Essay On Hamlet

Essay about hamlet
Hamlet
One of the most unique elements of the Hamlet character is that he is so human. Many types of
readers can identify with him. Hamlet is imperfect, and he is fretful. Hamlet has human properties,
and it is his humanity that I intend to explore. Indeed it is these human qualities and imperfections
that make his story so tragic. Another tragic part of the play is the plays irony. Irony is an
important tool in the hands of the playwright to achieve both comical and/or dramatic effect. There
is usually little reason for a tragedy to be funny, so
Shakespeare has used this tool to add more tragedy to the play. I will investigate the nature of this
irony. Also, I will investigate the types of conflict that play a major part in the play...show more
content...
One occurrence of irony I found particularly striking was the fact that Hamlet effectively maneuvers
himself into the same position as Claudius. Claudius had attacked and killed a man who did not
have the opportunity to defend himself, but when Hamlet kills Polonius, is he not guilty of the
same? It is intriguing that both Claudius and Hamlet have killed fathers. It is interesting to see
how these two completely different characters deal with this problem in different ways. Other
interesting parallels I found are the numerous deaths by poison. Hamlet's father was murdered by
Claudius with poison. In the final act, the queen is the first to be poisoned, by drinking from
Hamlet's cup. Then, Hamlet is wounded by the poisoned tip of Laertes' sword. When they change
swords, Hamlet gets the upper hand and Laertes is poisoned. When the queen dies, Laertes
explains all to Hamlet, before he dies. Hamlet then kills Claudius before dying himself. It is ironic
that, as Claudius is poisoned because of his own plotting, he had already signed his own death
warrant when he killed Hamlet's father, the first tragic action of the play. There are only three people
in this play who don't die by poisoning: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern meet their deaths in England,
after being outsmarted by Hamlet. The third is Ophelia, who is drowned.
There are three types of conflict I can identify in the play: 'man versus man', 'man versus nature' and
'man versus
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Essay on William Shakespeare's Hamlet
William Shakespeare's Hamlet
'Hamlet', written by William Shakespeare around 1600 is one of his most famous and popular
plays. Hamlet as a character is created as a complex man who is struggling with powers and plots
beyond his ability to control in an effort to seek justice. In the early part of the play, Shakespeare
creates some of the themes and introduces the main characters that shall continue throughout it,
including Hamlet himself and his Uncle Claudius. Hamlet knows that there was something
suspicious concerning the death of his father, and he strongly dislikes his uncle who married his
brother's widow and became King. Whilst Hamlet in the opening scenes does not outrightly accuse
his...show more content...
This theme can also be called deception, and when related to Claudius and Hamlet this seems
more appropriate in this scene, since each, more so Hamlet, is covering their true feelings for
each other. The audience sees evidence of this with Hamlet's nature towards his uncle. The line 'I
shall in all my best, madam' is evidence of his dislike. He is agreeing with his mother, about
staying in Denmark rather than returning to Wittenburg, whom he loves and he displays it so
obviously as to snub his uncle, whom he dislikes, but at the same time is deceptive about his true
feelings for Claudius. The body language of the actor however, would make it clear to the
audience that he didn't like him. Indeed, the audience may get the feeling that Claudius does not
like Hamlet either, as he is a threat to his power, but conceals this dislike for the sake of his wife,
who would be horrified. This is brought across by Claudius' continual referral to Hamlet as his son,
which he knows that he does not like, and so does so to anger him. This insensitivity and insult is
again showing how deception is used to mask one character's true feelings for another. This theme is
also introduced very effectively since it again contributes to the atmosphere of tension that has been
created by Hamlet and Claudius in relation to their relationship with one another, and so one theme
has been created off the back of another.

Essay about Hamlet
The phrase "there is a hero to every story" has been heard of by almost all. But can
this be true if the hero doesn't survive through the story? It all depends on the definition of hero.
A person can still be classified as a hero even if they do not live to see the good that they have done
or accomplished in their lifetime. This type of hero is a tragic hero. A tragic hero is a good and
admirable man of high position who falls to destruction as a result of some great error he commits
or some flaw in his character. This meaning can be broken down into three parts. The first is that the
person must be in some way distinguished as an honorable person of high stature. The next feature
they must possess is some sort of fault or flaw...show more content...
Hamlet was brave and intelligent, as well as loyal. He showed his loyalties to his father, Hamlet,
Sr., after his death by mourning him and disapproving of his mothers marriage to his uncle
(I.ii.133–156). The people who were around him saw this in him and admired him for it.
The next trait he possessed was a tragic flaw. The fault in Hamlet's character was brought about by
the sadistic murder of his father. Once the Ghost of Hamlet, Sr. told him of the murder his need to
find the truth became an obsession. Hamlet then begins to act mad and plays mind games with
others, in which he believes he has complete control (II.ii.402–403). This obsession led him to set up
a play of his own father's murder so he could witness the reaction of Claudius and find out if the
villainous deed was in fact the truth, in which he would avenge his father's death (II.ii.633–634).
When the Kings reaction to Hamlet's "Mousetrap" is rather obvious of his crime,
Hamlet, by fortune's star, or fate has vowed to avenge his father's death (III.ii.290–295). His
obsession to avenge his father's death was his tragic flaw.
What Hamlet believes is his fate, is actually the cause of his own destruction. Although his death was
not the only destruction caused by his tragic flaw. He ends up killing Polonius, believing it was the
King, Claudius (III.iv.27–34). Ophelia's madness was then created because of this death, in
combination with Hamlet telling her he didn't

Analysis of Hamlet Essay
Hamlet is a suspenseful play that introduces the topic of tragedy. Throughout the play, Hamlet
displays anger, uncertainty, and obsession with death. Although Hamlet is unaware of it, these
emotions cause the mishaps that occur throughout the play. These emotions combined with his
unawareness are the leading basis for the tragic hero's flaws. These flaws lead Hamlet not to be a bad
man, but a regular form of imperfection that comes along with being human. When Hamlet is first
encountered with the ghost that resembles his father, it is revealed that his uncle Claudius might have
been the cause of his father's death. Hamlet is then confused about what he should believe and how
he...show more content...
When he does act, he prefers to do it recklessly and violently. This is a flaw that Hamlet cannot
deny. He knows that it is unjust, but only cares about avenging his father's death. Hamlet is not
only angered with the fact of his father's death, but also with his mother's decision to marry
Claudius. Devastated by his mother's decision to marry so soon after her husband's death, Hamlet
becomes skeptical about women in general. He shows a particular obsession with what he
perceives to be a connection with female sexuality and moral corruption. He almost develops
hatred towards women because of his mother's decision. This hatred occurs and is shown with his
relationship with Ophelia. He urges Ophelia to go to a nunnery rather than experience the
dishonesty of sexuality. This hinders Hamlet from experiencing a love that is really needed at this
time of his loss. One can say that this is another flaw, which Hamlet is unaware of. Throughout the
course of the play, Hamlet is also obsessed with the mystery of death. In the beginning of the play,
he states that he is unsure where one ends up after they die. Later into the play, he makes a reference
to the afterlife contradicting his first approach. When he attempts to kill

Essay On Hamlet
Sigmund Freud made many contributions to the field of psychology, the most prominent being his
concept of the "Oedipus complex," in which young children project their budding sexual desires onto
a parent of the opposite gender. These feelings, while largely innocent, are often accompanied by
jealousy directed toward the parent of the same gender; for example, the competition/threat of losing
the mother's attention that a father presents to the son. Shakespeare's Hamlet displays the
psychoanalytic principles of unconscious incestuous desire, potential castration anxiety, and subtle
phallic symbolism through Hamlet's relationship with his mother, late father, and Claudius.
When viewing Hamlet through a psychoanalytic lens, it becomes evident...show more content...
According to Freud, young boys who displayed an Oedipus complex toward their mother would
often simultaneously fear their father, who presented competition for the mother. This concept is
often seen in action during the adolescent period, in which young boys are becoming aware of their
genitalia and the practice of self–pleasure. Although Hamlet is well past the adolescent stage in his
life, much of his behavior throughout the play points to the fact that he is mentally and emotionally
stunted for whatever reason. An example of this fact can be seen in Act 2, when Ophelia tells her
father of an unsettling encounter with Hamlet, in which he approached her when she was alone,
"...with his doublet all unbrac'd, / no hat upon his head, his stockins fouled, / Ungart'red, and
down–gyved to his ankle..." (Shakespeare 59) His appearance to Ophelia in this state of undress
hints to the reader that he had been taking part in some form of masturbatory activity, an action
commonly seen in adolescent

Hamlet, Madness or Sanity Essay
Hamlet, Madness or Sanity
Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, is about a young prince who wants revenge when he learns about
the murder of his father. As the play begins, Hamlet's character appears to be a normal, sane person.
Moving through the acts Hamlet's personality changes from normal to depressed. There are hints of
insanity that try to convince people Hamlet is "mad". Others might say that Hamlet is faking
madness to pursue his goal of revenge. First, he sees a "ghost" that tells Hamlet who killed his
father and married his mother. Was this a dream or was this real? Second, Hamlet kills more than
one person to avenge his father's death. Where these accidents or intentional? "Insanity: a legal term
for mental illness of such degree...show more content...
"Mood disorder: although Hamlet worries a lot, he doesn't avoid situations that cause him to worry.
He confronts the ghost of his father as it appears before him. Also, he presents two symptoms
namely restlessness or feeling on the edge and irability." (Character Analysis of Hamlet,
Psychological Disorders, Sept. 22, 2012).
The next area that questions Hamlet's sanity is that of deaths though out the story. Polonius, who
is hiding in Queen Gertrude's room, is stabbed through the drapes by Hamlet because he thought
it was the King. This might have been an accident, but Hamlet's irrational behavior leads us to
believe he is becoming impulsive and unforgiving. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are executed in
England by Hamlet's clever idea to change the name on the death warrant. Here is where Hamlet
displays signs of rational thinking to save his own life. Hamlet stabs Claudius with a poisoned
sword and forces a poison drink down his throat (Shakespeare, Hamlet Act 5 Scene 2 page 1105),
his ultimate revenge. Then, with the same poisoned sword that was prepared to kill him, Hamlet
cuts Laertes and he dies. (Shakespeare, Hamlet Act 5 Scene 2 page 1105). Hamlet's total change in
personality makes him appear to be "mad" at this point. All forms of sanity are now gone and any
plot he had to avenge his father's death resulted on chaos and his own death.
The final area that leads people to believe Hamlet might

Essay on Character Analysis of Hamlet
Hamlet is the main character and protagonist in the play "Hamlet" by William Shakespeare. Hamlet
is the Prince of Denmark. He is the son of Queen Gertrude and King Hamlet, who was murdered by
his uncle Claudius. Hamlet is a very unique individual and handles many situations in unusual ways.
Hamlet is an extremely intriguing and complex character that appears to change with every different
perspective. Shakespeare has done an absolutely fantastic job with capturing true human
characteristics with Hamlet. Hamlet bounces back and forth with his emotions so inconsistently that
one never knows what he is about to do next. One moment he is rational, and the next he is not. One
moment he wants to plan things out, and then he does things...show more content...
The ghost made the whole situation for Hamlet seem even that much more unreal. He already
wished that all of the recent events he had to deal with were not real. He then has to deal with the
reality of this ghost. It seems to influence him terribly and takes a negative toll on his emotions. This
occurrence continues to further diversify Hamlet's feelings and emotions (Snider, 67). The last
major external influence is the company of others (Snider, 71). How hamlet responded had a lot to
do with the actions done by others and himself. A person's environment greatly affects how they
handle oneself and situations around them. Due to Hamlet's extremely ludicrous environment and
unusual circumstances, he is just that much more of a complicated and elaborate character (Bristol).
Another major thing that contributed to Hamlet's complexity was his utter hatred towards Claudius.
From the get go Hamlet never liked him. He felt Claudius was immoral and almost worthless. After
the ghost of his father told Hamlet that Claudius was responsible for his death, he hated his uncle
just that much more. That hatred soon turned into something much more though. It transformed into
a desire for revenge. Before he did anything though, he had to be positive that Claudius was the one
responsible, so Hamlet tested his innocence. Claudius failed the test and Hamlet was then positive
that he was responsible for the murder of his father (Mitchell, 34–37). Hamlet

Essay On Hamlet's Madness
Hamlet madness is shown throughout the play and it seems to be the central issue. Hamlet says
he's not crazy and it's just pretending to be,but he does it so much and so good that it's hard to really
know. Hamlet is a smart and sane man. He's only pretending to be so mad to further his revenge. No
person who is so "mad" can be as clever as Hamlet is. Hamlet may be a little crazy due to his father
dying and his mother marrying his uncle, but not to the extent people believe he was.
Hamlet sees a the ghost and claims to be his dad's spirits and he wants him to revenge his death,
as he has died from poison in the ear from Hamlet's uncle, Claudius. As soon as the ghost
disappears Horatio and Marcellus arrive, Hamlet refuses to tell them what happened,but He warns
Horatio that if he seems act crazy it's all just an act. "How strange or odd soe'er I bear myself (As I
perchance hereafter shall think meet To put an antic disposition on),That you, at such times seeing
me, never shall– With arms encumbered thus, or this headshake, Or by pronouncing of some
doubtful phrase, As "Well, well, we know," or "We could an if we would," Or "If we list to speak,"
or "There be an if they might," Or such ambiguous giving out–to note That you know aught of me.
This not...show more content...
Hamlet is shown during the play screaming at himself, random stuff after some time of his dad
dying. He screams out "This is the time of night when witches come out, when graveyards yawn
open and the stench of hell seeps out. I could drink hot blood and do such terrible deeds that people
would tremble even in the daylight. But I've got to go see my mother." (III.ii.380–399) Hamlet has
shown real signs of madness. Hamlet has been through alot in his last month with his dad dying and
his mother marrying his uncle who he find out who killed his dad. It wouldn't be odd for Hamlet to
go insane through the emotional circumstances he has had to endure the past

Hamlet's Sanity Essay
Hamlet's Sanity
Throughout Shakespeare?s play, Hamlet, the main character, young Hamlet, is faced with the
responsibility of attaining vengeance for his father?s murder. He decides to feign madness as part
of his plan to gain the opportunity to kill Claudius. As the play progresses, his depiction of a madman
becomes increasingly believable, and the characters around him react accordingly. However, through
his inner thoughts and the apparent reasons for his actions, it is clear that he is not really mad and
is simply an actor simulating insanity in order to fulfill his duty to his father.
Hamlet only claims madness because it allows him to say and perform actions he otherwise would
be prohibited from, while keeping people from...show more content...
On the other hand, Hamlet acts perfectly sane when acting insane is unnecessary. When he talks
to Horatio about watching Claudius for signs of guilt during the play, he says ?Give him heedful
note, for I mine eyes will rivet his face, and, after, we will both our judgments join in censure of
his seeming (3.2.87).? His words to Horatio are those of a sane man. Horatio is one of the few
people to whom he does not need to prove he is ?insane,? and as such, he does not try. Also, when
he is explaining to the players how to act, he is surprisingly organized and natural sounding. For
example, he asks ?You could, for a need, study a speech of some dozen or sixteen lines, which I
would set down and insert in ?t, could you not (2.2.565)?? His question is direct and simple as all
his instructions are, and it seems that the player not only understands completely, but also is
comfortable with Hamlet and what he asks. It is much more plausible that a sane man could play an
insane one, than an insane man could play a sane one, and so reason would deem Hamlet sensible.
Additional proof that Hamlet must be sane is that even in his ?madness? he is clever in his retorts
and speech, and has a full understanding of the situations around him. He plays his madman
character almost too well, and each phrase he utters appears to be an attempt towards conveying his

Essay about Character Development: Hamlet
In Shakespeare's Hamlet, the main protagonist, Hamlet experiences a series of events that
dramatically change his character. When the audience first meets Hamlet, he is dressed in all black
he is portrayed as a sulky, depressed prince. Through the course of the play however, it is revealed
that Hamlet as a character has more than one side to him – he is brooding as he is impulsive, and he
is vengeful as his is indecisive. The audience sees Hamlet struggling with the death of his father, and
the emotional toll of knowing the truth but being unable to exact revenge. This is what essentially
changes Hamlet. Because of the constant back and forth of having to act like nothing is wrong and
having to suppress his rage towards King Claudius,...show more content...
He also suggests that no matter what happens, no matter how insane he may act in the future, it must
not be revealed that he had witnessed the ghost: "But come: Here as before, never, so help you
mercy, How strange or odd some'er I bear myself (As I perchance hereafter shall think me to put on
antic disposition on)" (1.5.169–173) Here Hamlet again hints that he might have be deceitful in the
future and that nobody must know that he found out the truth about his father's murder. In Act I of
Hamlet, the audience meets a seemingly depressed and grieving Hamlet, but even by the end it is
revealed that Hamlet may not always be acting the way he truly feels.
As the play goes on, from the Mousetrap play to Hamlet's uncharacteristic acting (as perceived by
those around him) what must be remembered is that Hamlet is only human. His girlfriend, Ophelia
has been specifically instructed to not talk to him anymore. He struggles with the death of his
father and most likely loses sleep thinking about his meeting with the ghost and whether the ghost
of lying or not. He even has to deal with the utter disgust he has towards the King and the Queen,
disgust towards the King because he is possibly the man behind his father's death and disgust
towards the Queen which is expressed a number of times for not feeling the slightest amount of
grief before marrying Claudius. He is pushed so far so that he contemplates suicide. In his famous
soliloquy which begins in "To be or not to be"

Essay about The Transformation of Hamlet
Throughout the story Hamlet written by William Shakespeare, where there is an astonishing amount
of detail. Hamlet is an alive and kicking story about seeking revenge for his father. Hamlet is a
marvelous story that brings suicide, insanity, procrastination, and sarcasm all into one. The four
categories are set as the story plays them out. Each one has their own excitement, disappointment,
and mild tone. Throughout the quotes given, there is an explanation of why they were chosen. The
suicidal comes into play towards the beginning of the story during act 1. The character Hamlet, is a
very emotional person. During act 1 he makes known with the quote "Wallowing in gloom" (I.ii)
Hamlet at the time is in a mental state of mind,...show more content...
She begins singing and nothing but gibberish comes of it. "She speaks much of her father, says
she hears there's tricks i' th' world, and hems, and beats her heart, Spurns enviously at straws,
speaks things in do" (V.IV.2). In this case Ophelia, has fell of her wagon. She has literally become
insane, due to her father's death. Ophelia feels lost, her brother is gone out of the country, and
now her father is dead. She's confused and in denial. Sarcasm is brought up in the playof Hamlet
numerous amount of times. Claudius was voicing to Hamlet, and begins with "How is it that the
clouds still hang on you?" with a response from Hamlet "Not so, my lord. I' too much I' the sun."
(I.ii.3) Hamlet puts off of feeling that he needs to pretend to like Claudius, to devise a plan, rather
than to be extremely blunt due to Claudius's denial. Gertrude knowing that Hamlet is oppressive
about her choices she quotes "Good Hamlet, cast thy knighted color off, and let thine eye look like
a friend on Denmark. Do not forever with thy vailed lids. Seek for thy noble father in the dust, Thou
know'st 'tis common. All that lives must die, passing through nature eternity." (I.ii.3) Hamlet then
responds we "Ay, madam, it is common." He is being sincere, and also sarcastic. Hamlet knows that
Claudius is the killer, but is terrified to announce that to Gertrude, because she may send him off
before he is able to seek revenge. Procrastination takes its turn in the story. Claudius

Hamlet: Literary Essay
In the play of Hamlet, Shakespeare sets up three plots of revenge which involve three characters,
each determined to avenge their deceased loved ones. Revenge is essentially a recurring element in
the play and can be noted as an important theme. Revenge is often lead by uncontrolled emotions,
affecting an individual's thoughts and feelings differently and provoking the individual to act
without a reason. The play helps us question the justifiability and benefits of revenge through the
story's individual characters. King Hamlet appears as a ghost and informs Hamlet that he was
murdered in his sleep by Claudius. He tells his son that while he was sleeping, Claudius poured
poison into his ear. Hamlet is shocked by the ghosts words. The...show more content...
(IV.5.135) Claudius is able to manipulate Laertes and Hamlet in a duel, claiming that "Revenge
should have no bounds" (IV.7.128) and promising that Hamlet would be poisoned to death. At this
point of the play, all three sons are committed to avenging their father's deaths. Laertes is also
notified that Ophelia has drowned, further upsetting him, and worsening the current situation. The
three significant characters: Hamlet, Fortinbras, and Laertes each have their own ways of
seeking vengeance, for their father's deaths and obtaining their desires. Fortinbras uses revenge
as an excuse to send in his army to take back the territories his father lost to King Hamlet, which
justifies that he wants some sort of control. Hamlet and Laertes know that their father's have been
wronged. Hamlet suffers from depression, and the kingdom does not know the true reason behind
his father's death, so he is determined to reveal truth and overturn his uncle. Laertes is enraged
about his father and sister's unnecessary death, blaming Hamlet for the cause of it. The play can
be viewed as a tragic story with multiple deaths mainly provoked by members of their own family
and kingdom. They are forced to duel, and fight to the death to honor their father's soul, rather then
to resolve the situation in a civilized way. The motif: revenge is recurring because the characters of
the play feel the need avenge their fathers, they are driven mad by it, as it takes control of their
mind. Their eyes are

Essay on Hamlet- The Characters
Hamlet
The prince of Denmark, and a student at the University of Wittenberg. At the beginning of the play,
Hamlet's father, King Hamlet, has recently died, and his mother, Queen Gertrude, has married the
new king, Hamlet's uncle Claudius. Hamlet is melancholy, bitter, and cynical, full of hatred for his
uncle and disgust at his mother for marrying him. When the ghost of Hamlet's father appears and
claims to have been murdered by Claudius, Hamlet becomes obsessed with avenging his father's
death but keeps thinking of reasons why he should wait before killing ClaudiusВ—then chastizes
himself for failing to act boldly. Hamlet is a character of contradictions. He admires characters like
Fortinbras and the Player King, who behave passionately...show more content...
Polonius
The Lord Chamberlain of Claudius's court, and the father of Laertes and Ophelia. Polonius has good
intentions, but he tends to be somewhat conniving and underhanded. He frequently leaps to the
wrong conclusions, and his speeches are comically pompous and long–winded. He is completely
incapable of figuring out what Hamlet is up to.
Horatio
Hamlet's close friend, who studied with the prince at the University of Wittenberg. Hamlet trusts
Horatio above any of the other characters, valuing him for his even temper and
equanimityВ—qualities that Hamlet seems to despise in himself. Horatio is loyal and helpful to
Hamlet throughout the play. After Hamlet's death, Horatio remains alive to tell Hamlet's story.
Ophelia
Polonius's daughter, a beautiful young woman with whom Hamlet has been in love. A sweet and
innocent young girl, Ophelia dutifully strives to obey her father and her brother, Laertes, allowing
Polonius to use her in his scheme to spy on Hamlet. When her father dies, her sanity unravels, and in
her madness she paints a scathing picture of young men as sexually exploitative and unfaithful, and
her mad speeches about flowers conceal implied condemnations of Claudius and Gertrude.
Laertes
Polonius's son and Ophelia's brother, a young man who spends much of the play in France.
Passionate and quick to action, Laertes is a foil for the reflective and agonized Hamlet.

Essay On Hamlet

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Essay On Hamlet