William Shakespeare’s Hamlet tells the story of a prince who seeks revenge on his uncle Claudius, who steals the throne from Hamlet’s father through murder. Hamlet faces a conflict attempting to murder his uncle while facing surrounding conflicts including his relationships with God and the women in his life. Growing up, a son with a mother that accommodates her child as he grows into a man creates a strong relationship between the two. Ernest Jones, the author of Tragedy and the Mind of the Infant, conducts a theory that the relationship between Hamlet and his mother causes Hamlet’s dependency on having a woman in his life to show him affection. Jones argues that the combination of the Gertrude’s fondness for her son and sensual nature lead …show more content…
He begins the article by writing about the similarities and differences between Hamlet’s relationships with Ophelia and Gertrude. He addresses that Ophelia contains many similarities to Gertrude, which is why Hamlet is so desperate for her affection. Jones also directs attention to their differences in order to release the idea that Hamlet wanted a woman that would not remind him of his mother. In his second paragraph, Jones talks about Hamlet’s jealousy towards his uncle after he takes Gertrude and the throne. He explains that Hamlet’s life long desire to replace his father’s genuine role as king, and clarifies that Hamlet’s anger at Claudius is derived from Claudius taking Hamlet’s desires. Following this, Jones claims that the two tragedies Hamlet faces, his father’s death and mother’s second marriage represented ideas that in Hamlet’s mind are very closely related. He then proceeds to change the subject to Hamlet’s relationship with Ophelia. Jones explains Hamlet’s sexual revulsion is caused by his complex reaction to the thought of his mother connected with his sensuality. That is combined with a fierce jealousy of Gertrude giving herself to another man, which results in a resentment against women taken out on Ophelia. Jones claims that the theme of the play ultimately splits …show more content…
Jones begins his article by stating “As a child Hamlet had experienced the warmest affection for his mother, and this, as is always so, had contained elements of a disguised erotic quality, still more so in infancy”(Jones-200). He begins with this to depict to the reader how important Hamlet’s relationship with his mother is. Hamlet grew up an only child, who, as heir to the throne, was given all of the attention from his parents. This led him to believe that he would always have his mother and father coddle and look after him until he took the throne. Gertrude had a never ending love for Hamlet which let to that belief, and shows Hamlet’s affection from his mother is one of the reasons he assumes he will always have a woman that is there for him. Claudius acknowledges this relationship by stating “The Queen his mother/ Lives almost by his looks”(IV. vii. 13-14). Claudius is explaining to Laertes that he simply cannot rid of Hamlet just for the sake of it. He knows that Hamlet’s relationship with his mother is a two way road, and by throwing away Hamlet he could also be throwing away his wife. Jones describes this as an erotic relationship to show that the connection Hamlet has with his mother is extended to a sensual feeling, relating to the one he shares with Ophelia. Although they
Throughout the play, Hamlet and Ophelia have a very strong love connection. They loved each other and wanted to eventually get married. Hamlet and Ophelia hit some bumps in the road in their relationship but they always secretly wanted to be together. In Act 1, Scene 3, It was hard for Ophelia to comprehend when Polonius told her that he thought Hamlet's love for her wasn’t real, but she didn’t know what to believe. When Hamlet could no longer see Ophelia he began to get mad a frustrated, to add on also that he was going crazy over his own father's death.
The noble and innocent youth Ophelia tries her hardest to obey/impress her elders. Prince Hamlet and Ophelia have a complicated relationship in which they have on and off’s. At the beginning Ophelia’s love for Prince Hamlet is strong but she has to keep her innocence/ obedience
Hamlet’s sexual deviancy is a defining characteristic of Hamlet, and is an often talked about topic when discussing the play. Hamlet is engrossed in people’s sex lives, whether it is his mother, Gertrude, or his ex-girlfriend, Ophelia. Hamlet’s general distrust and disgust with women makes him a misogynist. Hamlet seems mad that his mother, Gertrude, moved on so quickly to Claudius seeing as it had only been two months since her first husband, Hamlet Sr. died. This seems like a logical response, however Hamlet keeps bringing it up. So much so, that his father’s ghost even says "Taint not thy mind, nor let thy soul contrive / Against thy mother aught: leave her to heaven." (1.5.9) Hamlet shows sign of jealousy toward Claudius as if he is the one who wants to be with his mother, because of this Hamlet
Love in the forms of parent to child and from lover to lover is an addictive element which can result in loneliness and lead to madness to those who lose it forever. Hamlet's relationship with Gertrude and Ophelia is quick to fall apart after he learns key information about his parentage. Both Gertrude and Ophelia provide him with love but are absent at a time when he needs it most; during the reign of his madness. Hamlet's madness is partly evident due to his poor relationship with Gertrude and Ophelia, since they falsely love him then reject him by moving on with their lives. Both females have heavily contributed to the misogyny Hamlet develops. Ophelia and Gertrude disappoint Hamlet which leads him to become a misogynist which
In the beginning, of the story Hamlet makes Ophelia believe that she is the main reason for his insanity. Instead of Hamlet showing love or an emotional connection towards Ophelia, Hamlet treats Ophelia as a sexual object. We can see this clearly in the text, “ That’s a fair thought to lie between a maiden legs.” (Shakespeare 3.2.3) This shows how Hamlet sees Ophelia as a sexual object. He would rather engage in intimacy with Ophelia instead of getting to know her on a personal level. This also leads to another character in a story who treats Ophelia as an object rather than family.
Hamlet, a tragic play written by Shakespeare in the 1600s, portrays the struggle of young Hamlet in the face of avenging his father’s death. While major themes throughout this tragedy include death, loss, madness, revenge, and morality, another important theme to include in discussion is the theme of womanhood. The only two female characters in a cast of thirty-five include Queen Gertrude and Ophelia, both of whom die unfortunate deaths. The importance of womanhood and female sexuality is shown through several literary techniques; though, most importantly, the characters Queen Gertrude and Ophelia are both symbols for female sexuality. Both characters are developed as negative and positive sides to womanhood through dialogue as other characters approach them, their own actions, and most importantly, their individual deaths.
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.
When Hamlet learns that his father was murdered and that his stepfather is the killer, it is more than he can handle. This news drives him mad as Ophelia's news of her father's death does to her. It is how the two characters deal with their madness that leads to the differences between them.
At one point in time, Ophelia was one who Hamlet truly loved and trusted. Ophelia comes and speaks to hamlet to return his gifts from her but Hamlet immediately realizes that something is wrong and finds out that Ophelia is being used by Claudius and Polonius to spy on him to find out the real reason of Hamlet’s facade of madness. After realizing this, Hamlet is incensed and acts as if he is truly insane. Hamlet is clearly hurt because of the fact that Ophelia has been as a pawn in Claudius’ game. The effects of the matter cause him to verbally abuse Ophelia and rejects her love by saying that they will never get married and also degrades women. At this point Hamlet is raged and does not understand how harsh his words can be to a woman, especially a human being in general. In conclusion, the death of Hamlet’s father had looked like as if it has not even affected his mother which he so dearly loved and the one true love he thought he had, seems to him as deceiving and just a pawn for his enemies. These factors continue to diminish the subordinate attitude that Hamlet has towards
Similar to Hamlet. Hamlet is a teenage and is influenced by his Oedipus complex. He has been frustrated by his mothers' remarriage to Claudius, which makes him jealous. Hamlet has confronted his feeling again about his mother's remarriage and says, "No, by the rood, not so. You are the queen, your husband's brother's wife, And-would it were not so!-you are my mother." (3.4.13-15), Hamlet also mentions his wishes that Gertrude was not his mother. This could suggest that Hamlet is jealous of Claudius and could be wishing that if he was not her son than he could and been married to Gertrude. Hamlet felt this loneliness inside of him, which is due to his father's death and Ophelia leaving him. He felt that both his mother and him would be lonely after his father's death and accompany one another, but, Gertrude found someone else. Hamlet is no accepting their marriage which is a sign that he is not willing to accept the reality that he cannot get his mother and fulfil their loneliness. Hamlet is feigning this madness, but, gets tangled up in the reality and world of fantasy. He does not know how to keep the acting and showing his reality separate. Hamlet is unable to keep his facts (look for a diff word) straight about if he does or does not like Ophelia. Just like when he says, Let her not walk i' th' sun. Conception is a blessing, but, as your daughter may conceive-Friend, look to 't."
Hamlet's rant to persuade her that Claudius is a bad man and the murderer of his father depicts his disrespect to his mother. For instance, he tells her, "You go not till I set you up a glass / Where you may see the inmost part of you." (III.iv.20-21) He is threatening his own mother! Later, he addresses her as "thou wretched, rash, intruding fool" (III.iv.32) Even though Gertrude's lust for Claudius aggravates him, Hamlet fails to show even the most fundamental respect to his superior. The relationship is full of disloyalty and distrust from Gertrude's part. First, she appeases, "Be thou assured... I have no life to breathe what thou hast said to me." (III.iv.201-203) It is assumed that she will listen to Hamlet and stay away from Claudius. However, in the next act, she displays her true loyalty to her husband, telling him that Hamlet is "in this brainish apprehension kills / The unseen good old man." (IV.I.12-13) This is partially contributed by her observations of her son talking to a ghost that she doesn't see. Polonius' death causes her to think Hamlet is dangerous, further driving the two apart. Her distrust to her son harms him by further solidifying Claudius' plan to execute him in England because the king sees him as a threat to the throne who is capable of killing. In the end, Hamlet and Gertrude's relationship take a bittersweet ending.
Hamlet is the typical kind of son almost every father and mother would want: intelligent, loving, caring, strong and loyal. Yet, some scholars believe that he is just another emotional character, defying our eyes to think that his acts are innocent, when his real purpose is to take his mother for himself. This gives scholars, like Ernest Jones, the impression that Hamlet’s actions were encouraged by an Oedipus complex, characterized by feelings of intense rivalry with a father figure in regards to a mother’s spousal affection. Even though there are lines that can be interpreted to show that Hamlet may have had such a desire for his mother, when these lines are examined in the full context of the
On William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, after the assassination of his father, Hamlet thinks he is living in a world full of corruption and deceit, where everything is falling apart and everyone is against him. An imminent, exaggerated, and passionate love for his mother is his main feature. Although others argue that Hamlet’s obsession to murder Claudius is strictly to claim revenge for his father’s death, it is Hamlet’s obsessive desire to possess his mother in an unhealthy and, perhaps incestuous, relationship. Hamlet also appears jealous of Claudius, his father-uncle, jealous of him for having Gertrude and for owning the crown. He lives a love-hate relationship with his mother. He is full of anger towards her, but at the same time he
(1) Hamlet’s feelings can no longer be helped back. He wants to be with his mother. Two of the Queen’s character traits that cause Hamlet to have these feelings would be her sensual nature and her fondness so her son. Hamlet misinterpreted Gertrude’s love for him as a sexual desire, instead of the maternal love that she has for him. Even though Hamlet felt what his mother was doing with Claudius as wrong, he still had considerable respect for her.
In the Introduction to Twentieth Century Interpretations of Hamlet, David Bevington enlightens the reader regarding the similarities between Gertrude and Ophelia as the hero sees them: