Archetypes In Hamlet

Archetypes deprives from the Greek root word archein which means “original”, and typos which means “pattern or type”. Archein and typos combined means “original pattern.” A psychologist named Carl Gustav Jung used archetypes to support his theory of human psyche. Jung believed that archetypes are present in the human subconscious, and can invoke dynamic emotions (Golden). The twelve common archetypes

William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, is a timeless play which continues to remain relevant across all generations due to its presentation of ideas that are fundamental to humanity. The play highlights aspects that relate to the society of not only Elizabethan England but also that of our modern society. Hamlet, as a character, considers ideas from outside his time and is somewhat relatable to modern day man. By drawing from ideas of archetypes and the human psyche, it reveals that Hamlet relates deeply to the elements of humanity.

Many Shakespearean plays reflect views of the time in which they were written. They convey this through common themes. These themes often define a character's specific personality and characteristics. In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Laertes serves as a foil for Hamlet in which their contrast presents pivotal themes that reveal Hamlet’s character. While the play has many themes, morality, revenge, and honor specifically relate to the contrast between Laertes and Hamlet, consequently resulting in Laertes purpose as a foil for Hamlet.

The final way that Laertes acts as a foil to Hamlet occurs once again when Claudius and Laertes are discussing Laertes’ actions to achieve his vengeance. Claudius gives Laertes advice saying, “That we would do/ we should do when we would; for this ‘would’/ changes” (4.7.134-136). Claudius is warning Laertes that if he waits long enough, he will probably end up not doing anything at all and will not achieve his goal of vengeance. This quote spoken by Claudius is quite similar to when King Hamlet’s ghost meets with Hamlet earlier in the play to warn him about how he was killed by Claudius and that he must get revenge. King Hamlet’s ghost also warns Hamlet saying, “Taint not thy mind” (1.5.92), telling him to not over think his plan because otherwise he will not pursue his vengeance. After Claudius warns Laertes to not get side tracked, the audience is reminded of King Hamlet’s ghost telling Hamlet to not over think because then their plans will not be pursued. This scene acts as a foil towards Hamlet because soon after the conversation, Laertes does pursue his plan of seeking vengeance, whereas Hamlet has been working on his plan the whole play, and has still not started to execute it.

“To be, or not to be, that is the question,” (3.1.64). This famous line in William Shakespeare's Hamlet perfectly encapsulates Hamlet’s internal struggle throughout the play. Hamlet tells the story of the young prince of Denmark and his desire for revenge on the uncle, Claudius, who murdered his father. As is the case in many works of literature, Hamlet changes greatly throughout the play. However, because of his attempts to act insane, it can be difficult to precisely map the changes in Hamlet’s character. By carefully investigating his seven soliloquies, where he is alone and has no need to “put on an antic disposition,” one can understand and interpret how Hamlet’s character develops throughout the play.

Hamlet proves himself a temperamental, twisted character in William Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet. The Prince of Denmark conveys his facetious demeanor with his behavior and sharp tongue, especially in scenes with Ophelia and Gertrude. Although Hamlet’s situation is difficult and easily sympathized by viewers, his aggression should ultimately be focused on his murderous uncle.

     An archetype is a universal symbol. It is also a term from the criticism that accepts Jung’s idea of recurring patterns of situation, character, or symbol existing universally and instinctively in the collective unconscious of man.

In the play, Hamlet , Shakespeare uses a cast of characters that have many roles. Of this cast, Shakespeare uses two characters, Laertes and Horatio, as foils for Hamlet’s character. Through similarities and differences these characters, accentuate Hamlet’s pretense of being crazy, emphasize how Hamlet is an improper son by standards of the time and cause him to be a tragic hero.

The archetype was created to allow the character dynamic growth or static continuity, while allowing the plot diagram to follow its order with room for character dynamics to fluctuate. Defining the archetype as a very typical example of the person, for example: the princess, the king and the tragic hero. Defining the archetype as a very typical example of the person, for example: the princess, the king and the tragic hero. The archetype was created to allow the character dynamic growth or static continuity , while allowing the plot diagram to follow its order with room for character dynamics to fluctuate.

Feminists want the world to know the many ways men and women are treated, but in reality are far apart from being completely equal. The critical lens of literature is a way for people to look at an idea in their own way. This creates discussion and opinions on what these ideas represent, as well as the meaning of the theories itself when implemented in literary pieces. The critical lens of the feminist theory shows how the idea of women having inequality when spoken about in social and political roles. Mainly this theory was made to counter the patriarchal views in history in order to get a point across and further put together the lens that can be looked through. In Hamlet by Shakespeare, the female characters of Gertrude and Ophelia are viewed through the lens to fit the standards of women being mistreated by the misogynistic values and plot points place throughout the story. While looking through the lens of the feminist theory it can be said that in Hamlet the stereotypes of women is shown through the events that occur in the play.

Jung’s idea of experiences of synchronicity included the presence of archetypes. An archetype is an ideal example or model person that others copy or base their actions upon. Jung had archetypes such as the animus, the anima, and the shadow. The animus is expressed as a masculine inner personality in females, while the anima is expressed as a feminine inner personality in males. The shadow archetype consists of repressed shortcomings, weaknesses, and instincts. These archetypes are of the collective unconscious, and not based on people in their daily lives.

According to Carl Jung’s theory, the psyche has three parts to it; the ego, personal unconscious, and the collective unconscious (Golden, date unknown.) Jung believed that the archetypes were part of the collective unconscious; this is where psychological inheritance happens. “All the most powerful ideas in history go back to archetypes” (Golden, date unknow.) Jung believed each archetype had its own unique values, meanings, and personality traits. It is possible that people display more than one kind of archetype, but there always seems to be one specific archetype that makes itself more apparent (Golden, date unknown.)

In the conclusion of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the audience gains an understanding of the importance of Justice to each character. In the final act both Hamlet and Laertes seek to find justice for the wrongs committed against them and their families. This leaves both men trying to identify how to right these misdeeds

Hamlet is one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays, and there’s no question as to why. With heartbreak, murder, revenge, duels and secret plans, this play is filled with action and suspense. Hamlet’s tragic tale after his father’s death is one of great sacrifice and madness. The play is so complex that every character’s archetype could be discussed and argued endlessly, especially that of Hamlet. He faces a terrible tragedy (his father’s death) and has to evade multiple plans for his own murder while he tries to keep the promises that he has made, eventually doing so which causes a tremendous amount of death and destruction. Hamlet fits the archetypal description of a tragic hero and overall proves this through his actions, inaction, and thoughts

The formulation of the archetypes is described as an empirically derived concept, like that of the atom; it is a concept based not only on medical evidence but on observations of mythical, religious and literary phenomena, these archetypes are considered to be primordial images, spontaneous products of the psyche which do not reflect any physical process, but are reflected in them (Jung 54).