son was doomed to kill my husband” (Sophocles 945). To avoid this from coming true, Jocasta and her late husband Laius had their firstborn child killed. Unbeknownst to them, their son was never killed and grew up to be Oedipus, who unknowingly killed Laius and fulfilled the prophecy. Although they had different levels of awareness, both Jocasta and Gertrude married within their families, which in the end culminates in the destruction of their lives.

Despite their high ranking and their apparent positions of power, Jocasta and Gertrude are not privy to the truth of their situations. Gertrude is the Queen of Denmark and reasonably she should be aware of everything occurring in her kingdom. This is not the case as she is completely unaware of the true circumstances of her husband’s death. Gertrude believes that King Hamlet died valiantly in battle and has found peace with this and moved on, going as far to tell her son to “Cast thy nighted color off,/And let thine eye look like a friend on Denmark” (Shakespeare 1.2.68-69). Gertrude’s attempts to urge Hamlet to move on from his father’s death show how truly in the dark she is, as Claudius is the one responsible for her husband’s death. Gertrude’s obliviousness continues through a majority of the play, even though multiple people who are of lower rank than her are aware of the truth and do not report the information to their Queen. Gertrude’s high ranking does not seem to make a difference as “Her role in the play is subordinate” (Maxwell). Likewise, Jocasta is the Queen of Thebes and orders given by her should be followed. When she ordered a shepherd to kill her child to avoid the prophecy from coming true, he took the baby without question and Jocasta was led to believe that he obeyed her commands as she insists to Oedipus that “He never had a chance to kill his father. They destroyed him first.”. As it is later revealed, the man disobeyed his queen and spared the child, something Jocasta never found out until it was too late. Gertrude and Jocasta are both kept in the dark about the reality of their circumstances which leaves them both unprepared for the fate that awaits them.

Gertrude and Jocasta were not only ignorant due to information kept from them, but also because of their reluctance to see the truth when it is right in front of them. Gertrude was forced to face her demons when she was confronted by her son. Hamlet accosts Gertrude with all of her sins and reveals to her that Claudius is the one responsible for King Hamlet’s death. Amid his tirade, Gertrude begs him to stop because “ Thou turn’ st mine eyes into my very soul/ And there I see such black and grained spots/ As will not leave their tinct” (Shakespeare 3.4 90-92). Gertrude does not want to face the reality of her marriage to Claudius and the sin that it was based upon. Jocasta also tries to avoid facing the truth by convincing Oedipus that the prophecy that Tireaseas told him could not be true because she received the news that Oedipus’ “father”, Polybus, has died. Despite this news, Oedipus is still doubtful as Tiresias told him that he is the one who killed Laius and fears the second half of the prophecy may still come true because his mother is still alive. Jocasta tries to end his uncertainty by telling him to “Sweep it from your mind forever” and that the prophecy could not be true because “Chance rules our lives. Not a man on earth can see a day ahead” (Sophocles 1070). Jocasta’s eagerness to stop Oedipus from searching for the truth shows that she is still uncertain and does not want to risk what could happen if the prophecy came true. Although she does not know the complete truth yet she is “Beginning to fear Oedipus’ impending revelation and the implications it holds for her” (Scholz). Both of these women who have been blind to who the men they married are still refuse to see the truth when it is right in front of them, a choice that will lead to their tragic demises.

Gertrude and Jocasta are both mothers who love and cherish their children and will do anything, even lie, to protect them. Gertrude witnesses Hamlet murder Polonius and show no remorse for doing it, even going as far as to berate his corpse. Despite seeing his mercilessness first hand, she does not reveal this to Claudius. Trying to defend her son, Gertrude tells Claudius, “O’er whom his very madness, like some ore/ Among a mineral of metals base,/ Shows itself pure. A’ weeps for what is done” (Shakespeare 4.1 25-27). This act shows her devotion to her son and some weakness in her loyalty to Claudius. In like manner, Jocasta tries to protect her children by imploring Oedipus to stop searching for the truth about his past. When the messenger reveals that when Oedipus was given to him as a baby, the shepherd that passed him off was a servant of Laius, Jocasta “turns sharply.” This stage direction indicates that she has realized the prophecy has come true. Instead of acknowledging this, Jocasta immediately tries to stop Oedipus from asking any further questions by saying “Why ask? Old shepherd, talk, empty nonsense,/ don’t give it another thought” (Sophocles 1159-1160). She is trying desperately to stop him because if he looks further he will see that the prophecy has come true and their family will be torn apart. Oedipus and Jocasta’s’ children will live their lives in shame if it is revealed that they are products of incest, so she is doing everything she can stop the truth from coming out. In this part, we see Jocasta’s role change from “submissive wife” to “protective mother” (Lin). Because both Gertrude and Jocasta are devoted to their families, they will do anything to protect them even if their actions are in vain.

In spite of Gertrude’s and Jocasta’s attempts to maintain peace within their lives, they cannot keep control and die tragically. In a plot to kill Hamlet, Claudius plans to have him drink wine that has been poisoned during a fencing match. His plan goes off the rails when instead, Gertrude drinks the wine, despite Claudius telling her not to, she replies “I will my lord; I pray you pardon me” (Shakespeare 5.2.293). Gertrude’s death is a true tragedy as she had no idea the wine was poisoned and died quickly, her last words being “O my dear Hamlet! The drink, the drink! I am poisoned” ( Shakespeare 5.2.309-311). Although this was a fatal act, it was also one final act of defiance against Claudius, showing that Gertrude is “Far more than a one dimension, reactive female construct” (Montgomery 102). While Gertrude unknowingly took her own life, Jocasta purposefully did once her life truly fell apart. Jocasta’s final attempts to stop Oedipus from finding out the truth failed, as he sent for the shepherd that would confirm to Oedipus what Jocasta already figured out that he killed Laius and she is his mother, making the prophecy true. However she could not bear to see what this revelation would do to her family. She begs Oedipus to stop the search, saying “No, please– for your sake– I want the best for you” (Sophocles 1170-1171). Her pleas to Oedipus were in vain, so she gave up and made her final words to Oedipus, “Man of agony– that is the only name I have for you,/that, no other– ever, ever ever!” (Sophocles 1177-1179). This serves as her final goodbye to Oedipus as she runs into the castle and hangs herself after saying this. Although they both did not have the intent to kill themselves, both Gertrude and Jocasta died tragically due to reasons out of their control; Jocasta’s fated marriage to her son and Gertrude’s accidental poisoning.

In conclusion, Jocasta in Oedipus Rex and Gertrude in Hamlet are both tragic characters as they both of their downfalls were the result of the choices of their husbands. Jocasta’s husband Oedipus goes on a destructive journey of self-discovery that reveals the prophecy that he would kill his father and sleep with his mother to be true. This revelation drives Jocasta to suicide as it destroys their lives and the lives of their children beyond repair. After losing her first husband, Gertrude quickly moves on and marries his brother, Claudius, a choice that gravely damages her relationship with her son, Hamlet. Once it is revealed to Hamlet that Claudius is the one who is responsible for his father’s death, he goes on a journey of revenge in which Gertrude gets caught in the crossfire. Both Gertrude and Jocasta are protective mothers whose relationship choice have detrimental consequences and ultimately end in their tragic deaths.

“Women in her greatest perfection was made to serve and obey man, not to rule and command him” is a quote said by John Knox. Society in the 15th and 16th century was built on this quote as it demonstrates how women in the Elizabethan era were overpowered by the men in their lives. In the tragic play, Hamlet, written by William Shakespeare, the role of women and how they are treated is revealed throughout the play as women in this era were considered to be weak and vulnerable, they must be obedient and follow the men, and without a doubt, they were disrespected and undermined continually.

To begin, women in the Elizabethan era were regarded as weak and frail by the men in their lives. This is shown in Act 1, Scene 2, where the main character, Hamlet, sees his mother as weak for the actions she took after her husband died.

Would have mourned longer,-married with mine uncle,

My father’s brother… within a month;

Ere yet the salt of most unrighteous tears

Had left the flushing of her galled eyes,

She married:- O most wicked speed, to post

With such dexterity to incestuous sheet! (151-157).

Hamlet expresses his resentment by stating his anger towards his mother for her rushed marriage. This demonstrates that Hamlet perceives his mother to be weak because she married her brother-in-law within a month of her husband passing away. It is revealed that Gertrude is a frail person in this quote as she is insecure and shows her reliance she needs by quickly remarrying. Gertrude is a woman that has a tendency to be dependent on men as she needs them to help her make decisions and protect her. Later in the play, weakness is demonstrated again in act 3 scene 1 Ophelia lets Hamlet act discourteous towards her and takes no action to support herself. “O woe is me, to have seen I have seen, see what I see!” (162-163). This shows that Ophelia is filled with self-pity instead of being filled with anger for Hamlet’s mockery towards her. The author, Shakespeare, portrays Ophelia has weak due to the fact that she could not defend herself when she should have. In the 15th and 16th century, women were considered to be weak and always depended on the men and that is why Shakepeare decided to portray Ophelia and Gertrude as weak because during that time period, it was believed that women were vulnerable and unable to take care of themselves. In the Elizabethan era, it was always believed that women needed to be taken care of by a man, in order to thrive in a patriarchal world. To summarize, woman in this era were regarded as the “weaker sex” because they were inferior to men and could not come to their own defense.

Furthermore, women in the 15th and 16th century must be compliant and dutiful by always listening to the men’s orders. Obedience and compliance is revealed in Act 3, Scene 1 of the play, when Claudius requests Gertrude to leave so Polonius and him can continue their plan to check Hamlet’s sanity. Gertrude, who is dutiful as ever, follows his order. “I shall obey you” (38). This indicates how submissive Gertrude is. Not only is she portrayed as weak by showing the reliance she needs on men, but she also does whatever she is told. She is Hamlet’s mother and therefore, she has a right to know if her son is going crazy or not. She does not want to disobey Claudius because she is desperate for love and acceptance, so she listens to his command. Ophelia is another character that displays obedience. In Act 2, Scene 2, her father, Polonius reads a letter written by Hamlet to the King and Queen. Polonius got this letter from his obedient and dutiful daughter.

I have a daughter, have while she is mine-

Who in her duty and obedience, mark…

This in obedience hath my daughter showed me (106-107, 123)

Polonius knows that it is Ophelia’s duty to be compliant and follow his orders. Polonius is confident that his daughter is obedient to him. Both Gertrude and Ophelia have no voice regarding situations about themselves or about anything. Shakespeare portrays Gertude and Ophelia to be obedient and dutiful because in the Elizabethan era, it was customary for women to follow the men and do whatever they say. Women first belonged to their fathers then, when the time was right, they would be dutiful and belong to their husbands. They were treated as if their opinions did not matter as the men in their lives choose everything for them. Whether the women liked it or not, it did not matter. If they were disobedient, the consequence for that was being whipped. They were whipped into submission, so that if they ever try to be insubordinate again, they would remember the punishment and would not attempt it. Altogether, women in this era had their right to speak taken away from them as they were made to follow the men and always be dutiful of their place.

Above all, the Elizabethan era was a time period where women were continually disrespected and degraded. They were not treated equally as men and were thought to be subservient to them. Both Gertrude and Ophelia are constantly getting disrespected by the men in their lives. This is demonstrated in Act 1, Scene 3, where Polonius lectures his daughter about what Hamlet’s true intentions are but he ends up disrespecting her. “Marry, I’ll teach you: think yourself a baby” (105). This quote demonstrates how Polonius is showing a lack of respect towards his daughter. He insults Ophelia for not seeing through Hamlet’s intentions. Instead of giving advice in a kind way, he lectures Ophelia in a disrespectful course of action as if she is less than a person. In the Elizabethan era, it was prevalent for women to be disregarded and shown a lack of consideration because they were a woman. Disrespect and scorn is revealed again in Act 1, Scene 2, where the main character, Hamlet, speaks in an ill-mannered way about his mother and all women in general.

… why, she would hang on him,

As if increase of appetite had grown

By what it fed on: and yet, within a month-

Let me not think on’t – Frailty, thy name is woman! (143-146).

Hamlet indicates his disgust for his mother about her relationship with his uncle. He does not only call his mother weak, but he goes on to say that all women are weak. This quote is a strong example that reveals how Shakespeare has the need to demean women because in the Elizabethan era, it was common for women to be degraded and devalued. Ophelia is yet again disrespected and insulted. In Act 3, Scene 1, Hamlet is angry at his mother for marrying his uncle after her husband died and Hamlet decides to take his anger out on Ophelia.

… Get thee to a nunnery,

Go; farewell. Or, if thou wilt needs marry, marry a

Fool;for wise men well enough what monsters you

Make of them. To a nunnery,go; and quickly too (137-140).

The fact that Hamlet insults Ophelia in such a degrading way reveals what lack of respect he has for her. He lashes out at Ophelia and tells her to go to a brothel. He insults and degrades Ophelia by telling her to marry a fool because wise men know that women will cheat on them. Both Ophelia and Gertrude are shown a lack of respect and honour because they are a woman. Women in this era were also subjected to the same lack of regard and appreciation. Men could say disrespectful things to the women and they would have to accept since they cannot voice their own opinion. Overall, the 15th and 16th century was a time period where women were disrespected and talked towards in a derogatory way. Women in this era were degraded by men making comments about their appearances, saying anything to humiliate or belittle them, they were disregarded and their opinions were ignored.

All in all, the tragic Shakespearean play, Hamlet, shows that women in the Elizabethan era were inferior and subordinate to the men in their lives as they were regarded as vulnerable and frail, they are required to be compliant and follow the orders given to them, and by all means, they were repeatedly disrespected and degraded. Shakespeare portrays the women in Hamlet as weak characters that are dependent on men. The reliance they need on men portrays them to be vulnerable and powerless.

Works Cited

1. Elizabethan Women, http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/elizabethan-women.htm.
2. Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Ed. Marilyn Eisenstat. Toronto: Harcourt Shakespeare, 2003. Print

The information gathered from an introductory interview lays the foundation where the analysis can begin. This patient is a 30-year-old Caucasian male. Currently has no labelled relationship and without children. Admitted by King Claudius, Queen Gertrude and close relation by the name of Polonius. The subject’s biological father died less than six months ago. Two months after his death, the mother of the patient married the brother of her past husband. Auditory and visual hallucinations along with feelings of vengeance originate from the grief of his late father.

Family rivalries appear psychologically and physically, deriving from hating his uncle and feelings of betrayal from his mother. Once interviewing the patient, his perception of his mother unmistakably presents itself as an exposition of disloyalty. Hamlet questions as how his mother could immediately “ plunges herself into a new life” deeming her a traitor to his bloodline. Another factor disturbing Hamlet’s mental state stems from his mother and uncle’s incestuous actions, which formulates the idea that his family is “a little more than kin and less than kind.”(1.2.64) This event commences the disorder of the royalty’s genealogy. Declaring the accommodation to his newfound family as “absurd and impossible”, the patient struggles to be socially compatible with external relations.

The Prince reveals how many cases where he displays madness arises from his plot “to put an antic disposition” (1.5.172). However, the subject confesses to being incognizant of imagination and reality imagination in certain exhibitions of imitated insanity. The patient’s sanity deteriorates rapidly. It is nearly impossible for the patient to positively differentiate true acts of lunacy from falsified hysteria. Dissociation from the facts of existence proves serious complications related to evidence of cognitive abnormity. Supporting this allegation, Hamlet’s significant other in his previous relationship testifies to an incident of mentally strange conductivity demonstrated by the patient. She attests to Hamlet looking “piteous in purport, as if he had been loosed out of hell” (2.1.82). Although the contents of this statement may be evident as pure madness, with consideration of the subject’s mischievious ploy, there is no absolute conclusion to Hamlet’s condition. With this potential error in mind, another individual vouches for Ophelia’s indictment by suggesting their own perception of the Prince. This testimony emanates from the mother of the patient. She compares her son as “mad as the sea and wind when both contend” (4.1.7). Because the evidence derives from more than one source, the statments reckon to be trustworthy and verify the Prince’s mental decay.

Through the observation of the patient’s argument with Ophelia, the patient displays ludicrous behaviours. Hamlet originally addresses the woman patiently. But as the encounter progresses, the subject grows impatient, demanding the young woman “To a nunnery” (3.1.141) which exemplifies his instinctive aggression. From further investigation of Ophelia and her father, Polonius, it is evident the true motive behind Ophelia’s visitation. Due to conscription by Ophelia’s father, she acts as the mole in the operation. The patient triggers the abrupt demise of the relationship as the information revealed is taken directly. This event demonstrates the subject’s discrepancy with internal relations with his mind. While eavesdropping behind a curtain of a conversation between the Prince and his childhood friends, Hamlet mentions disparity when regarding the existence of Mankind. Categorizing humans “in apprehension how like a god” (2.2.315) and then connecting mortals to “quintessence of dust” (2.2.317) exhibits a mental battle in the subject resulting in conflicting ideologies. Immediately contradicting his words reinforces the extreme fluctuations of his state of mind.

Hamlet accounts for several symptoms of depression. The patient reports he stumbled upon the ghost of his late father who compelled Hamlet to “revenge his foul and most unnatural murder” (1.5.25). Claiming to have interacted with the phantom of elder Hamlet instantiates his auditory and visual aberrations. Prior to Hamlet’s “reunion” with his father, commotion from inside the castle of Elsinore can be overheard. From observation in a neighbouring room, the subject displays perturbation, wishing his “sullied flesh would melt, thaw, and resolve itself into a dew” (1.2.129) while addressing himself. This discourse radiates deranging characteristics as it is not the first case where the patient contradictorily conversates alone. When he asks “To be or not to be?” (3.1.58) displays another incident where the Prince questions himself paradoxically. In solitary and distress, the patient contemplates self-slaughter dictating his hysterical and consternating character. From vivid hallucinations, speculation of suicide to anxious demeanour, the manifestations of the patient correlate to a depressive disorder.

`Hamlet” was completed in the English Renaissance in the early seventeenth century. Its creative process took three years. It is also the longest of all of Shakespeare’s dramatic works. The book is set in the medieval Danish royal court as the background. The protagonist Hamlet investigates the murderer and launches a vengeance after his father was murdered by his uncle, hence the name ‘Prince’s Revenge’. The play is a true reproduction of European society in the late Renaissance, and it also reflects Shakespeare’s thinking on human destiny. It is a Western literary work with profound tragic significance. Among them, this work deepens the depth of tragedy from three aspects: the characteristics of the times, the personality of the characters, and the conscious influence of Shakespeare.

Throughout the entire play of “ Hamlet ”, although Shakespeare took the main character of Hamlet as his father’s revenge, the mainline of the plot, but in the process of the main line’s gradual development, also showed readers the turbulent European society in the medieval period, as well as prostitution, The dark Danish court, and this chaotic era is precisely the main reason for creating one after another of the tragedies in the play. As a prince, Hamlet was deeply influenced by the humanist ideals of the Renaissance, advocating freedom and the liberation of human nature. In his eyes, the glory of human nature is like ‘purification of the universe’, so sacred, and at the same time, no matter the person himself, A society composed of people should be harmonious and beautiful. However, in this dark age, ideals and reality are often far away.He longs for pure love and falls in love with the beautiful and innocent girl Ophelia, but the reality tells him that in order to avenge his father, Orphey Leah can only be part of the plan for revenge; he yearns for a close friendship, but his classmates Luo Sheng Clan and Giddens Dun and become the minions of the killing father Claudius; in his impression, His mother was beautiful and kind, but after returning from the funeral, he found that his father’s bones were not cold, and his mother had remarried to become a woman of Claudius. The strong contrast between ideal and reality caused Hamlet to almost collapse, and his powerful enemies and difficult road of revenge made him despair. Since then, Hamlet’s perception of humanity and human nature has completely changed. A tragic point.

For Hamlet, his life is undoubtedly full of tragedy, and his complex and contradictory character is one of the main reasons that determine his tragic life. From a behavioural point of view, Hamlet’s character is hesitant and contradictory. On the one hand, he is eager to avenge his father, on the one hand, he wants to kill Clautus, the king who seeks to usurp and usurp his brother, and on the other hand, he wants to achieve Although the two goals of humanistic ideals for the society to regain order and restore justice seem to coincide, in the process of realization, in addition to various contradictions. So even when Claus was praying with his back to him, he couldn’t pull the sword in his hand to the enemy, because it was easy to kill him, but simply killing him would only make the whole society more Confusion and darkness are obviously unacceptable to Hamlet who wants to realize humanism. Such contradictions make him feel tangled and suffering, and the seed of tragedy also gradually arises in the process of his tangling. From an emotional point of view, Hamlet’s character is suspicious and melancholy. This kind and the pure prince has experienced too many betrayals since his father’s death. Each betrayal makes him question his own belief in humanism. And the heavy blow and huge pressure of revenge also gradually contributed to his melancholic character. He is willing to give everything for revenge, including life, and he will not be defeated by difficulties, but in the face of reality, he is accustomed to a pessimistic view of everything, so he will always miss a good time for revenge. In addition, the melancholic character also made him skeptical of anyone and things. Even if he really helped his friend Horasu, he could not fully trust him, and when his character contradicted his revenge and belief The great tragedy of human nature finally formed.

The content expressed in work is bound to be influenced by the subjective consciousness of the creator, and Hamlet is no exception. The protagonist Hamlet is actually closely related to Shakespeare, and it can even be said that Shakespeare is a personality in the play. Reflected, the character and life of Hamlet’s tragedy are also affected by Shakespeare’s tragic life [2]. The story in the play is set against the background of the medieval Danish royal court, and Shakespeare’s era is exactly the late Renaissance. The sinful and dark Danish royal court and the powerful feudal class in that play were also the British court and the reproduction of society can be said that whether it is the depiction of the background of the times or the prominent social characteristics, it is Shakespeare’s deep appreciation of its own era and society. In addition, throughout Shakespeare’s life, although his plays have been loved by all walks of life, he has also become a wealthy aristocrat because of his drama, but his life is still full of all kinds of dissatisfaction, such as those of a teenager. Distress, bullying by the rich, etc. These experiences made Shakespeare realize the cruelty of life, and also established a strong sense of reason. In the process of creating ‘Hamlet’, rational consciousness also told Shakespeare that if he wanted to ensure the rationality of the plot, Hamlet’s life would inevitably be gradually tragic.

In short, although Hamlet is only a dramatic work, it fully explains the tragic nature of human life. How to treat this tragedy and contradiction requires more in-depth thinking.

Throughout literature and history included in this world there are various examples to answer the questions of who are we and why are we here. This coming from many people of whom are struggling in today’s world. The readers explore the appearance vs the reality of expectations followed through the pieces “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald and “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare. In these selections the readers analyze how both Hamlet and Gatsby explore the aspect of our humanity and what it means to be human. People will have to learn to have the ability to understand the elements of classical literature under human tendencies. The readers examine how and why the human condition has effect on the events and situations of the literary elements in the collections of the novel and drama.

To put on an act means to speak or behave in an artificial, informal and unprofessional way. Humans do such things as putting on an act and behaving differently in a way to impress or show off to someone or something. They carry out the action of not being themselves and/or try to be someone different rather. Sometimes this may have a positive outcome, but for most it may cost. Shakespeare does this is as way to show power. Hamlet going insane makes the characters confused and distracted, which allows Hamlet to secretly ponder the death of his uncle. The readers see this when Hamlet meets with Ophelia and she notices his odd behaviour saying, “O, what a noble mind is here o’erthrown!” (Act III: Scene I. 152). This shows how humans act in order to get what they want while having a very shallow nature. In the novel “The Great Gatsby” Fitzgerald does a very good job of portraying this by grabbing the reader’s attention to draw toward Daisy’s reaction to Gatsby becoming rich, by focusing on the idea that Daisy made a mistake not Gatsby. This shallow nature expresses the characters and closes up on the snooty and fake outcomes of the reality of the human nature. Through these examples readers can notice the shallow personalities of these human beings, and how none of them really care about what is going on. Most humans have a tendency to do things oddly while distracted or pressured.

Choices and decisions that people and characters make may lead to consequences if not maintained and thought through. Motivation and procrastination are two very discreet things, which are apart the human condition and are decisions that people make each day. Why do the characters in both “Hamlet” and “The Great Gatsby” make poor decisions that lead to horrible consequences? In Fitzgerald’s novel, Gatsby demonstrates having a tragic flaw of obsession. As seen in the story Gatsby offers to take the blame for Myrtle and the accident so he can protect Daisy. This leads to his death as Wilson kills him for being the murderer of his wife. This example shows how the possible unnecessary outcomes of decision making has caused problems in the human exchange of events, as well the obsession Gatsby has over Daisy. This happens because it is apart of life, not doing things right when you know you should. These are examples of human error through wrong observations. Hamlet’s tragic flaw is procrastination and is shown many times throughout the novel. The example where it shows his worst consequences is when Hamlet waits too long to get revenge on Claudius. Hamlet procrastinates this the entire novel and in the end he loses his life over it. If Hamlet would of had motivation to get it done he could of continued his life and became king. Both these situations led to consequences related in the death of the main characters which is a big ending event in both of these selections. This allows the reader to understand how the human condition and related flaws in life can cost an individual the most through the basis of classical literature.

Being selective with thoughts and actions is something people naturally do. Choosing to do something or not is a major factor throughout the two selections. Shakespeare and Fitzgerald do this as a common way of connecting the characters to the readers, and making the readers feel as if they could relate to the character in such a way. In “Hamlet”, Hamlet becomes obsessed with Ophelia and explains that the thought of life in hell would be worse than life on earth. Hamlet is selective in the words that he uses in this section of the play, because he chooses to become close with Ophelia. Hamlet not only is obsessed with Ophelia he loves Ophelia. Saying, “I loved Ophelia; forty thousand brothers/ Could not, with all their quantity of love, /Make up my sum. /What wilt thou do for her?” (Act V: SceneI I. 263-265). This shows how not only Hamlet has effect on this but Ophelia as well in a way of being blind and oblivious to what really is going on. This is very important as it shows that the love Hamlet has for Ophelia is very strong, and love is a very important part in determining the human essence. It is not common to assume the same for other characters in these pieces selected. In the novel “The Great Gatsby” Gatsby has a secretive obsession for Daisy. The readers notice this because he is a very sincere man but rather obsesses over Daisy for different reasons. The readers may wonder how this can happen to someone so self centred, but it happens and we see how it works out for Gatsby. In the novel an example of this obsession is when the reader finds out that Gatsby has been spending many years of his life trying to become rich to impress Daisy. In which Gatsby’s guest speculate he is a bootlegger, and we later find out that he has a past of illegal alcohol sales. Choosing what to say when, where, how and why is a major factor for humans. People react fast to events rather than reflect on how one should do something. In the drama “Hamlet” the advantage of death is a pole through human beings, the human essence of obsession, and love being a frequent position.

Humans are amazing, and each and every single one is unique, and a hero to someone. Human heroism is real and occurs everyday, and is seen this throughout the selections as readers discover characters personalities, lives, relationships and situations. Gatsby and Nick have a very unusual relationship, which explores the fact why Gatsby confides Nick throughout the novel. The readers notice this happening at the very end of the novel when Nick is the only one to show up to Gatsby’s funeral considering to be his only friend. This is shocking to the readers because for many years Gatsby after many years always held huge parties and events, and those people used him, rather than to actually become friends with him. Nick was a true friend and the relationship between Nick and Gatsby was real. These characters were each their own heros and, the way things played out in their lives were the reasons for helping each other become better people who cared for each other. Each common character has a hero, and each hero has a reason for being the person they are. Hamlet opens up to Horatio in the play and readers notice this happening very slowly. This happening shows just how close their relationship really is, and how they counteract each others lives to make it worth it. Horatio is a loyal, honest, and kind friend for Hamlet to have. In the play when Hamlet learns his father was poisoned, Hamlet tells Horatio and Horatio swears to silence to keep Hamlets secret. When Hamlet says, “Haste me to know’t; that I, with wings as swift /As meditation or the thoughts of love,/ May sweep to my revenge ” (Act I: Scene V. 29-31). This quote shows the significance of Hamlet needing Horatio in his life, because Hamlet is lost and confused and wants to get revenge, but doesn’t want to get hurt. Horatio and Nick are both examples in the main characters lives where heroism is believable and noticeable. Humans need people in order to live. Without love and affection one would be severely depressed and helpless. Readers acknowledge this state in both the drama “Hamlet“, and the novel “The Great Gatsby”. In classic literature this is an everyday appearance of hardship under human condition.

Although happiness and success is a very important part of the selections chosen, so is betrayal and anger. Readers can see betrayal through both love and hate. These motives reverse each other and can follow up to one another. Hate is an extremely strong word which can describe many dark circumstances. In the selections read there is a distinct hate on some very specific characters. In the play “Hamlet”, one discovers the hatred Hamlet had for his uncle. Hamlet hates his uncle because of the fact he literally married his mother. When Hamlet finds out that his uncle was in fact the one that killed his father, his hatred grows even more for his uncle. Through Hamlet’s soliloquy spoken in act 1 scene 2, the readers understand why Hamlet was so saddened and upset by the death of his father saying, “O that this too too solid flesh would melt,/ Thaw, and resolve itself into a dew!” (Act I: Scene II. 129-130). Hamlet feels betrayed and played by his own family. He does not know how to react to this happening so he simply reacts in a way of hate to try and overcome this situation. In the well-known novel, “The Great Gatsby”, Gatsby takes on a hate for Tom as the story progresses. The readers soon understand Gatsby’s interesting way of thinking and may not agree with the thoughts of his ideas and concerns. Gatsby makes it very clear in the novel that the only reason he hates Tom is because Tom has everything that Gatsby wants. Tom and Gatsby have an ongoing conflict because of differences between the two men. The conflict between the two men is that they both want the same woman. We see this when Gatsby’s parties become a routine every Saturday. The readers notice that the only reason for this is in hopes that Daisy will show up for Gatsby. Daisy kissed Gatsby in secret and confesses her love for him. The reader sees Gatsby trying to win over Daisy when he agrees to go to the city with her, but Tom decides to join them because of his suspicion. The betrayal is present and the readers notice this in the novel when Daisy says, “You always look so cool” (Fitzgerald 125). She then explains that she always loved him, and Tom Buchanan overheard this and was astounded. Tom being very surprised looking at both Gatsby and Daisy as though he thought he knew her a long time ago. Betrayal is a forced action in these situations and each character does not think before they act. Which as it does in most situations gets them in trouble one way or another. Like under most human tendencies to think before one acts.

In the events throughout “The Great Gatsby” and “Hamlet” the readers learn why characters do the things they do. Human condition, truth telling and honesty are big factors among some very specific characters throughout the drama and novel. Not only do the readers learn how the characters evolve through all situations but they explore the aspect of humanity through classical literature. The situations explained have shown why there are consequences for the actions people make, why people choose to follow a shallow nature, how betrayal is founded, why people choose to select what they want to know and what they do not, and how human heroism is a major factor through classic literature of the comparative truth of the human condition. The human tendencies to act the way people do is due to psychology of the human brain. Each and every person has their own opinions, values, and beliefs and the reflected choices that people make are subconsciously made from past factors, achievements, or withdrawals. Throughout classic literature this factor is a common understanding of characters evolving and behaving the way that they do.

References

1. Jamie Grant. Similarities and Differences Between Hamlet and Gatsby. Prezi. December 19, 2014.https://prezi.com/x_i94gccvhqx/similarities-and-differences-between-hamlet-and-gatsby/
2. Victor. HAMLET GATSBY Comparative. Scribd. March 1, 2015.https://www.scribd.com/document/257337576/HAMLET-GATSBY-Comparative-Essay
3. Mary Sutton. Enotes. The Great Gatsby – What is the significance of Gatsby’s obsession with Daisy and living in the past?. 2019.https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-significance-gatsbys-obsession-daisy-living-729979
4. Jason Lulos. Enotes. Hamlet – In Act 5, Scene 1 of Hamlet, what does this mean: ‘Forty thousand brothers / Could not, with all their quantity of love, / Make up my sum.’ (quoted by Hamlet)?. 2019.https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-does-this-mean-forty-thousand-brothers-could-419939
5. Patricia Vineski. Shakespeare’s Horatio: Character Analysis & Relationship with Hamlet. Study.com. 2003 -2019.https://study.com/academy/lesson/shakespeares-horatio-character-analysis-relationship-with-hamlet-quiz.html

Introduction

Hamlet life was affected by the series of events especially his personality. Hamlet went in the course of hard time through the passing away of his member of the clergy (Erikson, pg, 5). In a month afterward, he goes in the course of another horrible event, where his nurse Gertrude started an association by his uncle Claudius and planning to marry. At this point, he begun to question, have her mother planned his father to be murdered? Such question would lead toward his life as misery as well as doubtful. In other words, if he was acting normally, not dealing with the loss of the member of the clergy, he could not be feeling extreme adore towards another; he could be caring as well as kind to Ophelia on regular basis. In the play, he never seemed to get payback.

Ophelia love with Hamlet

I think that Hamlet cherished Ophelia actually (Leverenz et, al, pg, 300); although Hamlet was a multifaceted personality, this was as understanding the play and studying the approach, he acted about making her feel affection for unadulterated and real. Hamlet supposed his affection meant for her all through the play, and it seemed that he treasured her further than before. The time came and Ophelia passed away and it was clear that it harmed for the loss of her devotee. They did things appealing superior since they had time to work together. Therefore, during the play it reveals that they each loved each other.

Why did Polonius read love letter to Claudius

Ophelia gave her member of the clergy, the adore correspondence Hamlet wrote to her, and in act 2, scene 2, of Shakespeare’s play Polonius interprets the letters audibly to King Claudius (Ayers,pg 230). Polonius read the adore correspondence to Claudius for two reasons; Claudius wanted to reveal that his daughter should not be as one with Hamlet. Since, Hamlet was regal and he wouldn’t get lead of tying the knot with an offspring of a meager dignified. Secondly, he wanted to acquire praise for being the one to be familiar with, why Hamlet was crazy. His plans while he read the correspondence was to illustrate the ruler unswervingly that affection was the reason of Hamlet’s insanity by captivating the king to watch a discussion amid Ophelia and Hamlet. Throughout their discussion Hamlet was very denote to Ophelia; therefore, the king concluded that he was not in love.

Following the bereavement of his father, Hamlet was traumatized owing his mother remarrying so quickly and he ended to a point of distrusting everyone, and mostly women. Previously in the play he treats Gertrude unkindly, complaining that she was weak and immoral and he ended saying infirmity thy name is women. This recommended that his sense of trust was hurt and he felt deep sense of rejection. In his mind, Ophelia betrayed him by sharing his personal adore letters with her father (P.k .pg 233). Polonius’s plan was to spy on the couple along the sovereign to confirm that Hamlet really was in love. As a noble, he proved his worth if he solved the monarch’s problem.

Ophelia did that at the instruction of her father, Polonius. He thought that Hamlet was not actually serious with her and he was playing around with her, therefore, Polonius advised Ophelia that she was too young and inexpert to be concerned in a dangerous business enterprise. She returned them to him and she revealed to him that their relationship was over (Camden et,al, pg 250-251). This confirmed his bitterness towards all women since Ophelia has rejected him and being wishy – washy.

Hamlet was pretty sad with the world; his vicar has passed away and he suspected his uncle of killing him, and after that his nurse insulted his father’s name and honor by getting matrimonial to his uncle after the bereavement (Claudius (2011). Due to this Hamlet started doubting the faithfulness and cleanliness of all women. He didn’t believe that his mother could be so weak and inconsistent and he concluded that all women are like that (Heilbrun, et, al. pg 205). Therefore, he spread his anger out over all women, and not just his mother but he included Ophelia.

Hamlet raged that all women should never marry, since they just bear children who grow into dishonest men, he declares that good looks are just an attraction to draw men in. Hamlet declares that, there are no honest women, and therefore, all women should be nuns in order to create any more confusion. Hamlet vented his frustration at his mother and this happened to Ophelia as a victim of all that.

However, his reaction was incontestably disproportional to her action. He treated her unkindness telling her to get thee to a nunnery (Carlisle, pg 139). Hamlet anger was not because of the letter but mostly to his mother due to her actions and feels the sense of abandonment after Ophelia whom he loved did something he did not like.

In the play, it reveals that Hamlet protects Ophelia by pretending to be mad. When his father’s ghost meets him at the beginning of the play, alleged Hamlet to take revenge on his bereavement, Hamlet learnt that his uncle and stepfather were murderous. Hamlet decided to be mad so as to turn aside any capability suspicion from Claudius away from himself. Therefore, in order to defend Claudius from determining either to utilize or harm her in order to get to Hamlet where he pretends even to her, the woman he loves. If Ophelia believes that Hamlet is mad, then she could tell the truth and feel no guilty on either score. Although, the plan did not in the end defend Ophelia.

Yes, Ophelia was truly mad. It was not true that she had a reason to pretend her madness. This was as both Ophelia and Hamlet were extremely young and they were experiencing a range of feelings. In the play, the death of Polonius located her over above, which was icing on the cake (Kellogg, et.al 1866). Ophelia could no longer wait to be patient on all the chaos that were happening around her which she was not able to deal with.

In the play, Ophelia’s loss was accidental, this was because of her bristle state of the mind she climbed a tree fall and she broke her limb and drowned. And this was not suicide on how the play revealed. Hamlet loved her, though in her burial scene, he jumped into her grave, persisting that he loved her forty thousand times than any brother could do. He claimed that he would be buried with her to prove he loved her.

The scene in which Hamlet locates King Claudius in the chapel is important since they were all in expectation and they believed that Hamlet would lastly terminate his life. Finally, Hamlet did not take his life since he was praying (Gottschalk, et.al, pg 157). This was because he believed that killing him at that moment would not send him to hell since he was pure. According to Claudius he believed that he could not be able to repent his murder and by doing that he could be giving up to his crown. Though Hamlet thought Claudius has repented but he did not.

Citation

1. Erikson, Erik H. ‘Youth: Fidelity and diversity.’ Daedalus(1988): 1-24.
2. Leverenz, David. ‘The Woman in Hamlet: An Interpersonal View.’ Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society 4.2 (1978): 291-308.
3. Camden, Carroll. ‘On Ophelia’s madness.’ Shakespeare Quarterly 15.2 (1964): 247-255.
4. Ayers, P. K. ‘Reading, writing, and Hamlet.’ Shakespeare Quarterly 44.4 (1993): 423-439.
5. Carlisle, Carol J. ‘Hamlet’s’ Cruelty’ in the Nunnery Scene: The Actors’ Views.’ Shakespeare Quarterly 18.2 (1967): 129-140.
6. Gottschalk, Paul. ‘Hamlet and the Scanning of Revenge.’ Shakespeare Quarterly 24.2 (1973): 155-170.
7. Heilbrun, Carolyn. ‘The character of Hamlet’s mother.’ Shakespeare Quarterly 8.2 (1957): 201-206.
8. Kellogg, Abner Otis. Shakspeare’s Delineations of Insanity, Imbecility, and Suicide. Hurd and Houghton, 1866.

Hamlet is a dramatic tragedy written by William Shakespeare around 1600, but the play was first performed in 1609. Hamlet is the son of the King of Denmark, who has passed away. The “ghost” of the King of Denmark visits Hamlet and tells him to avenge his death by killing the new King, Hamlet’s uncle. Hamlet pretends to be mad, contemplates life and death numerous times, and seeks revenge for his father’s death. By the end of the play, Hamlet ends up actually going mad. Hamlet’s uncle catches on to Hamlet’s plan and in return, plots to kill Hamlet. The play ends with a duel in which everyone is ultimately killed.

Fortinbras is the prince of Norway and the son of the late King of Norway Fortinbras. Fortinbras and Hamlet are similar in many ways. One way they are similar in both their fathers were killed and they are seeking revenge. They also both have an uncle ruling the throne. Fortinbras and Hamlet are very loyal, but Hamlet is mostly loyal to his father and himself. Fortinbras’ loyalty stretches across the kingdom to those in a higher power than him.

Although they have many similarities, they have even more differences, which is why Fortinbras is a perfect foil for Hamlet. According to ThoughtCo.com “A foil character is any character in literature that, through his or her actions and words, highlights and directly contrasts the personal traits, qualities, values, and motivations of another character.” (Longley) Foil characters are usually minor characters that give important insights into the main character by contrasting them, often making it easier for the reader to understand why decisions are made. In Hamlet, Fortinbras’ character and decisions provide insight into Hamlet’s tragic flaw, which is his inability to take action.

One of their major differences in how they go through with their plans of revenge. Hamlet plots to kill Claudius to avenge his father’s death but takes the entire play to go through with it. Hamlet and Fortinbras’ reasons for revenge are both personal but Fortinbra’s actions are mostly driven by honor and loyalty. Fortinbras plots to attack Inverness to avenge his father’s lands that were taken from him, but his loyalty gets in his way when his uncle insists the land was taken in a fair fight. Fortinbras then goes on to risk everything to conquer a different piece of land that is worthless. Hamlet says Fortinbras is foolish for wanting the worthless land.

Hamlet notices how quickly Fortinbras takes action without question. He then contemplates Fortinbras’s immediate action with his inaction, he looks at all the reasons he has to kill Claudius and becomes angry with himself for not doing anything. One of the reasons Hamlet has not acted is because his morals are constantly making him contemplate the killing. For example, there is a particular time in the play when Hamlet hesitates to kill King Claudius because he is praying in a chapel. Hamlet believed if he were to kill Claudius in the chapel then he would be granted entry into heaven simply because he was killed in a holy place.

Throughout the play, Hamlet stayed consistent and focused on taking revenge. He also put a lot of thought into his plan and was very secretive about it. He made it a point to himself to make sure he was making the right decisions. Fortinbras, on the other hand, takes immediate action and does not think about how his actions will affect others or how they could go wrong. His choices are often foolish and could’ve landed him in big trouble many times.

Shortly before Hamlet dies, he tells Horatio that he expects Fortinbras to be the new king of Denmark and that he supports him. Throughout the play Hamlet questioned Fortinbras’ actions and thought he was foolish, but in the end, Hamlet admired Fortinbras’ immediate action over his foolish decisions. However, Fortinbras’ foolish decisions came from his ability to quickly act without thought.

Fortinbras expresses his sadness in Hamlet’s death. He says: “For me, with sorrow, I embrace my fortune.” (Hamlet 5. 2. 389) He then declares his right to be King. Fortinbras, then, orders four captains to carry Hamlet like a soldier onto the stage, for the scene looked like a battlefield. Finally, he orders his soldiers to go outside and fire their guns in honor of Hamlet.

Fortinbras’ actions after Hamlet dies to contradict his actions throughout the entire play. In the end, Fortinbras shows signs of being a good king. Hamlet was the son of the man who killed his father and took his lands. Hamlet’s father was the reason Fortinbras was seeking revenge in the first place. In the end, Fortinbras showed respect toward Hamlet even after all the compulsive things he did to avenge his father’s failure.

In the end, Fortinbras’ loyalty continued to drive his decisions, but this time it was his loyalty to Hamlet. He knows Hamlet had a good heart and that made him feel sorry for him. Fortinbras has loyalty to Hamlet because he knows in many ways, they are similar, and his fate could’ve ended the same way. Fortinbras also knew Hamlet had a good heart and thinks he could’ve been a great king.

In the end, the foil stays consistent. Hamlet’s prolonged plan to take action led to his death, while Fortinbras’ plans of action led to him becoming king. Hamlet did so much to try and make sure everything would turn outright, but it didn’t turn out as he planned. Fortinbras didn’t think about any of his decisions before he made them. Fortinbras’ impulsiveness and recklessness led to him taking the throne that was supposed to belong to Hamlet.

The characters Rosencrantz and Guildenstern also act as foils to Hamlet. The characters Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are school friends of Hamlet. King Claudius asks them to find out why Hamlet has been acting so strangely.

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are difficult to differentiate from each other because they are always together. When they first arrive, Gertrude corrects the King in mistaking “gentle Gertrude” for “gentle Rosencrantz” (Hamlet 2. 2. 36). The characters seem to share the same voice and never speak to each other. In Act 2, Scene 2 they address the King individually, but still as a pair – speaking as an ‘us’ and for ‘we both’ (Hamlet 2. 2. 28,31). This is a huge difference from Hamlet. Hamlet is often alone and acts alone. Hamlet is frequently pondering through his thoughts. He also mostly keeps his thoughts to himself.

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are a part of the lower class and uneducated, which really shows when they are speaking. When talking to Hamlet we get an idea of how intelligent Hamlet really is, especially when Hamlet is trying to fool them into thinking he still doesn’t know their true intentions. They also act as puppets; following the King’s every command. They appear as inferior men, which dictates how they act. This shows another foil to Hamlet, for Hamlet acts alone and doesn’t listen to anyone. Their obedience to the king and betrayal to him makes Hamlet even angrier

King Claudius asks Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, and Hamlet to deliver a message to England. The message instructs the King of England to execute the prince. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are willing to take their “friend” to his death, so he is no longer a threat to the king. Hamlet, being the untrusting person, he’s become, changes the message to instruct the king of England to execute Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.

Hamlet’s lack of trust had caused him to send his friends to their deaths. Keeping in mind the quick decision Hamlet has just made towards his old friends, it’s odd he has still taken no action toward the king. The king has much more reasons to die than Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, and he is also much more of a threat.

Hamlet witnesses Rosencrantz and Guildenstern betray him. This hurts him and makes him realize he can trust no one. He knows he has to kill them because they are essentially fighting against him. On the other hand, Hamlet is not positive that King Claudius has killed his father, so he is hesitant on taking action against him. He seems to think very carefully about his decisions.

Throughout the play, Hamlet shows signs that he does not trust them. He acts crazy around them to attempt to trick them. He plays along and acts as if he knows nothing in order to continue his plan for revenge. He also provides extremely clever answers to the questions they ask to keep them in the dark. Another thing he does is act crazy; he thinks by doing this no one will suspect that he’s trying to kill the king. By constantly being distrustful of others and being at war in his own head, he eventually does drive himself crazy.

Madness can be defined as a severely disordered state of the mind usually caused by a mental disorder. Madness can arise in people who endure traumatic experiences and stress and cannot find a way to control their behaviour. In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, whether or not Hamlet is truly mad is controversial. Hamlet is in an extremely fragile mental state after the death of his father and the recent marriage of his mother and Claudius. Hamlet’s confrontation with the ghost triggers his feelings of vengeance and he becomes obsessed with revenge. Hamlet claims his madness is an act at first, but he allows himself to be consumed by his desire for retribution until he descends into a state of true madness. Hamlet’s struggle with his mental illness causes him to truly become insane which is shown through his interactions with Ophelia and Gertrude, and his thoughts.

Hamlet’s treatment towards Ophelia is an expression of his anger and madness, provoked by his feelings of revenge. Ophelia tells Polonius about her romantic relationship with Hamlet, saying that “he hath, my lord, of late, made many tenders of his affection to me” (I, ii, 99-100). Hamlet is still seeing Ophelia after his father’s death, determining he sees her as a source of happiness. He has feelings of affection towards Ophelia, but Polonius instructs Ophelia to stop seeing him. Paired with his father’s death, Hamlet does not have anyone else to support him in his difficult time, resulting in his poor mental health. Hamlet shows signs of madness when he speaks to Ophelia while Polonius and Claudius are spying on him. He expresses misogynistic behaviour by telling Ophelia “if thou wilt needs marry, marry a fool; for wise men know well enough what monsters you make of them.” (III, i, 138 – 140). Hamlet is angry at women because he feels rejected by Ophelia and his mother for marrying so soon after his father’s death. Although Hamlet insists he is acting, he makes these comments sincerely and passionately because he is expressing his deepest thoughts and feelings. He decides that all women are bad because of his desire for revenge towards Gertrude and Ophelia, revealing his delusion. Hamlet does not know that Polonius and Claudius are listening to their conversation, therefore his offensive outburst reveals an indication of his inner madness as it does not benefit him or his plan for revenge. Additionally, Hamlet lies about his feelings for Ophelia. Hamlet tells Ophelia that he “did love you once”(III, i, 115), but claims that he does not anymore. However, at Ophelia’s funeral, he becomes hostile and declares to everyone that he “loved Ophelia; forty thousand brothers could not, with all their quantity of love, make up my sum” (V, i, 263-265). Hamlet’s anger and confusion display his madness and show that he is not able to make rational decisions. Hamlet acts out against Ophelia as a result of her rejection and denounces all women, showing his insanity.

Hamlet exhibits his madness to Gertrude when he confronts her about her marriage to Claudius. When Hamlet discovers that he kills Polonius, he says “This wretched, rash, intruding fool, farewell!”(III, iv, 33). Hamlet shows no remorse after killing a person and even insults him afterwards. Hamlet’s plan to fake his madness is to get revenge on Claudius but killing an innocent person without a second thought determines that he has truly become mad. Hamlet does not understand the seriousness of the crime he commits and he cannot control his impulsive behaviour, which is a sign that he is suffering from insanity. Furthermore, Hamlet sees his father’s ghost while he interrogates his mother. “Save me, and hover o’er me with your wings, you heavenly guards! What would you, gracious figure?”(III, iv, 105 – 106) Hamlet treats the ghost as if it were an angel. Hamlet still suffers from his father’s death and as a result, is having hallucinations of him. He praises it and asks it for advice, showing his reliance on the ghost when making decisions. Gertrude is unable to see or hear the ghost because it is all in Hamlet’s imagination. This is a common symptom of mental illness and reveals that Hamlet is not feigning his madness. Gertrude realizes that her son has gone truly mad after he murders Polonius and his imaginary encounter with the ghost.

Hamlet expresses his inner thoughts and feelings through soliloquies throughout the play that signify his madness and mental illness. He regularly talks about death and questions his extinction: “To be or not to be? That is the question – Whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune or to take arms against a sea of troubles, and, by opposing, end them?”(III, ii, 57 – 61) Hamlet is playing with the idea of suicide, which is unhealthy and an indicator of depression. The cause of his suicidal thoughts comes from his loneliness after a lack of sympathy from his mother and Ophelia. Hamlet confesses his feelings of melancholy and sadness, which results in him becoming mentally unstable. In addition to his obsession with death, Hamlet’s inability to act on his desire for revenge drives him deeper into madness. When Hamlet first finds out about his father’s murder, he is determined to get revenge on Claudius immediately: “Haste me to know’t, that I, with wings as swift as meditation or the thoughts of love may sweep to my revenge”(I, v, 29 – 31) Hamlet finds multiple opportunities to exact his revenge on Claudius but is unable to act. Hamlet criticizes himself, wondering “whether it be bestial oblivion, or some craven scruple, or thinking to precisely in the event”(IV, iv, 48 – 50) that is stopping him from killing Claudius. He calls himself a coward, and decides that his thoughts “be bloody, or be nothing worth!”(IV, iv, 65) He does not think about the repercussions of his actions, displaying his recklessness and his indifferent attitude towards his own life.

Conclusion

Fuelled by his desire for revenge, Hamlet’s plan to feign madness ultimately results in him becoming truly insane. He becomes malicious and hateful when Ophelia rejects him, and he lies to her about his feelings for her. Hamlet has no remorse after killing Polonius in front of Gertrude and hallucinates the ghost, allowing it to control his actions and treating it like an angel. His thoughts of mortality reveal his depression and his inability to kill Claudius drives him into madness. Although Hamlet eventually achieves his purpose, his plan not only results in his death but also other innocent people, whether it was direct or indirect.