This Excerpt Best Supports The Claim That Hamlet

Hamlet is one of the most analyzed and debated characters in literature, and understanding his motivations requires a close examination of the text. This article delves into various excerpts from Shakespeare's Hamlet to support the central claim: that Hamlet is a complex character driven by a confluence of grief, moral obligation, intellectual contemplation, and a profound sense of disillusionment with the world around him.

The Weight of Grief and Loss

Hamlet’s grief over his father’s death and his mother’s hasty marriage to his uncle Claudius is a foundational element of his character. This sorrow permeates his thoughts and actions, shaping his perception of reality and fueling his desire for revenge.

• The Initial Shock: Hamlet's first soliloquy (Act 1, Scene 2) immediately reveals the depth of his despair. He laments his father’s death, describing him as a king "so excellent" compared to Claudius, who is likened to a "satyr." The phrase "O God! a beast, that wants discourse of reason, would have mourn'd longer" underscores Hamlet's shock and disgust at his mother's quick remarriage. This sets the stage for his internal conflict and his struggle to reconcile with the new reality.
• Disgust with the World: The line "How weary, stale, flat and unprofitable, seem to me all the uses of this world!" encapsulates Hamlet's profound disillusionment. It's not just grief for his father but a generalized disgust with the superficiality and corruption he perceives in the world. This feeling amplifies his sense of isolation and contributes to his melancholy.
• Impact on Relationships: Hamlet's grief affects his relationships with others. His interactions with Ophelia, for instance, become strained as he pushes her away, possibly to protect her from the impending chaos or because he sees her as another example of female frailty, mirroring his mother's actions.

The Burden of Moral Obligation

The ghost's revelation that Claudius murdered Hamlet's father places a heavy burden of moral obligation on Hamlet. He is tasked with avenging his father's death, but the act of revenge clashes with his moral and intellectual sensibilities.

• The Ghost's Command: The ghost's words, "Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder," (Act 1, Scene 5) directly command Hamlet to act. This sets the play's central conflict in motion. However, Hamlet's hesitation and procrastination stem from his moral reservations about taking a life, even for justice.
• Questioning the Ghost: Hamlet's intellectual nature leads him to question the ghost's veracity. He wonders if it might be a "goblin damn'd" (Act 2, Scene 2) trying to deceive him into committing a wrongful act. This uncertainty further delays his revenge and adds to his internal turmoil.
• The Play Within a Play: Hamlet devises "The Mousetrap" (Act 3, Scene 2) to gauge Claudius's reaction and confirm his guilt. This act showcases Hamlet's strategic thinking but also highlights his reluctance to act without concrete evidence. His famous line, "The play's the thing wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king," illustrates his desire to use intellectual means to uncover the truth before resorting to violence.

Intellectual Contemplation and Procrastination

Hamlet's intellectual nature is a defining characteristic. He is a scholar and a thinker, prone to deep contemplation and philosophical musings. This intellectualism, however, often leads to inaction and procrastination.

• "To be or not to be": The "To be or not to be" soliloquy (Act 3, Scene 1) is perhaps the most famous example of Hamlet's philosophical contemplation. He weighs the merits of enduring suffering against the possibility of taking action, even if that action involves death. The lines "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" reveal his internal debate between passive acceptance and active resistance.
• Fear of the Unknown: The soliloquy also explores Hamlet's fear of the unknown after death. The phrase "the undiscover'd country from whose bourn no traveller returns" suggests his apprehension about the afterlife, which contributes to his hesitation in taking his own life or Claudius's.
• Analyzing Motivations: Hamlet is constantly analyzing his own motivations and the motivations of others. He questions the nature of reality, the meaning of life, and the consequences of his actions. This intellectual curiosity, while admirable, hinders his ability to act decisively.

Disillusionment and Corruption

Hamlet is deeply disillusioned with the corruption and hypocrisy he sees around him. This disillusionment extends beyond his personal grief to encompass a broader critique of society and human nature.

• "Frailty, thy name is woman!": This line (Act 1, Scene 2) reflects Hamlet's disappointment with his mother's hasty remarriage. He sees her actions as a betrayal of his father's memory and a sign of female weakness. This sentiment colors his view of women in general, including Ophelia.
• Rosencrantz and Guildenstern: Hamlet's former friends, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, betray him by spying for Claudius. This betrayal reinforces Hamlet's sense of isolation and his belief that trust is a rare commodity. He remarks, "Why, look you now, how unworthy a thing you make of me! You would play upon me; you would seem to know my stops; you would pluck out the heart of my mystery" (Act 3, Scene 2).
• Moral Decay of the Court: Hamlet perceives a general moral decay within the Danish court. Claudius's usurpation of the throne, Polonius's manipulative nature, and the courtiers' sycophancy all contribute to Hamlet's sense of disgust. He sees the court as a breeding ground for corruption and deceit.

The Complexity of Delay

Hamlet's delay in avenging his father's death is a central point of contention in understanding his character. It's not simply cowardice or indecision, but a complex interplay of factors that contribute to his procrastination.

• Seeking Certainty: As previously mentioned, Hamlet's intellectual nature demands certainty before action. He needs to be absolutely sure of Claudius's guilt before taking irreversible steps. This desire for certainty leads him to devise the play within a play and to carefully observe Claudius's reaction.
• Moral Considerations: Hamlet is not a bloodthirsty revenger. He grapples with the moral implications of taking a life, even for just cause. He considers the consequences of his actions and the potential for unintended harm.
• Opportunity and Timing: Hamlet often misses opportunities to kill Claudius. In Act 3, Scene 3, he finds Claudius praying but hesitates to kill him, fearing that Claudius will go to heaven if he dies in a state of repentance. This moment highlights Hamlet's tendency to overthink situations and to seek the perfect opportunity for revenge.

The Role of Madness

Hamlet's feigned madness is another layer of complexity in his character. It allows him to speak freely and to observe others without arousing suspicion. However, it also blurs the line between sanity and insanity, making it difficult to discern his true thoughts and feelings.

• "Though this be madness, yet there is method in 't": Polonius's observation (Act 2, Scene 2) suggests that Hamlet's madness is not entirely random. There is a deliberate purpose behind his erratic behavior.
• Freedom of Speech: Hamlet uses his madness to speak truth to power. He criticizes the court and exposes its hypocrisy under the guise of insanity. This allows him to express his true feelings without facing direct consequences.
• Psychological Toll: While Hamlet's madness may be partially feigned, it also takes a psychological toll on him. The constant pretense and the emotional strain of his situation contribute to his overall mental instability.

Hamlet's Relationships: A Reflection of His Inner Turmoil

Hamlet's relationships with other characters provide further insight into his complex nature. His interactions with Ophelia, Gertrude, Claudius, and his friends reveal different facets of his personality and his struggles.

• Ophelia: Hamlet's relationship with Ophelia is tragic and complex. He loves her, but he also distrusts her and uses her as a pawn in his game of revenge. His rejection of Ophelia, whether genuine or feigned, contributes to her eventual madness and death.
• Gertrude: Hamlet's relationship with his mother is fraught with anger and disappointment. He cannot forgive her for marrying Claudius so soon after his father's death. Their confrontation in Act 3, Scene 4, is a pivotal moment in the play, revealing the depth of Hamlet's emotional pain.
• Claudius: Hamlet's relationship with Claudius is defined by hatred and suspicion. He sees Claudius as a murderer and a usurper, and he is determined to avenge his father's death. However, he also recognizes Claudius's power and cunning, which makes him a formidable opponent.
• Horatio: Horatio is Hamlet's loyal friend and confidant. He is the only character whom Hamlet truly trusts. Horatio's steadfastness and integrity provide a counterbalance to the corruption and deceit that surround Hamlet.

Conclusion: A Multifaceted Character

The excerpts from Hamlet provide compelling evidence to support the claim that Hamlet is a profoundly complex character, driven by a confluence of grief, moral obligation, intellectual contemplation, and disillusionment. His grief over his father's death and his mother's remarriage shapes his perception of the world. The ghost's command places a heavy moral burden on him, forcing him to confront the complexities of revenge. His intellectual nature leads him to question everything, often resulting in inaction. Finally, his disillusionment with the corruption and hypocrisy he sees around him contributes to his overall sense of despair.

Understanding Hamlet requires appreciating the interplay of these various factors. He is not simply a vengeful son or a melancholic prince, but a multifaceted individual grappling with profound moral and existential questions. His struggles resonate with audiences because they reflect the universal human experience of loss, doubt, and the search for meaning in a complex and often contradictory world. Hamlet's enduring appeal lies in his ability to embody the complexities of human nature and to challenge us to confront our own moral and intellectual dilemmas. The play's rich language and profound insights continue to provoke thought and inspire debate, solidifying Hamlet's place as a masterpiece of world literature. Ultimately, examining these excerpts allows for a deeper understanding of why Hamlet remains such a compelling and enigmatic figure centuries after his creation.